[1] Once, when there was a famine (饥荒), a rich baker sent for twenty of the poorest children in the town, and said to them, “ In this basket there is a loaf (面包) for each of you. Take it, and come back to me every day at this hour for more.”

[2] The hungry children gathered eagerly about the basket, and fought over the bread because each wanted the largest loaf. At last they went away without even ______ the good baker.

[3] Gretchen, a poorly dressed little girl, did not fight or struggle with the other children, but stood quietly in the distance (远处). When the badly behaved children had left, Gretchen took the smallest loaf, which was all that was left in the basket. She kissed the baker’s hand and went home.

[4]第二天，孩子们表现得像以前一样糟糕， Gretchen got a loaf almost half the size of the one she got the first day. When she came home, her mother cut the loaf open. Many new, shining pieces of silver fell out of it.

[5] Her mother was very worried and said, “ Take the money back to the baker at once. The silver must have fallen into the dough by accident. Be quick, Gretchen!”

[6] When the little girl gave the rich man her mother’s message, he said, “ It was no mistake. I had the silver pieces put into the smallest loaf to reward (奖赏) you. Always be as content (满足), peaceable, and thankful as you now are. Go home now, and tell your mother that the money is your to keep.”