A young man entered the last interview of a company. The director learnt that the young man's academic (学业的) grades were very good. "Did you get any scholarships (奖学金) in school?" the director asked. "None." The young man answered. "Did your father pay for your school fees?" the director asked. "My father died when I was one year old, so my mother paid my school fees." The young man answered.

    "Where did your mother work?" the director asked. "My mother washed clothes." The young man said. The director looked at the young man's hands. He had a pair of smooth and perfect hands.

    "Have you ever helped your mother wash the clothes before?" the director asked. "Never." The young man answered. "I have a request," the director said. When you go back today, wash your mother's hands, and then see me tomorrow morning."

    The young man felt that his chance of getting the job was high. When he went back. He happily asked his mother to let him wash her hands. His mother felt strange, happy but with mixed feelings. She showed her hands to the kid. The young man washed his mother's hands slowly. His tears fell when he did that. It was the first time he had noticed that his mother's hands were so wrinkled (有皱纹的).He realized it was this pair of hands that helped him pay the fees.

    The next morning, the young man went to the director's office. "I washed my mother's hands, and I know that without my mother, I would not be the person I am today." He said.

    "This is what I am looking for," the director said. "I want a person who can appreciate (感激) the help of others to get things done. You will be a member of our company.

A. Interview with Andy Griffiths

    Andy Griffiths is well known as a writer of children's books. Here are some interesting things, you might not know about him!

    What do you like to do after a long day of writing?

    I go for long runs and bike rides beside the beach. An hour of exercise after a long day of writing gives me energy. Then I'm ready to write some more.

    Do you write using a computer or by hand?

At first I write the stories by hand, and then I transfer(转录)them onto a computer. I like to write by hand when I travel. I find it very easy to lose myself in my diary when I am away from my usual activities.

    What super power would you like to have?

    X-ray vision(影像)if I can control it.

    What is your favourite food?

    Fro never happier than when I'm drinking banana milkshakes. And I love fish. But I don't like drinking fish milkshakes - they are just terrible!

    What is your favourite book?

Alice in Wonderland. It has so many surprises and such silliness in it.

    Do you write for adults too?

    Only if I really have to. T much prefer the freedom and fun of writing for children.

    What do you say to kids who say, "Why should I read?"

As Dr. Seuss says. "The more you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you'll go."

Time Management

    Do you ever wish you had more time? Everyone gets the same amount of time each day. But here are some ways to use those hours better. As a popular saying says, "Work smarter, not harder."

    The most important way to manage your time is to set priorities（优先权）.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}Also, consider whether or not they are urgent—if they need to be done right away. It can be easy to forget important tasks that aren't urgent, so make time for them.

    Decide ahead of time what you're going to do at certain times each day. Schedule times not only to meet people but also to do things alone. Then you can make sure everything gets done.

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#}Are you smarter in the morning, afternoon or evening? Schedule difficult tasks for times you feel good, saving easy ones for when you're tired.

    Write down what you need to do and when. I keep two to-do lists: one for the present tasks and one for larger projects I'm working on.{#blank#}3{#/blank#} And I don't get discouraged by looking at a long list of items I can't finish. I focus on the shorter list of each day's tasks.

    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}When someone wants to give you a task, think carefully. Is it really important enough to spend your precious（宝贵的）time on? Could someone else do it instead?

    {#blank#}5{#/blank#}If you're in charge of running a meeting, keep it short. Reading articles or talking to friends online can also use up much of your time. Don't allow it.

    In the end, using time well is about making a good plan and sticking to it.

    It is a great thing to help others. First, you can learn new things. Second, it can also make you feel good.

    How can you do it? Helping through charities (慈善团体) is a good idea. Charities are organizations (组织) that help others. September 5 is the International Day of Charity.

    You can help charities by giving your time, giving money or giving things that you own.

    Volunteering

    Volunteering is to give time to help others without pay. Some ways of volunteering are:

☆visiting old people to talk to them or help them

    ☆walking dogs at an animal shelter (收容所)

    ☆cleaning up a park

    ☆helping some children. You can teach the children without life skills how to take care of themselves.

● Fundraising

    Fundraising is to collect or produce money to a charity to help others. Some ways of fundraising are:

    ☆making cakes or biscuits to sell

    ☆ doing sponsored (有赞助的) activities. For example, families and friends give you money if you finish a long walk.

    Donating

    Donating is to give your things to a charity to help others. Some ways of donating are:

    ☆giving your old toys or clothes to a charity that helps sick children or poor people

    ☆giving your old books to a library.

    So, what can you do to help others?