Many of you have heard a Cinderella (灰姑娘) story, but you may not know that there are over a hundred different ways to tell the Cinderella story. When writers tell the same story in a different way, it is called their “version” of the story. The story of Cinderella has many different versions. Let's read two of them and find out how they are different.

The version that most people know is the oldest one written in 1697 by Charles Perrault from France. This is the version where the birds help make Cinderella's dress and the mice turn into carriage men (马车夫) and help Cinderella go to the dance in a pumpkin (南瓜) carriage. In this version, many of the animals are Cinderella's friends. They help her meet the Prince. Cinderella marries the Prince and they live happily together ever after.

In another version of this story written in the 1850s by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm from Germany, the birds help Cinderella in the whole story. Cinderella's father gives her a little tree when he comes back from a party. She plants the little tree and her tears water it until it grows into a tall tree.

The birds now live in the tree and they give Cinderella a dress of gold and shoes of gold. Cinderella goes to the party to meet and dance with the Prince. Later, he finds Cinderella at home doing work for her stepmother (继母). Cinderella marries the Prince and they live happily ever after.

Now you can understand what the word “version” means and how more than one writer can tell a story in a different way. That is why there are many versions of the same story.

For years I wanted a garden. I'd spend hours thinking of different things I could plant that would look nice together.

    But then we had Mathew， and Marvin， and the twins -- Alisa and Alan， and then Helen. I was too busy raising them to grow a garden.

    Money was not enough. Neither was time. Often when my children were little， one of them would want something that cost too much， I'd have to say，"Do you see a money tree outside? Money doesn't grow on trees， you know."

    Finally， all the children got through high school and college and were off on their own. I started thinking again about a garden.

    Then， one spring morning， on Mother's Day， I was working in my kitchen. Suddenly， I looked out of the window and there was a new tree， planted right in my yard. There were things blowing around on it. Then I put my glasses on and I couldn't believe what I saw. There was a money tree in my yard!

    I went out to look. It was true! There were dollar bills， one hundred of them， hanging all over that tree. There was also a note among them， "Thank you for your time， Mom. We love you!"

    Later， my children bought me tools， ornaments（装饰品）， a sunflower stepping stone and gardening books. A new page started in my life.

    That was three years ago. My garden is now very pretty， just like I wanted. When I go out and take care of my flowers， I don't seem to miss my children as much as I once did. It feels like they're right there with me. Now every year when winter comes， I look out of my window and think of the flowers I'll see next spring in my little garden. I think about what my children did for me， and I get tears in my eyes -- every time.

    I'm still not sure that money grows on trees. But I know love does!

    How many of us have reached into our drawer(抽屉)and pulled out socks that didn't match? Will you throw them away like most girls or try to reuse them? The story of Carly and Charley may help you.

    Carly and Charley are the girls who often lose their socks. At first, they just matched different colors or styles like some other girls. But most of the time, these socks couldn't match their clothes. So they came up with an idea and started Odd Sox: they collected these socks and gave them away to homeless people. But the problem wasn't solved. They still had missing socks until they realized that they could make a business out of it. So they set up Single Sox: he girls sell socks in packs(包)of three so you can mix and match as you wish. Each pack is super colorful and super inspiring(激励人心的)—Carly and Charley have written words on every sock to encourage girls to celebrate their differences.

    And they carry on the tradition of giving back—for every pair of socks sold, they give away a pair to those in need. Nothing is a waste if you have a creative mind.

People all over the world celebrate the new year. On New Year's Day, many children make wishes for the new year. The following are some children talking about their wishes. 

I'm Xu Hui, 13, from Shanghai. I am an outgoing girl. I really hope that I can make friends with some boys in my class. I have many friends, but they are all girls. Also, I am not good at math. I want to improve it. 

My name is Zhao Yujie, a 14-year-old girl, from Jiangsu. My biggest wish is to volunteer more. I want to help homeless children and old people. I think it's important for us to bring laughter and warmth to others. 

I am Li Langjing, from Fujian. I am 14. I am a boy who likes sports. I want to take more trips with my friends. Especially, I hope I can go to Xinjiang and Taiwan. I really want to climb the beautiful Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang and taste delicious snacks in Taiwan. 

I'm a 15-year-old boy, Ma Yue. I come from Beijing. My new year's wish is to get a ticket to a Scorpions (蝎子乐队) concert. They are a German rock band. I love their metal music. They will have a concert in February. I don't want to miss it. 

Grandparents Day

Grandparents Day is on the first Sunday in September. It is a day to celebrate grandparents. It is celebrated in a few countries around the world. It is always important to respect your elders. 

The night before Grandparents Day, Nancy and May couldn't go to sleep because they wanted to do something for their grandparents. "Now, " said Nancy, "It's time for us to do something for our grand- parents. Let's think about a surprise for them. " The children thought and thought. 

At last May got a good idea. She said, "Oh, I'll tell you. " And she began to talk very fast. "Oh, oh!" said Nancy. "That is just the thing!" The next morning the children got up early. They were very busy making breakfast. After some time, they called their grandparents. "Happy Grandparents Day!" they said. "Breakfast is ready. ""Oh, what a surprise!" their grandparents cried. 

Your grandparents have learned a lot. What have they taught you? Did your grandpa teach you how to fish? Did your grandma show you how to bake cookies? If you think about how much your parents do for you, just remember that your grandparents helped them that much, too! How can you return the favor? Do they need your help now? Maybe they would just like to see you or hear you on the phone!

Hello, my name is Judy. I am 10 years old. I am in Australia with my family. 

My father's name is Steve. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} He is a doctor. He is very busy. My mother is Julie and her hair is brown. She is an English teacher in my school. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}I have a brother and a sister. {#blank#}3{#/blank#} My sister's name is Candy and she is nine. We are in the same school. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} My grandfather is 70 years old and my grandmother is 67 years old. My grandfather likes taking photos. My grandmother likes reading books. {#blank#}5{#/blank#}She has many books. 

I love my family.