Mary is an English school girl. She studies in a middle school. She has a little brother. His name is Tom. Tom is only three. Mary likes him very much.

Today is Sunday. Mary wants to do her homework. She takes out (取出) her pencil-box and opens it. “Oh, dear! Where’s my pen?” She can’t find her pen. She goes to ask her brother in his bedroom.

“Tom! I can’t find my pen. Can you see it? Oh, why is my pen in your hand?”

“I’m writing to my friend Peter.” Tom answers.

“But how can you? You don’t know how to write.”

“It doesn’t matter (没关系). Peter can’t read.” Tom says.

Money makes the world go around, yet the best things in life are free. 3.A penny saved is a penny earned, but you get what you pay for. You probably have your own idea about spending money. Now is a great time to learn how to spend money wisely.

When you are considering buying something you want, run through this checklist first.

How much do you really want it?

Seeing a $25 (about 159 yuan) gumball(口香糖球) machine, Ben wanted it. But after thinking about it, he decided that it would be exciting only for a day or two. “Besides, it’s not possible for me to chew that much gum,” he said wisely.

Do you still want it a week later?

If the thing passes the “really-wanting-it” test, try to wait for some time to see how strong the desire(欲望) is. This strategy works for grown-ups, too!

How will you pay for it?

After the first two steps, Ben found he really wanted a toy pirate ship(海盗船), but cost $50. He had $22 in his pocket and got $1.50 a week to spend. His mother helped him work out how many weeks he would need to save to get the ship: 19.

Are there ways to earn the money?

Ben agreed to wash the downstairs windows at a dollar each. So he got $10 for himself—and sparkling(闪亮的) sunlight for the rest of the family.

Can you get it cheaper?

After deciding to buy it, it is necessary for you to look for less expensive ways to buy it: search for what you want on the Internet or in shops and flea markets(跳蚤市场). Sometimes you can find the same thing at a much lower price.

If these suggestions work well, they can save you a lot of money. You will be a really smart shopper.

“A friend walks in when the rest of the world walks out.” Sometimes in life, you find a special friend: he or she changes your life just by being part of it; he or she makes you laugh until you can’t stop; he or she who convinces (使相信) you that there really is an open door just waiting for you to open it. This is forever friendship. When you are sad, and the world seems dark and empty, your forever friend lifts you up in spirits (精神) and makes that dark and empty world suddenly seem bright and full. If you have a forever friend, it will be easier for you to get through the hard times and the sad times. If you turn and walk away, your forever friend follows. If you lose your way, your forever friend guides you, encourages (鼓励) you, holds your hands and tells you that everything is going to be OK. And if you find such a friend, you feel happy because you don’t need to worry. If you have a forever friend for life and then you will be one of the luckiest man in the world.

Donna Brown, a 14-year-old girl, was very sick. She had a bad heart. “Donna must have a new heart.” Her doctor said, “or she will die soon.” Felipe Green, Donna’s good friend, heard the news, he was very worried about Donna. He didn’t want her to die. He decided to give his heart to her because he knew he was going to dies.

Then he talked to his mother about his idea. But his mother didn’t pay much attention to him. “Felipe is just playing a joke,” his mother thought. In fact, Felipe often had terrible headaches and never told his mother about them.

One morning, he woke up with great pain and he couldn’t breathe. The Greens hurried to send him to the hospital. The doctors had bad news for the Greens. “Felipe’s brain is dead.” The Greens were very sad. But Felipe’s mother remembered his words. She told the doctors to give Felipe’s heart to Donna. The doctors did several tests. They said they could give Felipe’s heart to Donna.

Everything was successful. Felipe’s heart was beating in Donna’s chest but Donna didn’t know it. The doctors and her parents didn’t tell her until she was stronger. Donna was very thankful to the Greens. Every time the Greens saw Donna, they thought of Felipe. Donna has Felipe’s heart in her. That gives them great peace.

【推荐3】The American writer Sally Seaman tells young students some smart ways to find friends. Sally says founding friendship is just like planting a tree. You plant the seed (种子) and take care of it to make it grow.

First, you should choose a friend. What makes a good friend? It is not because a person has money or good looks. A good friend should be kind and patient. For example, if you have a bad day, a good friend could listen to your complaints (抱怨) and do his or her best to help you. To make a friend, you can't be too shy. You should make each other happy and share your lives.

But things can not always be happy. Even the best friends have fights. What should you do when you have a fight with your friend? You have to talk to him or her. If he or she doesn't want to talk, you can write a letter.

There are three steps to be friends again:

Tell him or her how you are feeling, say what your friend has done wrong and explain(解释) why you did this or that.

Remember that friendship is one of the most important things in your life.