When I was little, I lived in a house with a beautiful garden full of all kinds of Bowers. There was nothing I enjoyed more than sitting in the garden with my mother reading stories to me. When I was old enough to read, I enjoyed reading stories aloud to her.

I would never forget one day when I was in the third grade. I bad been picked to be the princess in the school play, and for weeks my mother had rehearsed (排练) my lines so hard with me. But however easily I acted at home, the moment I stepped on stage, every word disappeared from my head. Finally, my teacher took me aside, explaining that she had written a narrator’s (解说员) part to the play, and asked me to change roles. Her word, kindly expressed, still hurt, especially when I saw my part go to another girl.

I didn’t tell my mother what had happened when I went home after school that day. But she sensed my pain. Instead of suggesting we practice my lines, she asked if I wanted to take a walk in the garden.

It was May and roses were blossoming and, under the trees, we could also see yellow dandelions (蒲公英) in the grass, as if a painter had painted our garden with red, yellow and green. I watched my mother casually bend down by one dandelion. ”I think I’m going to dig up all these weeds,” she said, pulling it up by its roots. ”From now on, we’ll have only roses in this garden. ”

“But I like dandelions,” I protested, “All flowers are beautiful-even dandelions.” “Yes, every flower is beautiful in its own way, isn’t it?” she asked thoughtfully. I nodded, pleased that I had won her over. “And that is true of people too,” she added. “Not everyone can be a princess, but there is no shame in that.” Relieved that she had guessed my pain, I started to cry as I told her what had happened. She listened and smiled to me gently.

Para 1: “But you will be a beautiful narrator,” she said.

Para 2: After the play, I took home the flower.

I always wondered how people would react if I tried to approach a stranger for help in a busy place like a street corner or in a bustling mall. I personally have hurried past a stranger who tried to catch my attention in a busy place.

Yesterday I had a taste of being stuck in such a desperate situation where your only hope of help would have to come from a total stranger.

I was in a busy shopping mall buying a large piece of luggage. After the purchase in one of the large and expensive shops, I picked up my phone from my pocket to call my driver waiting in the parking lot and my phone was dead.

I then requested the shop assistant selling me the luggage, which was not cheap at all, if she could ring the number of my driver for me. She replied, still all smiles, “I’m sorry Sir, but it is the shop policy that we cannot use mobile phones while working in the shop.”

As I was wondering what kind of policy that was, I saw a nice-looking teenage boy coming toward me. Remember my wife’s interesting theory that beautiful people are more likely to give you a hand when you’re in trouble, I thought I might have a chance. But before I could say a word, he walked past me. It turned out he simply didn’t see me.

I waited in the mall but it seemed nobody bothered to look at me. Disappointed and tired, I got out of the shop on to the busy street in front. I stood there with people rushing by, looking at their faces to see if they will show kindness to me. I began wondering how many times I had reacted to strangers like the shop girl and the teenager.

That was when I saw a young mother with her two kids.

Finally a man wearing a cheap T-shirt and dirty jeans seemed to notice me.

I was surprised when I received a short message from my father wishing me a happy birth- day.

I had expected to hear from my mother, my grandmother and my older relatives but never from my father. When I lay in bed, memories of my father flooded back.

When I was a little boy, I regarded my father as a hero able to do anything. However, things slowly began to change. The more I learned, the more I doubted what he said. The gap between us grew and, at last, I didn’t even like communicating with him.

My father, in my mind, had no interest in talking with me. Dinner was the only time we were together. He had no time to watch TV with me. He would tell me to ask my mother if I needed something. He even refused to answer my calls when I phoned from school. I got used to the changes. I thought that perhaps my father no longer loved me, so I hardly communicated with him and even was unwilling to contact him.

As time passed by, however, I began to wonder whether my behavior was right. And I began to be more and more upset. I had no idea how to get along well with him. One day, my mother told me that each time I called, my father was always listening beside her. Suddenly, I hated myself for my cold behavior toward him.

I tried thousands of times to apologize to my father. In the end, however, I was always too embarrassed about what I had done.

But that Saturday,

Two days later, I decided to go home. As soon as I opened the door, a good smell of meal took hold of me. My mother swept me into her arms with her eyes wet. “I miss you terribly, dear!” she said. “Where’s my dad?” Sad and disappointed, I found only my mother at home. Suddenly a handsome face appeared. “Surprise!” my father said. “To me, you are the whole world!” I hugged him tightly, with tears in my eyes. Indeed, love should be made known to loved ones.

It was one of those days when nothing seemed to go right. I dragged myself out of the bed and all of the routines began early. I dropped my two older children at school with relief and unwillingly headed to the supermarket to buy groceries with my youngest. I wasn't feeling any sense of appreciation for my comfortable home or lovely family.

I was getting mad with this early day, and my son, just four years old at that time, was being difficult. I raced around to pick the items with no regard to cost, while trying to control my naughty child whose behavior had now added to my complete displeasure. Yes, I was that mother, threatening, and roaring at a small child.

We eventually made it to the checkout and stood in the queue waiting for our turn. After a short time, I noticed that someone had joined the line behind us. I turned and saw an old man. He wore a dirty overcoat. His shoes were worn out, and his trousers tapped around sockless ankles on this cold, wet day. In his hands he just carried a small box of long-life milk.

I had too many groceries. I asked him if he'd like to go ahead of me. It wasn't an act of kindness on my part, also not my automatic reaction. Perhaps I just did out of a sense of guilt, or I just wanted him gone. After all, his presence made me uncomfortable. In the same way, I felt uncomfortable and avoided my eyes when passing a homeless person.

He didn't respond to me as if I had said nothing to him. I looked at him and repeated my words. This time, I was sure that he had heard what I said.

“Surprise!” was the first thing I heard when I opened the door. My family and friends were all smiling at me. There were colorful balloons all over the house, a big poster saying "HAPPY BIRTHDAY'', and of course a cake with 12 candles. It was a wonderful feeling. I knew that I had finally turned twelve and I might possibly get the thing I wanted most.

I saw my mom and dad coming towards me with a small box which seemed to be a birthday present. When I opened the box, I couldn't believe my eyes. I had really gotten a mobile phone! Throwing myself into their arms, I let out a cry of joy, “Thank you! I love you guys!”

“You're welcome. We knew this was going to make you happy but we didn't only get you this because you turned twelve, but also because you are doing well in school. We expect you to keep getting good grades."

“Of course I will." I said confidently.

As soon as I got to school the next morning, I was showing off my phone and asking everyone for their number. It was cool how I got so many contacts on the first day.

It felt like I didn't even exist in that class anymore. I wouldn't pay much attention to the teachers because I was too busy on my phone. However, I didn't get caught using it.

I am pretty sure that the teacher did notice that I stopped paying attention to her because a week later we took a test and I failed. What was worse, my mom had to sign the test.

It was hard to show my mom the test. She was used to seeing A's and B's on my tests. Finally, I showed it to her, and she couldn't believe it. She was angry but most of all, she was disappointed.

Realizing the reason for my failure, my parents started to dislike the fact that I had a phone.

Then I started to wonder if I was wrong.

Jim and Andy walked along the beach,looking for an adventure.They joked that some day they would find a talking fish or a mermaid(美人鱼）or a bottle with a treasure map inside.So far they had only found shells and rocks and seaweed.Today though was different.The boys felt excited.

Sea crabs(螃蟹）scampered(奔跑）on the rocks,up one side and down the other.They were quick and lively.The tide didn't seem to ever wash them away. Then Jim saw a fish. It was stranded（搁浅）on the beach,just flopping(笨拙移动） around.

＂Can it talk?"Andy asked.

＂It looks like any other fish,"Jim said.He picked it up gently and carried it to the water.

＂Do you think it will grant us any wishes?"Andy laughed.

The boys watched as the silver fish sped off through the water."No.Maybe next time."Jim grinned.

As the two friends walked farther down the beach they came upon a bottle.It was green with a cork （软木塞）in the mouth.

＂Our luck will change.Does it have a map inside or a genie(神怪）？＂joked Andy. Andy reached down and picked up the bottle.He rubbed it.Nothing happened.He pulled on the cork. Nothing happened. He shook it. Nothing happened.

“Try the cork again.I bet the genie is waiting for us to release him.Or we'll find a treasure map and have a real adventure,"Jim exclaimed.

Andy tugged(用力拉）again on the cork. He wiggled(扭动）it back and forth.He twisted（旋转；扭）it around and around. Finally, it popped out(弹出）without breaking.Andy shook the bottle.Nothing came out.Looking inside he couldn't see anything.Jim looked too and shook his head. Empty.

＂It's just an old wine bottle,"Jim complained. He grabbed the bottle and tossed(扔）it back onto the sand.

The bottle hit a rock and shattered(破碎）into many pieces.

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Two boys ran after it.

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