Mr Smith works in a factory in the middle of the city. The factory is not far from his home. It is about 800 meters away. So Mr Smith doesn't go to work by bus. He usually goes there by bike, sometimes he walks to work. It takes(花费) him 10 minutes to get there by bike or 20 minutes on foot. He usually leaves home at ten minutes to eight. Today something is wrong with his bike. He wants to walk there. His work starts at half past eight in the morning and finishes at a quarter(一刻钟) to five in the afternoon.

    Mr. Jenkins liked all kinds of delicious food. As an important officer, he was often asked to dinner. The shopkeepers tried their best to fawn on(巴结) him. They knew it was good for their business. Now the officer got fatter and fatter. He could hardly go upstairs（楼上） at home and had to sleep downstairs. He often felt tired if he walked or did some housework. He was worried about it and had to go to a doctor. "Stop eating much fat(脂肪) and sugar, Mr. Jenkins," said the doctor, "or it will be worse for your health!" It was difficult for the officer to do it. He didn't do as the doctor said. He found something was wrong with his heart a few months later. Now he thought the doctor was right. And he had to be in hospital. "You must lose weight(减肥), sir," said the doctor, " unless you want to die soon!" "Could you tell me a way to lose weight, please?" "You must do some exercise first." "Which exercise?" "To move your head from side to side when you are invited to dinner!"

    An eight-year-old girl named Tina heard her parents talking about her little brother. All she knew was that he was very sick and they had no money. When she heard her dad say to her mom, "Only a miracle(奇迹)can save him now", Tina went to her bedroom and took all her money out of a small box and counted it carefully. Then she made her way six blocks to the local drugstore(药店).

    "And what do you want?" asked the owner of the store.

    "It's for my little brother." Tina answered. "He's really, really sick and I want to buy a miracle. His name is Mike and he is two years younger than me. Now he has something bad growing inside his head and my dad says only a miracle can save him.

    "We don't sell miracles here, child. I'm sorry, "the owner said, smiling sadly at Tina.

    In the store there was a well-dressed customer. He asked Tina. "What kind of miracle does your brother need?

    "I don't know," she replied. "He's really sick and my mom says he needs an operation (手术),But my dad can't pay for it ,so I have brought all my him."

    "How much do you have?" asked the man.

    "One dollar and seven cents, but I can try and get some more," she answered quietly.

    "Well, what a coincidence (巧合)," smiled the man. "One dollar and seven cents-the exact price of a miracle for a little brother. Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents."

    That well—dressed man was Carlton Armstrong, a famous doctor. The operation was completed without money. Two weeks later, Mike became well and was home again.

    Tina was happy. She knew exactly how much the miracle cost- one dollar and seven cents-and the faith(信念) of a little child.

    One Sunday morning, Ben went to a barber's(理发师)shop and had his hair cut. When he came out, he was not happy with the result. In the evening, he met his friend Bob. He laughed and asked. "What happened to your hair, Ben?"

    Ben agreed, "Yes, I think you're right, Ben. Mind you! Now I'll tell you what to do when you go into a barber's shop next time. What you need to do first is to look at all the barbers' hair, find out whose hair looks the worst, and then go straight to him."

    "Why shall I go to him?" Ben asked in amazement, "But that would be foolish(愚蠢的)!"

    "Oh, no, it wouldn't," answered Bob. "Who cut that man's hair? Just think about it. He couldn't cut himself, could he? Another of the barbers cut it.       "