Going, Going, Gone! Punctuation at the Charity Auction

The Roof Fund Auction

1Every spring, the Willow Street Community Center holds an auction to raise money for repairs. This year, the money would pay for a new roof. Grandpa Teo was the auctioneer, and his granddaughter Priya helped him by holding up each item for the crowd to see.

2Before the auction started, Priya peeked through the curtain. Rows of folding chairs were filling up fast. "Grandpa, what if nobody bids on anything?" she whispered. Grandpa Teo smiled. "Then we will make them laugh first."

3At six o'clock, he tapped the microphone. "Welcome, friends! Tonight, every dollar helps fix our leaky roof." Just then, a drop of water plopped onto his hat, and the whole room laughed.

4The first item was a quilt made by the sewing club. "Who will start the bidding at twenty dollars?" Grandpa Teo asked. A hand went up. Then another. "Twenty-five... thirty... thirty-five!" he called, faster and faster. Priya turned the quilt so everyone could see the tiny stars stitched along the edge.

5Next came a basket of homemade jam. Mr. Okafor raised his paddle, and so did Ms. Lund. The price climbed higher and higher. Grandpa Teo leaned toward the crowd. "Going once... going twice..." The room was so quiet that Priya could hear the clock ticking. "Sold!" he shouted, and everyone cheered.

6Near the end, a small boy named Rafi jumped up from his seat. "Wait—can I bid on the red wagon?" he asked. Grandpa Teo nodded. "Of course you can. The bidding starts at five dollars."

7When the last item was sold, Priya helped the director count the money. They had raised enough for the new roof. Priya hugged her grandfather. "We did it!" she said. Grandpa Teo let out a long, happy breath. "Yes, we did."