At the beginning of the story, Greg Ridley is in a bad mood and is dreading the lecture from his father, knowing what was going to happen cause if he want to play basketball for his favorite team the scorpions. because of his having poor grades in math he might not be able to play basketball because he did not study hard or he is not asking for help from his father or his teacher but running away that his problem his dad is trying to help him and he will have a hard time finding a job because now they are using math for everything excluding (writing books or poems EXT.) were at the end of the story, Greg is awaiting a lecture from his dad once again, but this time, he is happy and smiles at the thought of it. This change occurs because Lemon Brown tells Greg about how he lost his own son, and that the lessons and things a father gives a son should be treasured Greg realizes this is true, and it shows by how his behavior changed at the end. and that he should treasure every moment that he spends with his father help me improve please and thank you