Making the Shoe Tacks①
The hardworking blacksmith② Jones used to work all day in his shop，and so hardworking was he that he would make the sparks③ fly from his hammer.
The son of Mr Smith，a rich neighbor，used to come to see the blacksmith.For hours and hours he would enjoy himself watching how the tradesman worked.
“Young man，why don't you try your hand at making shoe tacks，even if it is only to kill the time？” said the blacksmith.“Who knows，one day，it may be of use to you.”
The boy began to see what he could do.After a short practice he found that he became very skilled and soon he could make some of the finest tacks.
Old Mr Smith died and on account of④ the war，the son lost all his goods.He had to leave home and was forced to take up residence⑤ in a village in another country.It happened that in this village there were numerous⑥ shoemakers who spent a lot of money buying tacks for their shoes，and even at times after they paid high prices they were not always able to get what they wanted，because in some parts of the country there was a high demand for soldiers' shoes. 【1】
Our young Mr Smith，who found it very difficult to earn his daily bread，remembered that once upon a time he had learned the art of making tacks.Then he had a sudden idea of making a deal⑦ with the shoemakers.He told them that he would make the tacks if they would set up a workshop for him.The shoemakers went crazy.And soon，Mr.Smith found that he made the finest tacks in the village.
“How funny it seems！” he used to say，“Even making tacks can also bring a fortune.Compared with all my former fortune 【2】，my trade now is more useful to me.”
