Our Little Entrepreneur

Following a big snowfall a few weeks ago, I took the kids outside so I could shovel the driveway. Elbert had bought Nathan and Andrew their own "kid-sized" shovels, and they were anxious to help me.

Nathan decided that he was going to shovel our neighbors' driveway. He got busy working on it. It took a long time because he could only pick up a little snow at a time and carry it to the edge. In the middle of his work, he told me, "I have perseverance. It's one of my gifts." He worked for about 45 minutes on their driveway.

Our neighbor, Anne, came home in the middle of his good deed. She was surprised to find Nathan out there working hard. She asked me if she could pay him for his efforts. She wanted to pay him $5, but I told her she could give him a coin. (Someday when he reads this, he'll be upset with me.) Anne gave him $0.50 when he was done. It was as if he won the lottery. He was so excited to show me the money he earned.

So, what do you think happened after the next snowstorm? He started shoveling the Moore's driveway (the neighbors on the other side). Not knowing what Anne had done, Mr. Moore gave Nathan $0.25.

Nathan now thinks he's in business and will get rich when it snows.