Do you believe that we can have an important influence on anyone we meet? The right words at just the right time could 1someone's life.

    When I was 3 years old, my parents discovered I was2. After asking many doctors and parents of other deaf children, they decided not to put me in a special school. Although I seemed outgoing, my self-esteem（自尊心）was quite low. On my first day at school, the other kids3 me because of my hearing aid andthe way I talked. I was hurt deeply and I saw myself as a(n)4kid.

    Mrs. Green, my5,changed all of that with a simple three-word phrase. One morning, she asked the class a question. Sitting at my desk silently, I 6 herlips（嘴唇）and raised my hand right away. She called on mein front of the blackboard. I took a deep breath and7 answered Mrs. Green's question.

    I will8forget what happened next. Mrs. Green pointed directly at me. With sparkling （闪光的）eyes and a big smile she cried:         "That's right, Ben!"

    For the first time in my young life, my confidence（自信）rose. At that moment, I decided that no matter how many9 I may face, I can overcome（克服）them. Thanks to those three 10 words, my whole life changed from that moment.

    It was a cold winter, with Christmas right around the corner. My kids and I were going shopping.1the way to the supermarket, I saw a man in an old and thin T-shirt. He was2a sign that said, "Lost my job. Family to feed. "Only a few people stopped and gave some money to him. It was clear that the man was3.

    My 10-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son4him, too. After understanding his situation, they felt5and said he must be feeling bad to stand outside in the cold wind.

    When we were in the supermarket, I asked my daughter to pick6she thought our "friend" outside would need. She picked some apples, hamburger, some cheese and a bottle of juice.

    Then my son asked, "Can we buy him a7?"

    I didn't expect that, so I had to8the suggestion carefully. We were not rich and we needed to buy lots of things, but... Well, sometimes helping others is just9we need to do!

    We talked about the fact that we could not buy something we planned to buy10we bought a jacket for the man. My kids11to take some snacks and toys off the shopping list.

    When we found the man, my kids12him the bag of food and the jacket. He was first surprised and then very glad. He13us and said we must be the angels sent from the God.

    I think this14has been a wonderful opportunity for our family.15of my kids agreed that helping others made them happier.

    Thanksgiving Day was near. The first grade teacher gave her class a fun1—to draw a picture of something for which they were thankful.

Most of the class considered turkey and other traditional goodies of the season. These, the teacher thought, would be the2of most of her students' art. And they were. But in her class there was a different kind of boy, Douglas. He was always unhappy. When other children played together, he was likely to stand close by the teacher's side. The boy drew a hand in his picture.3else. Just an empty-hand.

    Whose hand4it be? His abstract(抽象的) picture made classmates really5. One child guessed it was the hand of the6, because they raise turkeys. Another suggested police officers, because the police7and care for people. Still others guessed it was the hand of God, for God feeds us. And so the discussion went8the teacher almost forgot the young artist himself.

    When the children went on to other projects, she9at Douglas' desk, bent down, and asked him10hand it was. The little boy looked away and said in a low voice, "It's11, teacher."

    The teacher recalled the times she had taken his hand and walked with him here or there as she had the other students. How often had she said, "12my hand, Douglas, we'll go outside," Or, "Let me13you how to hold your pencil." Or, "Let's do this together." Douglas was most thankful for his teacher's hand.

    Hearing the boy's words, tears ran down the teacher's face. She brushed aside a tear and went on with her work.

    The story speaks of14than thankfulness. It says something about teachers teaching and parents parenting and friends showing friendship. They might not always say15, but they'll remember the hand that reaches out.

A Meaningful Gift

    Emily was an eighth grader. To pass her Civics course(公民课程), she had to do some volunteer service in a nursing home for a week.

    One Monday, Emily went to the nursing home after school. When she arrived, she was told she would 1 an hour every weekday with an elderly lady, Mrs. Blair. She was then led into a room, where an old lady in a flowery dress was sitting on a sofa.

    Emily 2awkwardly(别扭地)in front of the lady. She cleared her throat and said, "Good afternoon. I'm Emily."

    "Good afternoon, Emily. Take a seat, please." Mrs. Blair replied.

    Then, 3filled the space between them. Emily wondered what to say.

    "Tell me about yourself, Emily," Mrs. Blair said suddenly.

    "Well," Emily started, "I don't have any grandparents, so I can't relate to elderly people much. I love the performing arts. I'm here mainly because I have to4 here to get a good grade for my Civics class."

    Mrs. Blair didn't seem to5. "Many people, especially teens, don't seem to care about old people like me. Now you are here, and I'm going to change that about you. Ask me anything."

    Emily thought for a moment, and finally decided, "What was your job?"

    "I was a Broadway star in the 1950s." Mrs. Blair answered.

    "Cool! Can you tell me about it?" Emily asked, amazed.

    Mrs. Blair smiled. "Back then, only the lead actress had the honor to wear a6 bracelet. I was the lead in almost all of the plays, so I always wore the bracelet. Till this day, I still have it."

    Emily smiled along with Mts. Blair and listened to the other stories, attentively. She had become so interested in Mrs. Blair's 7 that she decided to come earlier the next day.

    Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday passed by quickly. Then came Friday. As she was leaving, Emily was really8to say goodbye.

    "Don't be sad. You can still visit me," Mrs. Blair comforted her. She then handed a small box to Emily," It's my gift to you."

    Emily9opened the box and was surprised to see what was inside. "It's the bracelet that you wore. Thank you!" Emily said, with tears in her eyes. "I'm sure to visit you whenever I'm free."

    On the way home, Emily thought of her own love for the performing arts. She touched the bracelet and made a 10that she would keep her word to Mrs. Blair.

    Once upon a time, in the middle of a pool, there lived a frog. One day, a princess（公主）rowed1the pool in a boat. As she moved past, the frog raised his head and called to her.

    "Kiss me, and I will2a handsome prince.”

    "Not likely," replied the princess, "I rule my own kingdom; I3my own armies, I make my own laws. I need 4 prince, handsome or otherwise. What else do you have to offer?"

    "Kiss me, and I will give you great 5.”

    "I think not,” answered the princess, "I6all the money in my country. Your great riches won't bring me any7, just make my money less valuable. Is that the best you have to 8 !”

    "Kiss me, and 1 will promise you attractive9”

    Ha-ha," sneered (讥讽)the princess ,"How very 10 ! I may be not good-looking11 beauty does not last."

    "What do you want then?" the frog stuck to his 12.

    The princess thought hard, and moved 13 .

    "I want to be happy " she said quietly and kissed the frog.

    "You14love, riches, beauty, and yet you want happiness from kissing a frog! This isn't a fairy tale you know." laughed the frog, diving into the clear, blue pool.

    Actually, frogs always 15 you in the end. It's hard to escape from them.