Alice had just been appointed in the multinational bank. After one month of severe training, today was her first day to go to work.

She got up a bit earlier than usual, and decided to skip her gym workout as she did not want to risk being tired or getting late to her office on her first day. She went through her morning routine and spent a lot of time in selecting what to wear. None of her dresses seemed to appeal to her—they were either a little too casual or too dull and she definitely wanted to make an impression right from the start. Finally she settled on the white embroidered (刺绣的) dress.

She waved bye to her mom and set off cheerfully towards the bus stop. But she saw a bus leaving the stop just as she crossed the street. Now she would have to wait for a good 15 minutes. 15 minutes passed and then 30 minutes and there was no sign of the bus. “It must be stuck in heavy traffic”, a kind lady who was also waiting for the bus told her. Hearing that, Alice got anxious. She had to reach her office on time. Then she saw a taxi approaching but when she tried to stop it, the taxi driver sped by without even taking a glance at her. Alice was wondering what she could do.

It was then that a car stopped near her and a man waved to her. The driver asked her where she was going and after Alice told him that she was going to the bank at Nariman Point, the man said “Oh, my office is in the nearby building. Can I give you a lift?” Alice hesitated for a moment and got into the car. They exchanged names and began to talk for a while. Then the driver switched on the radio and was absorbed in the song. Alice looked out of the window and imagined her first day at work, worrying whether she was capable of the new job, and if she could get along well with her colleagues. After about ten minutes, Alice realized they were not on the familiar route to her office.

She began to worry that she might get into the car of a bad man.

Then the car turned around a corner and Alice saw the tall building where her office was unexpectedly.

Wind whistled round the corner of the house, thunder rolled and rain beat against the windows — not a night to be outside but rather to sit by the fire. Thanks to the solid walls and roof overhead, I could imagine Dr. Frankenstein's frightening creation wandering on such a night. I was alone, my husband away and the nearest neighbor a quarter miles down the road. Alone, that is, except for Lassie, a hairy, black and white dog, who sat with her head on my lap, her intelligent, brown eyes gazing up at me as if to say, don't worry, we'll be all right.

Through the years she was with us, she proved time and time again to be a superb judge of character. We never knew if it was a result of her sense of smell or sound-but, whatever it was, she definitely possessed a talent we humans lacked. On first meeting she would either wag the tip of her tail a couple of times to indicate that the visitor was acceptable, or slightly curl her top lip, exposing her sharp teeth which told you to be alert. Always accurate, her gift was never more obvious than on this night.

The doorbell rang. I decided not to answer it. It rang again, much longer this time. Whoever was there was not going away. Still I hesitated. On the fourth ring, with Lassie by my side, I finally answered the door. My heart beat fast and my mouth went dry, for there, stood the monster himself. A twisted body under a heavy overcoat, one shoulder bumped higher than the other and his head leaned slightly forward and to one side.

“May I use your phone?” The voice came from somewhere back in his throat and, although the request was polite, his tone was rude.

Reaching in his pocket and producing a piece of paper, he handed it to me. I refused to take it. Believing he might try and force his way in, I looked at Lassie to see if she was ready to defend the home.

Surprisingly, she sat by my side, the tip of her tail wagging.

Last year I graduated from college and landed a job in the local company. I was lucky because the economy was declining and a lot of companies went out of business. There were many unemployed graduates. That was a difficult time for everyone. I cherished my precious job and worked so hard. One day, I walked on the street after finishing my work. I saw many beautiful decorations, such as colorful lights, the familiar song and so on. I suddenly realized Christmas was coming. I had promised my nephew that when I found a job, I would send him a Christmas gift. Fortunately I still had a little time to buy one for him. And on that very day I witnessed how people cared for each other,

I was doing some last-minute Christmas shopping in a toy store. A nicely dressed little girl was looking through the teddy bears beside her father when she saw a little boy walk in and stop in front of the Pokemon toys. His jacket was obviously too small. He had money in his hand. However, it looked no more than five dollars at most. He was with his father as well, and kept picking up the Pokemon video games. Each time he showed one to his father, his father shook his head, “No”.

Rather disappointed, the boy gave up the video games and chose a book of stickers instead. After they walked away, the little girl ran over to the Pokemon video games. She excitedly picked up one lying on top of the others, and raced down toward the checkout. I picked up my purchases and followed the girl and her father.

Then, much to the little girl's delight, the little boy and his father got in line behind her and me.

The boy could only stare in disbelief.

I hit the back window of a new car with a hammer. In a flash I was in. I started the car, just like my older brother had taught me. I was 12 then. It seems crazy now. Today, everyone knows me as Donald Driver, a famous football player. I've dedicated(致力于) my life after football to helping disadvantaged kids around the country.

Mom would have killed me if she'd known what I was up to. My dad had gone to prison while she was pregnant with me. Mom wanted a better life for me, my two brothers and two sisters. She worked long hours to support us. But she often fell behind on rent and then we'd have to move. Trouble really started when we moved next door to a man named J. R. Mom trusted him to care us while she was at work, and he did. What Mom didn't know was that J.R. and his friends were thieves.

My older brother Moses and I served as look-outs(放哨人).We knew it was wrong, but the money was too good- $ 100 a night. We broke it into smaller bills, and regularly slipped some into Mom's purse. Then Moses discovered we could bring in even more cash by stealing cars. We practiced giving the same smile, hug and kiss for my mom when we came home, no matter what we'd done on the streets.

Now, though, I was about to get caught. The police got closer. I turned into a back alley. Suddenly, up ahead, a car backed out of a driveway. I saw a little old lady sitting in the driver's seat. But it, was too late. I stopped and jumped out to see if the old lady was damaged. The woman, Evelyn Johnson, looked angry, but unhurt. “Go sit in my house right now,” she said. It was the tone of voice that no kid can disobey. The police arrived and began to question the old woman.

“The man who did this ran that way,” she said, pointing down the alley.

When the police drove off,

I spent more time studying and football kept me busy too.

“Meet one more and I’ll definitely ask a favour.” Gina thought, looking up at the street lights, everything immersed (沉浸在) in the dark night. “Alas! This unlucky stuffi” She said to herself, helpless.

Behind her came the jingling of bicycle bells. Hardly had Gina let out “ah” when a cycling young man swept past.

“Why, the cyclist was back?” Gina whispered to herself. The young man suddenly returned and was already in front of Gina before she knew it.   Gina’s heart was pounding under high tension. “What will he do on such a dark night?” “Called me just now?” The young man got off his bike. Gina shook her head repeatedly but gently. A strong sense of self-defense overcame her and she refused to say yes.

“Something wrong with your bike?”A pair of smiling eyes met hers. Gina became somewhat calm. “The front tire has gone flat.” she responded, head down, a ray of hope arising. “Well, I can’t help it with no tools.” The young man managed a smile. Gina’s heart sank again. “Do you live far?” the young man searched her face for an answer. “Me?” she asked, keeping pushing her bike forward. “Well, on the left side of the street end is a repair shop. Wish you luck!” With these words, the young man rode away. Gina almost burst into tears. “It’s almost midnight. Where can I find a repair shop? A liar.” She started to hate the young man.

Almost at the end ofthe street, Gina couldn’t help but look up. Near the sidewalk, there was really a shop with the light still on.

She paused hesitantly, and out of the shop came a girl in her twenties.

With the help of the young man and the girl, the tire was soon repaired.