Long ago, Mother Nature gave each tree a different purpose(用途). But she did not share her reasons ________ the trees.

Fir Tree (冷杉) had three friends—Maple, Oak, and Elm(枫树、橡树和榆树). When the first autumn arrived, Maple, Oak, and Elm’s leaves turned beautiful orange, red, and yellow. ________, Fir Tree’s leaves stayed green.

Fir Tree complained to Mother Nature, “I don’t ________ my leaves. I want them to change colors like my fiends’ leaves.”

“Be ________,” Mother Nature replied. “You will learn your purpose.”

So Fir Tree waited. The temperature dropped even more. Maple, Oak, and Elm ________ their leaves. Only Fir Tree’s green leaves ________. Soon snow covered the ground.

Again, Fir Tree said to Mother Nature, “________ am I different? I seem to be stuck in one period of life!”

“Take it easy,” Mother Nature replied. “Soon you will ________ your purpose.”

Just then, Squirrel appeared on the edge of the forest. She was very ________. When she went inside the forest, she saw Maple. She ________ if she could build a warm home in his branches.

Maple said he didn’t have any leaves. She asked Oak and then Elm. Both said the ________ word. Squirrel then came to Fir Tree.

“Excuse me,” she said. “________ I build a home in your branches?”

“________!” said Fir Tree. Squirrel ran up Fir Tee’s branches to build her home. Soon she fell asleep in her warm and comfortable new home.

Fir Tree ________ understood that his green leaves could provide a warm shelter (遮蔽) for animals in winter. From that moment on, Fir Tree was ________ to be different. Still today, he remains proud of his evergreen leaves.