Sometimes, a person’s whole life is easily changed by something unexpected.

Matthew Newman who always stayed alone had a   _______ time making friends in Grade 5. And _______ were a comfort. At that time, he was introduced to the fantasy novel Red Wall written by English writer Brian Jacques. “I _______ in love with it,” said Mathew. “Brian Jacques is my hero.”

Later, as a high school student, he was surprised to hear _______ the author’s death. “I burst into tears.” Matthew recalled. This was a turning point for Mathew and made him want to become a _______.

“If this man I’d never met had this influence on me, by writing words on a page, imagine the influence I could have _______ I could do that and make the world a better place. ”

Matthew published two novels when he was 18 and was _______ about writing.

“I’ve got this kid who is so sunny,” said Eric Whiteside, who taught him creative writing at high school. “He’s like, ‘Teach me, I want to learn to be a better writer.’”

Mathew practices his writing _______, at least for an hour. He said, “I can’t   imagine life _______ writing.” Now, Mathew is beginning to think more about his future. He has decided he wants to work on publishing his own books.

Profits (收益) from writing are not his main ________. Matthew said: “I want my writing lo be about reaching out to people and helping other people.”

Sometimes I really doubt whether there is love between my parents. They don’t act in the romantic ways that I read in books or I see on TV. In their opinion, “I love you” is too luxurious (奢侈的) for them to say. Sending flowers to each other on Valentine’s Day is even more out of question. And my father has a bad temper.

One day, my mother was sewing a quilt. I silently sat down beside her and looked at her.

“Is there love between you and Dad?” I asked her in a very low voice.

My mother stopped her work and raised her head with surprise in her eyes. She didn’t answer immediately.

I was very worried because I thought I had hurt her. But at last I heard my mother say the following words.

“Lily,” she said, “look at this thread. Sometimes it appears, but most of it disappears in the quilt. The thread really makes the quilt strong and durable (耐用的). If life is a quilt, then love should be a thread. It can hardly be seen anywhere or anytime, but it’s really there. Love is inside.”

I listened carefully but I couldn’t understand her until the next spring. At that time, my father suddenly got sick seriously. My mother had to stay with him in the hospital for a month. When they returned from the hospital, they both looked very pale.

After they were back, every day in the morning and dusk, my mother helped my father walk slowly on the country road. My father had never been so gentle. It seemed that they were the most harmonious (和谐的) couple. The sun gently glistened (闪耀) through the leaves. All of these made up the most beautiful picture in the world.

The doctor had said my father would recover in two months. But after two months he still couldn’t walk by himself. All of us were worried about him.

“Dad, how are you feeling now?” I asked him one day.

“Lily, don’t worry about me,” he said gently. “To tell you the truth, I just like walking with your mom.” Reading his eyes, I know he loves my mother deeply.

Once I thought love meant flowers, gifts and sweet kisses. But from this experience, I understand that love is just a thread in the quilt of our life. Love is inside, making life strong and warm.

A small bar (酒吧) which was recently bought by Mr. Ian Thompson is up for sale. Mr. Thompson is going to sell it.     33    

He told me that he could not go to sleep one night because he heard a strange noise coming from the bar. The next morning, he found that the chairs had been moved to the front door and the furniture had been in a mess. Mr. Thompson had turned the lights off before he went to bed.     34    

He also said that he had found five empty whiskey bottles which the ghost must have drunk the night before.     35     Mr. Thompson shook his head. The villagers have told him that they will not accept the bar even if he gives it away.

    36         

However, Mr. Thompson is not afraid and wants to know the truth.     37     Will the ghost come for the whisky again? We don’t know the answer until it is dark in the night …