Who is the greatest teacher in Chinese history? Many people would think of Confucius, whose birthday was September 28. Although he lived over 2,000 years ago, people still remember and respect him for his contribution to the education today.

 Confucius lived in the Kingdom of Lu, which lies in Shandong Province. He lived during the Spring and Autumn Period. He had a hard childhood. His father died when he was only 3. His mother brought him up. As a child, he had to work to help his mother, but young Confucius didn't give up studying. He visited many famous teachers and learned music, history, poetry and sports.

 Later, he became a teacher and started the first public school in Chinese history. At that time only children from noble families could go to school, but Confucius believed everyone should go to school if they wanted to learn. He had about 3,000 students in his lifetime.

Today, people still follow Confucius' lessons. He told us that we all have something worthy to be learned. "When I am with three people, one of them must be better than me in some areas. I choose their good qualities and follow them.”

 He also taught us that thinking is very important in study. “All study but no thinking makes people puzzled (困惑的). All thinking but no study makes people lazy.”

 Confucius is not only a great teacher, but also a famous thinker with wise thoughts about the world and society. His most important teachings are about kindness and good manners. “A person should be strict with himself, but be kind to others.” he said.

    After a serious earthquake happened, a father left his wife safely at home and rushed to his son's school, only to find that the building where his son studied had collapsed and looked like a pancake.

    He was shocked. He didn't know what he should do for a while, and then he remembered the words he had said to his son, "No matter what happens, I'll always be there for you!" And tears began to fill his eyes. He started digging through the ruins（废墟）.

    As he was digging, other helpless parents and the firemen arrived and tried to pull him off the ruins, saying, "It's dangerous here! There's nothing you can do!" To them he replied with one line," Are you going to help me now?" And then he kept on digging.

    He went on because he needed to know for himself, "Is my boy alive or is he dead?" He dug for 8 hours…12 hours…24 hours…36 hours… Then, in the 39^th hour, he pulled back a rock and heard his son's words. He shouted his son's name, "Armand!" He heard back, "Dad?! It's me, Dad! I told the other kids not to worry. I told them that if you were alive, you'd save me, and when you saved me, they'd be saved. You promised, 'No matter what happens, I'll always be there for you!' You did it, Dad!"

    "What's going on there?" the father asked, "There are 14 of us left out of 33, Dad. We're frightened, hungry. Thirsty, but thankful you're here. When the building fell down, it made a triangle（三角形）and it saved us."

Come out, boy!"

    "No, Dad! Let the other kids out first, because I know you'll get me! No matter what happens, I know you'll always be there for me."

   Long long ago, there was a crowd of antelopes(羚羊)in the forest. In this crowd there was1wiseteacher. He was admired by everyone because he taught the young the tricks and strategiesof survival. One day, his younger sister brought her son2 him and asked him to teach3wasimportant to antelopes. She said, "Dear brother, this is my son, Dick. Pleaseteach him the tricks and strategies of survival. The teacher said to Dick, "You4 come at this time tomorrow foryour5 lesson."

    At first, Dick came to have lessons on timeevery day. But soon, Dick became6 inplaying games with others, so he began to cut classes.7,he didn't realize how dangerous it could be for a young antelope8 learned nothing but games.

    Unfortunately, one day the young antelope steppedin a trap. Knowing Dick9, his mother was worried. She went to herbrother and10 him"My brother, how is my son? Have you taught him the tricks and strategies ofsurvival? The teacher replied, "My dear sister, I tried11 best to teach him, but your son did not want tolearn the tricks and strategies of survival. He cut classes. How could I possiblyteach him?"

    At this time, they heard that Dick12 in a trap. They hurried to rescue him before itwas too late. Dick was too scared13 andregretted deeply.

14 the young antelope had kept learning15 all the time, he wouldn't have been caught.

Once upon a time there was no tea at all in England. People there used to drink a light beer. No coffer or milk but large glasses of beer stood on the breakfast table!

When tea was first brought to England, an old couple got some as a special treat. But they did not know how it should be used they cooked the leaves in hot water, and spread them on a piece of bacon(熏肉)which they were going to have for dinner. They ate the leaves, and threw the tea away! However, tea is becoming as popular as coffee and milk in England today. 

Tea is the leaf of a plant which grows widely in China, Japan and some other countries. Tea farmers usually grow a great many tea plants on a large piece of land. When the tea leaves are ready to be picked, it is the busiest time for tea farmers in a year. They pull off the leaves and dry them. In their spare time, they pick out the best leaves and get them ready for the market. In China, whenever a visitor comes into a house, he is served with a cup of tea. 

Li Shuyou is eighty years old. He has a big love for music. He is good at folk music(民间音乐). 

Now Mr Li is a music teacher in Jiantouzhou Village, Hunan. He is busy every day. Many students learn how to play the pipa, the erhu, the liugin and the sanxian from him. These students are not of the same age. Some are about 5 years old. Some are about 18 years old. Mr Li's lessons are welcome. Many parents take their children to study there. And they have fun there. Ding Jiewen is one of them. "Mr Li's lessons are not boring. He always tells us some interesting stories. We have a good time there. And I think folk music is useful. I love it very much, " she says. 

Mr Li is happy to be a music teacher there. Some people say to Mr Li, "You are old and you should enjoy(享受)life at home. " But Mr Lt doesn't think so. He loves folk music so much. He wants more students to learn it and live it. And he also wants to help students in Jantouzhou have a good life.