Gift from a stranger

    My local supermarket is always busy. The first parking space I found was convenient, but I'd noticed a woman in a blue car circling for a while.{#blank#}1{#/blank#} I was in a good mood, I let her have it. On the edge of the car park I backed into the next available spot—it was a tight fit.

    Pretty soon I'd made my way through the supermarket and was back in the fresh air. Feeling good, I{#blank#}2{#/blank#}(empty) my purse change into the hands of a homeless man and helped a struggling woman reverse park（倒车）.

    Just as I approached my car, 1 saw the woman I'd let have my car space earlier. She was giving me {#blank#}3{#/blank#} odd look—half puzzled, half intent (热切的). I smiled and wished her a pleasant day. As I squeezed back into my car, I spotted the same lady {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (look) in at me. "Hello," she said, hesitantly. "This {#blank#}5{#/blank#}_ sound crazy but I was on my way to drop some of my mother's things off at the charity bins.” You are just so much {#blank#}6{#/blank#} her.” You helped those people, I noticed, and you seemed so happy.” She looked at me meaningfully and passed a box in through the window. “I think she would like you to have it.”{#blank#}7{#/blank#} (shock), I took it from her automatically. She smiled and walked away.

    After a pause, I opened the box. Inside was a beautiful gold necklace with a large grey pearl. It was {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (nice) gift I'd ever received, and it was from a complete stranger. The necklace was around my neck, a warm reminder of human kindness.

    Don Ritchie was a famous Australian man. For nearly 50 years, he successfully stopped 160 people from killing {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (they) at a cliff (悬崖), with just a kind word and a smile.

    Don was a real gentleman, he purposely chose to live right across the street from the cliff, just because he wanted to save lives of {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (stranger). He would wake up every morning and look out of the window for anyone {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (stand) too close to the edge of the cliff. If he saw someone and thought they might jump, he would {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (simple) walk over with a smile and say, "Is there something I could do to help you?" That sounds very simple, {#blank#}5{#/blank#} it worked – Ritchie tried to have a talk with these people and ended up inviting them back to his house {#blank#}6{#/blank#} tea or breakfast.

    In a situation {#blank#}7{#/blank#} most people would turn a blind eye, with such simple actions taken by Don, he saved 160 lives. He {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (give) the Local Hero Award in Australia in 2011. Don passed away at the age of 85 in 2012. His story {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (touch) the hearts of all Australians and challenged us to rethink {#blank#}10{#/blank#} it means to be a good neighbor.

    One day, I was comfortably waiting for my flight with a good book to read when {#blank#}1{#/blank#} elderly lady was wheeled to our waiting area. I noticed the trouble she was having {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (try) to open a packet of nuts with her shaking hands. No one else was willing to meet her gaze (目光), so I {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (offer) to help. The lady was very grateful. We sat and chatted. The time came to board the plane. She could walk but needed some {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (assist), so I volunteered to help her and carry her bag.

    As I helped her get {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (settle), I noticed her “seat mate”, a businessman, looked a bit horrified at having to make the flight with her. He offered to change {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (seat) with me — and I agreed. We had a long chat. As we were entering another country we needed to fill out forms. I offered to fill {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (her) out because of her shaking hands. We landed and I needed to change planes, but I helped her first. The wheelchair she ordered was nowhere to be seen so we slowly walked to the gate {#blank#}8{#/blank#} her daughter was waiting.

    As a result, I had to run to catch my connection but, as I thought about the experience, I saw her {#blank#}9{#/blank#} my airport angel, a chance for me to hope that in the future when I'm in my eighties and traveling, someone will take the time {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (connect) with me.

    During World War II, I lived in Amsterdam in the Netherlands. My family was Jewish,{#blank#}1{#/blank#}we had been hidden away for a year and a half. During that time I hadn't been able to be outdoors for so long{#blank#}2{#/blank#} I had grown so crazy {#blank#}3{#/blank#}everything to do with nature. Once, I decided to look at the moon at midnight. But I didn't dare{#blank#}4{#/blank#} (open) the window to see the night face to face {#blank#}5{#/blank#} I was afraid of{#blank#}6{#/blank#}(discover) by the Nazis. I felt very lonely {#blank#}7{#/blank#}seeing my old friends. So I had to make a new true friend, my diary Kitty,{#blank#}8{#/blank#} I could tell everything to.{#blank#}9{#/blank#} (fortune), at last my family were discovered and{#blank#}10{#/blank#}(catch) by the German Nazis half a year later.