Even though it was only October, my students were already whispering about Christmas plans. With each passing day everyone became more（1）1waiting for the final school bell. Upon its（2）2everyone would run for their coats and go home, everyone except David.

          David was a small boy in ragged clothes. I had often（3）3what kind of home life David had, and what kind of mother could send her son to school dressed so（4）4for the cold winter months, without a coat, boots, or gloves. But something made David（5）5. I can still remember he was always（6）6a smile and willing to help. He always（7）7after school to straighten chairs and mop the floor. We never talked much. He（8）8just simply smile and ask what else he could do, then thank me for letting him stay and slowly（9）9home.

          Weeks passed and the（10）10over the coming Christmas grew into restlessness until the last day of（11）11before the holiday break. I smiled in（12）12as the last of them hurried out the door. Turning around I saw David（13）13standing by my desk.

          “I have something for you,” he said and（14）14from behind his back a small box（15）15it to me, he said anxiously, “Open it.” I took the box from him, thanked him and slowly unwrapped it. I lifted the lid and to my（16）16saw nothing. I looked at David's smiling face and back into the box and said, “The box is nice, David, but it's（17）17.”

“Oh, no, it isn't,” said David. “It's full of love. My mum told me before she died that love was something you couldn't see or touch unless you know it's there.”

          Tears filled my eyes（18）18I looked at the proud dirty face that I had rarely given（19）19to. After that Christmas, David and I became good friends and I never forgot the meaning（20）20the little empty box set on my desk.

          When I walked into the house after school, the first thing I noticed was a box with items I recognized from my dad's office. When he told me that he was laid off, I thought he was joking. Then I noticed his seriousness and realized he was telling the truth. My father has always been a hard worker. He has prided himself on his career.（1）{#blank#}1{#/blank#}I guess I had taken his work for granted.

          （2）{#blank#}2{#/blank#}For starters, he was home all the time. It meant my bed had to be made, my room cleaned up, and my homework done right after school. I would come home every day to find him at the computer searching for jobs. （3）{#blank#}3{#/blank#}He seemed down, though he tried to be optimistic. He asked my brother and me to spend less. I gave up my spending money, which wasn't much. I also found a part-time job.

          （4）{#blank#}4{#/blank#}He explained that he never wanted to be laid off again, so he was going to start his own business. Day by day, I watched him build it. One evening I asked if he needed help. “Only if it doesn't affect school,” he said. I showed up at his office the next afternoon, and most afternoons after that for two months.

          （5）{#blank#}5{#/blank#}The terrible experience for our family taught me how to deal with difficulties. Now I know that through creative problem-solving, I can always find Plan B. I can ask for help and take risks. What I have learned from my dad's understanding of business and his work ethic（信条）are two of the most important lessons I will ever learn. And they will be my principles for success.

    A. Providing for our family has been his joy.

    B. I made every effort to solve his problems.

    C. I began to notice how losing his job had affected him.

    D. My father's unemployment created many changes in our lives.

    E. After months of searching, my dad decided to go in a totally different direction.

    F. His courage and determination helped him to become successful in his new career.

    G. I always knew he was a hard worker, but watching him in action influenced me a lot.