Today is Mary's birthday, but her mother had to work late tonight. She 1 Mary that they could have a party next week. Mary was very disappointed.

    Mary walked to school and hoped her friends would 2 that she was eight today.  “Hi, Mary. Happy birthday,” Julie said.

    Mary smiled 3 and asked, “Julie, can you come to my birthday party next week?”

    Julie said, “I'm sorry, Mary. I can't.” The rest of the day didn't go much better. All of her friends said they could not go to her party next week. Mary was very 4. Cindy tried to cheer her up, but it was not  5. Her big day was turning out to be 6. She had to wait until it was time to go home.  Evening came, and Cindy's mother drove to Mary's home with Cindy and Mary. When Mary opened the door, the house was 7. Her mom didn't come back home. She turned to ask Cindy and Cindy's mom to wait. “Surprise!”

    Mary 8 and all the lights in the house went on. Her mother and all of her friends were there! The coffee table in the living room was 9 presents. She ran into the kitchen. Her mother had 10 her favorite meal. Mary stood next to her mom. “Thank you!” Mary said happily. She had a happy birthday party with her friends together.

    Charlie came from a poor village. His parents had 1 money to send him to school when he was young. The boy was very2 . Mr. King lived next to him. He knew it and lent some 3 to him. So the boy could go to school. He studied hard and 4all his lessons. When he finished middle school, Mr King introduced him to his friend in the town,  5 he began to work.

    Once Mr. King was hurt 6  in an accident. He was dying and he asked Charlie to take care of his 7, Sharon. The young man agreed and several years later he married the girl. He loved her very much and tried his best to make8  happy. He often bought delicious food for her. He was good at cooking and he cooked 9 for her. So she became very fat. And one day she found there was something wrong with her heart and she had to go to 10 at once. The doctors looked her over and told her 11 eat meat, sugar, chocolate and things like these. She was afraid 12 the doctor's words , so she wrote all the names of the food on the paper. When she got home, she put the paper on the table and 13. When she came back home that afternoon, she found many kinds of 14 : meat, sugar and chocolate in the kitchen. Charlie was busy 15 there. When he saw her, he said happily, "I bought all the food you like, dear!"

    I put my bag in the luggage area, and sat down in my seat. Just before taking off, a line of soldiers came and filled the 1 seats.

    After flying2 about an hour, it was announced lunches were available for $5. As I3 for my wallet to buy one, I heard the soldier ask his partner 4 he planned to buy lunch. "No, the lunch seems too expensive. I'll 5 till we get to Chicago." His friend agreed.

    I looked around at the other soldiers.6 were buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane, and handed the flight attendant a $50 bill. "Take a lunch to all those7," After eating, I went to the restroom. A man stopped me. "I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this." He8 me$25.

    Soon after I returned to my 9. I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle (过道).

    When he got to my row, he stopped and said, "I want to 10 your hand. I was a soldier. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of 11 I never forgot." I was embarrassed when applause (掌声)was heard from all of the passengers. Later, a man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake 12. He left another$ 25 in my hand.

    We landed in Chicago, I 13my bag. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me and put something in my pocket. 14 $25.

    Upon entering the terminal, I gave $75 to the soldiers. "It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You." I said. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them some 15. It seemed so little.