When you're very, very afraid of something, that fear can affect (影响) you and how you live your life. When I was younger, I saw my cousin f{#blank#}1{#/blank#}onto an ants' nest. The ants attacked (攻击) him, and he was c{#blank#}2{#/blank#}in terrible bites(咬). After that I became very scared of ants. I wouldn't eat outside, and I didn't even like to play outside. I c{#blank#}3{#/blank#}my bed for ants every night. But when I t{#blank#}4{#/blank#} thirteen, I decided I couldn't let my fear get to me. I had to learn to control my fear of ants.

    First I read a lot about different ants. I didn't focus on bites, but instead I read about how helpful ants are to the p{#blank#}5{#/blank#}. Ants are really cool! They're hard-working, social, and organized. They help bring a{#blank#}6{#/blank#}and nutrients(营养)to the earth. They help plants grow, clean up decaying(腐烂的)m{#blank#}7{#/blank#} and help control other insects.

    Next I began to w{#blank#}8{#/blank#}ants from a safe distance. I started to look at a family of ants in real time on the Internet in order to learn how they live. Little by little, I felt more c{#blank#}9{#/blank#}about ants. Finally I went outside one day and let an ant move onto my hand and t{#blank#}10{#/blank#}it gently. It was okay! Now that I know about all the good things ants do, I'm not so afraid of them anymore.