When I started karate (空手道) class a few years ago, I didn’t know a single person. I felt ashamed of having no idea how to do any of the moves. Even though I liked the learning part, I did not like the feeling-worse-than-everyone part!

But one day after class while I was putting my shoes on, a girl named Abigail said, “That last kick we practiced is so hard for me, and you’re so good at it.”

“You must have confused me with someone else,” I replied. “I’m not good at any of it.”

“In that case, I’m in trouble,” she joked, “because you’re the one I stand behind and copy in class.”

I laughed, “Seriously?”

“Seriously!” she laughed, too. After that, we became great friends. However, a few months later when Abigail’s mom got a job in a different state and she had to move away, I was rather sad. I had a tough time dragging myself to karate for a while after that I missed Abigail so much.

Then, a girl named Ava joined my class. She was always quiet. Until one day we finally had a conversation.

“It must be weird (怪异的) being the new one in class.” I said.

“So weird!” said Ava. “You do things really differently than we did at my old dojo (柔道馆).”

I suddenly realized she’d been silent only because she was new. We started talking more, and we got along so well that we started hanging out after class. Then, almost a year later, guess who showed up at karate.

“This is so cool.” I said, giving Abigail a huge hug. “What are you doing here?”

“My mom’s job in New York didn’t work out,” she explained. “So we got to move back.”

“That’s the best news ever!” I said. “You have to meet my dear friend Ava. And Ava, meet my dear friend Abigail.”

I put my arms around their shoulders. Feeling very excited, I told them I hoped we could get along well and be close friends, while Abigail and Ava stared at each other with some hesitation and an uncertain smile.

Things seemed all right at first.

One day, I simply could not take it anymore.

I needed to do something in my community (社区) in order to complete the community service hours required to graduate from high school. Some of my friends had signed up to spend time at a soup kitchen, so I did, too. It seemed like a good thing to do.

I thought that we would just be passing out dinners to those in need, but I found out we would be doing everything from preparing to serving the dinner. We began preparing the food, from mixing salad dressing to separating frozen meat. Much still needed to be done before dinner was served, but already outside the building many homeless people were gathering. It wasn’t until a couple of hours later that we opened the doors and began serving dinner.

As the line of people came toward me, I got a little scared. I’d come face to face with the homeless: How should I act? How would they treat me? Would they hate me for having more than they did? While some of the people looked very friendly, some of them looked so dangerous. I didn’t have too much time to worry about it. I was assigned (分配) to serve the salad with the lady next to me. She smiled at me and said if I needed help, she’d be right there, which I found quite comforting.

I had never seen so many people wanting food. They were of all ages and nationalities. Most of them wore clothes that were torn and dirty. Some looked like they had tally given up on life, while others seemed to be making the best of the situation, smiling and joking. Some were better off than others, but they all needed a good meal and a warm place to eat. It saddened me to think of how many people there were who didn’t have a place to call home and the only food they got came from a soup kitchen.

As they came in my direction, I put on my brightest and happiest smile.

I was so happy that I had earned my service hours in this way.

As I sat on the bus waiting to arrive at school, the sun shining, I just sat there full of excitement ready to enjoy the first day of spring. At last, the bus stopped and I started my day.

The whole day I was waiting for one thing, noon break. As the day passed by, I heard the bell rang and everyone rushed out of the door. I hurried and ate lunch just to get outside.

As soon as I was out, my close friend, Riley called me over to play basketball. We all started playing and time flew by as we heard the timekeeper yell, “10 more minutes.” From that point on, the game sped up. Score after score, the competition process was more intense. I passed it to my teammate, Austin, and he dished it back as I pulled up a shot. I felt as if the world around me were barely moving, and all I concentrated on was the ball going to the hoop (篮筐). Not knowing I was pushed back hard, I hit the ground. A huge pain entered my left ankle. I wanted to scream, but I didn’t, hearing the people around me shout for help. I just lay there as Riley came over to pick me up and Austin fetched a wheelchair from the school clinic. Both of them helped me sit on the wheelchair. It seemed like the whole school circled around me as I was being pushed away.

The moment we entered the clinic where I always felt nervous, I didn’t think my ankle hurt as badly as it did just now, so I said, “I’m okay.” Then they had to send me back to class without any treatment. The rest of the day I felt my ankle swelling (肿) up and I thought of how stupid I was to say that my ankle didn’t hurt in the clinic. “I should have gone home.” I thought to myself as I was thrown through this terrible pain. After school, I worried how to go back home.

Just then I found Riley come in with an ice pack in his hand.

As we went out, we were surprised to find Austin holding some medicinal oil.

“Sun, sun, sun, here it comes…”

Danny sang while his fingers pressed and pulled skillfully at the guitar strings, delivering a slow and peaceful tune. A circle of audience had formed, nodding and moving slowly to the song.

Lying at the feet of the street performer was his most adoring fan: One-Eyed, a white stray (流浪) dog with pieces of brown. Danny felt the name was suitable considering its physical disability. Usually, One-Eyed would bark loudly as Danny performed. Much to his annoyance, people often mistook the pair as owner and pet. At this time, Danny would reply, “My dog? No!”, eyes rolling at the idea. How he wished the dog would leave him alone instead!

On a snowy night, while Danny was performing, a bird flew downward, landing into the midst of the crowd. It cooed happily as if to harmonize with Danny. Unfortunately, that did not sit well with One-Eyed, which immediately bounced at it and the bird flew away desperately.

The unexpected chaos upturned Danny's hat, which could have been filled with notes and coins from his appreciative audience, leaving it ignored on the ground. "Argh! The hateful dog!” Danny broke down, thinking to himself, “Either the dog goes or I go!”

On the next night, Danny tried to find a new place and chanced upon the park. For a while his earnings were good unsurprisingly as there was a steady flow of visitors. However, that didn't last long. One-Eyed came along and appointed itself as Danny's guardian. "Argh! Here comes the hateful dog again!" That night, Danny hadn't made enough money he should have, all thanks to the troublesome dog.

Danny was almost mad with One-Eyed. “What should I do? Call an animal shelter?” Torn by this problem, he walked aimlessly by the lake of the park. With all his mind focused on how to get rid of the dog, Danny didn't watch his steps. Suddenly, he slipped and fell into the lake accidentally. Struggling in the icy water, he cried for help desperately, almost choking to death. Sensing the approach of death, Danny got into overwhelming panic.

Just then, a familiar barking was heard in the distance.

“My hero! Thank you for saving me,” Danny said gratefully with watery eyes.