Taxi, Ma’am, Sir!

By Dali Soriano
“Taxi, Sir? I’ll get one for you.” I am Ted.
After school I stay outside the gate of the
village near our house. I call taxis for people
who need them.
I am most happy when a passenger gives
me one peso. This is how I help my parents
buy food for my brothers and sisters.
One day, an old man asked me to call for a
taxi and gave me a paper bag. “Ted, take this
home to your family,” he said. “Thank you,
sir,” I told him.
I ran home to share the bag with my family.
“Pancit!” shouted my little sister as she
opened the bag. My five brothers and two
sisters ran to the table. We all shared the
pancit. “Where did you get the money to buy
pancit?” Nanay asked. “I called for a taxi for
an old man and he gave me a bag of pancit.
He told me to share it with you,” I replied.
The next day, the man called me again but
not for a taxi. “Would you like to help clean my
house?” he asked. “Oh yes, but when? You
see, I go to school,” I answered. “I will send
you to school.” “Really?” I asked. “Yes, I will,”
he said. 367 “Ah, but I don’t want to be away
from my family,” I added. “You are not leaving
them. After school you come help me clean
the house. Then, you can go home,” the man
explained. “Thank you. I like that.
My parents will like the good news,” I said.
My parents were happy. I like working for the
kind, old man. I don’t have to call for taxis
anymore.
Si Edong usa ka bata nga nag-
edad ug pito ka tuig, ug nagpuyo
sa Barangay Sampaguita. Walay
maayong pangita ang iyang mga
ginikanan, busa dili manahatag ang
tanan niyang panginahanglan.
Walay saktong pagkaon ug
kanunay siya nga masakit tungod
kay walay husto nga
pagpanglimpyo diha sa ilang
palibot. Kulang ang suplay sa tubig
ug walay kasilyas halos tanan nga
namuyo niini nga barangay. Apan
luyo niining tanan si Edong
nagapadayon sa pagtungha.
Nangandoy nga makahuman aron
makatabang sa iyang pamilya.
Lagyan ng tsek (√) kung ito ay mga
taong tumutulong sa komunidad at ekis
(X) kung hindi.
___1. pagong
___2. Panday
___3. Pulis
___4. bulaklak
___5. Panadero
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