I will never forget the tenth summer of childhood with my grandfather in western Norway at the mountain farm where my mother was born. As a boy ,I always thought people simply bought whatever they need. Whether Grandfather knew this, I don't know. One day he said, "Come, I have something for you." I followed him to a workroom. "You should have a toy boat. You can sail it at Storvassdal." He said. Great, I thought,looking around for the boat. But there was none. Grandfather pointed to a block of wood. "The boat is in there," he said. Then he handed me some tools and showed me how to use them properly. "It'll be a fine boat,and you'll make it with your own hands," he said,"No one can give you what you do for yourself." The words rang in my head as I worked. Finished the boat. It wasn't much to look at ,but I was poud. Then I sailed it at Storvassdal. We had to return to America. "You cannot bring that boat home with you," my mother said. We already had too much baggage. Feeling sad, I hid my boat under a big rock at Storvassdal. I said good-bye to Grandfather, not knowing I would never see him again. In 1964, I went to Storvassdal with my parents and my wife and children. To my surprise,for 34 years my treasure stayed here,waiting for my return. I felt _ were togethet again although my grandfather had died 22 years before. I carved"1930"and"1964" on its side and put it back. I returned to the lake in 1968,1971,1977 and 1988. Each time I had the boat and carved the year,my grandfather seemed near. My last trip to Storvassdal was in 1991. I brought my granddaughters: Catherine,13; Claire,12. I hoped they would understand the importance of the little boat and its simple message. At Storvassdal, Claire said softly, 'Grandpa,someday I'll come back.' She added,"And I'll bring my children." What lesson did the writer's grandfather probably teach him?
Boys should have a toy boat at childhood. People can simply buy whatever they need. Boys should learn to make a boat out of wood. No one can give you what you do for yourself.