C   

    Ricardo Semler became the boss of his father's company in Brazil at the age of 21. The name of the company is Semco. It sold parts for ships. Semler worked like a mad man, from 7:30 in the morning to midnight every day. One afternoon, while he was visiting a factory in New York, he fell down. The doctor said, “ There's nothing wrong with you. But if you continue like this, you'll find a new home in our hospital.” Semler got the message. He changed the way he worked. In fact, he changed the ways his workers worked, too.

    At the same time, Semler changed the office. Instead of walls, they have plants at Semco, so the boss can't shut himself away from everyone else. And the workers are free to decorate their workplace as they want. As for uniforms, some people wear suits and others wear T-shirts.

    Semco has flexible working hours: the workers can decide when they need to arrive at work. Also, Semco lets its workers use the company's machines for their own projects, and makes them take holidays for at least thirty days a year.

    It sounds perfect, but does it work? The answer is in the numbers: in the last six years, Semco's revenues (收益) have gone from $35 million to $212 million. The company has grown from 800 workers to 3,000. Why?

    Semler says it's because of “peer pressure” (同辈压力). Peer pressure makes workers work hard. It means if someone isn't doing his job well, the other workers will not allow the situation to continue. In other words, Semler treat his workers like adults rather than children, and expects them to act like responsible (负责任的) adults. And they do.

    My grandfather Jack is 96 years old，and he has had an interesting life. He has travelled a lot in his life in the Far East. He visited the Taj Mahal in India and the Pyramids in Egypt. He hunted（狩猎） lions in Africa, and rode a camel in the Sahara Desert. He says the most beautiful place he has travelled to is Kathmandu in Nepal.

    Jack has married twice. His first wife died when she was 32. He met his second wife Maria while he was cycling round France. They have been married for 50 years, and they have lived happily in a small village since they got married.

Jack says that he has never been ill in his life. The secret of good health, according to my grandfather, is exercise. He goes swimming every morning. He has done this since he was a boy. He also has a glass of wine every night! Perhaps that is his secret!

    "Has anyone seen my notebook?" Jo asked. "You're never going to see it again because I burned it!" Amy said. Jo's face turned pale. She grabbed her shoulders and shook her. "You're a wicked, wicked little girl!" Jo cried. " I'll never forgive (原谅) you !"

    When Mrs March came home and heard the story, she said to Amy, "How could you do that?" Those were stories Jo hoped to get printed in the newspaper."

    Amy realized what a terrible thing she had done and started to cry. Later, she begged Jo to forgive her, but Jo answered, "I'll never forgive you."

    The next day, Jo went to skate with Laurie. Amy went there, too. Jo turned away when she saw her.

    "The ice in the middle isn't safe!" called Laurie, "Stay near the edge." Jo heard the warning, but Amy didn't. She skated to the middle of the river. Suddenly, the ice cracked. Amy fell through the ice with a loud cry. Jo and Laurie pulled Amy out and quickly took frightened girl home.

    Mother wrapped Amy in blanket. She soon fell asleep. Jo asked her mother, "Are you sure she will be OK?" "Yes, it's a good thing you got her home so quickly."

    "Thanks to Laurie, it's my fault! I lose my temper (脾气) so easily. Why can't I be more like you?" "I get angry every day," said Mrs March. "But I've learned to hide it. I don't allow all of those angry words to leave my lips. You'll learn to do the same one day."

    Jo began to cry. This made Amy open her eyes and smile. Her smile hit Jo straight in the heart. They hugged on another. Everything was forgiven and forgotten.

    (Adapted from Little Women)