A young painter had just completed a beautiful painting. To get people's opinions about his painting skills, he put his 1at a crossing on a busy street. And below it a board read, "Gentlemen, I have painted this piece. 2 I'm new, I might have made some mistakes in my work. Please put a cross  3you see a mistake."

    When he came back in the evening to 4his painting, he was completely shocked to see that the whole painting was filled 5 crosses. And some people had even written their opinions on the painting. 6 , he ran to his master and said to him, "I'm 7and if this is what I have learned to paint, I'm not worth teaching. "

    The master 8and suggested, "I'll let you know that you are a great 9. Now go to paint the same painting once again and give it to 10."

Then they went to the same street the next morning and put the same painting exactly at the same place. Now the master  11another board which read, "Gentlemen, I have painted this piece. I might have made some mistakes in my painting. I have put a box with colors and 12 just below. Please give me a hand. If you see a 13, pick up the brush and correct it." The master and the young painter went back home. Two days later, they came back to the place. The young painter was  14to see that actually there was not a single correction done!

    It's easier to criticize(批评) but difficult to improve. If you want to help people  15 their behavior, you'd better learn how to help people change their attitudes or skills. Also, always remember not to judge yourself by someone else's criticism and feel upset.

    I was invited to attend a presentation at the Kentucky School. That evening I found gratitude had amazing 1 to change our attitude and our life.

    The young musician Mr. Patrick was rolled onto the stage in his wheelchair and began to play the piano. His fingers danced across the keys as he 2 beautiful music. He then began to sing as he played, and it was wonderful. But what shocked me most was his magic smile.

    Patrick was born with no eyes and an illness in the legs, which3 him lame for life. However, as a child, he was 4 with artificial eyes and placed in a wheelchair. Before his first note, he discovered the piano. When his mom hit any note on the piano, and within one or two 5, he'd get it. By his second birthday, he was playing "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star". His father was overjoyed. "We might not play baseball, but we can play music together."

    When Patrick was at the University of Louisville, his father 6 classes with him. He was also a part of the 214-member marching band! He was a blind, wheelchair-bound trumpet player; and he and his father did it together. His father 7the night shift（夜班）in order to accompany his daytime band practice. Patrick says, "My dad's my hero."

    But even more than his unbelievable musical talent, it was Patrick's "attitude of gratitude" that touch my soul. On stage, between songs, he talked to the audience about his life and about how 8 he was with a great father. When his performance was over, Patrick and his father were on the stage together. The crowd rose to their feet and cheered for over five minutes.

    We all face misfortune in our lives.9 ， it's not the hardship but how we react to it that will determine the joy and happiness in our lives. During tough times, do we spend too much time feeling10 for ourselves, or can we, with gratitude, learn how to dance in the rain?

    One morning Mr. Green is driving around the county and1a small bookshop. When he sees an old man2the side of the road, he stops his car and says to the old man, "Excuse me. I want3to the Sun Bookshop. Do you know it? "

    "Yes," the old man answers, "I4you the way." He5Mr. Green's car, and they drive about twelve miles. 6they come to a small house, the old man says, "Stop here. "Mr. Green stops and7the house." But this isn't the8,"he says to the old man. "Right, "the old man answers, "this is my house, and now I'll show you the9to the bookshop. Turn around and go back nine miles. 10you'll see the bookshop. "

    I used to hunt and have killed quite a few deer. There was great 1 in waiting and shooting.

    One cold morning in winter, I went alone to a hillside. I carried my gun and three thick sandwiches. I found a natural hiding place. It was pretty cold, but I had 2 clothing on. I sat there waiting for one hour. Nothing showed. The place was really 3.

    Suddenly, a beautiful buck(雄鹿) appeared. Surely I couldn't 4 it. I must wait for him to realize I was there. I waited for him to 5 with a start (惊吓).

    To my surprise, he came towards me! He was curious(好奇), I suppose. He must have known about men and their 6which would kill him. But he walked right up where I was sitting. Then he stopped and looked at me! I was getting a bit 7 now. A big buck can do a lot of damage.

    What happened next was hard to believe. But it all seemed quite natural. I reached up and scratched(抚摸) his head. And he 8 it. That big, wild, beautiful buck bent(弯下) his head.

    I scratched his body and fed him my last sandwich. Then he went his way, down the hill. I just watched him go--a strong buck carrying a proud head.

    I picked up my gun and started walking back. 9, I heard the shots—two of them. If you've hunted enough you know two shots mean a(n) 10. I had forgotten that there were other hunters around.

I decided to give up hunting from that day on.

    I took the bus to work for many years. No one 1 each other; the passengers all sat there sleepily in the morning. The bus was cheerless and silent.

    One of the 2 was a small old man with grey hair. He took the bus to the center for senior citizens (老年人) every morning. Nobody ever paid much attention to him.

    One July morning he said good morning to the driver and 3. The driver nodded guardedly (带着戒心地). The rest of us were 4.

    The next day, the old man boarded with a big smile again and said in a 5 voice: "And a very good morning to you all!" Some of us 6, amazed, and murmured (小声嘀咕) "Good morning, " in reply. We gradually began to nod and talk to each other.

    One morning he was 7 a nice suit and tie. He even had a bunch of 8 in his hand. The driver turned around smilingly and asked: "Have you got yourself a girlfriend, Charlie?" We never got to know if that was his name, 9 he nodded his head shyly and said yes. The other passengers clapped (拍手叫好) at him. Every morning after that Charlie 10 flowers. Some passengers also brought flowers for him. The bus became a happy place.

    Then, one morning, as autumn was closing in, Charlie wasn't 11 at the stop. When we came 12 to the center for senior citizens, one of the passengers asked the driver to wait. He went in to 13 "Charlie".

    The old gentleman was 14, but one of his close friends had died at the weekend. The next Monday Charlie was at the stop as usual. His hair had turned greyer. We were silent as he walked onto the bus. No one 15 his friend, but we each handed him a bunch of flowers. We wanted to be there for this man who brought us together that summer.

    Robert De Vincenzo, the great golfer, once won a competition. After receiving the check(支票), he went to the club and prepared to leave. He walked alone to his car and met a young woman.

    The young woman stopped him and said congratulations on his1, then she told him that her child was badly ill and she was dying. But her family was poor. She did not know how she could pay the hospital bill.

    De Vincenzo was2by her story, and gave his winning check to the woman. "Make some good days for the baby." He said as he put the check into her hand.

    The next week, he was3in the country club when a policeman came to his able. "Last week, some of the boys told me that you met a young woman after you won that competition."

    De Vincenzo said, "Yes."

    "Well," said the policeman, "I have news for you. She does not have a sick baby. She's not even married. She cheated you, my friend. "

    "You4there is no baby who is dying?" said De Vincenzo.

    "Yes, that's right," said the policeman.

    "That's the best news I've heard all the week." De Vincenzo said happily, "Life is more important."

    Good news or bad news? It depends on how you5it. You can be sad after being cheated.6you can choose to go on with your life bravely.