Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.

Daniel struck the wall angrily and stormed out. His parents had a violent quarrel again and the whole
house reflected that. There were things lying all over the house. It has been like that for the last year and
he and his sister, Karin had suffered seeing their parents quarrel.

Daniel didnt care anymore what happened at home. School didnt matter anymore, and neither did his
future. He smoked a lot these days but that made him feel good, he told himself. His friends too were like
him, from dysfunctional homes and they lived a life that left them on the streets often. But then there was
no one waiting at home who cared anyway!

Daniel remembered the time when the police picked him and his friends up for being near a robbery
scene. They had a rough time at the police station. Another time they had got into a gang fight. His parents
were furious with him when they were informed about it and his father had hardly spoken a word to him
while his mother had wailed. But tears didnt move Daniel anymore.

He remembered the many days when he had cried himself hearing their violent quarrels and wondered if
he was to blame. Karin too used to hide in her room until the storm of words was over. She had wanted to
be a doctor once and Daniel too had wanted to be a pilot. Now they may remain only dreams.
Daniel saw his neighbours, Rob dragging his feet to school. Rob was disabled and had been given up for
adoption from young. His foster parents adored him and gave him love and attention. They talked to him
and took him for extra classes but they didnt paper or spoil him. He was expected to do chores at home
and work hard at school. His foster father had told him that he had to start his work earlier and work
harder if he was to cope with the rest of the student at school.
Daniel made up his mind. He realized that he was tired of all that he was going through. Totally
miserable about his family conditions, he decided to talk to Robs father, Uncle Edward. He told him his
problems. Uncle Edward listened quietly, and asked a few questions. The he spoke to Daniel an in his
calm voice advised him, Your parents are going through some bad time but they do love you. And there
are many other people who love you too. So it is your duty to do something for yourself. You are special
and unique, just like our Rob Go ahead and make a good of life so that you can reach out to others.

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When you make mistakes, remember some good will come out of this too. You learn by your mistakes
and trials and troubles make you strong and resilient. Dont be frightened by them, remember that the bad
times will pass. They say that when life lends you lemon, ask for sugar. Make the best of a bad situation
rather than make it worse. You are not the only one with a problem. There are millions of people who are
million times worse off than you!

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Dont rely on friends- not all are good. Drop the friends who make you do bad things. You are
intelligent enough to know what is bad and stay away from the bad influence. If friends lead you do
harmful things, they cant be thinking of your best interests. Move on, Daniel. Help your sister too in the
process. If you are supportive, she too can achieve her ambition. Not all successful people come from
wonderful and loving homes. And to use a broken home as an excuse not to make something out of life is
weak. I will help you in whatever way I can but everything lies in your hands. Daniel looked at Uncle
Edward.

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