1 . According to CBS Minnesota, the golden retriever (寻回犬) named Marvel was the only one in her litter born without a front right paw (爪子). She’s since been taken in by the Williams family in Waconia, whose 7-year-old son, Paxton Williams, had his right leg cut away three years ago.

Rolling Oaks Goldens breeder Barb Felt found the Williams family through a friend, Paxton’s doctor. “When she was born, we knew right away she had a special purpose,” Felt said. “We wanted her to go in a home with someone who had a limb (肢体) difference.”

Paxton was born before the time was enough, which caused the boy to develop a serious problem in his right leg, which stunted the limb’s growth. Three years ago, Paxton’s parents made the difficult decision to have the boy’s right leg amputated and replaced with an artificial limb. Paxton’s mother, Stephanie, appreciates how their new pet addition helps her son normalize his physical differences.

“It gives him the opportunity to tell the kids, ‘Oh, she’s missing a paw, she’s like me,’” the mom explained. “Just like it gives him that voice to advocate for himself.”

Blaine, Paxton’s father, has also been moved by seeing Paxton and Marvel enjoy walks together on trails near their house. “It’s like they knew they were special,” Blaine said. “The amount of emotions was running through me at the time,” he continued. “It was just awesome because she was in the perfect place at the perfect time.”

Marvel might need a wheelchair or an artificial paw of her own as she grows larger and gets older. The family hopes that Paxton will someday be able to run with his artificial leg and that Marvel will be there to run beside him.

2 . When I first heard from my doctor that I was allergic to hay (干草), it weighed pretty heavily on my mind.

I grew up _________ around big open fields and playing with the animals on my friend’s farm. There were no limits set on me as a child.

After I _________ about my allergy, I felt that a kind of _________ had been placed on me. I could never get a rabbit or a pig, since hay is the main component of their diets. I remember that _________ feeling in my stomach when I realized I was so seriously allergic to something that I’d always need to keep the pill within _________.

Disappointment at this _________ was the first feeling that sunk in. With time, _________, I began to see my allergies as a gift.

I was the kid that tried never to _________. I was okay with enduring a six-hour drive in a(n) _________ car with my knees to my chest. I was okay with eating burnt or under cooked food. But this allergy finally let me feel __________ saying “no”. I finally felt free to refuse to go places or do things where my allergies would act up. I didn’t have to apologize for or explain my __________ at the smell of grass clippings. I didn’t have to __________ myself for not wanting to sit on the grass with my friends on summer days while I got bitten.

Yes, my hay allergy __________ some activities, but it’s also given me a broader appreciation for experiences I actually like and want more of. I’m __________ to be getting a dog instead of a bunny. Let’s be honest, a bunny brings you more trouble.

I ought to thank this allergy for giving me the space to be __________.

3 . Getting accepted to Harvard Law School was a feeling that Rehan Staton will never forget.

Staton had a stable life growing up until his mother_______the family moved out of the county when he was 8. His father then worked multiple jobs to _______. Rehan and his older brother, but the family struggled _______ they often had no food or electrictity.

Rehan's academics significantly suffered. As his grade _______ , he channeled his energy into sports. He was _______ in boxing and won national and international competitions which he hoped would become his way out of _______. However, his dream were _______ when he suffered a shoulder injury in the 12^th grade.

Rehan's poor grades as a senior resulted in him being _______ by every college he applied to. So he took a job at Bates Trucking and Trash,_______ rubbish and cleaning dustbins.

Rather than add to his despair, the job marked a ________ point. His co-workers found his ________ , uplifted him and urged him to go back to school. Finally he was ________ to Bowie State University. By the end of his second year, Rehan decided he wanted to go to ________ school.

Rehan was ________ for the support he got from his co-workers. “It was the first time in my life that a group of individual had really just ________ me, and told me I was intelligent."

4 . In a school in England, a few years ago, a teenager girl heard a boy singing in a room.     1     The girl, Charlotte Jaconelli, also liked singing. Later, the music teacher at school suggested that they sing together.

They did and started singing together as a team. They also become very good friends.

    2    Charlotte wanted to enter the show with Jonathan but he was worried about the way he looked. However, Charlotte persuaded him and they went on the show.

They did the first audition (试音) in April 2012. When they came onto the stage, they were very nervous. The four judges didn’t think they looked good.     3    They sang very well, especially Jonathan. When they finished, people stood up and clapped (鼓掌).

All the judges thought Charlotte and Jonathan were great. One judge, Simon Cowell, said while the girl was good, the boy was fantastic.     4     .

Jonathan didn't think for long. He looked at his friend, and then looked back at the judges, and said that he wanted to stay in the competition with Charlotte.

They carried on together, but they didn't win the competition—they came second. However, they weren’t disappointed (沮丧的).

A few weeks later, Simon Cowell gave them the chance to record a CD.    5    They chose the word "Together’’.

6 . One summer afternoon decades ago, Dad and I explored a recreational park on a boat. The gentle lake around and the clear sky overhead provided slight relief from the August ________. Sitting back with my eyes closed, I ________ Dad rowing (划) quietly.

Suddenly a(n) ________, desperate buzzing (嗡嗡) came from the right side of my head. I sat up straight and looked around instantly. On my ________ landed a bee marked by bright black and yellow bands on the body. I, frozen in extreme ________, sat there with my eyes ________ as big as saucers.

"Don't move and it'll not bother you." Dad kept rowing skillfully, both hands ________. "It's tired and needs ________ for a hot day. Once it's back to himself, it'll keep on going."

"What? Was Dad telling me to just let a terror sit on my shoulder?" Gradually I gained my ________ and turned my head slowly, giving it a look. There it sat, wings folded neatly against its body. I was ________ by how perfectly formed it seemed. Finally, my curiosity ________ my fear and I relaxed. No sooner had I done that than it began spreading its wings and ________ off.

"I've told you." he simply said.

My father is no longer alive, but the ________ of that moment has taken root in my heart. For the first time I've ________ the fact that we are all one, all part of the same ________, small or big, human or insect.

9 . Candles were burning bright, exciting my two-year-old son, Jack, who moved forward to blow them out.

Jack’s third birthday was still a few months away but ever since his dad Gary’s big day earlier that year, my son hadn’t stopped talking about celebrating his own. His ,older brothers Oliver, 6, and Josh, 10, were happy to sing the birthday song with him.

But, over time, I grew concerned that Jack wasn’t well. My lovely boy was now a shadow of his former self. How could I ignore it, though doctors weren’t too concerned?

One day I was at work and shared my fears with a colleague. She comforted me and said it was safe to be careful. When I returned home later, I packed a bag and prepared to take Jack to hospital.

At the hospital, 1just couldn’t shake the feeling that bad news was coming. My suspicions(怀疑) were confirmed. We were told he had a very rare form of cancer.

Jack was going downhill rapidly. Gary and I took it in turns to stay with him in the hospital.“Your birthday’s coming up,”I told Jack each day, hoping he could remember the times we had sung him happy birthday before.

“Jack’s only option is a stem cell transplant (干细胞移植), and a brother or a sister might be the best chance you have.” a doctor told us. “He can have my head if he needs it!” Josh cried. Oliver wasn’t as enthusiastic as his older brother, but it was a huge relief when he was confirmed as a match.

Doctors were cautious about saying Oliver might save Jack’s life in case it didn’t work as planned. To their relief, the result was comforting. They were moved by Oliver’s bravery.

Oliver, now seven, really did save his little brother and they’re now closer than ever.“I didn’t want to do it at the very beginning but at the end I kind of regretted feeling like that because now I know how important it was.” he said.