The skies were dark. A strong wind was blowing hard, cutting my face like a sharp knife. Rain fell in big drops and thunder and lightning flashed across the skies. I shook with cold and fear as I walked through the streams of muddy water. Some people were rushing by, completely wet in the heavy rain.

Along the way, I saw some schoolchildren holding their heavy schoolbags tightly and rushing home. I also saw that some road repair work had been abandoned(遗弃) by workers. Obviously the workers had left in a hurry because of the storm. There were few signs and it was hard to see what was on the road. There were pieces of wood and metal and it looked like a hole had been dug and hastily covered with planks(木板).

I moved on but suddenly stopped as I heard some sounds. It sounded like children crying. I quickly turned back and went back to the place from where the sounds came. I was terrified! To my sadness, I found that two small children had fallen into the gaping(裂开的) hole on the road. The planks had moved away with the force of the rushing water. I could barely see the children as it was dark all around me. I told them that I was going to get help and ran. I was not sure of what to do or where to go but decided to go to the nearest house for help. I knew the man well, Mr Lee, who lived there and got along well with his neighbors.

I called Mr Lee and told him about the problem.

The children’s parents were shocked to hear of what had happened.

I am a mother of three and have recently completed my college degree. Before receiving the degree, the last Sociology (社会学) class left me a deep impression.

The teacher of the class was absolutely inspiring with great qualities. Her last project of the term was called “Smile.” The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions. I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway, so, I thought this would be a piece of cake, literally.

Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to a fast food restaurant one cold March morning. It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son. We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did. I did not move an inch—a strong feeling of panic welled up inside me as I turned to see why they had moved.

As I turned around I smelled a horrible “dirty body” smell, and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men. As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was “smiling” His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of light a she searched for acceptance. He said, “Good day” as he counted the few coins he had been holding tightly. The second man fumbled (摸索) with his hands a she stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed gentleman was his caregiver.

The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted. He said, “coffee is all, Miss,” because that was all they could afford. If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm. Then I really felt it-the urge was so great that I almost couldn’t contain my tears.

I smiled and asked the young lady to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray (托盘).

I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand.

Mama and I spend mornings cleaning up the dirt that blows into our house. Mama says all the dust is due to the drought（干旱）. The dirt is everywhere. It covers our clothes. We have to wash the dishes before each meal. We rarely drive the truck because Papa fears the dust from the road will ruin the motor. We rarely drive the truck because Papa fears the dust from the road will ruin the motor. So it became our amusement park, where we flashed the lights and sounded the horn（喇叭）, pretending to be real drivers.

When my sister, Faye, and I walk to school, we wear scarfs over our mouths so we don't breathe in the dirt. On days when the air is so bad that they close the school, we stay home and help Mama put wet sheets over the windows. But the dirt always finds a way in.

Last Sunday, there was no dirt in the air, only bright spring sunshine and a clear blue sky. After church, Papa headed out to the field to check on the cattle while Mama started dinner. Faye and I played in the yard. The temperature suddenly dropped-it felt good. The heat had been building since dawn.

Then Mama shouted from the house. "Iris, you and Faye get inside, real quick now!" I looked to the west and saw a huge black cloud of dust, like thick smoke from a railway engine's stack（排气管）. All the birds flew away. "Faye, go with Mama!" I shouted. "I'll warn Papa."

Faye ran toward the house. The storm hit so fast I barely saw her climb the steps. Fine sand beat against my face and in an instant the day turned into night. I tripped over our bicycles left carelessly in the yard. I screamed for Papa, hoping my voice would lead him back.

The dirt and sand stung my skin like a thousand bees. I needed to get to shelter. Covering my face with one hand, I felt my way towards the truck and opened the door. Dirt flew in with me as I pulled the door closed.

Papa was still out there and I needed to help him find the way to the truck.

Suddenly, Papa s face appeared at the window.

I was sitting in a taxi,wondering if I had overdressed for the evening,when I looked out of the window and saw Mother rooting through(翻找）a dustbin.It was just after dark in March.I was stuck in traffic two blocks from the party where I was heading.

Mother stood fifteen feet away.She had tied rags around her shoulders to keep out the spring cold and was rooting through the trash.Her eyes widened with childish joy when she found something she liked.She looked like any of the thousands of homeless people in New York City.It had been months since I laid eyes on Mother,and when she looked up,I was afraid that she would see me and call out my name,and that someone on the way to the same party would see us together and that my secret would be out.

I slid down in the seat and asked the driver to turn around and take me home.The taxi stopped in front of my building,the doorman held the door for me,and the elevator man took me up to my floor. The apartment was silent except for the click of my heels on the polished wood floor.I felt ashamed when I saw Mother rooting happily through the dustbin.I looked around the room.I'd tried to turn it into the sort of place where the person I wanted to be would live.But I could never enjoy it because I worried about my parents on a sidewalk or somewhere else.I was ashamed of myself for wearing pearls and living on Park Avenue while they were busy keeping warm and finding something to eat.I hated myself-hated my clothes and my apartment.

What could I do?I'd tried to help them countless times,but they would insist they didn't need my help.They said that they were living the way they wanted to.And I just accepted who they were.

I had to do something,so I called my mother.

After she heard that, her smile faded.