Eleven year-old Claudio came into the house very upset and told his mother:

- I stopped to look at a store window and left my bike by the curb. When I returned to it, it had been run over. It is all smashed! What I do now, Mom?

And Claudio sat on the sofa crying. Seeing her son in such a state, she consoled him:
 

He stopped crying, wiped his face, and listened carefully to what his mother was saying. Then he explained:

- It is just that I really liked that bike, mom! And as it is now, I don't think it is fixable!

Full of compassion, the mother smiled, sat beside her son and hugged him:

- Ah, now it's better! I thought you would not stop crying. Claudio, there's a solution for everything. Let's see what your father has to say.

When his father arrived, mother and son went to know about the bike. The father, seeing how anxious the boy was, explained:

- Son, your bike is beyond repair. It is very broken and to fix it will be very expensive. It will be cheaper to buy a new bike.

- Oh, Daddy! But I like it so much! You really can't fix it?

The father explained that there was so much work to do, it would not be worth the effort.

- But, Dad, I want "my" bike!

- If you are so keen, go get it! It is at Uncle Bob's house, which is nearby. But now let's
have lunch. I'm hungry - the father said, sighing.

After lunch, Claudio went to his uncle's house. There, he saw his bike thrown in the backyard like a useless piece of junk. He sought help from Uncle Bob, who drove it to Claudio's home in his car. But Claudio did not know what to do with it.

The next day, he went out walking to the workshops; he explained how the bike ended up and asked the cost of the repair. The cost of the new parts individually was very expensive!

But not discouraged, he went looking for a solution. Until, tired, he entered Ari's workshop. The cost was still high. So, now without any energy left, he sat on a bench there, discouraged. The owner, who was watching him without him noticing, took pity on the boy and decided to help him.

- Well, there is a way to make repairing the bike cheaper - the man said.

- How? ... - asked the boy raising his head, interested.

- You can buy used but in good condition parts!

- Ah! I did not know that! - exclaimed Claudio, more excited.

Ari gave him some addresses where he could get the parts, the boy thanked him and ran off to find the necessary parts. But still, he did not have enough money!

At home, he collected the coins from his piggy bank but there were only a few. So, he decided to work. He looked for jobs in the neighbourhood: he cleaned gardens, walked dogs, did chores around his house and at Uncle Bob's. Thus, he got more money.

So, a few days later, he returned to the workshop pushing a cart with the parts he had bought. The owner of the workshop looked at him and said:
 

- Ok, the parts you already have. Now you will only need to pay for the labour! - and he handed Claudio the cost, which made his hair stand up: - But I have no more money, Ari ... - he said as he started to cry. The owner looked at him pityingly and said:

- There is another way out - and seeing that the boy stopped crying and raised his head, he said - you do the job yourself!

- Me? I think it's a great idea but I do not know anything, Ari!

- I will teach you, if you're willing to learn. Thus it will be free!

Full of joy, Claudio accepted the suggestion. Then, from the next day in the afternoon, he started to work in Ari's workshop.

He began learning the craft from the repairing of his own bike; when he could not work on it, he helped Ari filling tires, greasing parts, painting bikes and everything else that was necessary. Soon, his bike was ready.
 

It was a joy to see it brand new, working and with a sparkly finish! Claudio thanked Ari for everything he had done for him, from helping with the bike to the skills he learned. He ended by stating: - I could never repay you, Ari!
- Of course you can! Now you know everything about the workshop, you can work with me, gaining an monthly salary. What do you think? - Ari replied, moved.

Claudio could not contain himself and jumped on him, giving him a big hug.

- I accept with pleasure! That's what I want the most! ... But why would you like me to work here?

- Because you have shown that you have a strong will, determination and drive to win. You showed me you're a winner. In life, Claudio, this is very important.

The boy returned home proudly riding his new bike. Seeing it fixed, his parents could not believe it was the same one.

- Yes, Dad. It's my bike! I struggled but I fixed it, with the help of my boss. Now, I have a job. I was hired to work in the workshop with Ari.

Satisfied, his parents embraced him, knowing that the child would not be crying around anymore when facing a difficulty, but that he would have the drive and strength to overcome problems, which in his life would be of great importance.
 

MEIMEI
 

(Psychographed by Celia X. de Camargo on 26/05/2014.)