He just wanted to get home safely. So instead of climbing back onto his bike, he walked it the rest of the way down. Only after he emerged at the parking lot and retrieved his backpack did he start to ride again.He was halfway home when he realized something was wrong. His bike chain was catching every time he pedaled. He didn’t have time to examine it, though — his watch told him it was already two o’clock. He had only an hour to do a full list of chores before his father returned.At home, he stowed his muddy bike in the garage, promising himself he’d clean it and check the chain right after he finished the housework. But when he read the list his father had left him, he groaned.I’m supposed to empty the dishwasher, tidy up my bedroom and the basement, take out the trash, and vacuum the whole downstairs? he thought as he changed out of his rain-and mud-soaked clothes. That’ll take forever!It didn’t take forever, but it did take most of the hour. When he finally finished, all he wanted to do was flop on the sofa and watch television.
