Question

all year, i had stared at the new hyperair sneakers every time i walked past jensons shoe store. they werent just shoes, they were a statement. everyone at school had a pair—or at least it felt that way. i needed them. no, i deserved them. when i finally asked my mom if she could buy them, she sighed and shook her head. if you want them that badly, youll have to earn them yourself. thats how i ended up working for old mr. hernandez next door, cleaning up his wild, overgrown yard. at first, i hated it. my sneakers were supposed to make me cool—not sweaty, covered in dirt, and chasing weeds taller than my knees. but something changed after a few days. mr. hernandez showed me how to coax tiny green plants from under the dry earth. he pointed out the first tomato blossom and let me pick a bright yellow sunflower. sometimes we just sat in the shade, drinking lemonade and talking about life—no phones, no rushing. i started to realize that not everything worth having came with a price tag. by the time i had earned enough money, i wasnt in such a rush to buy the sneakers. sure, they were nice. but i had also found something better: the feeling of working for something, the quiet beauty of a garden, and friendships that didnt cost a thing. how does the narrators perspective about the sneakers change over the course of the story? he realizes that sneakers are more important than friendships. he decides he doesnt like the sneakers after all. he learns that material things are less valuable than hard work and simple joys. he realizes he can get better sneakers by working more jobs.

Explanation:

The narrator initially desires new sneakers but through working for Mr. Hernandez, they discover the beauty of a garden and friendships. By the end, they realize that non - material things like these are more important than the sneakers.

Answer:

He realizes that sneakers are less important than friendships.