Journal #6

Journal Topic 6

Persuasion

         Many times a brother looks up to his older sibling for guidance and support. I know my brother did and still does, but not as much as he used to. When we were very little I used to tell him to do silly things like run around screaming, “I like unicorns!” Well then it got worse I started telling him that the coins were worth much more than paper money. He thought a quarter was $25 and a $10 bill was worth 10 cents. So daily I would give him a dime in exchange for a 10-dollar bill. Sure I felt a little bad but how could I resist?

         Within the next few months I has made over 50 dollars in birthday, and Christmas money. Ty on the other hand had made about 50 cents. He boasted about his wealth and called me silly for just giving him money, I was feeling pretty good.

         Later that week my mom saw Ty running around with his coins and shaking them in my face, she asked “ Ty, what are you doing?” I walked away knowing this wasn’t going to be good. He replied, “Katya has been giving me money and all I had to do was give her green paper!” I could see from my hiding place that her face was turning cross. She said, “ That’s great Ty! Let me go talk to your sister.” She walked over to me and summoned me into my room. “ Katya Noemi Kaplow! Have you been taking Ty’s money?!” I said, “No, I just gave him smaller money in exchange for cash.” I smiled hoping to win her over with my adorable smile. It didn’t work.

         For the next week I was grounded, no Ty, no soccer, and no play dates. Ty had gotten his money back and he kept my 50 cents. That long week I learned that the power of persuasion was a great thing; but it needs to be used only in the right moments. This was no one of them.

         To this day I am still a very good persuader and usually win arguments and quarrels: but I know never to mess with Ty, because he doesn’t trust me anymore.