For me, reading was a great escape.
	For me, reading was a great escape but it was also a great teacher.
	For me, reading was a great escape, but it was also a great teacher.

	When I was little, I loved to read fables and parables.
	I was little, and I loved to read fables and parables.
	I loved to read fables and parables.

	Fables and parables offer a lesson or moral at the end of the story so you have to pay attention.
	Fables and parables offer a lesson or moral at the end of the story, so you have to pay attention.
	Fables and parables offer a lesson or moral at the end of the story.

	I liked reading Aesop's fables, but I also enjoyed fables from Asia and Africa.
	I liked reading Aesop's fables.
	I liked reading Aesop's fables but I also enjoyed fables from Asia and Africa.

	One of my favorite fables was from Japan.
	When I was seven or eight, one of my favorite fables was from Japan.
	I was seven or eight, and one of my favorite fables was from Japan.

	The fable was called "The Little Peach Boy" because the story is about a boy who came from a peach.
	The fable was called "The Little Peach Boy."
	The boy's name was Momotaro.

	The fable is similar to the parable of "The Prodigal Son" but there are important differences.
	The fable is similar to the parable of "The Prodigal Son."
	The fable is similar to the parable of "The Prodigal Son," but there are important differences.

	When I read the parable of "The Prodigal Son," I almost always think of "The Little Peach Boy."
	I almost always think of "The Little Peach Boy."
	I read the parable, and I think of the fable.

	Both stories deal with beloved sons who leave home when they come of age.
	Both stories deal with beloved sons.
	Both stories deal with beloved sons, and they leave home.

	Momotaro eventually returns home to a warm welcome from his parents, and the prodigal son also enjoys a warm welcome from his father.
	Momotaro eventually returns home to a warm welcome from his parents and the prodigal son also enjoys a warm welcome from his father.
	Momotaro eventually returns home.

	However, Momotaro leaves home because he wants to serve his country.
	Momotaro leaves home, for he wants to serve his country.
	He wants to serve his country.

	The prodigal son leaves home to avoid work, and he ends up losing his share of his father's fortune.
	The prodigal son leaves home to avoid work and he ends up losing his share of his father's fortune.
	The prodigal son leaves home to avoid work.

	Since the two stories have very different main characters, the lesson of each story is very different as well.
	The two stories have very different main characters, so the lesson of each story is very different as well.
	The stories have very different main characters.

	Because Momotaro returns with wealth and even greater love for his parents, "The Peach Boy" teaches that selflessness has many rewards.
	Momotaro returns with wealth and even greater love for his parents, so "The Peach Boy" teaches that selflessness has many rewards.
	Momotaro returns with wealth and even greater love for his parents so "The Peach Boy" teaches that selflessness has many rewards.

	When the prodigal son returns home empty handed but very sorry, his father immediately forgives him.
	The prodigal son returns home empty handed, but his father immediately forgives him.
	The prodigal son is very sorry.

	"The Prodigal Son" teaches that if you are truly sorry, you will be forgiven.
	You must be truly sorry, and you will be forgiven.
	You will be forgiven.

	Fables and parables teach lessons, and they do this in a very simple and direct way.
	Fables and parables teach lessons and they do this in a very simple and direct way.
	They do this in a very simple and direct way.

	As I grew older, I also enjoyed reading other kinds of stories.
	I enjoyed reading other kinds of stories also, for I didn't always want the direct and simple lessons of fables.
	I enjoyed reading other kinds of stories also for I didn't always want the direct and simple lessons of fables.

	Sometimes I just wanted to get lost in a book.
	Sometimes I just wanted to escape the real world and imagine myself someplace else.
	Although I loved growing up in my hometown, sometimes I just wanted to imagine myself someplace else.

	I got so much from reading as a kid, and I still get a lot out of reading as an adult.
	I got so much from reading when I was a kid.
	I got so much from reading.