【推荐2】Pete Richards was the loneliest and hopeless man in town after his beloved girl was killed in a car crash. He owned a shop from his grandfather, which mainly sold _________ things: bracelets (手镯) worn a century ago, gold rings and silver boxes decades ago.

On this Christmas Eve a small girl was standing there, her sincere and big eyes_________ each treasure. Finally she straightened up with _________ and entered the store merrily. “Mister,” she began, “Would you please let me look at that necklace in the window?”

Pete parted (分开) the cloth and _________ a necklace. The blue stones shone brightly _________ Pete’s pale hand. Looking at the little customer, who had yellow hair and sea blue eyes, just like his lost girlfriend’s, Pete felt _________deep inside. He studied her, “How much money do you have? Are you buying it for someone?”

“The necklace is just _________,” said the child. “This will be the first Christmas since mother died. I've been looking for the most wonderful present for my sister.” “I _________ my bank,” she poured out several pennies on the counter (柜台).

Looking at the trusting look of her blue eyes, Pete drew back the necklace. How could he tell her the high price? _________, he turned towards the back of the store without warning.

Over his shoulder he __________, “What’s your name?” He was very busy about something.

“Jean Grace.” When Pete turned to where Jean Grace waited, a package __________ in his hand. “There you are,” he said shortly. “Don’t lose it on the way home.”

“You paid the __________ price anyone can ever pay,” he said. “And it’s my __________ that I have no one to give anything to. Will you let me see your __________ and wish you a Merry Christmas at your door?” She smiled happily at him and nodded.

To the sound of many bells, Pete Richards and a girl whose name he had yet to learn walked home, and walked into the beginning of the great day that brings __________ into the world for both.

I’m a wheelchair user. However, I’m not wheelchair-bound, or ___1___ to my wheelchair. My disability has not made me ____2____ or admirable, or deserving a pat on the head ___3___ you can reach it. As a matter of fact, I ___4____having my head patted.

I have total feeling in all limbs (四肢), so when you said, “You __　　5　　__ didn’t feel that”, rather than __　　6　　___ for kicking me, you were wrong. I don’t have __　　7　　__ shoulders from pushing a wheelchair: my shoulders were born weak for that very reason.

Waiting at bus stops, I’m a passive _　　8　　___ for those who incorrectly assume my experience with the health care system and create a(n) __　　9　　____ in your last doctor’s appointment, or what __　　10　　__ to the lady who lives down your street.

If given the __11__, I’m really good at putting people at ease. My communication with this able-bodied world depends on it. I can’t __　　12　　__ without the help of others, but it works best for everyone if I can ___13____ when and how it is offered. If you are not sure whether you are going to offer to help, just ask, and don’t be __14___ if the answer is no.

If I make you feel uncomfortable, please ___15____ that you would manage to live as I do. There is no other choice. Please don’t pass on your ____　　16　　___ to children by pushing them for staring, or wanting to touch and ____17____ my wheelchair.

I’m sorry if I don’t remember your name or the occasion we met — there are more ___　　18　　__ adults in my life than wheelchair users in your life. And the answers to the questions are: my ___　　19　　___ chores (家庭杂务) are done on my own; and yes I can, and I do, as often as opportunity __　　20　　____.

【推荐2】It was 4 o’clock in the morning when I received the phone call.

“This is the emergency room calling and your son was just ______ in with serious burns on his face, neck and arms.” The doctor described the ______ , which caused the burns. At 6 am, our son and his friends decided to barbecue hamburgers in the courtyard of their apartment. Unfortunately, the charcoal (木炭) burst into flames because they had sprayed too much petrol. The flames ______ my son’s shirt tail and shot from his waist to well over his head.

______ , one of the boys was quick-minded, grasped my son, and ______ him on the grass. While it saved his life, there was not enough ______ to save him from fearful burns and the terrible scars (伤疤).

After he recovered from the treatments, the doctors told him they would not do plastic surgery (整形手术) for 6 months ______ it took that long for the skin to stop shrinking and wrinkling. So he had to return to college with typical scars of burns.

When I was a child, my mother told my sister who had a very ______ 10-inch scar on her arm, “Nancy, if you ignore the scar, other people will ignore it. It does not mean they will not ______ it, but it means it will not matter to them if it doesn’t matter to you.”

I ______ this wisdom on to my son. He took my advice to heart and returned to school with his head held high — glad he was alive. By the end of the six-month waiting period, he decided that the scars did not ______ , so he made the ______ to give up any plastic surgery.

We all have “scars” that we believe will ______ people to keep away from us. And we spend a lot of time thinking that if we looked differently, or dressed differently, people would like us better. But you see, people will only judge you by your looks, or your clothes, if you are judging yourself by these same ______ standards. Put your imperfections out of your mind and concentrate on what you value ______ yourself, and your beauty will shine through.