A little boy went into a drug store1）， reached for a soda carton2） and pulled it over to the telephone. He climbed onto the carton so that he could reach the buttons on the phone and proceeded3） to punch in seven digits （phone numbers）. The store-owner observed and listened to the conversation.

Boy： Lady， can you give me the job of cutting your lawn？

Woman （at the other end of the phone line）： I already have someone to cut my lawn.

Boy： Lady， I will cut your lawn for half the price of the person who cuts your lawn now.

Woman： I'm very satisfied with the person who is presently cutting my lawn.

Boy （with more perseverance）： Lady， I'll even sweep your curb4） and your sidewalk， so on Sunday you will have the prettiest lawn in all of Palm beach， Florida.

Woman： No， thank you.

With a smile on his face， the little boy replaced the receiver. The store-owner， who was listening to all this， walked over to the boy.

Store-owner： Son ... I like your attitude； I like that positive spirit and would like to offer you a job.

Boy： No， thanks.

Store-owner： But you were really pleading for one.

Boy： No， Sir， I was just checking my performance at the job I already have. I am the one who is working for that lady I was talking to！

1. drug store： <美> （兼营化妆品、文具、牙膏、漱口剂、香烟等杂货的）药店或杂货店

2. carton [?kɑ?tn] n. 纸板箱

3. proceed [pr??si?d] vi. 继续做

4. curb [k??b] n. （街道或人行道的）路缘（俗称马路牙子）