Read the first part of the story.

One Chance

• Walking home after a long day of lessons, Li Chao followed his classmate Zu Feng down the winding, rocky path through the mountains. Chao, lost in his thoughts, fell further and further behind. The exam was tomorrow, and he kept replaying Father’s words in his head.
• ‘You are lucky, my son,’ Father had said that morning. ‘Lucky to have this one chance.’
• Chao knew he was lucky. His father had saved for years to pay for Chao’s private teacher. With him, Chao had studied the teachings of the great master Confucius and learned calligraphy, painting complex characters with a fine brush. As the son of a long line of poor farmers, Li Chao was the first in his family to study anything at all, or even have the hope of a comfortable government job.
• But Chao did not feel so lucky. Father had spent everything on Chao’s teacher. In fact, Chao felt sick to his stomach. Tomorrow was his only chance.
• But Chao did not feel so lucky. Father had spent everything on Chao’s teacher. In fact, Chao felt sick to his stomach. Tomorrow was his only chance.