Chapter 5: Inner Peace
Zero Hero: A Heart at Peace
Mr. Lynn taught the class integers on that Monday.
He explained it in an exciting, fun way.
“Imagine it like this,” he told his students.
Let’s all start with zero — we can use cents.
If I put fifty cents in your bank, you gain.
You have that much more than zero, no pain!
In this case, we would say you have positive fifty.
That’s not a lot. Then let’s say you weren’t very thrifty.
You want to give your friend more than what you own.
You give her a dollar for the kindness she’s shown.
You only have fifty cents but still give her that much.
You say you’ll give her fifty more as soon as it’s in your touch.
You are in debt now because you owe someone.
We’d say you have negative fifty, less than none.”
The class nodded their heads together in understanding.
Mr. Lynn always had a way of explaining things.
“I have a question about who’s good and who’s better.
One person is negative and another positive? Who is really…
