For more than six million American children, coming home after school means coming home to an empty house. All of them have something {#blank#}1{#/blank#} common. They spend part of each day alone. They are called latchkey children, who look after{#blank#}2{#/blank#} (them) while their parents work.

    Lynette Smith was once the headmaster of a school. She said, “We had a school rule against{#blank#}3{#/blank#} (wear) jewelry. A lot of kids had chains around their necks with keys fastened. I was{#blank#}4{#/blank#} (constant) telling them to put them inside their shirts. There were so many keys. It never came to my mind {#blank#}5{#/blank#} they meant.” Slowly, she learned they were house keys.

    She and her husband began talking to the children. Fear is the {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (big) problem faced by children at home alone. One in each three latchkey children were scared. Many had nightmares and were worried about their own {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (safe).

    The most common way latchkey children deal with their fears is by hiding. It might be in a shower still, under a bed{#blank#}8{#/blank#} in a closet. The second is TV. They'll often play it at high volume{#blank#}9{#/blank#}Smiths learned it's hard to get statistics on latchkey children. Most parents are unwilling {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (admit) they leave their children alone.

    Seborga(塞波加) is a small village that declared itself independent in the 1960s, claiming it was never{#blank#}1{#/blank#}(proper) incorporated(合并) into Italy{#blank#}2{#/blank#} (it) founders argued that the deal was not really registered. They claimed that it could therefore not{#blank#}3{#/blank#}(consider) part of the nation.

    The principality's(公国) founder was a flower grower{#blank#}4{#/blank#} (call) Giorgio Carbone, who ruled until his death in 2009. Its independence is not recognised outside {#blank#}5{#/blank#}village but Mr. Dezzani, a campaigner(竞选者) for the throne, says it is important that they themselves believe{#blank#}6{#/blank#} it, describing it as “a state of mind”.

    This unusual story{#blank#}7{#/blank#} was the subject of a televised documentary, has attracted tourism to the region. Its current ruler, Marcello I, appears publicly {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (wear) a suit but Mr. Dezzani wants to introduce ceremonial uniform.

Mr. Dezzani added: “Without being too pretentious or{#blank#}9{#/blank#} (show) about it, I think we can promote the {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (value) of peace, tolerance and openness.”

    Over the years I have been teaching kids about a simple but powerful concept —— the ant philosophy ( 哲学 ), an {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (amaze) four part Philosophy.

    First, ants never quit. If they are heading somewhere and you try to stop them, they will climb over. They will climb under or climb around. They never quit {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(look) for a way to get where they {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(suppose) to go! Second, ants think about winter and summer. They are always gathering their winter food in the middle of summer and they are making{#blank#}4{#/blank#}(prepare) for the long cold winter. So you have to think about storms in summer and think about rocks{#blank#}5{#/blank#} you enjoy the sand and sun. Third, ants think about summer all winter. During the winter, they remind{#blank#}6{#/blank#} (they),” This won't last long and we will soon be out of here.” On {#blank#}7{#/blank#}first warm day, the ants are out. If it {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(turn) cold again, they will dive back down .But they come out again if it is warm. Last, how much will an ant gather during the summer to prepare for the winter? All that it {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(possible) can. {#blank#}10{#/blank#}you can learn from the ant philosophy is: Never give up, look ahead, stay positive and do all you can!

    A few years ago, I had to stay at the hospital for three days for a medical test. I {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(ask) to stay awake for more than 30 hours because of the test. It could be {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(extreme) difficult for anyone. And I didn't believe I could make it. My mother said she would accompany me. But I knew even {#blank#}3{#/blank#} my mother accompanying me, it wouldn't be easy.

    To my surprise, that afternoon {#blank#}4{#/blank#} my mom came to my room, she had my friend Susan with her. That afternoon Susan called my mother. As soon as she {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (hear) I needed to stay awake for so long, she decided to help me. So she offered {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(come) to the hospital to stay with me and help keep me awake. Things became much {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (easy) than I had imagined with Susan's help. She told me stories and jokes, and time passed very quickly.

    Without Susan's help, {#blank#}8{#/blank#} whole stay in the hospital would have been much more difficult. And our {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(friend) became deeper from then on. I think nothing can keep us apart. I'm so {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (thank) that I have such a friend.