To gain insight as a skilled reader, I have thoroughly analyzed the short story, The Rocking-horse Winner, by using comprehension strategies that have helped increase my understanding of a writing piece. The first comprehension strategy I used, was to list what I already know from the topic, to grasp new information easily. What intrigued me most, was the title of the story, and the author's name. I have heard several things about the poet, his most famous topics consisted of human health, vitality, and instinct, due to his childhood consisting of great amounts of tension between his parents. The title, Rocking-horse Winner, first seemed as if a character will obtain a child-like object as a prize in their life. Throughout reading this story, several connections were made. I connected greatly with the protagonist of the story, Paul, who is a sensitive boy, and would do anything to gain, and keep his mother's love. This reminded me of myself, someone who is a constant supporter of my family. Once the connections were made, it helped me get involved with the text, and see the situation presented outside the piece of literature. After reading, I began to think about the overall text, to put together everything I've gathered from the previous comprehension strategies. The main message of this text was that the love of money is destructive of all other love, even of life itself. Paul’s frenzied pursuit of money differed from the greed of others, he wanted wealth not for himself, but for his mother. He hoped that by being luckier than his father, he will win his mother’s love and