Jack had been a slave all his life. He didn’t really mind, it was a good enough life, he supposed. His master and his master’s family were good to him, and always made sure he was well cared for. Mainly his tasks at the home were to work in the shop with the master during the day, and help around the house during the evening. This suited Jack fine.
Jack had two main joys in his life. The first was helping his master and family. It made Jack smile every time they asked him to do something he was able to do, because he knew that because they needed him, and he was a useful part of the household. Fortunately, his family realized this as well, and made it a point to thank him, and always told him how much they appreciated his help. Jack loved being so useful.
The other great joy of Jack’s life was in the evenings, when he was doing his indoor chores, one of the older slaves would come into the main room and read aloud for the family. The master had a wonderful book collection, and the older slave was a great reader. Jack would sit for hours doing his chores, and they would seem to flash by as he listened to the tales the old man would tell.
One day, Jack passed the older slave as he was coming in from the shop for the day. He blurted out to his older co-worker, “I love the way you read.” The old man lifted his head, and looked at Jack. “I love the way you count.” But Jack was confused, because he had never learned his figures.
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