The most common disease in the world is the cold. It often starts with a sore throat. You sneeze and your nose runs. You usually have a headache, too. Often you have a cough later. It's not a serious disease, but you can feel quite bad.

    There isn't a cure (良药) for a cold, but you can take some medicine to make you feel better. For example, you can take aspirin (阿司匹林) to get rid of (去除) your headache. It is good to rest. and to drink a lot of water, too. A doctor once told me. "With the right medicine. a cold will last for seven days. With no medicine, it will go on for a whole week!"

    A long time ago, people understood that some plants made them feel better. For example, the juice of lemons (柠檬) makes a sore throat feel better. In modern times, scientists have found out which chemicals (化学药品) are in them. Man, of our medicines today are made from those chemicals. There are some diseases that we can't cure yet. And nobody has found a cure for old age. But because of modern medicines, the average people now live longer than their grandparents.

    Mom and Dad are two of the most important persons in your life. Over your lifetime, they may influence you more than anyone else you will meet. So if your mom loves to read, you just might grow up carrying a book wherever you go, just as she does. But parents do a lot more than just pass on their hobbies. Moms and Dads need to care for their kids the minute their kids are born. Most parents will do this as long as they live.

    Here are some ways you can stay close, get along well, and build a strong relationship with your parents.

    Spend time together. Instead of playing computer games or watching TV, ask your mom and dad to play with you. Go outside together, or do some reading.

    Be kind. Little things might mean a lot to your mom or dad. You can brighten a parent's day with a hug, a card, or a joke. It's also lovely when a kid cleans up his or her room without being asked. And if you try not to fight with your brothers or sisters, your parents will be so happy!

    Do your best at whatever you do. You don't have to be perfect, but when you do your best, you make your parents proud. It makes them happy to see how you're turning into a good kid. Why？Because it lets them know they're doing a good job.

    Ella loves her grandpa. He lives in Texas and takes a train to see Ella every month. Ella wants him to come every week because he is good at telling stories and cooking.

    One day, Ella asks her mom to make some chicken. Grandpa often makes it. Ella's mom says, "I'll try, but no one makes it as well as(像……一样好) Grandpa does. "

    Ella watches her mom make the sauce(酱) for the chicken. It looks delicious. When the chicken is ready, Ella's family sit down to eat. Her mom is right—no one makes it as well as Grandpa does.

    The next day, Ella's grandpa comes to see her. Ella tells him the story about her mom trying to make the chicken. Her grandpa says, "That's a great story." Then he teaches Ella and her mom how to make the chicken.

    Once there lived a farmer. He was the happiest man in England. He was busy all day, but he was always happy. He also liked to make everybody else happy, and people like him.

    {#blank#}1{#/blank#} "I will go and talk with this wonderful farmer." He said, "Maybe he can tell me how to be happy."

    {#blank#}2{#/blank#} The king wanted to be happy like the farmer, so he asked the farmer to change the place with him and he lived on the farm. The farmer smiled and said, "I'm sure I don't want to do that, sir." "Now tell me what makes you so happy here on your dirty farm, {#blank#}3{#/blank#}" said the King. The farmer smiled again and said, "{#blank#}4{#/blank#} I live an easy life and I enjoy it. I make my own bread. I love my wife, children and friends, and they love me, too. That's all." The King said, "{#blank#}5{#/blank#}."