When an ice cream sundae(圣代冰淇淋) cost much less, a boy entered a coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.

    "How much is an ice cream sundae?"

    "Fifty cents," said the waitress.

    The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied a number of coins in it. "How much is a dish of plain ice cream?" he asked.

    Some people were waiting for a table, and the waitress was not patient. "Thirty-five cents," she said angrily.

    The little boy again counted the coins. "I will have the plain ice cream," he said. The waitress brought the ice cream and walked away. The boy finished, paid the money, and left.

    When the waitress came back, she was surprised at what she saw. There were fifteen cents placed beside the empty dish. That was her tip.

    Nelson Mandela, South Africa's first black president, died on Decembr5, 2013 at 95.

    Mandela was born on July 18, 1918. He grew up in a poor village in South Africa. At school, Mandela learned about African history and the fight against racism(种族歧视).He wanted to help his countrymen. Later Mandela studied law at a university. He also joined a group that fought against apartheid(种族隔离).At that time, in South Africa, blacks were not allowed to use the same public toilets or chairs as whites, and they couldn't travel on the same buses as whites, either. Mandela hated this and he traveled all over South Africa and fought to end apartheid. As a result, he was put into prison(监狱) and stayed about 27 years there.

    On February 10, 1990, South African President F.W. de Klerk released(释放)Mandela from prison, and the two worked together to end apartheid. Three years later, they won the Nobel Peace Prize,

    In1994, Mandela became President of South Africa. One year later, he created the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, a charity that helps poor South African children." Children are the future of our country," he said in an interview in2002. "They must be given love."

    Mandela served as President until 1999. He worked to improve housing and education for the country's large black population.

    It was the last day of the final examination in a college. On the steps of building, a group of engineering students were waiting for the last exam. On their faces was confidence.

    They knew the exam would be easy. The professor (教授) had said they could bring any books or notes during the test.

    Right after they came into the classroom, the professor handed out the papers. There were only five questions on it.

    Three hours passed. Then the professor began to collect the papers. The students no longer looked confident. On their faces was nervous expression. The professor watched the worried faces before him, and then asked, "How many of you have completed all five questions?" No hand was raised. "How many of you have answered four?" Still no hands. "Three? Two?" The students moved restlessly in their seats. "One, then? Certainly somebody has finished one." But the class kept silent. The professor said, "That is exactly what I expected. I just want to make you know clearly that even though you have completed four years of engineering, there are still many things about the subject you don't know. These questions you could not answer are common in everyday practice." Then, smiling, he added, "You will all pass this course, but remember, your education has just begun."

    The years have obscured the name of this professor, but not the lesson he taught.

    Once upon a time there were two boys who lived in a place and worked for the King One boy fell in love with a girl and wanted to give her a present. He suddenly saw a vase filled with the loveliest flowers.

    He decided to take one flower and give it to the girl He did the same thing the next day, and the next, and the next…until, one day, the King noticed a few flowers were left in the vase. The King was so angry that he gathered everyone in the palace and decided to find out the truth.

    When they all stood before the King, the boy thought he should tell the truth.  However the other boy told him not to tell the truth because the King would be angry with him. When the king came near, the boy shook with fear. But he still decided to confess.

    As soon as he told the truth, a smile appeared on the King's face The King said to the boy, "I couldn't have thought of a better use for my flowers".

    Then the King went to the vase and took two of those wonderful flowers, one for the girl, and the other for the Queen.

Do you know what a long friendship is like? Let's have a look at the following examples.

I met my best friend fifteen years ago in my middle school. Now we work in different cities. Besides preparing a gift for him, I also write a letter to him on his birthday every year. And we send wishes to each other every holiday. Although we are very busy with our work, we never forget the important days. —Peter

I've known my best friend for ten years. I always keep in touch with her in my life. It doesn't mean that we talk to each other every day. In fact, I only call her up once a week. But it helps me make sure everything is okay in her life. I think it's important because she can know I'm always there for her. —Amy

I met my best friend twenty years ago in my primary school. In our lives, we have conflicts sometimes. But we usually speak out our ideas and make compromises to reach an agreement (协定). I think proper communication plays an important part in our friendship. And we never cover up our care for each other. —David