"We don't learn poetry at all," his neighbor explained, "and we only come here when it's too hot outside and we can't fish or pick nuts."

"But Tip came in only because he was too lazy to go any further," added a third, pushing his neighbor in the side.

–Untruth! Tip shouted. "I came because it was very hot at home, and I couldn't stay there any longer!"

At this remark, all three laughed loudly.

"It's very good that you came!" The teacher said. – You probably like to listen to stories? Do you want me to tell you something?

The guys agreed.

"I'll tell you what happened to one of my acquaintances one day.

His name is Heinrich. At that time, he, like you, was thirteen years old.

Once he was walking slowly along the main street of his village...

"Where was it?" Bob Turner interrupted.

"In a village a few miles away," the teacher explained patiently. "That day Heinrich felt miserable: he was bored, he did not know what to do. When he reached a place where the roads diverged in different directions, he stopped and began to lazily reason: what to do? Go home and laze around, waiting for the time to go to bed, or go for a walk along the riverbank?

Life at home was bad for Henry - his mother died, and his father drank, paying little attention to his son.

As he stood, thus thinking, he was called out by a friend who was passing by.

"Where are you going, Henry, home?"

"I don't know," he replied hesitantly. "I'm bored.

"Then come play ball with us!" The comrade suggested.

Henry did not move. Usually he willingly played with the guys and did not like solitude. But on this day some incomprehensible feeling drew him to a deserted path on the bank of the river. It was as if he heard an inner voice saying to him: "Turn right and go down to the river." At last Heinrich made up his mind, "No! I'll go for a walk! He said and, turning sharply, walked in the opposite direction.

"And where did his friend go?" Tip asked, interrupting the teacher.

"The other boys were already playing ball, and he joined them.

Henry went down to the river. Under a large willow tree, he saw a stranger sitting with a half-closed book in his hands, apparently admiring the sunset.

"Good evening, young man," the stranger said, hearing footsteps. "Would you like to sit down beside me?"