Why should I make an effort? Over the years, various answers to the question have come to my mind. One year, I thought I should make an effort for the sake of the boy in my heart. Another year, I determined I should be diligent to outshine my rival, a girl who acted as if the entire world were revolving around her. Last weekend, a new answer to the question presented itself.

Upon my arrival at home last Saturday, Mother said that we had a lot on for the evening. She had made the plans. First, we ate out at a fancy restaurant, where most dishes were my favourites and I could not have loved the meal more. Then, we went shopping at the mall, where Mother got me a pair of shoes. It was a famous brand I had been yearning for for ages.

At the end of the evening, I mentally calculated how much Mother had shelled out that evening. To my surprise, it exceeded 700 yuan. An average white-collar employee in our city has to work approximately 7 days to earn the same amount. But Mother showered all that much on me in just two hours.

Though doing all right, my family is not among the best-to-do. Like most guys, Father and Mother have to work 9 to 5, Monday through Friday, to support the family. At times they have to do overtime. To earn 700 yuan, they would have to do regular work for days. They never complain about the long hours they have to put in day in and day out. And they always provide my brother and me with all the best.

Looking back on the weekend, I am very much impressed. It has given me a fresh motivation for making an effort, not only for myself but for my beloved parents as well. One day when I am independent, I will buy whatever my parents want, the way I was treated.