William, a highly skilled plumber (水管工) with three decades of experience, was admired by everyone for his outstanding plumbing abilities. However, what many didn’t know was his deep love for music. Ever since he was a young boy, William was passionate about singing. He dreamed of attending a music school and becoming a famous pop singer, just like his idol Willie Nelson. He even dreamed about performing in his own private concerts someday. Unfortunately, tragedy struck when a car accident claimed the lives of both his parents, abruptly ending all his ambitions for the future. As the eldest brother in his family, William had to drop out of school and find a job to support his two younger sisters.

After three decades, William’s passion for singing remained as strong as ever. As he went about his plumbing work, he always carried a little radio with him, belting out tunes and joyfully singing along. The dull tasks of repairs became enjoyable and much more manageable with music in the background. Occasionally, when inspiration struck, he even composed a song or two of his own. In fact, he had setup a small basement studio where he recorded some of these songs, purely for the fun of it.

One day, William received a call from a client, Remus Gall, asking him to help repair the pipes in his kitchen. William accepted the mission readily. Upon arriving at Mr. Gal’s, he was led into the kitchen and began his work. As usual, while doing the repair work, he happily sang along to his small radio. Coincidentally, Remus Gall was a music producer and owner of a small recording company. Remus overheard the plumber singing and immediately realized there was something in William’s voice. He was amazed that an ordinary plumber should have such great talent in singing. After the repair work, Remus got the chance to talk with William and introduced his profession to him.

“You’ve really got a beautiful voice.” Remus said sincerely. “Have you ever thought of releasing an album of your own? If so, I would be more than glad to help you.”

William was greatly shocked by what he heard.

After three months’ hard work, William’s first-ever album finally came out.

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 house was very old and shabby and 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. Mark’s parents told him to stay away from the house, and a lot of other neighborhood children were told the same thing by their parents.

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 impatiently. Mark was very afraid but he had to sell a certain number of magazines for his school fees... So 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 that Henry had dog figurines(小雕像) on the shelves inside his house. “Do you collect dog figurines?” Mark asked. “Yes, I have many collections in my house. 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 being so alone in the house that he owned. Mark went home and then had an idea. He had a little dog figurine that he had got some years before from an aunt. The figurine did not mean so much to him since he had a real living dog and a large family.

Mark held the dog figurine and ran out of his house.

Mark’s contact and communication with Henry made a difference to Henry’s life and character.

Looking at her worn-out sneakers (运动鞋), Sarah felt embarrassed (尴尬的)going to school wearing them.

“What’s the matter, Sarah? Is there something wrong with the food?” her mother asked.

Sarah, in a high voice, shouted, “I am sick of these shoes! I am no longer wearing these to my school! Do you know how embarrassing it is?”

Meghan, (Sarah’s mother) was a single mother working in a nearby town cafe. She explained, “Right now, we’re on a tight budget(预算很紧). I’ll make sure to get you a new pair next month.”

Sarah picked up her schoolbag and walked to school, giving her mother a dissatisfied look.

The school was going to organize a sports competition and Sarah was filled out the form for a 100-meter race.

When one of her friends saw this, she asked Sarah if she was certain about running the race. Sarah didn’t understand what her friend meant.

”Dear, if you have a new pair of shoes, then it’s fine. But if you choose to wear the ones you are wearing now, I’m afraid you will lose the race!“ the friend said, pointing at Sarah’s shoes. Sarah simply nodded and returned to her classroom without saying anything.

Later that day, on her way home, Sarah realized she hadn’t eaten her lunch, so she stopped at a bus stop to finish it.

When she began eating, she noticed that a child was standing next to her in poor clothes. Sarah knew the kid needed that sandwich that she was eating since the kid stared at her and then at her food.

Sarah handed the sandwich to the child, who ran up to her, excitedly got the sandwich from Sarah’s hand and began eating it. After finishing the sandwich, the child thanked Sarah, saying, ”I haven’t had such a tasty sandwich in a long time. My father is a cleaner in a house down the street and my mother is a patient at a hospital. Oh, and my name is Sam.”

Sarah felt very sad after hearing this.

The winning prize was a surprise and all the students wanted to know what it was.

That night, I quarreled with my mother, then stormed out of the house. While on the road, I remembered that I did not have any money in my pocket, I did not even take my cell phone with me to make a call home.

At the same time, I went through a noodle shop, and I suddenly felt very hungry. I wished for a bowl of noodles, but I had no money!

The seller saw me standing before the counter and asked, “Hey little girl, you want to eat a bowl?”

“But … but I do not carry money …” I shyly replied.

“Okay, I’ll treat you.” the seller said, “come in, I will cook you a bowl.”

A few minutes later the owner brought me a steaming bowl of noodles. After eating some pieces, I cried.

“What is it?” He asked.

“Nothing. I am just touched by your kindness!” I said as I wiped my tears. “Even a stranger on the street gives me a bowl of noodles, and my mother, after a quarrel, chased me out of the house. She is cruel (残忍的)!!”

The seller sighed, “Girl, why did you think so? Think again. I only gave you a bowl of noodles and you felt that way. Your mother has been taking care of you since you were little, why were you not grateful and why did you hurt your mom?”

I was really surprised after hearing that.

Why did I not think of that? A bowl of noodles from a stranger made me feel grateful, and my mother has raised me since I was little and I have never felt so, not even a little.

Just at that moment, many memories came back into my mind.

When arriving home, I saw my mother sitting at the dinner table, worried and tired.

Ali and his younger sister, Zahra, lived with their parents in a poor neighborhood. Their mother was very sick and their father was struggling to find a job, and they had only a little money with which to buy food. As they had not paid the rent for several months, the landlord was breathing down their necks.

One day, Ali took Zahra's shoes to a shoe repairman to be fixed, but he lost them on the way home. It wasn’t until he got home that he realized he had lost the shoes. He was afraid that his parents would be angry and disappointed, so he begged his sister to keep it a secret. Zahra agreed and the two decided to share Ali’s running shoes. Zahra's school hours were in the morning, so she would wear them first. After school, she would rush back and give them to Ali. He could then run to his school, which began in the afternoon. Although he ran as fast as he could, Ali often arrived late and was warned by the school.

Ali heard about a long distance race that was held for the boys in the city.When he learned that the third prize was a new pair of shoes, he decided to take part. He ran home excitedly and promised his sister that he would win her the new shoes.

The day of race arrived. Ali had a strong start, but halfway through the race he began to get tired and his legs began to ache. Getting more and more exhausted he thought only of Zahra and his promise to her. Dreaming of the new shoes he would win for his sister gave him strength, and he stayed right behind the two fastest runners, determined to finish third. Suddenly, as the finish line drew near, another runner collided(碰撞) with Ali from behind and he crashed to the ground.

Ali looked up and saw the other boys rushing ahead.

Filled with delight, Ali walked home quickly.