阅读下面短文，在空白处填入一个适当的词，或填入括号中所给单词的正确形式。
It was New Year's night.An aged man raised his mournful eyes towards the deep blue sky, the stars were floating like white flowers on the surface of a clear calm lake.He had already passed sixty of the stages(lead) to his certain goal—the tomb,and he had brought from his journey nothing but mistakes and regret. (fortune),now his health was poor,his mind empty,his heart sorrowful,and his old age short of comforts. The days of his youth appeared like dreams before him,and he recalled the serious moment when his father placed him at the entrance of the two roads—leading to a peaceful,sunny place,covered with beautiful flowers,fresh fruits;the other leading to a deep,dark cave, was endless,where poison flowed instead of water and where devils and poisonous snakes crawled.
On this New Year's night,he remembered his friends in his childhood,withhe entered on life together with him.But they (make) their way to (succeed) and were now honored and happy.
The clock in the church tower (strike) and the sound made him remember his parents' early love for him. They had taught him and prayed to God for his good.But he chose the wrong way.His darkened eyes were full of tears,and with a desperate effort,he burst out a cry:"Come back,my early days,I will lead a new life!"
