I never saw my father home from work late or ill, nor did I ever see my father take a “night out with the boys.” He had no hobbies but just take care of his family.

    For 22 years, since I left home for college, my father called me every Sunday at 9:00am. He was interested in my life--how my family was doing. The calls even came when he and my mother in Australia, England or Florida.   

    Nine years ago when I bought my first house, my father, 67 years old, spent eight hours for three days, painting my house. He would not allow me to pay someone to have it done. All he asked was a glass of iced tea, and that I hold a paintbrush for him and talk to him. But I was too busy, and I could not take the time to hold the paintbrush, or talk to my father. 

    Five years ago, my 71-year-old father spent five hours putting together a swing set(秋千) for my daughter. Again, all he asked was that I get him a glass of iced tea, and talk to him. But again, I had laundry(要洗的衣服) to do, and the house to clean. The morning on Sunday, January 16, 1996, my father telephoned me as usual, this time he had seemed to have forgotten something we had discussed the week before .I had to get to church, and I cut the conversation short. 

    The call came at 4:40 a.m. That day my father was sent to hospital in Florida. I got on a plane immediately, and I vowed (发誓)that when I arrived, I would make up for the lost time, and have a nice long talk with him and really get to know him. I arrived in Florida at 1:00 a.m. but my father had passed away at 9:12 p.m. This time it was he who did not have time to talk, or time to wait for me. 

    In the years since his death I have learnt much about my father and even more about myself. As a father, he never asked me for anything but my time. Now he has all my attention, every single day. 

                                                                                             A

   Peter wondered why he didn't have many friends. The reason was that he was always taking, never giving.

One day Peter told Bill, ＂I'd like to give a party on Saturday. I'd like you to come and bring Martha, too. ＂

＂Thanks, Peter. We'd be happy to come. ＂＂Perhaps you'd like to bring your violin. You and Martha sing well together. I'm sure everyone will want you to sing for us. ＂That was how Peter began to plan his party. Next, he asked another friend, Betty, to bring a cake. ＂You make the best cake in the world, Betty, and I like to eat your cake better than have one from the bakery. ＂Peter invited a few other friends to come to his party. He didn't forget to ask something from each one of them. He even asked Jim and Mary Jackson to let him give the party at their house! They agreed.

    The party was a big success. However, as the guests were leaving, they said ＂Thank you. ＂to Bill and Martha for the music, Betty for the cake, the Jacksons for the use of the house and to others for their hard work. To Peter they just said, ＂Thanks for the invitation. ＂

I was in a shopping mall, so I decided to go and get a cup of coffee. As I was making my way to the coffee shop, I noticed an old gentleman poorly dressed sitting near the shop. I knew from the first sight that he needed help. He had a little lunch in front of him and was enjoying it. It was clear that he had a problem with his right eye. I then joined the line and waited to be served.

    Then it happened. One of the most beautiful gestures(姿态) I had ever seen in my life. There was a young man in front of me in the line who was also waiting to be served. The next thing I knew was that the young man handed the waitress(女服务员) 20 dollars and requested a glass of juice as a favor(善行). The waitress looked at the young man a little perplexed, not fully understanding the request. That was when the young man asked her to give the juice to the old gentleman eating his lunch outside, as well as the change(零钱) from the 20 dollars. The young man also told her that he would be watching every second so that she would be completely safe.

    Then there was a wonderful exchange between the waitress and the old man. I only wished I could take a photo of the smiles on both of their faces.

    As I was considering this event later, I wondered why the young man didn't perform this act of kindness himself. Maybe he was hoping that this act of kindness might inspire(激励) others to do something for this old man as well.

    I'm Ben. Today was not a good day. First, I slept late and Morn shouted at me to wake me up.  When I went to the kitchen for breakfast, I found there was no hamburger. So I decided to have some bread, but I burned (烤糊) it. I had to eat it because there was no more bread. There was no juice, either. I just had a cup of water.

    When I was at the bus stop, I found that I forgot my wallet (钱包), so I had to go back home to get it. Of course, I missed my bus and had to wait for a long time.

    I was late for school. When I got to school, the first Class was over. I missed a math test. The teacher said there would be a test just for me after school two days later. Oh, it's Friday! I can't visit my grandma then

    After lunch, it was time to give the teacher my homework. I reached into my bag to get it but it wasn't there. I left it at home……

    After school, my father drove me home. When I got home, I went straight to my room to do my homework. Mom cooked fish for dinner. She knows I don't like fish, but she thinks it is good for me. What a bad day! I hope tomorrow Will be nice.

    Mr. Brown had lived in a village before he became a famous lawyer. He remembered his hard life during studying in the college. And his parents borrowed much money for him. So he worked hard and tried his best to get more money.

    Now he lives in a beautiful house with his family and his son Richard is clever. He likes the boy very much and sent him to the best school in the city. He hopes Richard to live a happy life and buys everything the boy wants. He wishes his son could become a great scientist.

    But he doesn't know Richard hates studying and spends much time in playing. Now he's interested in fishing and sometimes cuts classes. So he failed in the exams. Miss Young, his head teacher, tells him not to do that, but he doesn't listen to her. She became angry after the boy was late again one afternoon.

    "I'll visit your father tomorrow evening, Richard." said Miss Young. "I'll ask him a good way to educate you."

    You'd better not talk with him, madam," said the boy. "Or you'll pay for a fee(费) for his advisory service !"

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