Tulips for Annie's Mother

Tulips for Annie's Mother

"I'll miss you more," Annie said.She was afraid that her own family might have to move too.But she didn't tell Sue.

Annie gave Sue one last hug.She watched Sue walk home. She felt so sad.

Annie went inside her home.The house used to be toasty warm. Now it was cold.Annie wished she had some more sweaters to wear.

Life was not always like this.Two years ago, Annie had lots of clothes to wear.Her father still had his job.He worked as a bookkeeper.He brought money home every week.The family always had food.Annie and her older brother Tom had toys too.

Annie remembered when everything changed.A year ago, in 1929, the stock market crashed.Annie's dad had told her about stocks.He said, "You could give money to a company to help run it.Then you owned a small part of that company.If the company made money, you made money too.If it didn't, then you didn't.But then suddenly, stocks were worth nothing.Banks were out of money.Rich people became poor people.Companies went out of business, and people lost their jobs."They called this time the Great Depression.

Sue was not the only one who had to move away.Her brother Tom's friend, Hank, moved to California to live with his aunt.

Tom had a job cleaning a neighbor's barn.He made a dollar a day.Annie tried to sell eggs by the road.But no one would buy them.Annie's father kept looking for work.

Annie's mother looked sadly out the window."This is the first year I won't plant tulips.There's no money to buy bulbs," Annie's mother said.

Annie felt very sad.She knew how much her mother loved the beauty of the flowers.

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