1 . When I was in middle school, my social studies teacher approached me about entering a writing contest. At first, I declined without thinking because English was only my second language. Writing was so difficult and painful for me that my teacher allowed me to present my paper on the sinking of the Titanic by acting out a play, where I played all the parts. No one laughed harder than he did. So, why did he suddenly force me to do something at which I was sure to fail? His reply, “Because I love your stories. If you’re willing to apply yourself I think you have a good shot at this.”

Encouraged by his words, I agreed to give it a try. After much thinking, I settled on an unconventional topic: Paul Revere’s horse. I decided to narrate (叙述) the events of that historic night from the horse’s perspective. It was an unusual choice, but I hoped it would set my writing apart from the others.

As I began to write, I found myself empathizing (同情) with the horse’s journey. What did the horse think, as sped through the night? Did he get tired? Have doubts? Did he want to quit? Like the horse, I too encountered challenges along the way. There were moments of exhaustion, self-doubt, and a strong desire to give up. But I persisted, fueled by the encouragement of my teacher and my own determination.

I poured myself into the essay, carefully checking spelling and grammar and absorbed in research at the library. With each revision, I improved my storytelling skills and grew more passionate about the process.

When I handed in the final draft to my teacher, he laughed at the humor and creativity in my writing but challenged me to refine it even further. And so, I revised and rewrote tirelessly until I felt a sense of satisfaction with the finished product.

In the end, the thought of winning the contest took a backseat to the joy I found in the writing itself. Whether or not I emerged victorious was no longer my primary concern. I had discovered a passion and a sense of achievement that went beyond any awards.

2 . It is widely known that children’s interest in nature is crucial for their mental health and biodiversity (生物多样性) protection efforts. But how can parents and teachers develop children’s interest in nature in the first place? The answer may lie in a garden.

Chinese researchers have recently reported that a school garden with abundant natural components (元素) can be used to cultivate the interest of primary school children in nature while helping to relieve their study-related stress.

In a study published in the journal People and Nature, a research team from Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences analyzed the impact of natural observation and inquiry-based learning activities in a school garden on the development of children’s interest in nature.

The researchers conducted a series of teaching interventions (干预) over a semester in a campus garden of a primary school in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan province. The program involved 24 fourth graders taking part in three 40-minute activities that were held weekly: natural observation with assigned tasks, natural observation with open-ended tasks and inquiry-based activities.

Participants kept individual portfolios (档案) consisting of questionnaires, nature journals, observation notes and interviews. Qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed to divide children into three categories: those who developed an interest, those who developed an improved interest, and those not affected by the activities.

After four months in the program, the results showed that more than two-thirds of the 24 students were classified as either “interest started” or “interest enhanced,” showing a generally favorable outcome, according to the study. The results revealed that the school garden, with its unique and safe environment, played a significant role in stimulating children’s curiosity about the creatures in the garden. It also empowered children to learn and explore independently.

Given the current trend of children spending more time in front of screens and less in front of nature, school gardens offer potential solutions, the study said. “Implementing a diverse school garden with informative labels and explanation boards, along with teacher support, represents a potential approach to cultivating children’s interest in nature, particularly during the critical developmental stage of 9 to 11 years of age,” said Chen Jin, a researcher at the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden. “We recommend adopting mini botanical (植物的) gardens and club activities in schools to bridge formal and informal education,” Chen added.

3 . In today’s world, it can be challenging to stay motivated and positive. However, one powerful tool that we can use to overcome these challenges is encouragement. Encouragement can make a significant difference in someone’s life.     1     Encouragement can come in many forms, such as words of affirmation (肯定), acts of kindness, or simply showing support. In today’s society, where negativity is common, a little bit of encouragement can go a long way.

One of the most significant benefits of encouragement is that it builds strong relationships. Encouragement creates a positive environment where people feel valued and appreciated. When we encourage others, we are showing them that we believe in them and that we care about their well-being.     2    

Another benefit of encouragement is that it creates a chain reaction.     3     This chain reaction can spread throughout a community, workplace, or family. By building each other up, we create a supportive and empowering environment.

    4     The first step is to be intentional about our words and actions. We can start by offering genuine words, expressing thanks, or simply listening attentively. We can also seek out opportunities to encourage others, whether it’s through volunteering or offering support during tough times. By taking small but consistent actions, we can make a significant impact on the lives of other people.

In conclusion, the power of encouragement cannot be overstated. It has the potential to transform lives, build strong relationships, and create a ripple effect of positivity. By being intentional about our words and actions, we can use encouragement to build others up and create a better world.     5