These days, American children are also busier on weekends than weekdays. ______ Taylors are a typical American family. Life for Cathy Taylor’s three children is very busy. “On most days after school,” Cathy says, “I take my one of my two boys to basketball practice and my daughter to football ______. Then I have to take my other son to piano lessons. Maybe I could ______ a few of their activities, but I believe these activities are important for my children’s future. I really want them to be successful.” However, the ______ children don’t get home until after 7:00 p.m. They have a quick dinner, and then it’s time for homework.

It seems that such involution (内卷) is also ______ in America.

Here is a dialogue I happened to hear. It happened _______ a pencil and an eraser. Pencil said, “I’m sorry.” Eraser asked, “For what? You didn’t do anything _______.” Pencil said, “I’m sorry because you get hurt because of me. Whenever I make a _______, you’re always there to erase it. But as you make my mistakes disappear, you _______ a part of yourself. You get smaller and smaller each time.” Eraser answered, “That’s true. _______ I don’t really mind. You see, I was made to do this. I was made to help you whenever you do _______ wrong. Even though one day, I know I’ll be _______ and you’ll replace me with a new one, I’m actually happy with my job. So please, stop worrying. I hate seeing you sad.”

The story is very _______.

Parents are like the eraser while their _______ are the pencil. They’re always there for their children, ________ up their mistakes. And parents are still pleased with what they do for their children, and will always dislike seeing their children worrying or unhappy.