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    There are two mice. They are called Bill and Paul. They are good friends. One mouse lives in the country; the other mouse lives in the city. On a sunny day they meet in the street.

Paul: Hi, Bill! Have a look at my house in the country. I'm sure you can enjoy yourself.

Bill: I'd love to. But I hear that the food is not delicious, and your house is not good. Is it so?

Paul: No, that's not true. Go and see!

Then Bill goes to the countryside with Paul.

Bill: Why do you live in a hole in the field? You should come and live in the city. You would live in a nice house made of stone. You would have better food to eat. You must come and see me at my house in the city.

Paul: Thanks! Maybe you are right. I'll visit your house one day.

    Several days later, Paul goes to Bill's house in the city. The house is big and beautiful. They are sitting in the sitting­ room, having a big dinner comfortably. Suddenly, there is a great noise.

Bill: Run! Run! The cat is coming!

Paul: Oh, no! It's terrible! Both the house and the food are nice, but I do not like living in the city. I enjoy living in my hole in the field, for it is nicer to be poor but happy than to be rich but afraid.

    The Milu deer is a kind of animal with large horns (角). They used to be common in China a long time ago. They lived together and ate grass and the soft parts of trees. In the past, people did not protect the Milu deer but killed them for food or sport, so they disappeared from China.

    Fortunately, before all of them disappeared, the Duke of Bedford (贝德福特公爵) took some to Britain. The Milu deer liked the cool, wet weather in England and their number increased year by year. When in 1985 the government of China wanted to bring back the Milu deer, the Duke of Bedford could help. The first deer came back to China to the Nanhaizi Milu Park near Beijing and to Dafeng, Jiangsu Province.

    Since they returned to China, their number has grown quickly. There are now so many of them that a new park has been opened for them in Hubei Province. Now the Milu deer live in the wildlife parks and have good protection. We hope that one day they can live in the wild again.

    Four years ago when I was a boy of 11, I got into the biggest trouble as a kid. It was a Saturday morning. Both my parents were out, leaving me and my 10－month－old sister home alone. Anyway, my sister was still asleep in her room. In fact I had the house to myself. I decided to do some drawing. Soon I gave up. Nothing was on TV, so I felt bored and touched the candles on the shelf…I had an idea! What would happen if I set fire to some kitchen paper? Well, of course it went on fire, but it wasn't the tiny flame(火苗) I'd expected, and I couldn't blow it out. I threw it on the floor, and then I got my dad's boots(靴子) and stamped it out.

    But there was a huge hole left on the floor. When my mum came home later, she smelt the smoke immediately. She dropped the shopping bag, luckily for me, over the hole. I thought this meant she would never see it. However, after running round the house checking for a fire, she of course picked up the bag and saw the hole. Next I was grounded(关禁闭)  for months. Even worse though, the hole was still there, reminding me of what I did.

    Last weekend, Dave, Bob, Alice and Ann had a trip on the island not far from their houses.

    Dave rode his bike to the river with his guitar at eight first. Then Alice got there. She took No 5 bus to go there. But why didn't Bob and Ann come? They decided to meet at eight. At ten past eight, Ann came. She said, "I'm sorry I'm late. I have to walk here because my bike doesn't work." Ann could play the violin very well. She took it with her. Another twenty minutes passed, Bob arrived there." Bob, you're late", Dave said. "Hmm. On my way, I helped a boy find his parents," said Bob. "Oh Bob, you re great. You're a good boy." All the other children said.

    The boat ride took them about twenty minutes. At twenty to nine, they came to a boat and took the boat to the island. Wow, the island is green everywhere. It's really great.

    They did something interesting there. First they enjoyed the wonderful sights(景色).Then, they had some fruits and drinks.

    At last, they had a show. Dave played the guitar. Ann played the violin. Alice danced and Bob sang. They had a fun time.