When Abraham Lincoln was just a boy, he had to help his father to look after their farm. It was hard work and there wasn ’ t anything interesting for him. Abraham wanted to go to school, but there was no school there. He was sad most of the time. Mrs. Linco l n loved the boy very much. She tried her best to make Abraham happy. One morning she got up early and went to the town. It was a long way , so it took her a long time to get there. She bought something there and went back. It was late in the evening when she got home. The next morning Mrs. Lincoln said to Abraham, “ Today is your birthday, so we ’ re going to have a party. ” She put some food on the table, and then brought out a present. “ A book! ” Abraham cried. It was an old book, but he liked it. A smile came on his face. He looked up at Mrs. Lincoln and said, “ Thank you, Mom. ”