2 . In June 2015, Captain Radhika Menon found herself in charge of the oil tanker (油轮) Sampurna Swarajya, battling dangerous waves in the Bay of Bengal. Little did she know that her leadership would be put to the ultimate test in a dramatic rescue mission.

On June 22, 2015, as the storm continued violently, Second Officer Manoj Chauhan spotted a small boat adrift (漂流) off the coast of Gopalpur, Odisha. Seven fishermen injured and desperate, were losing their struggle to the unforgiving sea. The fishing boat with neither shelter nor anchor had been at sea for seven days. Chinna Rao, 40, and his companions, including a teenager, had gone into the Bay for what was supposed to be a routine fishing expedition. However, the sudden onset (发生) of a violent storm had turned their journey into a fight for survival. The boat sustained damage, and their supplies were lost as they faced the violent wind and waves.

As the fishermen held onto hope, their signals caught the attention of Captain Radhika Menon. With strong determination, she initiated a high-risk rescue operation, facing towering waves and strong winds. The urgency was obvious as the crew prepared for the challenge.

Menon strategically moved the tanker, creating a shelter from the storm. A rope was thrown out, connecting the tanker to the easily broken fishing boat. Despite the sea’s fury (猛烈), the fishermen managed to secure the line, and one by one, they were pulled to safety. The rescue, performed through rain and storm, took about 40 minutes. The seven fishermen were finally on the tanker, filled with emotion.

Sixteen months later, Menon’s bravery was recognized on a global stage. In November 2016, she received the IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea. Menon, the first female captain in the Indian Merchant Navy, stated that she had merely finished her duty as a sailor.

The rescued fishermen, speaking emotionally from their homes, described Menon as a hero who had saved their lives. The rescue at sea showcased the firm courage of Captain Radhika Menon and her crew, proving that in the face of danger, true heroes emerge.

5 . In the Washington Park, Tammy Anderson is a familiar and ________ figure. Tammy has worked as a crossing guard for the past six years. Although she is one of 600 guards in the city, she ________ from the crowd thanks to her ________ of dancing, singing, and waving cheerfully to drivers as she does her work.

Tammy could simply stand quietly and do her work, but where’s the ________ in that? She admits it was ________ that got her moving in the first place. “I still remember the first day I was on duty and it wasn’t long before I got bored just standing there,” Tammy ________. “Then someone waved at me… I waved back and then it got contagious (有感染力的) and I just started, hey!”

The mom of three never ________ to bring joy to local residents and has won genuine ________ with her daily “infectious” smile. “She does it from the heart. She doesn’t do it for a paycheck or for the recognition! She does it because this is what she really ________,” one resident said.

Her ________ may still be as bright as ever, but behind the scenes, things weren’t going so well for Tammy. Being a single mom, she’s ________ to keep up with the unpaid rent. And this is why she recently turned to her community. ________, when word got out that “the happy guard” appealed for ________, people opened their wallets and dished out far more.

As a crossing guard, Tammy ________ joy for free. Now the community is ________ the favor! To date, she’s raised over $19,000!

“Trisha, happy birthday!” Trisha’s parents said together loudly, handing her a beautiful brown cat. Trisha’s eyes were shining as she thanked her parents eagerly.

“This is your cat now, sweetheart. Do remember to take good care of him. Having a pet means a lot of responsıbility,” Trisha’s mother said.

“I promise I will look after him very well, Mama,” Trisha said, nodding her head agreeingly. A sense of determination filled her eyes.

Trisha named her cat Whiskers, a fitting name for the animal’s adorable twitching whiskers (震颤的胡须). The cat really seemed to like this name. Every time his little owner called out “Whiskers”, he would come running and jump into Trisha’s arms, mewing (喵喵叫) joyfully.

Every day after school, Trisha would rush back home, feed Whiskers with his favorite food, take him out and play with him in the backyard happily. They would run after each other, play hide-and-seek, and curl up (蜷缩) on the sofa for comfortable afternoon rests. The house was filled with laughter and mews of contentment. The bond between Trisha and her new pet grew stronger with each passing day. They became inseparable companions, always finding joy in each other’s company.

However, one day, as Trisha was carefully preparing Whiskers’ food, her mind preoccupied with thoughts of the day ahead, she unintentionally left the front door open. She went about her usual routine, unaware of the upcoming turn of events.

It was only when Trisha turned around, ready to serve Whiskers his meal, that her heart sank like a stone in her chest. Horror flowed through her body as she realized that her beloved cat was nowhere to be seen. The once lively and comforting atmosphere of their home suddenly became cold and empty.

Panic quickly enveloped Trisha as she raced through the house, calling out Whiskers’ name.

Just as Trisha’s parents comforted her, a mewing sound reached Trisha’s ears.

8 . I was angry with my sixteen-year-old son Anthony, and stormed out of the house. Standing on the front porch (门廊), I ________ deeply. I saw my elderly neighbor, Clara, working in her garden. Seeking ________, I walked across the street.

“Anthony again?” Clara asked. “It’s his hair again,” I replied. “Have you seen him? All that mass of messy curls ________ over his shoulders! But just mention a haircut, and he gets that same ________ look in his eyes I’ve seen a million times before.”

Clara smiled, “It’s only hair, Liz.” She spoke slowly, ________ each word, “It’s … only… hair!” Then her smile disappeared, and her expression became ________. “I learned years ago when my husband died, leaving me three young kids. I had to put everything in perspective if I were to ________. I learned how to say, ‘But it’s only…’ But it’s only a bad day. Tomorrow will be better.” She nodded her head firmly. “You ________ it, don’t you, honey? Everybody has enough ________ in their lives without wasting ________ on the ‘it’s only ’ things that come their way.”

After returning to my house, I baked some cookies, and carried them to Anthony’s room. “Can I come in, honey?” “Not if you’re going to ________ about my hair again.” I pushed the door open and held out the cookies. “Not one word. I ________.” He stared at the plate of cookies greedily, but there was still a glint of ________ in his eyes. “Not one word about my hair?” He looked at me challengingly.

“It’s only hair,” I said. “It’s your hair. Not mine.” Anthony smiled broadly, saying, “Thanks for ________ understanding me, Mom. And thanks for the cookies.” Now I’ve learned to let go of the “it’s only” ________, and Anthony is more willing to listen to me.

It was ten years ago. I was at the departure gates of the airport, reading a cartoon book to pass the time while waiting for my parents to check in. A sea of people filled the airport and loud chatter echoed (回响) throughout the vast terminal (航站楼) halls. People were coming in and out of countless doors.

The cartoon shop caught my eye, for it was filled with cartoon figurines (小雕像). I caught sight of a new figurine from my favourite cartoon, “One Piece” it was an action figurine of my favourite character, Luffy! My jaw dropped to the floor and my eyes brightened like diamonds.

Without thinking twice, I ran towards the store. Holding the action figurine carefully in my hands, I imagined the scenes I could come up with using my action figurines at home. Filled with excitement, I hugged the toy and jumped for joy. Unfortunately, I did not have any money on me. Without doubt, I knew I had to share this newfound discovery with my parents!

After returning the action figurine to its shelf, I darted (飞奔) out of the store, retracing my steps back to where I had left my parents. When I reached the location where I had last seen them, I realised that they were nowhere to be found. I tried to look for the terminal departure gate my parents were supposed to be waiting at, but the gates all looked the same. As I stood rooted to the ground, my excitement started to die down. Anxiety enveloped me and my heart started pounding in my chest.

Tears rolled down my hot cheeks like a waterfall as I blamed myself. Why did I have to get distracted and leave my parents without informing them? There were thousands of people at the airport! It would be impossible to find them! Regretting my actions, I blamed myself silently.

Suddenly, my mother’s advice echoed in my mind: “If you are ever lost, don’t panic! Stay calm, and ask for help!”

A few minutes later, my parents, extremely breathless, appeared at the information counter.

10 . A little stream flowed down from a high mountain far away through many villages and forests, until it reached a desert. The stream then thought, “I’ve been through countless obstacles. I should have no problem crossing this desert!” But soon she found herself gradually disappearing into the mud and sand. After numerous tries, she found it was all in vain and was very upset. “Maybe it’s my destiny! I’m not destined to reach the vast ocean in the legend.”

At this time;a deep voice came, saying, “If a breeze can cross the desert, so can a river.”

It was the voice of the desert. Unconvinced, the little stream replied, “That’s because a breeze can fly, but I cannot.”

“That’s because you stick to what you are If you’re willing to give it up, and let yourself evaporate (蒸发) into the breeze, it can take you across, and you can reach your destination,” said the desert in its deep voice.

The little stream had never heard of such a thing. She could not accept this idea. After all, she had never experienced anything like it before. Wouldn’t it be self-destruction to give up what she was now?

“How do I know if this is true? and will I still be what I am now?” asked the little stream.

“Yes, and no. Whether you’re a river or invisible vapor, your inner nature never changes. You stick to the fact that you’re a river because you don’t know your inner nature,”answered the desert.

Deep down, the stream vaguely remembered that before she became a river, it was perhaps also the breeze that had carried her halfway up a high mountain, where she turned into rain and fell onto the ground and became what she was now. Finally the little stream gathered her courage and rushed into the open arms of the breeze; which carried her to the next stage of her life.

The course of our lives is like the experience of little stream. If you want to surpass the obstacles in your life in order to head for the destination of Truth, Virtue and beauty, you should also have the wisdom and courage to renounce (放弃) your ego (attachment to yourself).

Perhaps you can try asking yourself these questions: What is my inner nature? What is it that I cling to? and, What is it that I really want?