Chinese are very generous when they begin to educate their children. No caring about the money, parents often send their children to the best schools or even abroad to England, the USA or Australia. They also want their children to take extra-course activities where they will either learn a musical instrument or ballet, or other classes that will give them a good start in life. The Chinese believe that the more expensive an education is, the better it is. So parents will spend a large number of money on education. Even poor parents will buy a computer for their child.

    However, what most parents fail to see is that the best education they can give their children is usually very cheap. Parents can see that their children are skilled in some areas while poor in others. What most parents fail to realize is that today's children lack (缺乏) self-respect and self-confidence.

The problem is that parents are only educating their children on how to study well, but parents are not teaching them the most important skills they need to be confident, happy and clever.

    Parents can achieve this by teaching practical skills like cooking, sewing and doing other housework. These activities are teaching a child not only to read, but also to think. And that is more important.

    Last Friday night I went to a great party. It was a birthday party for my English teacher Mrs Brown. Students in my class all went to celebrate(庆祝) her 40^th birthday. We began to prepare for(为……做准备) the party two weeks before that, but Mrs. Brown didn't know anything about it.

    We all met at a restaurant at a quarter to seven. There were about 30 people. Mrs. Brown's son took her to the restaurant and they arrived at seven o'clock. Just before seven, we all stayed in one room of the restaurant and it was dark in the room.

    When they got to the restaurant, Mrs. Brown's son asked her to go into the room first. Then we all shouted, "Surprise!"

    Mrs. Brown was really surprised. She jumped when she heard us. Then we sang "Happy Birthday to You" and she knew what was happening(发生). We all had a great dinner and then a delicious birthday cake.

    For her birthday, Mrs. Brown got a beautiful quilt. We all printed(印) our photos on it. So it was a very special quilt.

    Mrs. Brown enjoyed the party, and we enjoyed it, too.

Information Card

The Secrets of Happiness

    Most people want to be happy, but few know how to find happiness. Money and success alone do not bring lasting(长久的) happiness. 快乐取决于我们自己。 In other words, we make our own happiness. Here are a few suggestions to help you be happier.

    The first secret of happiness is to enjoy the simple things in life. You can read a good book or listen to your favorite music. People who have several close friends live happier and healthier lives.

    Another secret to be happy is to be active, 你应该学会忘记你的烦恼。 Many people do these activities, such as dancing, playing a sport, or skating or soccer.

    Finally, many people find happiness in helping others. If you want to feel happier, do something nice for someone. You can help a friend with his or her lessons, go shopping to buy food for your family members, or simple help to wash the dishes.

    One day a tiger catches(抓住)a fox in the forest. Before the tiger could eat him up, the fox cries out, "You can't eat me. Don't you know that I'm king of the forest. If you eat me up, all the other animals in the forest will be angry with you. "The tiger doesn't believe him." How can such a small animal be king of the forest?" He asks himself. "If you don't believe(相信)me," the fox says, "then take a walk with me in the forest．You can see for yourself whether(是否)they are afraid of me." The tiger thinks it is a good idea, so the fox walks in front and the tiger goes behind. When the other animals see the tiger coming, they run away as fast as they could.

    "See for yourself, Mr. Tiger," he calls out quickly. "All the animals are afraid of me."

    "Yes, yes," the tiger says. "You are quite right." He then lets the fox go.