【推荐1】A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. As he was putting up a sign to sell the puppies, he felt a pull on his trousers. He looked down into the eyes of a little boy.

“Sir,” he said, “I want to buy one of your puppies.”

“Well,” said the farmer, “these puppies come from fine parents and cost a large number of money.”

The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change.

“I’ve got 89 cents. Is that enough at least to take a look?”

“Sure,” said the farmer. “Here, Dolly!” he called. Out from the doghouse ran Dolly followed by four little balls of fur.

The little boy pressed his face against the fence. His eyes danced with joy. As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else moving inside the doghouse.

Slowly another little fur ball appeared, this one noticeably smaller, wobbling (蹒跚) toward the others, doing its best to catch up.

“I want that one,” the little boy said, pointing to the little dog.

The farmer knelt down at the boy's side and said, “Son, you don’t want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would.”

Hearing that, the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers. There was a disabled (残疾的) leg with a specially made shoe attached to it. Looking back up at the farmer, he said, “You see, sir, I don’t run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands.”

With tears in his eyes, the farmer reached down and picked up the little pup. Holding it carefully he handed it to the little boy.

“How much?” asked the little boy.

“No charge (收费),” answered the farmer, “There’s no charge for love and understanding.”

【推荐2】Ed Jackson’s team were trying to climb to the top of a Himalayan Mountain. However, weeks after they set off, they were stranded (滞留) there overnight without water, food or tents at a temperature of about -30℃. They took turns to keep each other awake in case they fell asleep and did not wake up again.

Actually, that night on the mountain top was not the first time that Jackson had been close to death. Five years ago, while still a professional rugby player, Jackson broke his neck in a challenge, which nearly killed him. Jackson was told by doctors that he was likely to face life in a wheelchair. He was forced to retire from playing rugby.

Luckily, Jackson managed to discard his wheelchair six months after the accident. To mark the first anniversary of his accident, Jackson set himself the goal of climbing Mount Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales, even though he was still using two crutches (拐杖) then. He tried to climb many higher mountains after that. Four years later, he found himself in the Himalayas.

The challenges that Jackson faced in the mountains have had a great impact on his recovery both physically and mentally. Jackson realized that others might benefit, too. So he started the charity Millimeters to Mountains (M2M) with his wife Lois and his friend Oily Barkley. It takes beneficiaries (受益人) who have suffered physical or psychological injuries in challenges around the world, allowing them to access the healing power of nature.

Jackson says, “I once lost hope in life because of my bad condition, thinking there was nothing I could do. But hopefully what I’m doing, what we’re doing with the charity and what our beneficiaries are proving can give anyone the hope that they can turn their life around, no matter how discouraging it might seem at that moment.”

【推荐3】The morning she left for Camp Kanawa, Maria awoke with an ache in her stomach. She had gone on plenty of parties. She'd even spent a whole weekend at Aunt Jolie and Uncle Ed's. So what happened to her？

No breakfast today, she thought, imagining the ache turning into throwing up and a horrible road trip after a full meal. As usual, Maria felt hungry as soon as the room smelled of French toast. On the other hand, maybe a good breakfast was exactly what she needed.

"There's my big camper!" said her mom. Then, she walked to the stove, placed two pieces of French toast on a plate and powdered sugar snowing down. "Just like you like it." At the meanwhile, Maria was already in position, armed with knife, fork, napkin and a full glass of milk.

"Get started while it's hot. Your father's coming down in a minute. I told him to shave. I don't want the beard﹣I mean, the bushy black beard. "

"Okay, okay," Maria's dad said with a smile. "Clean as a whistle. Just like you ordered."

"Really" Maria's mom shrugged.

"I think it's fashionable," Maria said.

"Well, your old man is fashionable," her dad said, moving his head the way he did when he wanted to look like a cool surfer man but looked more like an Egyptian robot." In fact, I was the most popular kid at my camp."

"For the record, it was a science camp," Maria's mother reminded her, looking her straight in the eyes." In all seriousness, Maria, popularity is not important and finding the people who like you for you-that's what matters."

"Your mom speaks the truth, sugar," said Maria's dad, wiping his thick beard with a napkin." Just be yourself. You'll enjoy it."

【推荐2】It was a Friday morning, 7:30a.m. I felt too lazy to drive my car so I asked my son to book a taxi. In five minutes, the taxi reached the entrance gate, waiting for my arrival. I just saw the car number and entered inside the car. I was so busy that I didn’t pay any attention to the driver. I was searching for an important paper from my bag, so I said, “Please, go quick! I’m in a hurry!” The voice came, “Yes, Ma’ am!” I was surprised when I heard a female voice! I stopped my work for a second and looked at the drive. The driver was a young lady. Maybe, around thirty or thirty-two! For the first time, I saw a lady driving a taxi!

Hundred times, I had traveled in a taxi, but I never saw any lady driving a taxi, I didn’t know why I became so enthusiastic about knowing why she had chosen this profession. So I started the conversation, “If you don’t mind, can I ask you some questions?” “Yes, ma’am! No problem.” “I guess, you are well qualified!” “Yes, ma’am. I have completed my education. I have done my MBA course.” “Oh, my God! Why did you then choose this profession, instead of going for an academic career?”

She smiled and the way she expressed her views made me amazed! Very politely, she said “Driving was my passion (热情) from my childhood, ma’am! Of course I do respect each and every job. In this case, at least I fulfill my desire! I love driving! I don’t mind for a big or small job. I want a job where I can get satisfaction. I get offers from M.N.C but I prefer this one because I like it! I know, I can’t get enough money out of it, yet as I tell you ‘I love driving!’ That’s it.”

【推荐3】A group of graduates, successful in their careers, got together to visit their old university professor. Conversation soon turned into complaints about stress in work and life.

Before offering his guests coffee, the professor went to the kitchen and returned with a large pot of coffee and a variety of cups-porcelain, plastic, glass, crystal, some plain looking and cheap, some exquisite and expensive-telling them to help themselves to the coffee.

When all the students had a cup of coffee in hand, the professor said: "If you noticed, all the nice looking expensive cups were taken up, leaving behind the plain and cheap ones. While it is normal for you to want only the best for yourselves, that is the source of your problems and stress．Be assured that the cup itself adds no quality to the coffee. In most cases it is just more expensive and in some cases even hides what we drink. What all of you really wanted was coffee, not the cup, but you consciously went for the best cups…And then you began eyeing each other's cups.

Now consider this: Life is the coffee; the jobs, money and position in society are the cups. They are just tools to hold and contain Life, and the type of cup we have does not define, nor change the quality of life we live. Sometimes, by concentrating only on the cup, we fail to enjoy the coffee God has provided us.

"God brews the coffee, not the cups. Enjoy your coffee!"

"The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything．"

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

【推荐1】You probably know a dog named Snoopy,but you may not have heard who created the character.As a matter of fact,the creator was a terrible underachiever when he was a boy.While in the eighth grade,he failed subjects repeatedly.High school wasn’t much better；he flunked Latin,algebra,English,and received a grade of zero in physics.

He suffered many losses and rejections-just as people sometimes did in real life.Out of all the failures in his life,there was something that did hold great importance to this boy,his love of drawing.Although in high school,the cartoons he submitted to the yearbook were rejected,once out of school,the boy was so sure of his artistic talent that he approached Walt Disney Studios with drawing works.I wish I could say the studios loved his work and immediately hired him,but such was not the case；another huge rejection.

Despite his lack of successes,this boy did not give up.He then decided to write his own autobiography in cartoons,about a little boy who was regarded as a loser and a nobody.The name of this boy was Charles Schulz,the creator of the comic dog Snoopy.

In life,it is sometimes easy to feel like a nobody,We pass hundreds of people on the street on our way to work,or walk through a faceless crowd in a mall,and no one seems to notice or care.Deep inside,we may know we are special and unique and have lots to offer,but unless someone takes the time to look our way and give us a chance,we may feel worthless.

Just as Charles Schulz had faith in his artistic talent,so too,we must realize that nobody is a nobody.

【推荐1】Universal Orlando Resort in Florida is opening a Harry Potter theme park that will let fans visit many of the iconic (标志性的) locations in the Harry Potter books and movies.

“The Wizarding (魔法) World of Harry Potter” is set to open at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park in late 2009, complete with the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, the Forbidden Forest and Hogsmeade village.

“The plans I’ve seen look incredibly exciting, and I don’t think fans of the books or films will be disappointed,” said author J.K. Rowling, who has been working with a creative team to make sure the park resembles the books and films.

“More than a dozen artists lead by Stuart Craig, the world best to ensure that level of authenticity (真实性),” she said.

The park will let visitors view the famed locations in Rowling’s magical world, like Dumbledore’s office in Hogwarts and the shops in Hogsmeade. Some locations may be in upcoming books, Trowbridge said.

Many tourists outside the theme park said the experience would boost its appeal to a younger audience.

Brandon Wilson, a 15-year-old from Pleasant Hill, said he can’t get enough of Harry Potter. He has read every book and watched every movie.

“I hope we will be able to fly like Harry Potter,” Wilson said.

【推荐2】Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is gaining global popularity. According to a government white paper, TCM has been introduced in 183 countries and regions around the world.

Westerners’ understanding of TCM, however, may be limited to acupuncture(针灸), cupping(拔罐) and massage(按摩). For instance, the purple, injury-like marks left on U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps’ back from cupping for the purpose of relaxing his muscles and reducing pain became the center of attention during the Rio Olympics in 2016.

As a matter of fact, Chinese herbs play a more important role in getting rid of diseases and keeping the body in good condition in the TCM treatment system than physical treatment. It is therefore disappointing to know that while 103 World Health Organization member countries have given approval to the practice of acupuncture, not many recognize Chinese herbal medicine. TCM falls far behind Western medicine owing partly to the slow development of Chinese herbs.

Herbs are made into pills, powder and soup, and the kind of herbs used, their quality and quantity, and the processing of the ingredients jointly determine the effectiveness of the prescription. Compared with Western medicine, which has standardized drug production processes and treatment methods, TCM lacks standardization, with the chemical composition and functions of its medicines being unclear and their effects being unstable. Fortunately, standardization has improved in recent decades, with an increasing number of factories producing patented TCM drugs.

Another factor that has prevented the development of TCM prescription(处方) drugs is the lack of creativity. While Western medicine-making companies come up with new products every year, TCM drug producers tend to make medicines according to prescriptions handed down from the past. Chinese chemist Tu Youyou’s winning the 2015 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for her research into malaria(疟疾) treatment may drive creativity to some extent in China’s TCM industry. However, the current state of affairs cannot be changed within a short time.

【推荐3】Islands in the world are famous for different things. But Hawaii is special for its variety of features. Beautiful sandy beaches, active volcanoes, a great canyon（峡谷）and special history and culture add up to create its famously romantic atmosphere.

Formed by volcanoes at the bottom of the sea, the Hawaii Islands are like a necklace in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, 3,700 kilometres off the west coast of America. There are eight main islands in the group, including Hawaii Island ( or Big 1sland ), Maui, Kahoolawe, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau.

Hawaii Island, the youngest and biggest island ,was formed 430,000 years ago and is still growing.Kauai, the oldest, was formed 5.1 million years ago. For tourists, the sight of the lava that still flows from some of the volcanoes down to the sea, is a major attraction.

The state of Hawaii is the newest state in the US. In 1898 , the islands joined the US. In modern history, it will always be remembered for the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese air force in 1941.

Over 1,000 years ago, the islands were settled by Polynesians. Captain James Cook led the first group of Westerners there in 1778.

Native Hawaiians have a special culture and language. Although nowadays English is the official language of Hawaii, folk music and dancing are still widely practiced. The traditional dance of the islands is the hula, a Hawaiian word that means dance.

Hawaii's reputation for romance was spread when Hollywood started to use its typical music in movies in the 1960's.

Today, Hawaii is famous for its mix of cultures. Chinese, Japanese and Filipinos all live there.

Chinese arrived in the islands as early as the late 18th century. Dr. Sun Yat-sen, the famous Chinese revolutionary, grew up there,

Everyone in Hawaii is a member of an ethnic minority and generally they exist in pleasant harmony of races and cultures.