On a hot, sticky day to work I went. Picking strawberries with my new white dress. I was getting hungry so I decided to eat some strawberries. Yum! They’re sweet and juicy. Oh no, I squirted some on my dress.

I am getting sunburned. The money I will make will have to go to suntan lotion. My children are probably screaming for me. Only three more hours left. “This job is too tiring,” I said as I fell to my knees.

Church tomorrow… what will I wear? My dress is stained and torn My boots are not white but brown. My knees are shaking and I am sunburned and I am hot and sweaty.

Two more hours left. I have picked more than fifty rows of strawberries, eating half of them. Why did I do that? I will not have enough for suntan lotion, a white dress, boots and food for my family.

One more hour left. Slowly, I pick two more rows worth of strawberries. Yes! I am done! But I will only make $1.05. Oh well, at least I have a job, a family, boots and a stained, torn dress.

Written at 8 years old, 1992