One Thursday in April, I was awakened by the noise of my parents talking and making breakfast. My old brother and sister were running around, trying to put their things together for school.

I put on the new skirt I had bought over the weekend while thinking about how I was going to make my day perfect. Then my mom offered to walk me to school instead of my dad driving me. She said she wanted to walk for exercise, so I thought it would be fine. Although my dad said he wanted to drive me, my mom and I both agreed to walk.

As we were walking down the hill to my school, we chatted about interesting things in my wonderful school life, our family’s next vacation, and so on. We felt so relaxed and excited. Holding hands, we crossed the crosswalk to get to my school, and that was when a bad thing happened. A car lost control and came fast towards us. Just at that moment, my mom tried to save me using all of her strength. She made it. She pushed me out of the way.

But when I turned around, I saw my mom flying through the air. For me, everything was in slow motion. Finally , my mom hit her head , and it started to bleed. I shouted and cried uncontrollably while some people called my dad and the police. Soon, I saw my dad rushing down the street in his car with the most scared look on his face.

He and I followed the ambulance to the hospital. While we waited in the waiting room, I was clear that my happy family suddenly had a terrible change. I felt like this couldn’t be happening to me. I was shocked, frightened, hopeless and helpless. I was so worried about my mom. I just hoped she could survive the accident. When the nurse finally came to us, I was scared of what I was going to see.

But I ran and hugged my mom.

Several weeks later, the doctor said my mom could go home.

【推荐2】I haven't seen my father for five year. As a devoted archaeologist（考古学家）,he has been working in Greece, sparing no time for family reunion. Right before my summer vacation, he invited me to visit him and spend some time together. That's why I am here, at Athens airport. But he isn't here to meet me and I don't know why.

I take out the last email he sent me. "I am so pleased you are coming here at last. I'll be at the airport to meet you at 14：20." But now it is 15：30. I don't want to spend my holiday hanging around Athens airport with a lot of strangers. What I want is my dad and just like every other time in my life when I have wanted him, he is not here and I feel really angry and fed up.

When I was ten and I wanted him, I used to tell myself stories. But I am not ten any more and I am not in the mood for stories. I am going to find my father and I am going to tell him that when his only son comes to visit after five years, he needs a very good excuse when he doesn't turn up. A very, very good excuse.

Then I act. I go to the information desk where a pretty, dark-haired girl smiles at me and says that she is sorry that my father is not there. She then says quite sharply over the loudspeaker: "Alexander Wyatt must come immediately to Information where his son Jake is waiting." And when he does not come, she looks worried and asks if I am OK. I tell her that I'm fine. I change some money and get the metro to the hotel my father booked.

The receptionist gives me the key to our room.

I call the tourist police and tell them my story.

Mary had always been a lover of tales. Her imagination was rich, and she often found herself making up stories in her head. Yet, she never dared to share them with anyone, confined (受限) by her shy nature and a fear of public speaking. Life passed her by in a routine that left little room for self-expression, and her stories remained locked within the walls of her mind.

One day, an old friend invited Mary to attend a local storytelling workshop. Hesitantly, she agreed, hoping to find a way to break free from her shell. As she entered the place, she felt a mix of expectation and fear. What if she stumbled(磕绊) over her words? What if people laughed at her? Despite her anxiety, Mary took her seat among the other participants, each there for their own reason—some seeking a new hobby, others looking for personal growth.

The workshop facilitator(主持人), a charming woman named Evelyn, greeted them warmly. She spoke of the power of stories and the beauty of sharing one’s voice. As the hours went by, Mary learned techniques to build suspense(悬念), create lifelike characters, and tell a fascinating story. The other participants listened carefully, offering ideas and encouragement. For the first time in a long while, Mary felt seen and heard.

As the day drew to a close, Evelyn announced an upcoming storytelling competition. It would be held in a few weeks at, a local bookstore. To Mary’s surprise, she found herself volunteering to participate. The thought of standing onstage frightened her, but something within her longed for the challenge.

From that day on. Mary practiced day and night.

The big day came.