Tom had not seen his Uncle Mark for nearly two years. During that time, Uncle Mark had been working abroad at a research center. When he finally returned, he moved to a quiet home in the countryside. Last spring, Tom and his family drove out to visit him for a weekend. Before they left, Tom put on his favorite jacket and baseball cap.
Uncle Mark was happy to see everyone, but Tom noticed that he looked a little pale. A recent illness had tired him out, and he was still getting better. "Don't worry," Uncle Mark said with a smile. "Whenever I have family around me, I feel much better." He gave Tom's grandmother a warm kiss on the cheek and invited everyone inside.
That afternoon, Uncle Mark and Tom cooked together in the kitchen. They boiled potatoes and tomatoes in a big pot and added some butter to make the soup rich and smooth. Tom squeezed fresh juice from oranges for everyone to drink. While they waited for the soup, Uncle Mark pointed to a photo on the wall. It showed him standing in a laboratory, holding up a silver medal he had won for his research. Tom thought it was one of the most impressive things he had ever seen.
In the evening, the whole family walked to a nearby town for an Asian food festival. The streets were full of color and music. People cooked dishes from many countries, and the air smelled wonderful. A group of students performed a traditional dance, and their lead dancer wore a costume with gold and silver patterns — a symbol of honour and good luck in Asian culture. Tom felt very lucky to be there and even spent a dollar on a small charm at one of the stalls.
On the way home, Uncle Mark talked about his time working abroad. He said that wealth is not only about money. "Real wealth is your health, your family, and your knowledge," he told Tom. He also said that technology was changing at a rapid pace, and that young people needed to keep learning to stay ahead. Tom listened carefully and felt excited about his future.
That night, after visiting the bathroom to wash up before bed, Tom lay in bed thinking about the day. A sudden idea came to him — he wanted to become a scientist like Uncle Mark someday. He smiled and closed his eyes, feeling proud and full of hope.