A student came to a teacher and asked him, “How many friends a person should have—one or a lot?” “Everything is very simple,” the teacher answered “_________ that red apple for me from the highest branch(树枝).” The student looked up and answered, “_________ it’s too high to pick it. I really can’t reach it.” “Ask a friend. Maybe he or she can help you,” the teacher answered. Thus the student called another _________ and stood up on his shoulders(肩膀).

“I still can’t reach it,” said the _________ student, “Don’t you have more _________?” the teacher smiled. The student asked more friends who started _________ on each other’s shoulders and backs. By doing this, they tried to _________ alive pyramid(金字塔). But the apple was too high. The pyramid crumbled(瓦解) and the student wasn’t able to pick the highest apple.

Then the teacher called _________ back. “So do you understand how many friends a person needs?” “Yes, I do,” the student said. “More friends together can solve big problems.” “Yes,” the teacher answered, nodding _________ agreement, “of course you need a lot of friends, but among them, at least one should be ____________. This person is able to come up with a better idea, like bringing a ladder(梯子)!”