In Texas, a concerned father named Bradley learned that his 17-year-old son, Brad, was causing trouble at school. It wasn’t just a one-time occurrence; Brad’s physics teacher had complained multiple times about his constant talking during class. As a result, Bradley was faced with the challenge of finding an effective way to discipline his son and teach him a valuable lesson.

In a moment of inspiration, Bradley came up with an idea that parents around the world would later praise him for. He decided to teach his son a lesson. He declared, “If we receive another call from your physics teacher, I will go to your school and sit beside you in class.”

However, Brad didn’t take his father’s words seriously and continued his loose conduct in his physics class. And his father received another call from the teacher, and now it was time for the father to keep his promise.

Friday arrived, and Bradley, who normally had this day off from work, was awakened by his wife. He reluctantly got ready to go to his son’s school. Upon arriving at the school, he made his way to Brad’s physics classroom. The other students chatted joyfully, unaware of what was about to happen. Bra d entered the room as usual, and to his shock, he saw his father sitting by his desk. It hit him like a ton of bricks. His dad had actually come to school and was sitting right next to him in class. The once happy-go-lucky teenager was now filled with embarrassment and regret.

Throughout the class, Bradley silently observed his son’s behavior. He witnessed first-hand the disruptive comments and constant talking that had been causing so much trouble. It was clear that Brad was not taking his education seriously, and his father realized that something needed to be changed.

“Hey, how are you doing, son?” My father smiled to me. “Not bad, dad, but I’ve decided not to go to university. I want to focus on my music career,” I replied. It would be a harmonious dinner if there was no argument interrupting us. As you know, my father insisted that I should be a teacher all the time because he was a professor while I would like to create a band in the rest of my life. My father got angry, raising his voice: “You can’t be serious. Why not being a teacher? You can help students and change their lives.” But I’m not interested in education at all. I just want to work in a studio, not a school. However, my dad thought that a band is not career, even not a job. If I were a lead singer of my band, I would be very happy. I will have new friends, new life, new environment and everything new. “It’s so boring to be a teacher for me, I can’t go to different countries, and I can’t wear popular clothes even!” I couldn’t control myself when I thought about it.

I know teachers are great. They set an example for me, giving me a lot of care and help when I was young. I have never denied this profession, but it is not my dream. Supposing that our human society intends to acquire long-term prosperity, it is advisable for us to do what we really love. Only in this way, can we work productively, efficiently and effectively.

At this time, my grandfather stepped between me and my father.

The relaxed atmosphere gradually eased off.

Geraniums (天竺葵) of Love

Living in a loving family, I grew up with countless moments filled with precious love, which would be planted in my heart forever.

As the fifth of seven children, I went to the same public school as my three older sisters and brother. Every year, my mother went to the same school and had parent/child interviews with the same teachers. The only thing different was the child. And every child participated in an old school tradition-the annual plant sale held in early May, just in time for Mother's Day.

Third grade was the first time that I was allowed to take part in the plant sale. I wanted to surprise my mother. but I didn't have any money. I went to my oldest sister and shared the secret, and she gave me some money. When I arrived at the plant sale. I carefully made my selection, inspecting each plant to ensure that I had indeed found the best geranium. It actually took me a long time to make the final selection. Once I had secretly took it home, with the help of my sister. I hid it on the upstairs neighbor's porch. I was very afraid my mother would find it before Mother's Day, but my sister assured me that she wouldn't, and indeed she did not.

When Mother's Day arrived. I was bursting with pride when I gave her that geranium. Her eyes were bright and she was delighted with my gift. What I didn't realize was that Mum had known my secret long before.

When I was fifteen, my younger sister reached third grade. In early May she came to me full of wonder and secrecy and told me that there was going to be a plant sale at school, and she wanted to surprise our mother. Like my older sister did for me, I gave her some money and off she went.

She arrived at home full of nervous excitement, the geranium hidden under her sweater.

When she noticed me watching them, Mum gave me a gentle and secret smile.

Today I was walking along the street when a homeless woman asked me for some change. I gave her some money and stopped to talk to her for a while.

I asked her about how she ended up on the street and if there was a shelter she could go to. She told me about some of her struggles. She told me that she left home at seventeen and had been homeless since then. She said that her bag with all her clothes and possessions was stolen the night before, while she was sleeping outside a church. Shesaid that she went to the day centre every day and they made calls to try to find her a shelter but nothing was available, as all shelters for women were full up. It had been like this for months. I listened to her and said a few kind words to her. After we spoke, I told her that it was really nice to meet her and wished her all the best.

I left feeling really sad and frustrated that there was nothing I could do to ease her situation. I have spoken to a few other homeless people and I have heard about how difficult it is to get a place in a shelter, or sometimes some shelters can be so unsafe that it is better for them to sleep on the streets.

I was on my way to my flower store. While trimming(修剪)these kinds of beautiful flowers, I thought about the lady I had just met and other homeless people I had spoken to. I thought it must be frustrating not to be able to experience so many of the day-to-day things that I and many others take for granted such as a roof over our heads, a bed to sleep in, money to buy food and even money to buy presents for a dear one.

I decided that I could do something for her.

She raised her head suddenly, with her eyes full of surprise.

My dad's life seemed typical of his generation. He graduated from high school during the Depression and worked for a large company. He enlisted (入伍) in 1941, served in the Pacific and Europe.

On returning, he met my mother, married and had three children. Because of the job, he needed to continue his education. With his full-time job and attending to his family, he attended college in the evening and obtained his degree.

As kids, we knew what Dad told us. During cold winters he sympathized with unfortunate kids in just T-shirt and shorts. He was saddened by children with nothing under the Christmas tree. He loved kids and schools and he wanted to spread kindness to everyone in need of help, so he was always ready to give a hand to people he met.

With us three kids on our own. Dad and Mom retired and came to Florida. Two years later Mom died, in 1980. From that time. Dad got into the habit of walking around his house. He also tried golf but failed to become addicted to it. Although it was hard time for Dad, he didn't give up the hope of life. He decided to do something meaningful to society.

Then he saw an ad requesting literacy (读写能力) volunteers. Dad helped some children, who were homeless learn to read and write. He also helped an old man learn to read because his literate wife was going blind. He told us he even wanted to be a teacher to help more people.

As time passed, Dad had some health problems. His legs became weak and he started to have trouble in sleeping. My brother, my younger sister and I came to look after him, telling him to stop doing the volunteer work and have a rest at home. However, he was so stubborn that he disagreed with us and insisted on his decision.

Before long, Dad made his dream come true.

One year later, something surprising happened.