Aesop (伊索) was a slave living around 550 BC. We call the stories he wrote fables, as every story has a moral. Almost all the fables he wrote are {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (humor) and entertaining, appealing to people {#blank#}2{#/blank#} all ages. Till now, Aesop's fables {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (translate) into many languages and are known all over the world. Not only {#blank#}4{#/blank#} the fables themselves lived for nearly 1500 years, but the {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (express) from them have entered various languages.

    One fable, for instance, is about a farmer who was driving his cart along a country road. The cart got {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (stick) in the mud, but the farmer made {#blank#}7{#/blank#} effort to get it out. Instead, he began to pray to the gods for help. The god Hercules finally appeared and told {#blank#}8{#/blank#} man to get busy and push {#blank#}9{#/blank#}. “Push your shoulder to the wheel.” Hercules advised.

    The moral of the story is clear. We mustn't rely on others for help. Another saying which has come from the fable is “God helps those {#blank#}10{#/blank#} help themselves.”

    Does the age gap matter in a relationship?

    The love story of French President Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Trogneux, 24 years his senior, has aroused heated discussion on age differences {#blank#}1{#/blank#} relationships. Does age matter or should love prevail(战胜) over all?

    I find {#blank#}2{#/blank#} a very heartwarming love story. Not just this couple,{#blank#}3{#/blank#}any couple - what does age difference matter after all? If they love each other,{#blank#}4{#/blank#} ( devote) to the relationship and work on making it strong, that is what{#blank#}5{#/blank#} (count).

    It is nearly impossible for Chinese women to accept Macron's relationship. It is  {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (common) for older men to marry younger women, but for an older woman to marry a younger man is often seen as {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (appropriate). If you get along well, go for it, it's your life and life is way too short{#blank#}8{#/blank#} (let) a potential soul mate get away because of what you think others would say. I think it really doesn't matter. It is involved in the {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (devote) of the people and how well they enjoy each other's company is important along with supporting each other {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(emotion), financially etc....

—No. On the contrary, I think it is very necessary.

    In much of Asia, especially the so-called “rice bowl” cultures of China, Japan, Korea, {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Vietnam, food is usually eaten with chopsticks.

    Chopsticks are usually two long, thin pieces of wood or bamboo. They can also be made of plastic, animal bone or metal. Sometimes chopsticks are quite artistic. Truly elegant chopsticks might {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(make) of gold and silver with Chinese characters. Skilled workers also combine (组合) various hardwoods and metal {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(create) special designs.

    The Chinese have used chopsticks for 5000 years. People probably cooked {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(they) food in large pots, using twigs (树枝) to remove it. Over time, as {#blank#}5{#/blank#}population grew, people began cutting food into small pieces so it would cook more quickly. Food in small pieces could be eaten easily with twigs which {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(gradual) turned into chopsticks.

    Some people think that the great Chinese scholar Confucius, {#blank#}7{#/blank#}lived from roughly 551-479 B.C., influenced the {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(develop) of chopsticks. Confucius believed knives would remind people of killings and {#blank#}9{#/blank#}(be) too violent for use at the table.

    Chopsticks are not used everywhere in Asia. In India, for example, most people traditionally eat {#blank#}10{#/blank#}their hands.

    A cheerful panda {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (call) Bing Dwen Dwen has been chosen as the Olympic mascot for Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games. The new Olympic mascot will serve as an ambassador (大使) for winter sports, {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (bring) joy to those who participate in and watch the Olympic Winter Games. "Bing" means ice and symbolizes purity and strength. "Dwen Dwen" relates to children and means {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (honest), health, liveliness and loveliness. The mascot represents the strength and willpower of athletes and will help to promote the Olympic spirit.