1 . Mark was a 11-year-old boy. One day he was selling magazines for his school fees, walking up to a house that people rarely visited. The owner hardly ever came out. When he did come out, he would not say hello to his neighbors or passers-by but simply just glared at (怒视) them. It was said that the old man’s name was Henry.

Mark knocked on the door and waited, sweating due to fear of the old man. Dusk found Mark wandering and hesitating (犹豫) what to do. As he was ready to walk away, the door slowly opened: “Why are you standing here?” the old man Henry said without any patience. Mark was very afraid but he got up the courage and said, “Uh, sir, I am selling these magazines and, uh, I was wondering if you would like to buy one from me.”

Henry just stared at Mark without saying a word. Mark could see Henry had dog figurines (小雕像) on the shelves inside his house. “Do you collect dog figurines?” Mark asked. “Yes. They are my family here and they are all I have.” Mark then felt sorry for Henry, as it seemed that he was a very lonely soul.

“Well, I do have a magazine here for collectors. It is perfect for you. I also have one about dogs since you like dogs so much.” Henry was ready to close the door on the boy and said, “No, boy. I don’t need any magazines of any kind, now goodbye.”

Mark was sad that he was not going to achieve his goal of selling a certain number of magazines. He was also sad for the old man. Mark went home and then had an idea. He had a little dog figurine given by his parents as a birthday gift. But it did not mean so much to him since he had a real living dog and a large family.

Leonardo Da Vinci was a genius: wildly imaginative, passionately curious and creative across multiple disciplines-painting architecture, aeronautics, and engineering. Yet oddly the word “genius” minimizes him by making it seem as if he were touched by lightning. His early biographer made this mistake: “Sometimes, in a superatural fashion, a single person is gifted by heaven with beauty, grace, and talent in such abundance that seems that his every act is divine (天赐的)” In fact the self-taught Leonardo’s genius was shaped by his own will and ambition. It did not come from being the divine recipient, like Newton or Einstein.

Part of what made Leonardo a genius, what set him apart from people who are merely extraordinarily smart, was creativity. His talent for combining observation with fantasy allowed him to make unexpected leaps that related things seen to things unseen.

Leonardo was also a very human genius, He made mistakes. He left a trail of unfinished projects, flying machines that never flew, tanks that never rolled. "Tell me if ever I did a thing... Tell me if anything was ever made.

His flawed humanity makes Leonardo more accessible. Even though we may never be able to match his talents, we can learn from him and try to be more like him. His life offers a wealth of lessons.

Seek knowledge for its own sake. Not all knowledge needs to be useful. Sometimes it should be pursued for pure pleasure. Leonardo did not need to know how heart valves work to paint the Mona Lisa, nor did he need to figure out how fossils got to the top of mountains to produce Virgin of the Rocks. By allowing himself to be driven by pure curiosity, he got to explore more horizons and see more connections.

Keep a childlike sense of wonder, At a certain point in life, most of us quit puzzling over everyday phenomena. We might savor the beauty of a blue sky, but we no longer bother to wonder why it is that color. Leonardo did.

Be curious, observe things, see things unseen, respect facts, be open to mystery.... We can never learn enough from Leonardo.

Once upon a time, in a little village called Charmington, there lived a shy and unconfident girl named Lily. Lily was a kind-hearted soul, but her lack of self-assurance often led her to doubt her own beauty and worth.

One sunny day, as Lily wandered through the streets of Charmington, she came across a charming little shop filled with shining hair accessories (配饰). Among the treasures, her eyes were attracted by a lovely bow (蝴蝶结) that seemed to callout to her. Despite her hesitation, something inside Lily told her to take a small act of self-expression and pay for the bow. She bought it and gently put it in her hair. At that very moment, a magical transformation took place. Lily felt a burst of confidence, as if the bow had given her a newfound confidence and charm.

Excited about her new accessory, Lily confidently walked down the busy streets of Charmington, unaware that the bow had slipped and dropped unnoticed from her hair. Her newfound confidence made her feel beautiful inside and out. As Lily walked, something amazing began to happen. People passing by couldn’t help but notice her beauty, the warmth that shined from herself. Strangers smiled at her, complimenting her on her look and bright smile.

Confused by their compliments, Lily touched her hair, only to realize that the bow was missing. Instead of feeling embarrassed or disheartened, she couldn’t help but be amazed by the power of her own confidence. Lily began to understand that true beauty lies not in outside decorations but in self-assurance and grace. It was her confidence that had caught the attention and admiration of those around her.

Collector’s Corner

People collect a wide variety of things, from the obvious ones like stamps or coins, to the less common ones, such as beer bottles or bus tickets. Some collectors spend hours looking through junk shops and build up a collection for a few pence per object, while other collectors might spend thousands of pounds on antiques, fine china or rare （稀有的） paintings.

Some people collect for money, but most people do it for fun. Collecting is basically illogical. If you simply want to listen to Elvis Presley’s first record, you can get a copy at most record shops. A collector, however, will want to own an original 1955 disc, and will be willing to pay for it.

What makes an item valuable? Rarity and condition are the most important factors. A coin or stamp which is worth hundreds in perfect condition might be worth only pence in average or poor condition.

What should you collect? Most collectors begin acquiring things which interest them, and as the collection grows, knowledge of the subject grows. If you want your collection to grow in value, it is probably best to avoid things which are sold especially for collectors. Nearly everybody who buys a set of new coins or stamps will keep them in perfect condition, so that the new coins or stamps will never become rare. The most valuable items are often things which were widely available, but which were usually thrown away after use, such as Coca-Cola bottles or toy cars. An interesting collection can be started very cheaply.

One collector has started a collection of 1950s and 1960s ball-point pens. At the moment it’s worth nothing, but she predicts it will one day be valuable. Ball-points were widely available, and were made in a large range of colours and styles. They were often designed to be thrown away when they were empty. Many people aren’t willing to throw away used pens, and put them in a drawer or box, perhaps hoping they might work again one day. So it is possible to find unusual examples, made thirty years ago or more, for nothing.

10 . STRONGER TOGETHER: HOW WE HAVE BEEN CHANGED BY THE INTERNET

Much has been written about the wonders of the World Wide Web. There are countless articles telling us how the Internet has made our lives more convenient. We no longer have to wait in line or carry cash around when we go shopping. We can get the most updated information from large databases. We can download software, documents, and images whenever we need them. But the Internet has done much more for people than simply make life more convenient. People’s lives have been changed by online communities and social networks.

Jan Tchamani, an English teacher in Birmingham, UK, suddenly developed a serious illness and had to quit her job. At age 50, she found herself out of work and stuck at home with only her computer to keep her company. After a while, she discovered that surfing the Internet could help her feel less lonely and bored. She could listen to music, watch films, play games, and explore the world. She also joined an online group where she could talk about her problems and get support and advice from others. She realised that one of the greatest benefits of the Internet was its ability to remove the distance that usually exists between people.

She was so inspired by the people she met online that she decided to start an IT club to teach older people how to use computers and the Internet. She and her friends now organise events and collect money to pay for private teachers. Many people have been helped by the club. A 59-year-old man learnt how to apply for work online and found a great job. Now that he works and can take care of himself, his daughter has time to study at university. A 61-year-old woman who was living alone has started a small online company together with two friends. She no longer feels lonely, and her company has become quite successful.

Jan has started taking online classes to learn more about how to use the Internet to make society better. She believes that it is highly important to bridge the digital divide and make sure that everyone has access to the Internet and knows how to use new technology. Her next goal is to start a charity website to raise money for children in poor countries.

Jan’s life has been greatly improved by the Internet. “When you go through tough times, you meet others who are facing similar challenges,” Jan says. “Thinking about other people’s situations inspired me to offer help.”