George Stephenson was born in 1781 in a poor family. He had to start work when he was only eight. When George was fourteen，he became his father's helper. He spent a lot of time learning about engines. On holidays, he often took one engine into pieces and studied each piece carefully. Soon he became a very good worker though he could not read or write.

    He began to learn the English letters when he was seventeen years old. Every day after he did twelve hours of hard work，he walked a long way to have lessons from a young teacher.

    On his eighteenth birthday, he wrote his own name for the first time in his life. George invented many things in his life. The train was the greatest one among them. Today when we watch or take trains from one place to another, we will think of this great man—George Stephenson.

    People all over the world don't like mice, but they like one mouse the famous Mickey Mouse. More than fifty years ago, most films were silent（无声的）. An American man called Walt Disney made a cartoon mouse. The mouse could talk in the films. He called his mouse Mickey Mouse. People were excited at Mickey Mouse.

    Soon Mickey Mouse became very successful and popular.

    Both young people and old people enjoyed Mickey Mouse. They loved to see their lovely friend because he brought joy and laughter to them. Mickey was a clean mouse from the beginning. So people hated real mice, but loved Mickey Mouse. In his early life, Mickey made some mistakes. People were very angry, and they wrote to Disney. They said they did not want Mickey to do silly things. Because Mickey could not do all of the things, Disney made a new animal called Donald Duck. He also made a dog Pluto. This dog always does stupid things and makes mistakes.

    Now Mickey is more important. He is a star of beauty and wisdom. He has friends in almost every country.

    Garrison had been treasuring his last piece. All he had left now was a sheet of the beautiful brown paper Pa had brought back from his last sailing trip.

    "You've been quiet," Pa said, "Could I see your picture?"

    Garrison handed over his sketch. Pa studied it, then looked at his son. "You're ten now, eh?" Garrison nodded, hoping Pa wouldn't say that he was too old to be fooling around with pencils and paper.

    "When I was ten, I wanted to work on my father's ship," Pa said, "When Thomas was ten, he asked me to let him plant the corn."

    Garrison's throat (嗓子) tightened. "I know I'm not like either of you." Pa looked at the drawing again.

    "No, you are like both of us. You work hard, like Thomas. And you're like me, too. I have wandering feet, but you have a wandering mind. We need to see things differently.

    Garrison frowned. "I'd rather love the land, like Thomas, or the sea…"

    Pa patted his hand. "Thomas cares about our family very much-that's why he's worked so hard to bring us food. And my love for the sea makes good money. But there's more in life than food and money. There's happiness, for one. Does it make you happy to draw?"

    Garrison nodded.

    "And it makes me happy to look at your drawings. Not many folks can catch happiness on a piece of paper. Some might say drawing's a waste of time, but they don't understand how things are. Why, asking you to stop drawing like asking Thomas to stop farming, or me to stop going to sea. It would be like asking us to stop breathing, wouldn't it?"

    Garrison considered this, then replied, "No, sir. Not quite like breathing. If I couldn't draw any more, it would be… like someone took away my voice." He hung his head. In his mind he could hear Thomas laughing, "It's not like you ever speak up, anyway."

    But Pa patted his shoulder and said, "That would be a pure shame. Your voice is important, Garrison, whether it's out loud or on paper. And speaking of paper…" Pa smiled. "Take a look in my bag."

    Garrison reached into the bag and found a sketchbook. For a moment he was speechless happiness seemed to fill his body and stick in his throat. Then he managed to find his voice. "Oh, Pa-thank you."

    Once upon a time, an old woman had two large water pots. Each hung on the end of a pole (杆子) which she carried across her neck. One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect, From the river to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full. And the other pot was always full. The perfect pot took pride in its talent. But the poor cracked pot felt sad for its own disadvantages.

    One day by the river the cracked pot said to the woman, "I feel bad about myself, because the crack in me causes water to come out all the way back to your house."

    The old woman smiled and said, "Why are there flowers on your side of the road, but not on the other pot's side? That's because I have always known about your crack. So I planted flowers on your side of the road, and every day while we walk back, you water them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my house. There would not be this beauty without you. Each of us has our own cracks. But the cracks make our lives so interesting and beautiful."

    So, to all the cracked pot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the road!

Do you know what American students do in class? Here are 1 . American classroom customs.

If the teacher asks you a question, you should give the 2 immediately. If you do not understand the question, you should 3 you hand and ask the teacher to repeat the question. If you do not know the answer, it is all right 4 the teacher that you do not know.

Be 5 time! It is 6 to be late. If you are late, be sure to enter the classroom 7 .Have your books and papers out of your bag before you come 8 the classroom. Then go to your seat and sit quietly. In America, it is not necessary to knock 9 you enter the classroom. Most teachers will give you a low grade if you are often late.

In America, you should call your teacher by his or her last name, not "teacher". Also you should use Mr, Miss, Ms or Mrs. before the 10. This is polite. The teacher will tell you the title that he or she likes.