It was a bright spring afternoon along the Maryland coast, and Jonathan Bauer, 51, and his 13-year-old daughter, Ava, were enjoying it. They were driving with the windows down as they headed home on the Route 90 Bridge, which goes across the shallow waters of Assawoman Bay. Suddenly, the calm was disturbed by a loud sound.

Not far ahead of them, a black car was rushing from one side of the road to the other. To the Bauer’s horror, it knocked into a concrete barrier(水泥路障), and then came to rest over the edge (边沿) of the bridge. Bauer hit the brakes in time to avoid the vehicles in his path, but a white car struck his car.

Bauer stopped the car. “Ava, are you OK?” he asked. She was shaken, but unhurt. He ran to the white car. “Are you OK?” he asked the driver. She nodded, too shocked to speak.

And then an extremely loud sound came from the black car, whose back part hung out, 30 or more feet above the waters of the bay (海湾). The driver’s door opened and a man climbed out. He dropped to the ground, and then ran to the edge of the bridge. Bauer ran up beside him. The man pointed down, saying something in Spanish. In the water was a car seat. Next to it, a girl, about two years old, floated on her back, kicking and screaming.

Matters quickly went from bad to frightening when the little girl rolled over onto her stomach. Bauer waited for the driver to do something, but he didn’t move. Maybe he was in shock.

“Ava!” Bauer shouted, and removed his shoes. “Stay by the car and call 911!”

He held no idea about his chances jumping from this height into such shallow waters. Four feet of depth was the most he could hope for — he’d gotten his boat stuck here a time or two. And were there rocks in the shallow waters?

“If mum finds out that I’m going to the beach, I’ll be in big trouble.” I said to myself softly in a low voice.  I went downstairs slowly and tried to walk quietly out of the house. As I was heading towards the back door, Mum asked “Where are you going?” I answered without hesitation, “I am going to the garden to play.” After I got out of the house, I breathed a sigh of relief(松了口气) and ran toward the bus stop at top speed. Half an hour later, I was at the beach playing volleyball happily with my friends, Jim and Bob. Nearby two young men were racing in the canoes(独木舟). Suddenly, Bob hit the ball too hard and the ball fell into the sea. Just as Bob was going to pick up the ball. A wave came in and carried the ball further and further away from the shore. I wanted to show off my swimming skills so I volunteered to help get the ball. I dived into the water and started swimming towards the ball. After swimming for about ten minutes, I became tired but when I saw the ball was only a few feet away from me, I put in an extra burst of speed. “Oh, no!” Another big wave swept the ball further away from me. Just at that moment, I found my feet got tangled(缠绕) by a string of weed(水草) and I couldn’t swim properly.

When I was eleven years old, I had a big accident. I get scared even now when I think about that time. I went skating near my house. There were many people, and I saw some of them falling on the ice.

It was my first time to go ice skating, so I was nervous. I was wondering how to skate.

I went with a friend who was very skillful. He spent some time teaching me how to skate, but I didn't learn much. He left me and skated all around. As soon as he left, I fell down. I envied the other people because they could skate well.

I was bored because I kept falling so I took off my skates and just walked around on the ice in my shoes. It was cold and my hands were frozen.

Suddenly, I stepped on something that was not hard. What was it? It was a weak place in the ice. When I stepped there, I sank under the ice. I thought that I was going to die, but I did my best to grab something to get out from under the ice. I tried to grab the edge of the ice, but it was very difficult for an eleven-year' old child.

It seemed like a very long time, like a year. Then, fortunately, someone helped me. He grabbed my arms and pulled me up. So, I lived and I'm still alive today.

I thanked him. At that time, my friend came back. I was annoyed at him because he was supposed to take care of me, but he didn't. He was embarrassed. When I took a taxi home, the taxi driver was surprised and asked what had happened. I didn't want to say anything because I was tired and scared. Even now, whenever I think about that time, I feel uncomfortable. I don't want to go skating again even now.

It was long before (过了很久) I went skating once again,

However, ever since then I haven't found any time to go skating,

Whom Do You Turn to When in Trouble？

There is an old saying that goes like this, “The grass looks greener on the other side of the fence.” It means that other places often look better, more interesting than the place where you live. Nowadays, a large number of Chinese kids prefer to enjoy American food and Japanese movies. They are often heard to say to each other, “Let’s go to the KEC for dinner and then watch some Japanese cartoons!” Some people are worried when they see young Chinese buying Japanese cartoon books, watching Korean soap operas and even celebrating western holidays.

Foreign books and soap operas are good, but actually, Chinese writers and actors are just as good. As for holidays, Christmas is nice, but it can never have the meaning for Chinese that the Spring Festival has, and the West has nothing to compare with the Mid-Autumn Festival. Besides, China has lots of cool things that are unique to its culture, such as calligraphy, Beijing Opera and so on. And let’s not forget the part of Chinese culture I like best: its friendliness. Not all countries are as warm as China.

It’s good to enjoy other cultures and to learn from them, but they can never replace your own culture. It’s good to look on the other side of the fence, but make sure you take a good long look. You will find that the grass isn’t always greener.

Although some people become worried about that, I don’t think it necessary. Will we get more powerful without learning from other countries? Will Chinese people live more happily without American fast food? Besides, Chinese kids can learn about other cultures and have fun, but what is important is that they also need to learn more about their own culture and be proud of Chinese culture and of being Chinese.

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The term “helicopter（直升机） parents” is a description of parents who are hovering(盘旋) over their children in a state of extreme concern. They always show up to solve their children’s problems, protect them from real or imagined harm, resolve stressful situations, offer advice and get them out of trouble, even if they behave wrongly. Although out of love and concern, it can have harmful effects on their children’s emotional development and future independence.

Children learn through their mistakes. But if you intervene(干涉，介入) at first sign of struggle and finish your child’s homework, he’ll miss out on valuable learning opportunities.

You’re sending him the message that he needs to be perfect and failure is not an option; otherwise you wouldn’t always take over from him.

By constantly rescuing your child from stressful situations, you’re sending him a message that you don’t believe he’s able to take care of himself. Children develop self-esteem(自尊) by learning how to complete challenges on their own. If you are always intervening, he will miss this vital stage in his growth. As a result, your child may lack the confidence necessary to do well in school, pursuing hobbies and interests, and developing friendships.

If you’re always taking care of everything for your child, it’ll be more difficult for him to become independent. As an adult, he might find it hard to take care of himself, because he has never developed coping skills to deal with life’s challenges. He might suffer from irrational(不理智的) fears, anxiety and depression, which could lead him to drop out of college or frequently change jobs, according to Dr Michele Borba. Instead of developing healthy relationships, he might seek a partner who will take care of or control him, as his parents did.

You can help your child become more independent by allowing him to complete tasks and challenges on his own without your intervention. Even if he fails at first, don’t interfere(干涉，干预) — encourage him to start again. Show that you have faith in his abilities to succeed without your help. Allow him to learn natural consequences（后果）. Even small things can help him become more independent— making his own bed, preparing his own lunch, shopping for his own clothes and doing homework without your help.

Mr. Taylor checked again: water, food, bandage, medicines, a compass, and a map wrapped in plastic... Bingo! He put all that he prepared for the coming hiking into his backpack.

Mr. Taylor was fond of hiking, this time in particular, for it was the first time for him to hike with his two sons, Harry and Joel. Joel liked reading books about explorers and Harry joined the hiking club in his school this term. “It will be an unforgettable experience, definitely.” he whispered to himself, unconsciously a smile spreading over his face.

Harry and Joel, however, argued for the first three miles of their hiking trip. Harry accused Joel of wearing smelly old shoes. Joel blamed Harry for using all of the bug spray (喷雾防虫剂). Harry told Joel he smelled terrible. Joel called Harry a coward (懦夫).

“Will the two of you just quiet down and enjoy our hike together?” their father said. “You’re missing all of the beautiful scenery!”

It was true. Neither Joel nor Harry had taken notice of the bear their father had spied at the start of their trip. They hadn’t looked up at the eagle he pointed out overhead. Worst of all, they hadn’t paid any attention to the turns and twists along the way while they continued their argument.

“Joel threw a stick at me!” Harry screamed. “That’s not true!” Joel shouted back.

Mr. Taylor could no longer contain his anger. “And both of you need to stop arguing!” he erupted. As he turned to face them, his left foot caught on a root. He slipped backward and down muddy bank, falling into the river that ran alongside the path.

Harry and Joel raced to their father’s assistance. They helped him up out of the water, and then dragged his wet backpack up onto land.

Fortunately, their wet-through father found himself just slightly injured.

But his glasses came off when he fell in the water.

“Just calm down.” Mr. Taylor shouted, “Without my glasses, we need to work together to find our way.