【推荐1】“The Life of Pi” is about a teenage boy from India, called Pi, who travels across the Pacific Ocean in a lifeboat. His companion (同伴) in the lifeboat is an enormous tiger. It was written by the Canadian author Yann Martel, and has sold seven million copies worldwide.

At the start of the book, we learn about Pi's childhood in India. His father is a zookeeper and the family live in a house in the zoo. Pi and his brother help their father in the zoo and learn to look after the animals. When Pi is sixteen, his family decide to close the zoo and move to Canada. They sell some of the animals to zoos in North America and the family take the animals with them on a ship to Canada. On the way, there is a terrible storm and the ship sinks. Sadly, Pi's family and the ship's sailors die in the storm. Pi finds himself in a lifeboat with a hyena, zebra, orangutan and a tiger. When he sees the animals, Pi is scared and he jumps into the ocean. Then he remembers there are sharks in the ocean and he climbs back into the lifeboat. One by one, the animals in the lifeboat kill and eat each other, till only Pi and the tiger are left alive. Luckily for Pi, there is some food and water on the lifeboat, but he soon needs to start catching fish. He feeds the fish to the tiger to stop it killing and eating him. He also uses a whistle and his knowledge of animals from the zoo to control the tiger.

Pi and the tiger spend 227 days in the lifeboat. They live through terrible storms and are burnt by the Pacific sun. They are often hungry and ill. Sometimes, Pi is happy and hopeful, but sometimes he feels sad and lonely. Finally, they arrive at the coast of Mexico, but you will have to read the book to find out what happens in the end!

【推荐2】My husband and I had just opened up a pet sitting business earlier that year. Our customers had slowly risen from three to thirty a month. We were busy through those hot summer months, driving between visits. Our work was strictly done at the pet owner’s home. It was almost too busy for the two of us, but we were making good money!

We asked pet owners new to our business to phone two weeks ahead so we had enough time to meet the owners and pets at their homes and make any following meetings before the owner leaves.

One day, we decided to take on a new customer just two days before they would leave. We met the family, filled in a form, and spent some time with their dog, Hercules. He playfully jumped on us and touched our hands and arms using his tongue. The family laughed as he did this, showing us that he was very loving.

Two days later I appeared at the house, alone. I came up to Hercules and said hello happily. I filled up his water bowl and cleaned any messes he made. Meanwhile, he was so lovely sitting beside. I thought this would be the good picture to send to the owners as usual. After the light and “click” sound went off, Hercules rushed at me. I didn’t know what had just happened until I noticed the drops of blood. I ran out and did the only thing — calling my husband.

Then I went to neighbors for help. My husband arrived after ten minutes. The helpful neighbor and my husband led Hercules back into his pen (圈). Then my husband and I took off to the hospital.

I must have looked like I was shot when I walked into the hospital. The nurses quickly moved me to a room. I asked the doctor in a weak but playful manner, “Am I going to die?” he replied, “Finally.”

【推荐3】Most pet owners are clear about the immediate joys that come with sharing their lives with companion animals. However, many of us remain unaware of the physical and mental health benefits that a furry friend can bring us.     1    

Increasing exercise. Taking a dog for a walk, hike or run is a fun and rewarding way to fit healthy daily exercise into your schedule. Studies have shown that dog owners are far more likely to meet their daily exercise requirements, and exercising every day is great for the animal as well.     2    

Providing companionship. Companionship can help prevent illness and even add years to your life, while isolation and loneliness can trigger symptoms of depression.    3     Most dog and cat owners talk to their pets, and some even use them to work through their troubles. And nothing beats loneliness like coming home to a wagging tail or purring cat.

    4    The companionship of an animal can offer comfort and build self-confidence for people anxious about going out into the world. Because pets tend to live in the moment — they don’t worry about what happened yesterday or what might happen tomorrow — they can help you become more mindful and appreciate the joy of the present.

Adding structure and routine to your day.     5     Having a consistent routine keeps an animal balanced and calm, and it can work for you, too. No matter your mood — depressed, anxious, or stressed — one pitiful look from your pet and you’ll have to get out of bed to feed and care for them.

【推荐2】In the middle of the Pacific Ocean lies a tiny, remote island whose most famous residents stand guard along the edges of the rocky land. These legendary islanders are actually massive stone statues called moai. There are more than 800 of them on Easter Island.

Carved by the Rapa Nui people, the sculptures—known for their oversized heads—represent Rapa Nui ancestors, and they are considered sacred by descendants of the ancient civilization who still live on the island today.

However, a few of the moai are missing from their native home. One statue has been on display at the British Museum in London, England, for about 150 years and is one of the institution’s most popular exhibits.

But that may not be the case for much longer. Rapa Nui leaders recently announced that they want the statue back. Their request is not unique. A great many museums around the world are facing similar pressure to return historical objects to their homelands.

The issue has raised a debate: Do ancient artifacts belong in the places they came from or should they be displayed in popular museums where millions of people can appreciate them?

Last year, France’s President Emmanuel Macron called for thousands of artworks in French museums to be returned to the countries in Africa from which they were taken without permission.

But many experts believe certain artifacts should remain in museums, which are more accessible for people. That’s one reason officials at the British Museum believe they should keep Hoa Hakananai’a, saying roughly 6 million people visit the British Museum annually—many to see the moai Meanwhile, only about 100,000 people tour the remote stretch of land each year.

Many experts also say that fragile ancient treasures are safer in museums. On Easter Island, for example, several of the moai are worsening because of centuries of rain and winds or harmed by tourists who touch them while taking selfies.

Still, most present-day Rapa Nui people believe Hoa Hakananai’a was stolen. To them, the statue is an important part of the is land’s history that should be returned.