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8
Tom’s father stole things from people. He
liked to hit Tom. His mother was a beggar, and
Tom helped her. It was a hard life.
Tom had one grown-up friend—an old
man. He taught Tom to read and write. He told
Tomwonderful stories about kings, queens, and
princes. These stories made Tom excited, and
he started to dream that he was a prince.
Tom told his poor friends his dream, but they
laughed at him. He didn’t care.
Tom acted like a prince. He was very good
at it. The other children thought he was smart.
They acted like his servants, and it was a fun
game.
At night, the game stopped. Then Tom had
to go home, and he was just a poor, hungry boy
again.