I had just poured my second cup of tea that morning and sat down to read the paper. From somewhere, an inner voice said, “Go see Jeff and bring him the chair to repair. Go right now.” it was such a strong need that I hurriedly dressed and carried a dinning-room chair to his door.  Jeff was a neighbor who had lost his wife a while back, and he sometimes did minor repairs for me because he enjoyed working with his hands.

I knocked on his door and waited a while. I was about to walk away when he answered. He looked like he was far away in his thoughts. I felt awkward about upsetting him so early. I greeted him and then asked if he could repair my chair. He invited me inside. We sat in his living room. He looked very sad and not his usual self. He said he had had a stroke recently, and while he was home now, he still needed to attend physical treatment. He had to build his strength back up. I apologized for the chair and told him I would just bring it back home. He said to leave it.

We talked for a while. He said that, before I arrived, he was seriously sad. So, my visit stopped his darkness. I listened to how hard it had been since his wife passed and how much worse it was now since the stroke. The longer we talked, the more I saw his mood lighten.

After I left his home, I went to the supermarket and gathered ingredients. I made him a hot meal I thought he would like. Carefully, I cut up vegetables and prepared stew (炖菜) for him. I believe it was the best stew I ever made. I made homemade biscuits and prepared fresh fruit for dessert. I realize there might have been healthier food, but I thought a hot meal would lift his spirits. I dropped it off for him. He was glad that someone cared. Emotionally, he seemed in a better place.

About a week later, he knocked on my door. 

When Steve invited me to accompany him on a camping trip to the mountains, I imagined a cabin with a fireplace, hot cocoa, and bunk beds. Imagine how my simple, yet comfortable image of camping became a nightmare(噩梦) when Steve and his older brother, Paul, showed up with a truck filled with camping supplies-tents, rolled-up sleeping bags, and some instant food! I did pack a backpack, as instructed, but I had no idea we were going on survival training!

Paul, ever so efficient, had a schedule to keep, and he hurried me to get in so we could leave the city hustle and bustle(喧闹) behind us. Ahead, the mountains appeared bigger than I had remembered them; the trees were larger, and the environment was much more dangerous. At least the weather was amazing-cotton-candy clouds dotted the deep blue sky.

At the trailhead(登山口), Paul tied a sleeping bag onto my pack and lectured Steve and me about hiking manners.

The first part of the trail looked more like a wooded road that led up the mountains than a hiking path. Soon, the path became narrower and steeper, forcing me to focus on the task at hand and to talk less. As we gained height, we moved above the tree line, and I could see the trail zigzagging(蜿蜒) up the mountain.

“It looks closer than it is,” Paul said, reading my facial expressions. “This is the most difficult part... watch the trail, not the view. Loose rocks and tree roots make the trail dangerous, and we have no shade.”

Finally, we reached the top of the mountain. My legs aching, I dropped my pack and groaned(呻吟). “No time to rest,” Paul said, looking up at the sky.

The weather up here changed quickly.

And just as quickly as the storm came rushing in, it cleared up, allowing us to exit the tent.

Emily White was born seventeen years ago with many physical issues affecting her tiny body. Some of her organs, bones and muscles were out of shape. Though no one expected her to survive, she did make it. But she had a strange figure that everyone could recognize, even from a distance.

In Emily’s hometown, there was a yearly outdoor performance in the school hall at Christmas. It had been performed for so many years that it had become one of the most important events for many of the townsfolk. Each year, many people tried out for the show, but most were turned away. Only the best performers could take part.

Emily had a most beautiful singing voice. Last year, she asked Mrs. Owens, her music teacher, if she could join in the performance. Mrs. Owens took a look at her body and said, “Child, you just don’t fit. Everyone would stare at you and that would make you uncomfortable. It would make them uncomfortable too.”

Mrs. Owens sent Emily back through the door of the choral room (合唱室) without even hearing her sing a single note. Hurt and upset, Emily decided never to try out again. But things changed as the following school year, Mrs. Owens retired and a new music teacher arrived—Mr. Butler.

He had heard about Emily and suggested that she give it a try again and promised he would give her a fair chance. Emily didn’t want to be rejected again, so she was quite hesitant. But finally her love for singing and strong desire to join in the performance outweighed her hesitation. She tried out again and learnt the result would be posted the next day on the door of the choral room.

Emily couldn’t sleep that night as she was worried that she would be rejected again and would never fit in.

The next day, Emily glanced at the list of the result. To her great surprise, she was not rejected this time. Her name stood proudly at the TOP of the list. It was she, Emily White, who was chosen to be the lead singer! Emily couldn’t believe her eyes. There must have been some mistakes. But Mr. Butler said to her with determined eyes, “Emily, I chose you to lead because of your extraordinary voice. Just believe in yourself.” Greatly moved and encouraged, Emily practiced really hard for the upcoming performance.

Finally, the day of the performance came.