【推荐1】Many years ago, there lived a very rich man who wanted to do something for the people of his town. But first he wanted to _________ whether they were good enough to get his help. So he placed a very large stone in the center of the main _________ into town. Then he hid behind a tree and waited.

Soon an old man came along _________ his cow. “Who put this stone in the center of the road?” said the old man, _________ he did not try to move the stone away. Instead, he passed around the stone and continued on his way. Another man came along and did the same _________; then another came, and another. All of them complained about the stone in the center of the road, but _________ of them tried to move it away.

Late in the afternoon, a young man came along. He _________ the stone and said, “It will be very dark at night. Some people will come along _________ in the dark and will fall against the stone.”

The young man then began to _________ the stone. He pulled with all his strength to move it to one side. But imagine his surprise when he found a bag full of __________ and this message under the stone: “This money is for the thoughtful person who takes this stone away from the road. Thank you.”

【推荐2】A rich woman had a valuable and beautiful vase(花瓶) and she was very proud of it. She decided to paint her bedroom the same _______ as the vase. Several painters tried to mix the color right, but _______ of them could make the woman satisfied.

Finally, a painter named Peter said he could mix the right color. And he succeeded. The woman was _______ with the result and Peter became very famous.

Many years later, Peter retired(退休) and turned his _______ over to his son. "Dad, there's one thing I always want to know. _______ did you get those walls to match the vase so well?" "Easy, my son," Peter answered, "I painted the vase!"