Michelle and Ryan often stopped by a pet shop on their way home from school. They stopped for Sugar and Spice. Sugar and Spice were two cats that shared a cage. They were cute and played nicely together. Michelle and Ryan thought that they must be best friends like them.

    Things got busy at school, so Michelle and Ryan didn't have time to stop by the pet shop. How they missed seeing Sugar and Spice! One Sunday morning, Michelle went to the supermarket. Her mother asked her to buy some fruit. She was happy that she could stop by the pet shop to have a look. To Michelle's surprise, Spice wasn't there. She only saw Sugar. Maybe someone bought Spice and the two best friends would never be together again. She went home in tears.

    Two days later Ryan's parents held a birthday party for him. At the party Michelle, Ryan and their friends played games, sang and ate cake. Then came the best part—the presents. Ryan's dad brought out a small box with holes in it. Ryan carefully opened it and found Spice inside!

    Ryan was excited to have a new cat, but he was also sad that Spice was not with Sugar any more. Ryan's dad realized his sad feeling and motioned (示意) to Michelle's mum. Then she walked in with a small box with holes in it. The box looked just like the one that Ryan got. Michelle's mum asked Michelle if she wanted an early birthday present. But before Michelle could answer, Ryan took the box aside and Sugar jumped out! Sugar and Spice started playing together. Ryan looked at Michelle and said. "This is the best birthday ever!"

    Something caught my eyes when I was walking down the street. Two silver coins were shining in a melting snow bank, so I dug through the snow looking for more. Of course, I just ended up with really cold hands. I slipped the two coins into my pocket and went home, colder but richer. I began to think about how to spend the money.

    Two days later, Mary and her little sister were searching the snow banks. "Finders are keepers" was my first thought. I didn't want to hand them out even though Susy was already crying." I dropped them right here," she said between tears. Her hands were cold and red for digging in the snow. "Maybe they slid down the street with the melting snow. Let's dig over here. "Mary's voice sounded confident.

    "They'll never know" was my second thought, and I walked past them. "Phil, have you seen two silver coins?" asked Mary. Susy looked up from digging. Her eyes were hopeful.

    "Tell a lie" was my third thought. As a matter of fact, I hesitated," I dug two coins out of that snow bank just a few days ago. I wondered who might have lost them." Susy hugged me with a big smile, "Oh, thank you, thank you."

    Once upon a time, there was a child ready to be born. One day he asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to the earth tomorrow but how am I going to live there? I'm too small and helpless." God answered, "I'll choose one of the angels for you and she will look after you". But the child said," But I'm happy here. I sing and smile every day. I don't want to leave."

    "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile at you every day. And you will feel your angel's love and be happy."

    "And how can I understand what people say?" the child asked.

    "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweetest words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak.

    At that moment, the child knew he had to start on his trip very soon. He asked God one more question, "God, I am leaving now, so could you tell me my angel's name?"

    God smiled at the child and answered, "Your angel's name is not hard to remember. You will call her Mother."

Double Ninth Festival (重阳节) 2023

Come and have fun with us!

Time: October 23, 1:00 p.m.— 8:00 p.m.

Place: The Youth Park

Things for sale: Chongyang cakes, fruit and drinks

Class: Free cake-making class (call Miss Miller at 4820 2217 to book (预订) a place)

Activities:

1:00 p.m.—4:00 p.m. Mountain Climbing

5:00 p.m.—6:00 p.m. Talk Show

6:00 p.m.—7:00 p.m. Games between the young and old

7:00 p.m.—8:00 p.m. Fire Dragon Dance

Ticket prices:

·$10 for adults (成年人)

·Half price for children under 12

·Free for people over 65

For more information, please visit www.doubleninth2023.com.

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Several years ago, while attending a communication course, I experienced a most unusual process. The instructor asked us to list 1 in our past that we felt 2 of, regretted, or incomplete about and read our lists aloud.

 This seemed like a very private process, but there's always some 3 soul in the crowd who will volunteer. The instructor then suggested that we find ways to 4 people, or take some action to right any wrong doings. I was seriously wondering how this could ever improve my communication.

 Then the man next to me raised his hand and volunteered this story:" Making my list. I remembered an incident from high school. I grew up in a small town. There was a Sheriff 5 of us kids liked. One night, my two buddies(伙伴) and I decided to play a trick on him.

 After drinking a few beers, we climbed the tall water tank in the middle of the town, and wrote on the tank in bright red paint: Sheriff Brown is a idiot. The next day, almost the whole town saw our glorious(光荣的) sign. Within two hours, Sheriff Brown had us in his office. My friends told the truth but I lied. No one ever found out.

 Nearly 20 years later, Sheriff Brown's name appears on my list. I didn't even know if he was still 6 . Last weekend, I dialed the information in my hometown and found there was a Sheriff Brown still listed. I tried his number. After a few 7 ,I heard," Hello?"I said," Sheriff Brown?" Paused(停顿)." Yes."" Well, this is Jimmy Calkins."" And I want you to know that I did it." Paused."I knew it!" he yelled back. We had a good laugh and a lively discussion. His closing words were," Jimmy, I always felt bad for you 8 your buddies got it off their chest, but you were carrying it 9 all these years. I want to thank you for calling me... for your sake."

 Jimmy inspired me to 10 all 101 items on my list within two years, and I always remember what I learned from the course: It's never too late to right the past wrong doings.