【推荐2】They were a happy family：four daughters were all in the same school in different grades.The youngest，Janice，who was in my class，seemed to be glued(粘) to her mother’s skirts.The three older girls took the bus to school every morning，but Janice was always driven to school by her mother.

One Friday，Janice’s mother asked for a talk with me.She said in a soft voice，“My husband is going to Europe on business for two weeks，and he insists that I go with him.I have tried to explain over and over that Janice needs me here.But he thinks that she will be fine without me so I have no choice；I have to go.I have told the babysitter to drive her every morning.Will you please give Janice special attention and help her? I want to be sure everything goes well for her.”

I told her that we would make every effort to support Janice.I even volunteered to meet Janice at her car so she would see a familiar face.As a mother myself，I’d like to help.Janice’s mother thanked me for my understanding.

On Monday morning，expecting a tearful，anxious child，I planned a special program of fun and games.I waited outside to greet Janice，but just then the bus arrived and not three，but four girls got off.Janice skipped along joyfully，saying “goodbye” to her sisters as she ran with two friends into the classroom.I walked slowly into the classroom and called Janice over to ask how the bus ride went.Impatiently she said，“Oh，I always want to take the bus with the other kids，but Mother needs to be with me.You see there won’t be any more babies，so I have to be a baby a little longer.While she is away，I’ll just ride the bus every day.I am five，you know.”

【推荐3】Those who are in love really know each other's thoughts and can see into one another's ice cream bowl.This truth became so clear to me the other day.

At about 11:00 a.m.,my husband Gary called from work to see what was up at home."Oh nothing,"I said,"just having a little early lunch."Then he said,"So how's the coffee ice cream I bought?"I could almost "hear" him smiling.

"What?"I was stunned.How in the world did he know I was eating ice cream?I never eat the ice cream, especially in the morning.Besides,he knows that I had been trying to diet again.However,I could hardly hide the laughter in my voice as I calmly asked,"Why would you think I'm eating coffee ice cream?"

Gary said,"Uh...first,you said 'Just having a little early lunch' in a guilty,high voice.Second,your tongue must be rather cold because your words were a bit slow."What he said made me laugh out loud."The other thing is,I noticed you left some coffee ice cream untouched last night.That was like me hiding some cigarettes in the corner to enjoy later."

We laughed long and hard together before he asked me gently,"What happened?Er...something must have happened to make you eat ice cream before lunch."

Suddenly,I felt a rush of love for the man on the other end of the line.He knew me well-cared enough to find out what was bothering me,and trusted me enough to help me laugh at myself.

【推荐1】With bushfires continuing to swallow different parts of Australia, local zoo in New South Wales, the state which is the easiest to catch fire, has hit the headlines with a heartwarming story.

Right in the line of a bushfire, the keepers of Mogo Wildlife Park managed to protect all 200 animals from harm after they received evacuation orders, according to the reports.

Netizens were quick to react on social media and praised the bravery of the zoo keeper and staffs, as they stayed and managed to protect animals from uncontrolled fires and even sheltered some at their own house.

The 40-year-old zoo keeper, Chad Staples, described the situation as the worst catastrophe, which felt like Armageddon (大决战) here. Luckily, his team had made a precise plan ahead of time by moving everything flammable from the area and the larger animals to safe places.

What’s remarkable is that as the smaller ones needed extra shelter, Staples decided to take them to his own house.

“Right now in my house there are animals of all descriptions in all the different rooms. They are safe and protected, not single animal lost.” he said.

BBC news also mentioned that “there’s a tiger to the back of the house.”

Some media outlets highlighted the “heroic job” in their headlines. Online users also reacted with thumbs-up and were glad to see all the staff and animals coming through the terrible fire.

Located in the southern coast of New South Wales. Mogo Wildlife Park houses Australia’s largest collection of primates (灵长目动物), also including different and unique animals such as zebras, giraffes, rhinos and red pandas.

【推荐1】I was grocery shopping recently in my hometown, N.Y., when I heard a young voice rise. “Mom, come here, you’ve gotten see this! There’s this lady here my size!”

The mother was mortified and rushed to a boy she called Mikey, who looked to be about seven; then she turned to me to apologize. “Oh, I’m so sorry.”

I smiled and told her, “It’s okay.” Then I looked at her wide-eyed son and said, “Hi, Mikey, I’m Darryl Kramer. How are you?”

He studied me from head to toe, and asked, “Are you a little mommy?” “Yes, I have a son,” I answered.

“Why are you so little?” he asked.

“It’s the way I was made,” I said.

It takes only one glance to see my uniqueness. I stand three feet, nine inches tall. I am an achondroplasia dwarf (软骨发育不全的侏儒). Like most achondroplasia dwarfs, I have two average-height parents, as well as an average-height brother. When I was born, my mother was told in the hospital that I was a dwarf. Not knowing a lot about dwarfism, my mom’s main concern was my health. Our family doctor put her mind at ease when he told her he felt I would not have any major medical concerns. He was right.

When I was growing up, my parents encouraged me to do all the things the kids around me did. So when my neighbors got two-wheel bikes, I got a two-wheel bike. When they roller-skated, I roller-skated. I didn’t see anything different in my parents’ eyes about me. Why should I look   at myself differently? Therefore, I just tried to smile and accept the fact that I was going to be noticed my whole life. I was determined to make my uniqueness an advantage rather than a disadvantage. And when I accepted myself as I was, life wasn’t that difficult after all. Most people around me were friendly and protective.

I’m 47 now, and it’s the children’s questions that make my life special. “Why are you so short? How old are you? Are you a mommy?” When I talk with children, they leave content that their questions have been answered. My hope is that in taking time with them, I will encourage them to accept their peers, whatever size and shape they come in, to know that every human deserves due respect.

【推荐2】The summer I turned 16, my father gave me his car --- a gift wasted on me at that age. The important thing was that Hannah and I could drive around.

Hannah was my best friend, a year younger but much taller, almost five foot ten. " Hannah's a knockout, "my mother always said. And that summer she signed with a modeling agency. She was already doing runway work.

A month after my birthday, Hannah and I went to the movies. On the way home, we stopped at the McDonald’s drive-through, putting the fries on the seat between us to share. "Let’s ride around a while, "I said. It was a clear night, full moon slung(悬挂)low over the desert. Taking a turning too fast, I plowed (撞)through a neighbor’s wall and drove into a full-grown tree.

We were taken in separate ambulances.I’d cracked(使裂开)my cheek bone;Hannah’s forehead had split wide open. End of her modeling career.What would I say to her?

When her mother, Sharon, came into my hospital room, I started to cry. She sat beside me and took my hand.“I rear-ended(追尾) my best friend when I was your age, ”she said. “I totaled her car and mine.”

“I’m so sorry，” I said.

“ You’re both alive，” she said.“ The rest is window dressing. I forgive you. Hannah will too.”

Sharon’s forgiveness allowed Hannah and me to stay friends throughout high school and college, to be at each other’s weddings … The scars are so faded no one else would notice, but in the sunlight I can still see it just below her hairline --- for me, a mark of grace(优雅).