Bert Manson, 82, slowly opened his eyes and turned to face the clock on the bedside table. It was 8:23 a.m. He felt 1. The time was nothing to him. He had nothing to do all day. He lay on the bed, 2 to the cars on the highway and the shouts of the children running to school.

After a while, Bert3 got out of bed and asked himself the same questions as he did every morning: Would he fall today? If so, would anyone come? How long would he 4? Would he die? He looked out of the window into the street below. “And who would 5?”he spoke quietly.

After Bert's wife died a year ago, his son and daughter said they would visit once a week. But the last time was months ago. On the phone, they always had a(n) 6: too busy at work; the children are 7; bad weather; no time. Nobody seemed to have any time…except for Bert. He8 his granddaughters. He loved it when Mandy and Ruth came to visit. They brought him candy and 9.

He walked toa chair near the bedroom door 10. He rested for a moment before continuing in small steps to the bathroom.

    “How was school?” Millie's mother asked. “It was terrible! I never want to go1again!” Millie was almost2.Millie's mother went to the3and got Millie a glass of milk and some cakes that Millie likes. She also got a box4tissues(纸巾)for Millie. “What's up?” she asked as she sat 5next to Millie. Millie6at her mother and said，“I thought Kitty and Amy were my best friends. I thought we could tell each7everything, but they were keeping a secret8me! Today I heard them whispering in class and I saw them9 notes to each other. I asked them about it at lunch, but they were not my true10. They said there wasn't any note and I was silly.” Millie started to cry. “Poor Millie,” said Millie's mother, “it's all right. Now go and get some11, and tomorrow everything will be fine.” The next morning, Millie went to school12. She did not think she had any friends now. She13into the classroom and went to her desk, but when she opened her desk she found it was full14colourful presents. “Happy Birthday, Millie!” Kitty and Amy came to her and shouted excitedly, “This is our secret—a birthday15for you! You are our best friend, Millie!”

    One day town mouse Mike went to visit his cousin Tom in the countryside. Mike lived a rich life and he loved his cousin a lot. Tom was 1 but he loved his town cousin, too. So he made his cousin Mike very welcome.

    For dinner that night Tom took out 2 he had: water and potatoes. Mike said, "Cousin, how can you eat food 3 this, but of course you can't expect anything better in the countryside! Come with me and I' 11 show you how to 4 in the big beautiful town."

    The two mice set off (出发) for the town and 5 the Town Mouse' s home late at night. "Let's have something to eat and drink after 6 long trip," said the Town Mouse. They went into a big dining room. There the two mice had fruit, meat and cakes and drank milk and juice.

    Then they 7 a loud noise (响声). "What's that?" asked Tom. "It is only the dogs of the house," answered Mike. "Only?" said Tom. "I don't like that 8 at my dinner."

    At that time two large dogs came in the dining room. The two mice ran away 9 and hid (隐藏) under a chair.

    "Goodbye, Cousin," said Tom.

    "What? Are you 10 so soon?" said the other.

    "Yes," Tom answered. "I think it's better to enjoy my potatoes at home than meat here."

    One morning Mr. Green is driving 1the country and2a small bookshop. When he sees an old man3the side of the road, he stops his car and says to the old man, "I want 4to the Sun Bookshop. Do you know it?" "Yes, "the old man answers, "I 5 you the way. "He6Mr. Green's car, and they drive about twelve miles.7they come to a small house, the old man says, "Stop here. "Mr. Green stops and 8the house. "But this isn't a bookshop, "he says to the old man. "Right, "the old man answers, "This is my house. And I'll show you the way 9the bookshop. Turn around and go back nine miles10you'll see the bookshop. "

    There is an old saying: "Take the time to stop and smell the flowers." I think we should also take the time to1 flowers. My grandmother knew just 2 to do that she grew flowers: with earth water and love, so her back garden was filled with beautiful flowers. She would smile when she saw 3 the shine down on them. In her front garden she planted flowers, 4. You could see red, white and yellow flowers in it. My mom and 1 used to walk 5 them and enjoy their smells. Beautiful botflies (蝴蝶) flew down on them. Grandma also cared for the wild flowers. She would send 6 and my brother out to pick flowers and would then turn them into delicious wine(酒) Grandma not only planted flowers in the gardens 7 also planted flowers in our hearts. Her delicious dinners: made with love encouraged us. Her sweet smile always made us 8  Her hugs (拥抱) and kisses were the sunshine that kept our own love 9 day after day. Take the time to plant a few flowers yourself today. Show your smiles, kindness and love. Plant your wishes, talents and pleasure. Make this 10 brighter and brighter with your sunshine.

     "Hi! John." Mary ran towards me with a bright smile, saying. "I'm going to have a dance performance tonight. I hope you'll come. Here is the ticket. Don't forget!" Then she left in a hurry. "What? Dance? Is that1?" I asked myself. Mary was not such a kind of girl. She was quite common one. I had never seen her wearing colorful clothes. In fact, she really did not know how to dress up. What a terrible thing!

    "I should go to, I must go to." I thought.

    I arrived at the hall with the ticket, found my 2 and sat down. Her performance was the seventh one. I knew I would have a 3 time before her turn, for I had no sense of art, but her performance was worth watching, no matter how long I would wait.

    Time went4I tried my best not to fall asleep.

    Just then, came the words, "Let's welcome the next exciting dance - Latin!"

    Hearing this, I opened my eyes as large as possible, fearing to lose anything. Wearing a golden and shining skirt, Mary appeared. She5with a sweet smile, looking like a pretty butterfly flying. I could hardly believe my eyes.

    After the performance was over, I waited for her at the gate.

    "Hi!" She stood in front of me with her crystal（水晶）shoes. "How do you feel?" "Fantastic!" I answered.

    "Ha, ha. I knew 6 would be." She could not hide her excitement, laughing like a child. At the time, I realized that every girl has a pair of special shoes which are like the crystal shoes of Cinderella.