Want to see a good film without leaving the house? Well, just switch on the television. But people could not do so 30 or 40 years ago. A visit to the cinema was an evening out; a film was something special. Nowadays young people still go to the cinema often, and children watch a lot of television. Films and film stars are a strong force (力量) in our lives. So there is little film education in schools. The best way is to teach children how to make a film of their own.

This is not too difficult. Three things are important—the cost, the idea of the film, and organization. A four-minute film can cost as little as $10. Schools can rent (租用) necessary machines. They can also borrow films that other children have made. This helps them to see what is possible in a short film. Children will be making the film, so the main idea for the film must come from them. When these have been agreed, the organization begins. Someone must write the film and plan the filming. Some children will be actors, and others will be camera men, lighting men, technicians (技术人员) and so on. They all have to practice a lot before the film itself is made. They learn a great deal about the technical problems of the films, and about themselves.

Three rich sons wanted to do something special for their elderly mother on _______ Day. The oldest son bought her a huge house. The second son gave her a limousine (豪华轿车), a driver. The third son remembered that his mother used to love _______ the Bible (《圣经》), but she couldn’t see clearly any more, so he bought her a specially trained parrot that could recite any verse (诗节) from the Bible.

Soon, the brothers received “thank-you” notes from their mother. The oldest son’s note said, “The house you bought me is _______ too big! I only live in a small part of it, but I have to clean the whole house! ”

The second son’s note said, “I rarely leave the house any more, _______ I hardly use the car you gave me. And when I use it, the driver is rude!”

The third son’s note said, “My darling baby boy, you know _______ what your mother loves! The chicken was delicious!”