Dogs are popular pets. They are smart and _________. People often say dogs are “man’s best friends”. But for some people a dog is more than a friend. A dog can save your _________.

Last week, seven-month-old Lisa Gray and her mother were in _________ garden in Sai Kung. Mrs. Gray heard the telephone ring and went _________ the house. She didn’t see the two-metre-long snake near Lisa, _________ the family’s dog, Joe, did.

When the snake moved toward Lisa, Joe _________. The snake didn’t bite Lisa.

Instead, it bit Joe. When Mrs. Gray saw Joe, she took him straight the vet’s. The vet gave him some medicine (药) and today Joe is _________. Thanks to Joe, Lisa is fine too.

Peter Leung has a similar (类似的) story. One night there was a fire in his home on Lamma Island. Peter _________ his leg and couldn’t get out of the house.

His dog, Susie, pulled him away from the fire. Then she ran to a nearby house. She _________ loudly and woke up the people there. They called 119, so Peter and his house were saved.

There are many other __________ from all around the world of the dogs like Joe and Susie. If you have a dog, make sure you look after it—one day you might want your dog to look after you!

by Kelly Jones

Last Sunday was Mum’s birthday. “Shall we go out today?” she asked. “I need to wash the car,” replied Dad. The children shook their heads. They all had other plans.

Mum was disappointed (失望的). “Everyone forgot my birthday,” she thought and went shopping.

As the door closed, Dad smiled. “Good! She’s gone!” he said. “We have lots to do before the party. Where are Mum’s presents?” Jane pointed behind the sofa. “I’ve already wrapped (包装) them.” Mark held up a shopping list. “I’ll do the shopping now,” he said and went out. “I’ll do some housework,” said Ken and picked up a broom.

An hour later, Ken could smell something good, “Have you finished Mum’s cake?” he asked Dad.

“I’ve made it but I haven’t finished decorating   (包装) it yet,” replied Dad.

“Have you swept the floor?”

“Yes, I’ve just finished,” said Ken. “I’ve blown up some balloons too.”

Mark was back with the shopping. “What’s   that   noise?” he shouted. “it’s deafening!”

“It’s Jane,” said Ken. “She’s choosing some music for the party.”

Three hours later, everything was ready. “Where’s Mum?” asked Ken.

Then Jane pointed at a flashing light on the telephone and said, “Look! There’s a voice message!”

Hi, it’s Mum. I’m going to have seafood in Sunshine Town with Aunt Mandy.

I’ll be back late tonight! See you!

“Gosh!” said Dad. “This really is a surprise party!”

It was feeding time at the zoo. Mr. Johnson took the seals (海豹) fish. The seals were happy. But one little seal was not happy. He sat by himself. “What is wrong, Sammy?” said Mr. Johnson, “I want to know what it is like outside the zoo,” said the little seal. “All right, Sammy,” said Mr. Johnson. Sammy walked and walked and walked.

Some children were standing in line. Sammy got in line, too. The teacher was not looking. Sammy sat down. “All right, children. Now we will all sing a song,” said the teacher. The children had good voices. “That sounds fine,” said the teacher. “But one of you is barking — just like a seal.”

“Is it you, Joey?” asked the teacher. “No,” said Joey, “Is it you, Helen?” asked the teacher. “No,” said Helen. “Is it you, Dorothy, Robert, Fred, Joan, or Agnes?” “No,” said the children. “Then it must be you.” said the teacher, “I am sorry. This school is just for boys and girls.” “Please let me stay,” said Sammy. “I will be good.” “All right. You may stay,” said the teacher.

Sammy was happy. He sat at his desk and looked at the teacher. He learned how to read. He learned how to write.

A bell rang. School was over. “Will you be here tomorrow?” said the children. “No,” said Sammy. “School is fun, but I belong to the zoo. I just wanted to know what it was like outside. Now I have to go back.” “Good-bye, Sammy.” said the children. “We will come to see you.” “ Good,” said Sammy.

Sammy was in a hurry to get back to the zoo. He had so much to tell the other seals. “May I welcome you home, Sammy?” asked Mr. Johnson. “I am glad you are back. You are just in time for dinner.” “There’s no place like home,” said Sammy.

One day a crow picked up a piece of meat from the ground in its beak. It flew up into a tree. A hungry fox saw the crow w    71     the meat. The fox wanted to make the crow let go off (放开) the meat. He l    72     up and smiled at the crow. “What a beautiful bird you are,” he said.

The crow said nothing.

“What lovely feathers you have,” the fox said.

The crow said nothing.

“Do you have a beautiful v    73     as well (也)?” the fox asked.

The crow opened her beak to sing so that she could s    74     the fox. She let go of the meat. It fell to the ground. The fox a    75    it happily.

“Thank you,” said the fox and ran off.