A poor farmer had a friend who was famous for the wonderful apple trees he grew.

    One day, his friend gave the farmer a young apple tree and told him to plant it. The farmer was pleased with the gift, but he did not know where to plant it.

    He was afraid that if he planted the tree near the road, strangers would steal the fruit. If he planted the tree in one of his fields, his neighbours would come at night and steal some of the apples. If he planted the tree near his house, his children would take the fruit. Finally he planted the tree in his woods. But without sunlight and good soil(土壤), the tree soon died.

    Later the friend asked the farmer why he had planted the tree in such a poor place. "What's the difference?" the farmer said angrily and then told what he had thought.

    "Yes, "said the friend, "but at least someone could have enjoyed the fruit. Now you not only have robbed everyone of the fruit, but also you have destroyed(毁掉) a good apple tree!"

     John went to the planet Mars for his holiday. This is his holiday.

Monday

     We arrived in the Mars City at 4:30 in the afternoon (Mars time) by a space shuttle. We went to the Mars Hotel (five stars) for dinner before going to bed. I was very tired after the journey (it takes 72 hours to get there) , but I am looking forward to my holiday very much.

Tuesday

     I didn't sleep well because of the weightlessness(), the gravity is only about three-eighths of that on Earth. I hit my head on the bedroom ceiling several times. After breakfast we spent the morning on the Mars farm. They don't use earth or chemicals to grow their food. We had lunch on the farm and then had a hoverbus ride over the Mars City. That was very exciting. In the evening we went shopping in the Mars City Shopping Mall. I bought some souvenirs for my family and my friends.

C

    My name is Lin Tao. I am a Chinese boy. Now I'm studying in America. There are many kinds of clubs here. When I first come here, I don't know anything about clubs. I'm a shy boy, so I can't speak English well. In my first year in America, I don't like to speak to others. In my second year I have to change (改变) myself by doing some new things. I realize that school is not just about getting good grades (成绩), it's also about being part of a club. One day, when I go to the Media Center with my classmate Jim, he tells me something about the club. It's interesting, so I join it. I am in many clubs now. It's good to be part of a club. These clubs help me to make new friends.

    David and Jack are friends. They are Canadians, but they don't live in Canada. They live in China now. They are in No. 2 Middle School. They are in the library now. There are many books in the library. They borrow books from it. David borrows three books and Jack borrows two books. It's five in the afternoon. Jack closes the windows and David closes the door. "Thank you, David. Thank you, Jack." says the teacher. David and Jack say, “You are welcome.”

    One day Tom and Bill went out for a walk. On the road they saw a lot of people and went up to have a look. Oh dear! There was a cow in the middle of the road. It would not move. The cars and buses couldn't get past. Then a policeman came.

    "Whose cow is this?" He asked. "It's mine," said a farmer, "but I can't move it."

    The policeman and the farmer did their best to move the cow, but it would not move.

    Tom and Bill laughed, but the drivers of cars and buses were worried." We can't move the cow, "the farmer and the policeman said. "What shall we do?"

    "Give him a cabbage!" Tom said. "That's a good idea." said the farmer. Soon he found a cabbage and showed it to the cow. When the cow saw the cabbage, it walked after the farmer at once. All the cars and buses could get past at last.