Adam was struggling. It was his very first day at school the next day, and his mother had bought him some new shoes for the (32) 1234 .The problem was they had laces and Adam still couldn't tie them up himself. He'd been practising unsuccessfully for days, and now, less than 24 hours before the big day, he (33) 1234 a failure.
'I can't do it!' he shouted in desperation. 'Everyone at school's going to laugh at me.'
'No, they're not, Adam. Don't worry. I (34) 1234 lots of them don't know how to tie up their shoelaces properly yet. Just (35) 1234 trying. Do you want me to show you again?'
Adam nodded.
Mrs Carstairs patiently held Adam's fingers in hers, and talked him through the required steps. 'Now, you try (36) 1234 your own," she said. 'I won't say a word.'
Adam picked up a lace in each hand. He crossed them, with the right lace going over the left, and pulled the right lace under the left and through.
'Excellent, Adam! That's the first (37) 1234 !'
'Quiet, Mummy! You said you wouldn't say anything.' 'Sorry.'
He pulled the laces tight, and slowly (38) 1234 a loop with the left lace. Carefully, but slowly, he managed to make a perfect bow.
'You've done it!' shouted his mother. 'Now do the other shoe.'
Adam did the other shoe perfectly.
In the next twenty minutes, Adam tied his laces another six times.
Finally he said: 'Mummy, now I know how to tie my shoes, why do I have to go to school tomorrow?
I (39) 1234 , what can they possibly teach me that I don't already know?'