Long ago, in a small village of Wakefield lived two farmers, Harry and Peter. Harry was very bard working, while Peter was 1. Every day Harry got up early and came home late, but Peter walked around for fun.

    One summer there was no rain and the crops  2. Harry thought, "I must do something to save these crops, or they shall die." With this thought in mind, he went out to find a 3 so that he could dig a canal(沟渠) to his field. He walked on and on, feeling tired and thirsty. After a 4 search, he found a river full of blue water He was very happy. He started 5 a canal to his field. When it was noon, his wife sent their daughter to bring Harry home 6 lunch. But Harry did not go. He did not want to leave his work 7. He completed his work deep at night. He was very satisfied. He went home, had a good meal and 8 into sleep.

    Peter did the same. But he was not at all determined(有决心的). He also started digging a 9 to his field but he didn't have his work finished. His field did not get 10 water and all his crops died.

    Harry's field would be watered when needed. He had a good harvest because of his hard work.   

    Christmas is coming. Stephen can see it everywhere he 1 There are Christmas things to sell in the shops and Christmas trees in the park. But it is only in late 2 . Stephen thinks this is wonderful. He likes Christmas very much. To celebrate it for a month is not enough.

     He went into a clothes shop to buy 3 . He found a perfect (完美的) pair.

    "Just these, sir?" asked the shop assistant.

    "Yes, please," 4  Stephen.

    "They look a little big for you. Are you sure they will 5 ?" asked the shop assistant.

    "Oh, they will be fine," said Stephen,

    It was 6 the trousers were a little big. But they  7  to be. Every Christmas Stephen 8 as Father Christmas and works in the local shopping mall. Children like to take photos with him.

    Stephen walked out of the 9 and smiled happily. What 10 he do this Christmas?

    Once when Kevin was selling hats under a big tree, the monkeys in the tree picked some hats and put them on. So Kevin took off his own hat and threw 1on the ground. The stupid monkeys threw their hats too! Kevin soon 2 all the hats and left happily.

    Fifty years later, young Tony, 3of Kevin, also sold hats for a living. 4 a long walk, Tony was tired, so he put his bag of hats beside him and lay down under a big tree, He was soon 5 

    When he woke up, Tony found that there weren't any hats in his bag! Tony started looking for his hats. To his 6 , he found some monkeys in the tree wearing his hats.

    Tony didn't know what to do.  Then he remembered the story his grandfather7to tell him. "Yes! I can fool these monkeys!" thought Tony. "I'll 8 them imitate(模仿) me and very soon I will get all my hats back !"

    Tony then waved at the monkeys, and the monkeys waved at him. Tony started dancing, the monkeys were also dancing. Tony threw his hat on the ground.

    Just then, one of the monkeys jumped down 9the tree, picked up the hat Tony threw on the ground and 10up to .Tony. He said, "Do you think only you have a grandfather?"

    Velma, a US high school student, is busy with her studies every day. But after school, she puts down her books and goes off to 1. She takes care of cats, helps teachers at school and cleans up the beach. Why? Because students in US public schools are 2 to do at least 20 hours of community service in order to graduate.

    "This project is to give students a 3 of the real world, create a habit of volunteering and perhaps 4a career." said Bob Parks, an official at school.

    5 volunteering takes time, Velma enjoys it. "I learn so much from it." she said She plans to keep volunteering even after she has finished her required hours of work. Velma is now on her way towards 250 hours to get a silver medal at graduation. She hopes the medal will help her6 her dream university.

    But some have 7 about the project. Phil, a single parent of four, has to drive his children from one activity to another every weekend. "I have no time to work and rest," he said, "But I know some kids finish their 20—hour volunteering by just sleeping in their father's office !"

    Mike Roland, a volunteering manager, has heard those complaints. He said," We keep telling people,' Volunteer hours are 8than for graduation; they are life lessons."

    Unlike Phil, some parents agree with the project and want their children to 9 more time volunteering. Michael, a junior, spends Saturdays at JFK Medical Centre guiding patients and bringing them newspapers and meals. He's at 258 hours. Michael's father said, "Twenty hours isn't 10. Children should have more contact with the world."