【明報專訊】MR WONG was a workaholic. Like other ordinary working-class folk, he worked day in and day out, and he seldom had time to see his wife and kids called Tony and Macy.

Tony was older than Macy and was about to become a secondary school student. And he had been disappointed by his dad's long working hours. Macy was still in primary school. She still paid the most attention to the door each time someone walked by.

When Tony and Macy were still very small, they had apple pies with their dad and mum after school. The four of them would sit on the sofa and watch TV while having the pies. Such fond memories faded. Tony was worried about the coming exam, and Macy, though still loved her papa a lot, seemed to spend more time pursuing her hobbies — dancing, playing the piano, watching Korean TV dramas, just to name a few.

It was when Macy no longer stayed in the living room at night did Mr Wong realise something crucial — it would be too late if he didn't do something to remedy the relationships with his children.

Of course he thought of apple pies. How could he not? They were part of his memory. He then spent a long night reminiscing about what Tony and Macy were like when they were small.

"I've got to hurry!

Or else I'll lose my kids!"

Mr Wong said to himself. He promised his kids he could buy some apple pies the following day. "Liar!" Tony banged his bedroom door.

After hours he went to the bakery many miles away from his office. "They smell great!" He got a sniff of the pies. His wife would come back late so he didn't count her in.

"Uhhhhh... It's him!" He bumped into his chubby boss.

"Oh they smell excellent! Would you mind giving them all to me?" His boss asked.

"What are you talking about?"

"Don't pretend to be a fool! You've been performing rather badly these days... You know that!"

Mr Wong gave his boss the bag. "Great Mr Wong! You've done well!" His boss went away and started munching on an apple pie.

Mr Wong was back home empty-handed. "I told you he's a liar!" Tony took a glimpse and went back to his room.

Then the doorbell rang, breaking the silence. "Hello! Are you Mr Wong?" It was one of the shopkeepers at the bakery, "I forgot the 'buy one get one free' offer. Here you are!"

Mr Wong could smell apple pie. The blood rushed to Tony's cheeks. He and Macy couldn't resist the smell and came out. The bell rang again. It was his wife!

"Oh dear... I only managed to get..."

"No worries! Let's slice one of it into halves!" Macy burst into laughter.

If parents pay more attention to their kids, having a good time together would not be pie in the sky (不可能的計劃).

■Gear up

Answer the following questions:

(1)The number of apple pie(s) Mr Wong manages to get at last: _______________

(2)Mr Wong's boss is not greedy.

True / False

(3) A workaholic is someone who:

a) does not like his work.

b) works extremely hard.

c) drinks a lot.

(Answers on next text)

■Food for thought

Should Tony treat his dad this way? What would you recommend him to do? If you mum and dad come home late, try showing your care or talking to them!

■Glossary

pursue (v) 追尋

crucial (adj) 重要的

remedy (v) 挽救

bump into (phr v) 碰見

[Smarties' Power English 第255期]