Tom Sawyer Paints the Fence

Tom Sawyer dropped his bucket of white paint on the ground with a sigh. He looked down the length of the fence. It seemed to go on forever.

It was going to take all day to paint.

All the other boys and girls were running down to the lake or over to the park. Tom wished he could go with his friends.

But his Aunt Polly had told him to paint the fence. If he didn’t, he’d be in a heap of trouble.

Just as Tom was about to start painting, his friend, Jim, came by. “Jim!” Tom called, “why don’t you come and help me paint this fence?”

“What will you give me if I do?” Jim asked.

Tom reached into his pocket. It was empty.

Jim laughed and shook his head “no.” He walked away, leaving Tom alone with his bucket and paintbrush.

Tom turned back to the fence as another friend came down the street. Ben made noises like a steamboat. He pretended to drive a boat up to Tom. He whistled loudly and steered an imaginary wheel.