There was a poor boy who lived with his parents.

His name was Terna.

His parents were very poor and could not send him to school.

"Many children around us are going to school, our son can't ," said Terna's mother.
But where can we get money to send our son to school?" asked father.
Let's farm more maize, we will eat some and sell some," mother suggested.

And that is how Terna was able to go to school.

He was smart, intelligent and came tops in his class.
"Work hard, son, hard work pays," urged mother and father.

Terna read very well. He worked hard to remain at the top.

He did his class and home work. He read in the night with the kerosine lamp.

He studied hard for national quiz competitions and excelled.

He was always represented his school at local and national competitions.

At this national science competition too, Terna did not disappoint his school.

He won a scholarship at the competition to study overseas.

Father and mother were very proud of their son.

"They were excited at his success and the opportunity to study overseas.

"See what we always tell you that hard work pays?" said mother and father, with hugs and pats on his back.

Mother and father were not happy as they said goodbye to their only son.

But this is what will change his life and ours.

"Go well son, remember that it pays to work hard," they said with tears in their eyes.

Many years later, Terna returned home.

He built a house for his poor parents.

He also bought a car for them. Surely, it pays to work hard.