Once there was a little girl. She watered a banana tree every day.

    One day a voice (声音) came from the tree, "Will you play with me?" The girl was very scared and {#blank#}1{#/blank#} to her mother. Her mother said, "Don't be afraid. That voice is of the banana tree goddess, Laxmi. She is happy {#blank#}2{#/blank#}you."

    The next day when the girl went to the tree. Laxmi played with her. Later, Laxmi said, "I live in this tree. Will you come to {#blank#}3{#/blank#}house for lunch?" The girl {#blank#}4{#/blank#} Then Laxmi took her to a beautiful palace and gave her delicious food.

     When the little girl {#blank#}5{#/blank#} her mother what had happened, the mother was very happy and said, "Invite Laxmi to our home tomorrow for lunch." The girl said, "But mother, we are so {#blank#}6{#/blank#}and our house is small. How can I invite her here?" Her mother said "Don't worry!{#blank#}7{#/blank#}is everything. I'm sure she'll enjoy herself." The next day the little girl brought Laxmi with her. As soon as Laxmi {#blank#}8{#/blank#}at their house turned into a big and beautiful one.

    The girl's mother asked Laxmi to live with them,{#blank#}9{#/blank#}Laxmi went back to the tree. The little girl kept {#blank#}10{#/blank#}the tree every day and Laxmi kept the girl's family happy and lucky.

    That is a tree. I can see a boy under it. The boy is {#blank#}1{#/blank#}a blue T-shirt and white pants. He is Jim. He is {#blank#}2{#/blank#}English student. He is thirteen years old. He {#blank#}3{#/blank#}in No. 5 Middle School. Jim has a sister. {#blank#}4{#/blank#}name is Kate. She is eleven years old. She is in a yellow dress and blue shoes. She is {#blank#}5{#/blank#}her bike.

    It seems that everybody tells lies-well, not big lies, but what we call "white lies". Telling white lies isn't that bad. Most of the time, people do it because they want to protect a{#blank#}1{#/blank#}. Here are some ways they do it.

Giving false excuses:

    Sometimes people lie because they don't want to do something. For example, someone invites you to a party. You think it will be{#blank#}2{#/blank#}, so you say you're busy.

    Lying to make someone feel good:

    Often we say something different from the facts to{#blank#}3{#/blank#}someone feel good. For example, your friend cooks dinner for you, but it tastes terrible. Do you say so? No! You{#blank#}4{#/blank#}say, "Umm, this is delicious!"