【推荐1】When I was about 10，I was walking down the street with my Mother. She stopped to speak to Mr Lee. I knew I could see Mr Lee anytime around the neighborhood so I just stood there.

After we passed him，my mother stopped and said something unforgettable，“You let that be the last time you ever walk by somebody you know without opening your mouth to speak，because even a dog canwag its tail when it passes you on the street.” That sentence sounded simple but it made me become who I am. At work，I used to say hello to the president of the company and ask him how our business was doing. But I also spoke to the people in the cafe and people who cleaned the buildings，and asked them how their children were doing，for every single person deserves to be acceptedno matter how humble(卑微的) they are.I remember that after a few years of passing by the president，I had the courage to ask him for a chat. We had a great talk. At some point，when I asked him how far he thought I could go in his company，he said that if I wanted to，I could get all the way to his seat. I’ve become vice-president，but that hasn’t changed how I treat people. I speak to people wherever I am. Speaking to people creates a pathway into their world，and it lets them come into mine，too.

The day you speak to someone who has his head down and then see him lift it up and smile，you will realize how powerful it is just to open your mouth and say hello.

【推荐2】Eduardo reached into his backpack, searching for his cell phone. He was scared of having to spend the spring break at Aunt Letty’s farm. Although he had protested, his parents decided that spending time on the farm would be a great experience for him. They grew up on a farm and believed that responsibility, hard work, and respect for the land were valuable lessons.

“So, have you ever ridden a horse?” Aunt Letty asked, trying to turn his attention away from his phone. “Hmmm, no.” he answered. “Well, we’ve got a nice calm horse I think you’ll like. Hercules-sounds like a beast, but he’s basically a gentle giant-big, but kindhearted!” she said, smiling. Eduardo glanced at his aunt, annoyed that he was expected to work. He tried to text a friend but there was no cell reception.

The next few days were busy. The crow of the roosters woke them up, and they had breakfast before dawn. Then they went out to the barn to get the feed while the animals waited to be fed. The afternoons were filled with transporting hay, cleanup, and caring for the animals. At dusk, when the farm was finally quiet, Aunt Letty stretched her arms out and inhaled(吸气), “Just take a deep breath of that sweet country air!” Eduardo, exhausted from his chores, was unable to appreciate his work.

On the third day, without warning, Aunt Letty announced, “It’s time to meet Hercules.” She led Eduardo into the stables. Aunt Letty was right. Hercules was remarkable!

Aunt Letty held her hand open for Eduardo to take. Reluctantly, he let her guide his hand toward Hercules and allowed the magnificent creature to sniff his palm. Softly, Hercules rubbed its nose and mouth against him.

“It feels like velvet(天鹅绒)!” Eduardo beamed. An hour later, Eduardo was scratching Hercules on his neck and offering him carrots.

That night, as they headed toward the house, Eduardo was inspired. His arms spreading wide, he inhaled and said, “Take a breath of that sweet country air!”

【推荐3】I was cutting up lettuce in the kitchen when I suddenly remembered watching a video about soaking the lettuce stub (残余部分) in water to grow a whole new vegetable. So I took out a wide-mouthed mug and placed the stub into it, gave it a little water, and placed it by the window.

On a snowy morning, I noticed the first sign. A first small leaf from its heart spread out. A tiny green flag of hope. Beaten, but not defeated. This lettuce was not done living! Within days, it was impossible to see the cuts where I had removed the leaves. The growth was explosive. And when I lifted the blossoming head out of the mug (大杯), tiny root threads fell down, seeking for the earth. What is growing here? Lettuce or hope?

If I were a lettuce in a similar condition, I’d want to skeptically assess where I found myself before committing to full growth. Yet for this lettuce, my inadequate offering of water and a place by a window was enough for it to decide to reclaim itself again. It grew in a mug of water, in faith. This is the heart of this lettuce: alive, strong and fearless. It deserved a name. I decided to call it Monty.

Monty wanted to grow, as we all do. I think I gave him a little love and freedom. Those two ingredients were all he needed to return to himself. I see joy in this lettuce. The return to self is always an expression of joy, which is life itself. With the right ingredients, this is the tendency of all living things.

Monty still lives in a mug, but I’m going to transplant him outside. He deserves to become his full self. The only problem I see now is my capacity to support Monty. I hope I have enough of a green finger.

I’m surprised to find myself where I am. Maybe Monty is, too. I have the same choice as he does: give in and decay (腐败), or start again. The prospect of starting again is discouraging. But my lettuce-friend, Monty, leads the way. I can only hope to be as brave.

【推荐1】There is a lot to learn about the creations of Beatrix Potter—not only is she the author and illustrator of one of the world's most famous children's books,The Tale of Peter Rabbit,but also a pioneering conservationist with the spirit of a scientist.

"Potter grew up as the daughter of a wealthy Victorian family,but along with her brother who filled an entire floor of their large house in London with all sorts of animals,"said Anne Lundin,a retired professor for the UW-Madison School of Library and Information Studies.

"As an adult,she was afrustratedbotanical illustrator and scientist.That field was not open to her because she was female,"Lundin said.Potter was urged to turn the charming illustrations and stories she wrote in letters to children into books.She wrote 23 books in all—a body of work that has inspired plays,ballets,films and an astonishing amount of merchandise.

"The Tale of Peter Rabbit is probably the most famous children's book in the world,which was published in 1902 and has really stood the test of time.It's been translated into 36 languages.The parents and grandparents will share it with the next generation,"said Lundin.

Potter also made a mark on the world through her land conservation."In many ways,she was like Peter Rabbit, venturing into a world of adventure and risk.She withdrew from London as soon as she started making some money on her books to the Lake District and became an extremely important farmer and conservationist.She preserved and passed on 15 farms and over 4,000 acres,which were given back to the country as gifts in the 20th century,"said Lundin.

Even though she was born 150 years ago,she was amazingly modern—her embracing of the natural world, commented Jennifer Blatchley Smith,an artistic director of the show Peter Rabbit Tales to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Potter's birth.

【推荐3】Malala Yousafzai was born in 1997 in Pakistan’s Swat Valley, a tourist area known for its beauty. But life there changed between 2007 and 2008 when Taliban leaders started making demands and threats. They forced women to stay home and banned girls from attending school.

Malala remembers her feelings, “I really had two choices. One was to remain silent and be killed, and the second was to speak up and then be killed. I chose the second one.”

Using a fake name, she wrote a diary about the difficulties under the Taliban, which was published on the Internet at age 11. At the same time, she used her real name and began making public speeches in favor of education. Months later Malala was identified as the diary’s author.

By 2012 Pakistan’s army had forced most of the Taliban out of Swat and restored (恢复) order. Life was returning to normal, and girls were returning to school. Malala’s life, though, was about to take an unexpected turn.

On October 9, 2012, Malala and her fellow students got on the bus after school to go home. Minutes later, two men boarded the bus and asked, “Who is Malala?” Without realizing what they were doing, the students turned and looked at their friend, showing who she was. The men shot Malala in the head, and Malala was badly injured.

Fortunately, Malala had an operation and survived. However, she needed additional care, so doctors decided to fly her to Birmingham, England, for recovery. Malala spent three months in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham making an outstanding recovery.

Nine months later on July 12th — her 16th birthday — Malala spoke at the United Nations. In a speech that was heard around the world, she demanded education for everyone.

On December 10, 2014, Malala and another person were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. At 17, Malala had become the youngest person to ever receive it, and she offered these words. “I’m just a determined and even stubborn person who wants to see every child getting quality education. I tell my story, not because it is unique, but because it is not.”

Today Malala lives in the United Kingdom and continues her campaign for education.