The Map in My Uncle's Garage

My uncle Leo never liked school, and he left at sixteen to work in a garage.

For years he fixed engines and saved money, but he often felt that something was missing.

One rainy afternoon, while he was cleaning the back room, he found an old map of South America.

Looking at the long roads and strange names, he decided to learn Spanish at night school.

His friends laughed, saying he was too old to start again.

Leo ignored them and practised every evening after work.

Two years later, he sold his tools and flew to Peru with a small bag.

There he repaired buses for a travel company and met people from many countries.

Although the work was hard, he loved the mountains and the fresh air.

Now Leo runs a small workshop in Cusco and teaches young mechanics.

He says the map changed his life, but I think his courage did.