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   Peter wondered why he didn't have many friends. The reason was that he was always taking, never giving.

One day Peter told Bill, ＂I'd like to give a party on Saturday. I'd like you to come and bring Martha, too. ＂

＂Thanks, Peter. We'd be happy to come. ＂＂Perhaps you'd like to bring your violin. You and Martha sing well together. I'm sure everyone will want you to sing for us. ＂That was how Peter began to plan his party. Next, he asked another friend, Betty, to bring a cake. ＂You make the best cake in the world, Betty, and I like to eat your cake better than have one from the bakery. ＂Peter invited a few other friends to come to his party. He didn't forget to ask something from each one of them. He even asked Jim and Mary Jackson to let him give the party at their house! They agreed.

    The party was a big success. However, as the guests were leaving, they said ＂Thank you. ＂to Bill and Martha for the music, Betty for the cake, the Jacksons for the use of the house and to others for their hard work. To Peter they just said, ＂Thanks for the invitation. ＂

    There was a robbery at City Central Bank last yesterday afternoon. Two men entered the bank at about 4 p.m. and told the bank teller on duty to give them $ 1,000,000. The robbers were carrying guns（枪） and wearing black masks（面具） to cover their faces. The robbers told all the customers （顾客）in the bank to lie down on the floor. Witnesses （证人）said that everyone in the bank was very frightened and did what the robbers told them.

    The teller agreed to give them the money but told them they'd have to wait a few minutes. She said the bank manager would have to get the money out of the safety. As the robbers were waiting for the money. the teller tried to press an alarm button(按警报按钮) that was hidden under the counter. It was a silent alarm, so the robbers didn't realize it had been set off. Just as the manager arrived with the money, ten police officers entered the bank. The robbers were very surprised that the officers caught them easily. The robbers are now in custody（拘留） , and will appear in court next week.

    Police congratulated Miss Alston, the bank teller, on brave act. The bank manager said that he would give Miss Alston a week's vacation to thank her.

    Tom was a fat boy when he was ten. He liked watching TV very much. He watched TV at least 5 hours every day. Wherever(无论哪里) he went, he would be late.

    One day, he found a pair of special glasses in his post-box(邮箱). He also found a message saying, “With these you can see time.”

    The boy decided to have a try. He put the glasses on, looked at his brother, a tall and thin boy, and saw a big box of flowers on top of his head. And it wasn't just his brother. When he looked at his parents, he also saw the flowers. The three boxes were very large and the flowers were very beautiful. Then, he looked at himself from the mirror. He saw the flowers, too. But his flowers went to the mouth of the television. Its mouth was big. His flowers became fewer and fewer.

    At last, he learned that watching TV was a waste of time. He could learn nothing from it. He decided he would never again let the television eat his time.

We all know it's important to encourage children's interests. But Maryland mom Charmaine Britt took support to a whole new level when she gave her daughter Breana Britt the green light to start her own baking business five years ago—- when "Bree" was just 12 years old. "She kept asking me, so I finally said, 'Well, you can start it online with you baking and me doing deliveries(运送)and we'll see how it goes,'" Charmaine, 38, said.

    Things went well. The now 17-year-old Bree's Sweet Treats had grown from a little online cupcake-and-cookie business became a full-service bakery plus café that delivers to the entire Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area. "She makes great baked goods so I just thought it could be a good way to help her become financially responsible," says Charmaine. "I never thought it would become this."

    Bree, on the other hand, said she never had any doubts. "I love doing this," says the junior. "And I just think, if I'm doing something I love, I may as well make money." Bree makes about $1,500 a month.

    "When we opened the store I took some time and thought: Is this what I want?" Bree says. "And it was." She admits there have been rough patches (困难时期). There have been times where we get frustrated（受挫）. Am I willing to give up a bit of time with friends for this?" She says. "But I never regretted having this business. It's been a part of me for so long."

    Charmaine is already thrilled with what her daughter has accomplished. "over the years I've seen her become a leader and I'm so impressed with her dedication (奉献), especially for someone her age." says the mom.

    Alf is a big soccer fan. At school, there are lots of children playing soccer. Alf really wants to be a soccer star, but he thinks he isn't good at soccer. He feels very sad. He always thinks about how to be a great soccer player.

    One day, Alf went to watch the school soccer match on the playground with his friend. There were many students watching the match. Suddenly Alf shouted, "Look out!" He jumped up and made a very good save(救球)！

    All the soccer players and the coach cheered for him. "What a good save, Alf! You're the best!" His friend said. The soccer coach came to him and said, "Alf, come with me." Alf stood in the goal(球门) and the coach took a shot(射门). It was a good shot, and Alf saved it. Alf saved the next shot, too; and the next one. All the students cheered. Now Alf knows he is a very good goalkeeper. He is good at playing soccer.