Home of the copper drum

    Hechi's copper drum culture goes back as far as the Han Dynasty (206 BC—AD 220){#blank#}1{#/blank#} the people living in the area considered copper drums sacred and Hechi is still one of China's {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(large) copper drum sites. A 2003 survey by cultural heritage departments{#blank#}3{#/blank#} (find) more than 1, 400 copper drums in the area, with at least 1,300 copper drums {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (be) used by local folk artists. In this way, ethnic groups in Hechi have produced a{#blank#}5{#/blank#} (unique) rich and diverse cultural form and customs for festivals, weddings, celebrations, funerals, and religious {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (activity) of local people, with ballads and for rice-planting and frogs. That same year, a copper drum conservation project along the Hongshui River basin joined the Culture Ministry's Top 10 conservation project list for ethnic and folk cultures.

    In 2006, the Zhuang People's Copper Drum Practices{#blank#}7{#/blank#}(add) to the national cultural heritage list by the State Council. In 2008, the Culture Ministry declared Donglan county and{#blank#}8{#/blank#}city of Hechi the “Home of Chinese Copper Drum Art”{#blank#}9{#/blank#} in 2009, its “Copper Drum Practice” became a candidate for the Human Cultural Heritage. There are now more than 2,400 copper drums in the world, at least 1,400 of {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (they) in Hechi, making it a Copper Drum Cultural and Ecological Reserve with recognition across Guangxi.

    In Chinese culture, each year is related to{#blank#}1{#/blank#} Chinese animal according to the 12-year cycle. 2018 is an Earth Dog Year. People born during the year of dog {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (believe) to take after some of the animal's characteristics, such as loyalty, patience, and reliability.

    Zodiac(黄道) theory also relates to Chinese elemental theory, {#blank#}3{#/blank#}associates the 12 animals with one of five elements :metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. The five elements {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (combine) with the 12 zodiac signs produce a 60-year cycle. Zodiac animals have both fixed and non-fixed elements attached {#blank#}5{#/blank#} them. For example, the dog (as well as the dragon, ox, and goat) is always associated with the earth element. {#blank#}6{#/blank#} the year of 2018 is considered an earth year according to the Chinese solar calendar, those born in 2018 are considered earth dogs, which carry characteristics like being communicative and responsible at work. Though dogs are{#blank#}7{#/blank#}(general) associated with earth, those born during the metal dog year are believed to be conservative and{#blank#}8{#/blank#} (caution)in nature. As Dogs are not good at communication, {#blank#}9{#/blank#} is difficult for them to convey their thoughts to others. Therefore, Dogs tend to leave others with the {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (impress) that they have a stubborn personality, but they are indeed loyal to their families and friends.

    As I write this, I'm sitting on a bus back to Santiago in Chile where I am working {#blank#}1{#/blank#} a writer. I've just spent the weekend in a city called La Serena north of Santiago. I was lucky enough to see the flowering desert, a natural scene that {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (occur) around every five years here in the Atacama Desert.

    {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (follow) a particularly large amount of rainfall earlier, a(n) {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (vary) of flowers come into blossom. Bright purple flowers create {#blank#}5{#/blank#} unbelievably beautiful scene at the base of the surrounding mountains.

    {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (have) a look at this wonderful treasure of nature, we took a bus from La Serena to a nearby town and then rented a car to go to the desert. {#blank#}7{#/blank#} we saw did not disappoint us, and as expected it was even more fascinating than the pictures we had seen online. The bloom was particularly {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (impress) this year due to the strong presence of El Niño (a band of warm water in the Pacific Ocean that changes the temperatures and increases the rainfall in certain areas). The vast carpet of color {#blank#}9{#/blank#} spread into the distance towards the green hills was {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (simple) breathtaking and deserved a large amount of photos! A real reminder of the beauty our planet can provide.

    When someone has{#blank#}1{#/blank#}(deep)hurt you, it can be very difficult to let go of your anger. But forgiveness is possible and it can be surprisingly {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(benefit) to your physical and mental health. So far, studies {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(show)that people who forgive can have more energy, better appetite and better sleep. "People who forgive show {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(little)anger and more hopefulness, "says Dr Frederic Luskin, who wrote the book Forgive for Good. "So it can help reduce the tiredness out of the immune system and allow people {#blank#}5{#/blank#}(feel) more energetic. "

    So when someone has hurt you, cool down first. Take a couple of breaths and think of something {#blank#}6{#/blank#}gives you pleasure: a beautiful scene in nature, or someone you love. Don't wait for an {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(apologize). "Many times the person who hurt you may never think of apologizing," says Dr Luskin. "They may have wanted to hurt you or they just don't see things in the same way. So if you wait for people to say sorry, you could be waiting for a very long time."

    Next keep {#blank#}8{#/blank#}mind that forgiveness does not necessarily mean {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(accept) the action of the person who {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(upset) you. Instead, learn to look for the love, beauty and kindness around you. Finally, try to see things from the other person's perspective. You may realize that he or she was acting out of ignorance. To gain perspective, you may want to write a letter to yourself from that person's point of view.

    Once there lived a rich man {#blank#}1{#/blank#}wanted to do something for the people of his town. But first he wanted {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (find) out whether they deserved his help.

    In the centre of the main road into the town, he placed{#blank#}3{#/blank#} very large stone. Then he {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(bury) himself behind a tree and waited. Soon an old man came along with his cow.

    "Who put this stone in the centre of the road?" said the old man, but he did not try to remove the stone. Instead, with some difficulty he passed around the stone {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (slow) and continued on his way. Another man came along and did the same thing ; then another came, and another. All of them complained about the stone but not tried to remove {#blank#}6{#/blank#}. Late in the afternoon a young man came along . He saw the stone, {#blank#}7{#/blank#}(say) to  himself ,"The night will be very dark. Some {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(neighbor) will come along later in the dark and will fall against the stone."

    Then he began to move the stone. He pushed with all his {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(strong) to move it. How great his surprise was at last! He found a bag of money {#blank#}10{#/blank#} the stone.