at all times!
A fox once said to a cat, "I have a whole bag of tricks（诡计). I know 1 than a hundred different ways of 2away from my enemies--dogs." "That's great," said the cat. "As for(至于) me, I have only one trick, but it usually works. Will you please3 me some of yours?", "Well, if I am not busy some day, I'll teach you one or two easier ones. "
Just at that moment they heard something 4. That was a dog. The cat climbed5 a tree quickly. "This is my only trick," she called down to the fox. "Which trick are you going to6 , Mr Fox?" The fox sat there. He used his head 7 one of his many good ways.
The dog came nearer. The fox thought and 8 . At last he found a way to run. Running away was 9 best way. But that was too late. Before he started 10, the dog came to him. That was the end of the fox.
A wealthy man asked an old scholar to tell his son away from his bad habits. The scholar took the young man for a walk through a garden. Stopping suddenly, he told the boy to pull out a tiny plant growing there.
The young man made it easily. The old man then asked him to pull out a little bigger plant. The young man pulled hard and the plant came out with its roots. “Now pull out that one,” said the old man, pointing to a little tree. The boy had to use all his strength to pull it out.
“Now take this one out,” said the old man, pointing at a big orange tree. The young man held the trunk (树干) and tried to pull it out. But it would not move. “It's impossible”, said the boy, panting (喘息) with the effort.
“So it is with bad habits,” said the old man. “When they are young, it is easy to pull them out. But when they go deeply, they cannot be uprooted.”
The conversation with the old man changed the boy's life.
On the first day of the school, our teacher made us know somebody. Looking out, we found an old woman1at the door. She came in and said, “Hi, my name is Susan. I am seventy years old”. All of us were2that she took this3 at her age. She said with a smile. “I'm here to meet a rich husband, get 4, have two children and travel together. ” Hearing this, all of us laughed. “ In fact, ” she went on, “I have always5of having a college education, and now it comes6! ”
After class we had chocolate and milk together. We became good7. I often listened to this “time machine” as she shared her8with me. At the end of the term we invited Susan to give a9in the class. When she was in the front of the classroom, suddenly she found she took the wrong paper. She felt a little10and said, “I am sorry. I am so nervous. I can't get my ready talk11, so I have to tell you12I know. “
In her speech she told us “We don't stop playing as we are old, we grow old13we stop playing. The secret of staying 14and being happy is that we should laugh and find something 15 to do every day. I think there is a great16between growing old and growing up. I am seventy now. If I17in bed for one year and never do anything, I'll become seventy-one. Since(既然) anybody can grow older, my18 is to grow up by always finding the chance to change. Growing older can't be avoided, growing up can be19. It's never too late to be all you can possibly be. ”
During the four years' study, it was so easy for Susan to make friends20she went. In the end, the wonderful woman finished all her courses and got the college degree (学位).
There was a lake near his family's house in New Hampshire. When he was 11 years old, he loved 1 here.
On the day before bass(鲈鱼) season began, he 2 his father went fishing in the evening. When his fishing pole(鱼竿) bent over, he knew 3 was on the other end. The boy skillfully pulled the fish in. It was 4 one that he had ever seen, but it was a bass.
The boy and his father looked at5 handsome fish. The father looked at his watch. It was 10p.m. — two hours 6 bass season began. He looked at the fish, then at the boy.
"You'll have to put 7 back, son," he said.
"Dad!" cried the boy.
"There will be 8 fish," said his father.
"Not as 9 as this one," cried the boy.
He looked 10 the lake. No other fishermen or boats 11 anywhere around. He looked again at his father's face. He knew that it was impossible 12 the decision. Slowly, he lowered the fish back into the water.
That was thirty-four years ago. Today, the boy is a 13 architect(建筑师) in New York City. He has never again caught 14 a large fish, but he does see that same fish again and again — every time he faces a question of right and wrong. His father taught him it is the practice of 15 right that is difficult.
Many people might think that if they had more money, then they would be happier in life. For example, people might look at what others have, like expensive clothes or nice cars, and wish they could have the same. But the things that money can buy can not bring happiness to a person for long.
① But is that really true? Studies have found that money can, in fact, make people happier. ② Instead, it's giving money to others that makes people happy. ③ It could be buying a present for a friend or a family member. ④ It could be buying a homeless person food to eat. It could be giving money to a person in need. Just think about the last time you used your own money to do something for someone else. How did you feel? Whether it is a small or large amount of money, people feel happier when they give. This is because making someone else happy makes the giver happy, too.
This idea of connecting your happiness to the happiness of others is described as ubuntu in an African language. There is even a story about a man visiting Africa who asked some kids to race to a nearby tree. The first child to touch the tree would get a sweet treat. Surprisingly, all the children held hands and ran together. They all touched the tree at the same time. The man asked why they had done this. The children simply said they could only enjoy eating the treat if everyone had one.
Many people may think that animals in the zoo are happy and lucky, but 1 of them are sad. Do you know 2? Animals like tigers and bears usually live in the forest and 3. They jump, run and play 4 their children and catch small animals for food. 5 now they have to 6 in cages or small rooms in the zoo. They do not have to find food by 7, because the workers in the zoo get the food ready for them. They do 8 but eat, walk and sleep every day. Their life in the zoo is quite different from 9 in the forest because they are 10 in the forest.
One Thursday afternoon, when I was in Grade 9, a new boy came into my classroom. He was short and thin. He walked up to the teacher and told her, very seriously, that he was new. His name was Christian. He sat down, took a look at me, and then looked away. I didn't think he was very nice and I was sure he wasn't the type I would like to become friends with.
During that year, I didn't talk to him much, but he smiled at me when our eyes met, always shyly. He never ate lunch with anybody, and he never talked to anybody but me.
But one day I joined those unkind kids who were making fun of him. We made fun of him though I thought it was wrong.
"Haven't you got any friends?" a kid asked Christian, who had walked past us alone, head down.
"No, he hasn't got any friends. He's too stupid and shy," I said. Then Christian looked up at me with the saddest dog eyes I had ever seen. I felt very sorry at that moment.
That night, I couldn't sleep because I couldn't get Christian's face out of my mind. In the weeks that followed, he never met my eyes in class and never smiled at me. It was really hard for me to decide to write him a note asking him to forgive (原谅) me. But I thought I should.
The next day in class, I wrote him a note telling him how sorry I felt. About five minutes later, I turned and saw tears in his eyes. "You will never realize what your apology (道歉) has meant to me, Jimmy," he said to me. "I hope we can become friends."
We had lunch together that noon and we had the best talk I had ever had. Over the years at high school, we were close friends.
When I think back, I realize that, if I had not apologized, I would never have known what a lovely person Christian was!
Apologies can really change your life, so never miss the chance to tell somebody you are sorry.
Sometimes
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Sometimes I feel lonely, |
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Like I'm by myself with no one there. |
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When I'm that way. I call a friend. |
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My lonely mood soon disappear. |
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Sometimes I feel excited, |
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Like I have some news I have to share! |
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My friends open their ears to me. |
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They always listen, talk, and care. |
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Sometimes I feel so sad, |
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Like my world is cold and darkest blue. |
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At those times my friends let me know |
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They're with me, standing strong and true. |
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Sometimes I feel confused, |
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Like I just don't know how I should feel. |
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My friends then help me figure out |
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What's right and wrong, what's false and real! |
There is a saying in England which goes: “the rain in Spain(西班牙) falls mainly on the plain". I can tell you now that it is a1. The rain in Spain seems to fall mostly on me. I am spending a year in Galicia and, although it is certainly a beautiful part of the world, I think it rains more than in England.
There are no plains here. It is a coastal area, and clouds and storms directly get pushed in from over the ocean with force. As I write, there is a heavy rain outside. I have three umbrellas. Two big ones and a little one which I keep on me2, just in case. Believe me what I tell you is all true.
The problem is that very often, umbrellas offer no help at all. The wind is so strong that even the best umbrella in the world becomes useless.3. I often arrive at work with a dry head and shoulders(protected by my umbrella) , but with wet feet and legs. The rain falls hard and fast, and there is no escaping it.
When people from England think of Spain, they imagine beaches and sunshine. Those things are a world away from my experience here in Galicia. But I'm not4. It is because of all this rain that the countryside here is so green and beautiful. In the town a very nice white wine is made. And there are beautiful beaches here in Galicia, although there probably is5on them at the moment.
And most important of all is the people. They are very friendly here. Most people
I have spoken to are helpful. So I think that's worth having a bit of6for. Anyway, I love my life here in Galicia.
Most people want to be happy, but few know how to find happiness. Money and success alone do not bring lasting happiness. Aristotle, a Greek thinker, said, “Happiness depends (on) (we).” In other words, we make our own happiness. Here are a few suggestions to help you be happier.
The (one) secret of happiness is to enjoy the simple things in life, Too often, we spend so much time (think) about the future—for example, getting into college or getting a good job—that we fail to enjoy the present. You should enjoy life's simple pleasure, such as reading a good book, listening to your favourite music, or spending time with close friends, People who have several friends often live happier and healthier lives.
Another secret to living a happy life is (be) active. Many people go dancing or play sports. People can forget about their problems and only think about the (activity).
(final), many people find happiness in helping others. Studies show that people feel good when they help others. If you want to feel happier, do good things for someone, You can help a friend with his or her studies, go shopping to buy food for an elderly person, or simply help out around the house by (wash) the dishes.
Three Things To Do Before You Are 18
Are you bored with your daily life? Here are some things you should try before you are 18, because after that it's a little late.
Learn to swim
This is so important, because it can save your life. If you can't swim well, you can't do water sports like water skiing and surfing. Even taking a boat trip will be dangerous for you.
Try at least one kind of team sports
Being a good team player is important. You can't just think of yourself. You have to work well with other people. Team sports can keep you fit and healthy, and they are also great fun. They usually let you have a good social life too — you'll go to lots of parties and make many friends.
Collect something
One of the best hobbies for under—18s is collecting things. You could collect stamps, or you could collect things that make you remember what you did, like cinema tickets or emails from friends.
I was in fifth grade. One day, my dad's car was broken into and all of the things inside were stolen(偷), including my schoolbag. It had my binder, my textbooks and my notebooks where I used to write stories. I was really 1.
I had to go to school with nothing the next day. My teacher, Miss Taylor, was very kind to me. She gave me a new binder(活页夹) after I told her what had happened. She also 2me some crayons and asked me if I'd like to color the front of the binder. I really appreciated her kindness.
But I never did 3the new binder because something even better happened later that same day. Miss Taylor got a call from the office. After she hung up the phone, she said 4, "Zoe, a miracle(奇迹) has happened! Someone found your schoolbag!" I ran to the office and got my 5. When I opened it, I saw that all my things were still inside. The teacher in the office said it had been 6to the school by an old woman. She found my schoolbag on the side of the road and brought it to the school office because she found the
7 in my binder.
There are lots of people out there who are 8There is no need to lose faith(信心) in society just because of one bad apple.
Do you want to know about my staying in America? It was really an eye-opening experience. In China, I had English classes five times a week. However, I didn't know how different textbook English was from daily English until I went to Hotchkiss School, Connecticut. When I first studied English, I was told to say "I'm fine" when people say "How are you?" But in America, I found that people said "I'm good" or "I'm tired. " One day, someone greeted me with "What's up?" It made me confused. I thought for a moment and then smiled because I didn't know what to say.
To my surprise, American girls spend a lot of time in the burning sun. However, in China, girls try every possible way to get their skin whiter. I'm also surprised by how hard-working American students are. In China, schoolwork is almost everything, so we study hard. But in America, a good student gets good grades, does a lot for the public and plays sports or music.
There was once a famous scientist who made several important discoveries. Once he was asked how he was able to be so creative. He replied that it all came from an experience he had with his mother when he was 2 years old. He was trying to take a bottle of milk out of the refrigerator. But the bottle was too slippery(滑的) and he dropped it. The kitchen floor was covered with milk.
When his mother came into the kitchen, instead of shouting at him or punishing him, she said, "Robert, what a great and wonderful mess you have made! I have never seen such a huge puddle of milk. Would you like to play in the milk for a few minutes before we clean it up?"
So he did. After a few minutes, they cleaned it up together. Then his mother said, "This was a failed experiment(实验) in how to carry a big bottle of milk with two tiny hands. Let's go out in the backyard and fill the bottle with water and see if you can find a way to carry it without dropping it. "
The little boy learned that if he held the bottle at the top near the lip with both hands, he could carry it easily without dropping it. What a wonderful lesson!
The scientist then added that it was at that moment that he knew he didn't need to be afraid to make mistakes. He learned that mistakes are just opportunities(机会) to learn something new — which is, after all, what scientific experiments are all about. Even if the experiment doesn't "work", we can still learn something valuable from it.
One night, four college students stayed out late partying. They had so much fun they forgot there would be an important test the next day.
In the morning, they got up late and suddenly remembered they had to take the test. They thought of a plan to avoid (take) the exam. They covered (they) with dirt and went to their teacher's office. They told him that their way to school, their car got a flat tyre (瘪胎) and pushing the car all the way back to school was the only (choose) they had.
The teacher listened to the story sounded quite acceptable. He promised he would give them a chance (have) another test three days later. The four students thanked him and left.
Finally, day came. The teacher asked the students to sit (separate) in different rooms for the test. They were fine with it because they all studied hard. Then they got the test paper. They (surprise) by the questions below:
1) What's your name? (1 point)
2) Which tyre of the car burst (爆裂)? (99 points)
Stephen used to work in a company. Unfortunately (不幸地), he got serious heart disease(疾病). He couldn't work for a long time. Thinking he could still do something for others, he decided to be a volunteer at a Children's Hospital. Stephen loved children very much. With his love, he did his job well. Sometimes some children died of illness. At that time, he would tell these sad parents that he would soon be with their children in heaven (天堂) and he would take care of them. His words seemed to help those parents.
There was a girl who could not walk because of a disease. She couldn't do anything and she was very sad. What was worse, the doctors said that they could do little for her. Stephen decided to try to help her. He started visiting her, bringing paints, brushes and paper. He put the brush in his mouth and began to draw. He didn't use his hands at all. Only his head would move. He always told her that she could do anything she wanted.
At last she began to draw with her mouth. She and Stephen became friends. By and by, the little girl was getting better and better. She was allowed to leave the hospital. One day to Stephen's great surprise, she walked to see him on her own feet! She gave him a picture she had drawn. At the top, it read: "Thank you for helping me walk. It's all because of your love. "
Love can sometimes be more powerful than doctors and medicines. Love makes our world more beautiful and colorful. Stephen died a few days after the girl gave him the picture.
