Zigfried, a little mouse, once lived happily in a farmhouse with his parents. They got a lot of food from the kitchen easily, because the owner of the farmhouse was very rich. For Zigfried and his parents, Christmas was their favourite. On that day, they could get more delicious food than ever like chicken, chocolate and cheese. Every time his father would bring a big chicken leg back for Zigfried. To Zigfried, wonderful food was his Christmas' miracle（奇迹）.
Unfortunately, Zigfried's father was caught by a cat when he was hanging around. Years later, his mother died because of illness and the owner of the farmhouse moved to the city. Happy days were away from Zigfried from then on. All the things had already been changed. There were no food anymore in the farmhouse and no family. All the rooms were empty.
New Year was coming again. Zigfried blew his breath on the frosty window of the farmhouse and rubbed it to see the outside. Still nobody came. Maybe today, he thought hopefully. It was only a few days before Christmas and he was waiting for a miracle. A miracle liked the old times, which he had been waiting for a long time.
This farmhouse had been empty too long. It needed a family. Zigfried's stomach made a noise. He realized that he hadn't eaten anything since yesterday. He jumped from the windowsill（窗沿）, grabbed a bag from his home, and went next door to Farmer Mike's.
Farmer Mike's house had been a great place for him until the farmer married a wife who had a cat. Zigfried trembled（发抖）when he thought of it. He looked around cautiously as he stole into the room where grain was stored and was quite nervous as he filled his bag with wheat. He was turning to leave when suddenly he felt a hot breath about his ear. His heart beat wildly, and without thinking he started to run and luckily escaped.
The next afternoon Zigfried heard some good news:
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The house came alive the next few days because of the coming of the new family.
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GUANGZHOU — At least 25 people have been confirmed dead after Super Typhoon Usagi made landfall in China’s Guangdong Province on Sunday evening, according to the provincial flood control headquarters.
“Electricity and water supply were cut off in the Huilai County, Jieyang City, and houses were collapsed as wind speeds at the center exceeded 180 km per hour on Sunday afternoon,” said Li Feng, a border police officer of the city.
Intercity trains between Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Zhuhai were suspended (暂停) at 6 pm and nearly 50 trains, including those along the high-speed lines to Beijing, Shenzhen and Hong Kong, would be suspended until Tuesday, according to the Guangzhou Railway Corporation.
At a Xiecheng gas station on National Road 324near Shanwei City, where at least 13 of the 25 victims were killed, winds were strong enough to blow cars off the road and all traffic was stopped. Resident Li Huolong said he was on his way home in Shanwei when the back window of his car was broken by the wind. Educational authorities in 14 cities ordered schools to suspend classes on Sunday, a school day in China because of the three-day Mid-Autumn Festival which just ended. More than 47000 fishing boats were in harbor, with nearly 20000 fishermen kept on shore. All beaches in the province have been closed.
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Four men once came to a wet place in the roadless forest to fish. They cast their tent upon pine-clothed rocks. On sweet-smelling branches they slept the sleep of unsuccessful fishermen, for the sun made them lazy and the rain made them wet in turn. Finally they ate the last bit of bacon and the last wonderful cake.
Immediately a little man volunteered to stay and hold the camp while the remaining three should go miles to a farmhouse for supplies. They looked at him dismally (沮丧地). “There's only one of you — the devil is your brother,” they said and disappeared down the hill. Then night came and the three had not returned. The little man sat close to the campfire and added branches. Suddenly he heard the coming rustle (沙沙声) of the dead leaves. The little man arose slowly to his feet, his clothes refused to fit his back, his pipe dropped from his mouth, and his knees struck each other. “Hah!” he cried. A low voice replied and a bear paced into the light of the fire. The little man supported himself upon a tree and recognized his visitor — a bear.
The bear was obviously an experienced fighter, for its fur had become deep yellow with age. There was confidence in his small pace and in his shining eyes. It rolled back its lips and exposed its white teeth. The fire enlarged the red of its mouth. The little man had never come across the terrible animal before and was too scared to breathe. “Ah!” The bear interpreted this silence as a gladiator (角斗士). It approached cautiously and slowly. As it came near, the boots of fear were suddenly upon the little man's feet. He cried out and then ran around the campfire. “Ho!” said the bear to himself, “this thing won't fight — he runs. Well, let me catch him.” It started strongly around the campfire. The little man screamed and ran violently. Twice around they went.
In desperation the little man flew into the tent.
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The little man went into giggling (咯咯笑).
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