If you're away from home, feeling a bit blue or searching for some comfort, the Danes have a solution. It's called “hygge”. Coming from Danish culture, but popularized by the British in 2016, hygge is much more than just a word, it's becoming a feeling around the world.

    The hygge refers to the sense of happiness you get when your family is gathered together at new year or Christmas. It is all about the pleasant feelings of home: the smell of your mother's cooking, your partner's arm around your shoulder and so on.

    Hygge is an antidote(良药) to stress. You know when you've got it, a gentle warmth starts spreading through your body. Another important part of hygge is that it has nothing to do with modern technology. It's a period time to relax your tired mind and eyes. So, put down that smartphone and turn off the computer.

    You should also know that hygge is not about healthy eating or more exercise. In fact, it's just the opposite. You're supposed to be lost in what you like: enjoy sweet snacks and calorie-laden cakes freely.

    Let yourself be carried on a wave of nostalgia(怀旧) back to your birthplace, and remember  the childhood songs of your distant youth with a smile. If it helps, wrap yourself in a warm blanket and sleep with one of your favorite books (not a pill or e-reader).

    If Denmark seems too far, then think of old Beijing with its hutong and courtyard houses. Picture yourself sit around a traditional stove with your loved ones, eating dumplings and chatting about the old days. Let yourself drift back in time to a period where everything is relaxing, and there is no need to reply to any e-mails or text messages. They did not exist(存在) back then.

    Now you've really understood hygge without even having to set foot in Copenhagen.

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    After you get back home from a trip, one of the most pleasant things is sharing your stories with people. And that's what we'd like you to do. Our magazine's “True Stories” section is for your strange experiences, heart-warming tales and funny stories on your trip. So if you have good stories, please write to us!

    If your story is chosen as the best one, you will win the nine-day trip across North America, including a seven-night trip along the California coast. For more information, please call 800-227-2826, or e-mail us at TrueStories@hotmail.com.

    Besides, you need to remember a few things if you want to write a story:

    Keep the story brief (简短的) and lively (within 250 words).

    Please send your story as the body of your e-mail, not as an attachment (附件).

    Most of the stories we print have photos, so send pictures, but try not to go crazy. Send only the best one(s).

    Please send your photos as an attachment, not embedded in (把……嵌入) the body of your e-mail.

    We don't mind if you or your friends are in the pictures, as long as you tell us who or what is in the photos.

    We need to be able to get in touch with you, so tell us your phone number and home address.

My name is Lily and this is my family tree.

    In England, usually people don't talk very much. You can go on a bus, or on a train, and everyone sits looking out of the window. Often they read. They read books and newspapers, but they don't talk much. When you meet English people, they often talk about one thing—the weather. So when you meet someone in England, you can say, "Nice weather at the time of the year!"

    "But it's a little cold," someone may answer. "But it'll be warmer later!" you can say.

    The English will think, "How friendly you are!"

    Mr. Black lives by the sea. He has a big family and has to work hard, or his wife and children will be hungry. After breakfast he leaves for the sea by a small boat every day. He always hopes to catch more fish.

    One morning, the man got to a good place for fishing. He threw a long rope (绳子)with many hooks(钩子) into the water. He found it heavy and pulled the hooks out of the sea. He saw there was a gold chain(金链) on the hooks. He was of course very glad. "I′ll sell the gold chain for much money, "he thought to himself. "I'll build a new house and buy lots of expensive things. 我将成为世上最富有的人".

    His boat began to sink. But Mr. Black went on thinking and didn't notice what was happening. As he was pulling the gold chain, the boat sank( 下沉) into the sea.

    He lost not only the gold chain, but also his boat and life!