Hitting heavily on the keys in frustration, I turned away from the piano, trying to fight the tears that were already welling up in my eyes. After an hour of 1 I still couldn't get the rhythm quite right on a Mozart piece that I had to 2 to my piano teacher the following day. It was frustrating to have spent such a( n)3 time on a piano song and still be unable to play the piece correctly. To me, the piece had at first seemed easy. But, no matter how4 I tried, I just couldn't seem to play it the way that it was 5 to be played.

    I decided to take a 6.For the most part, after a little bit of work, I could 7 learn the song rather quickly. However, it was always that one song, which might have appeared simple but was8 that always annoyed me. These types of songs always made me 9myself whether I could be a pianist.

    After having dinner, I decided to come back to the piano. Placing my10on the keys, I chose to play the piece slowly and carefully, paying attention to hitting the correct notes11 trying to play the piece quickly. Using this new method of practicing, I12 a great deal of patience, something that I often had13 with. Instead of thinking how hard the rhythm was, I thought about how I could 14myself, little by little. Finally, I could slowly see myself getting better.

    15 I didn't even get the rhythm right until a week later. I also16 an important lesson—sometimes, baby steps are the best way to 17a goal. I'm an impatient person who likes to think that I can get18 by leaps and bounds. But, in the case of piano, I couldn't move forward and improve19 I slowed down, believed in myself, and took it one step 20.

    Several years ago, our “Mommy and Me” time began. My next-door neighbor and fellow 1, Christie, and I were out in our front yards, watching seven children of about age 6 ride their 2up and down. “I wish I could take one of my children 3alone，”said Christie.

    Then we4a plan: When Christie takes one of her children out, I'll 5 her other three. And when she takes care of two of mine, I'll take 6out.

    The children were very quick to7the idea of “Mommy and Me” time，Christie's daughter, McKenzie, went first. When she returned, the other children showered her with tons of 8. McKenzie was smiling9. Christie looked refreshed and happy. “She's like a 10child when there's no one else around,” Christie shared wife me quickly. With her mother all to herself, McKenzie didn't have to make an effort to gain 11. Just as Christie had noticed changes in McKenzie, I also12something different in each of ray "children during our13times. For example, If am always 14when my daughter, who is15close to me, holds my hand frequently. My stuttering(口吃的）son, Tom, doesn't stutter once during our16since he doesn't have to struggle for a chance to speak. And the other son, Sam, who's always a 17when around other children) shines as a leader during our times together.

    “Mommy and Me”time18us to be simply alone and away with each child — talking, sharing, and laughing, which has been the biggest19. Every child20to be an only child at least once in a while.

    The family had had a cat for years. Then one day, the children finally1 to persuade their parents to get them a dog as well. So a little Labrador(拉布拉多犬)2.

    The dog was so3that everyone wanted to hold him and he charmed everyone by just loving them. The cat made it very clear that she did not welcome another4 in the house, but the dog just5the cat anyway. The little dog6her everywhere, trying to make friends with the angry cat. No amount of7 behavior from the cat could persuade the dog not to love the cat.

    The family thought the cat would8 like the dog.

    Then one day the family heard horrible9 from their back yard. They ran to the10 to see what was happening. They lived in the suburbs and so they saw a real lynx( 猞猁) was just planning on11 their cat for lunch. The poor cat had nowhere to run or hide. It would only be a matter of seconds and their cat would be12 .

    And then suddenly a black lightning ran to the cat. The little dog13 the big lynx with all its strength. It did not be14or stop to think. It saw its15in trouble and did what had to be done. The family opened the window and started yelling and the father ran to the yard. The lynx soon disappeared into the16 .

    And ever since that day the cat's behavior toward the dog17 totally. Now it was the cat that followed the hero dog everywhere. They18in the same basket. The cat even let the dog eat from her bowl.

    So we can 19: if ever anyone is20 towards you, don't turn your back on them. They may not rescue your life—but their kindness can certainly rescue your day!

In May 2019, a friend who had previously been involved in the Restless Development Sierra Leone Business Brains project encouraged me to apply for the "Saving Lives II" project. Seeing this as an opportunity to move closer to my ambition of working in the medical field in the near future, I eagerly seized the chance. Fortunately, my performance during the interview led to me being awarded the role. 

Following the basic training, I was sent to volunteer in Kurubonla, a remote community located in the northern region of Sierra Leone. This assignment presented challenges such as limited road access and communication networks. At first, I felt concerned about being sent there, but with a determined mindset, I set out on the journey, driven by a passion to contribute to my country's development and to push my personal boundaries. 

As I got to know the community, I quickly realized that the challenges extended beyond language barriers and cultural differences; there was also a sense of isolation from my peers. However, I refused to allow these challenges to stop me. I threw myself in my duties, working together with local leaders and community members to identify the most pressing needs. Together, we carried out the projects aimed at improving healthcare, education, and infrastructure (基础设施). Additionally, I organized workshops and training courses to share my knowledge and skills with the locals. 

Over time, I witnessed the positive impact of our collective efforts. Healthcare facilities improved, the number of students in schools increased, and the overall quality of life in the community showed signs of improvement. These achievements were not solely mine; they were a testament to the cooperative spirit and commitment of the entire community. 

"I'm going to play basketball, Daddy." Lauren flew into my arms when I came in from work. "That's 1 , honey," I replied naturally. I thought she meant outside the house—on the driveway. Into the kitchen, my wife Helen's silence indicated I had 2 something. After a while, she spoke slowly, "Lauren is joining the girls' high-school basketball team."

I 3 my girl's sportsmanlike courage, but 4 was still in my stomach. Lauren was only just 1.55m tall. 5 legs and a heavy body were surely a(n) 6 for her in playing basketball.

Finally, the game day arrived. Lauren and her teammates moved out. Their game faces seemed 7 to win. At first, though not playing, Lauren followed the movement on the court and 8 every play. I could even 9 her shout "No way!" when a referee made an unfair call against a teammate. Sitting on the sidelines, Lauren still enjoyed the game very much.

Suddenly, the announcer's voice boomed, "Number thirty-three, Lauren Wray, in." My heart 10 wildly. What if she got injured or other girls on the team made fun of her? But what I saw was that Lauren made every effort to keep pace with the others. Just before the end of the game, they 11 the ball to Lauren. She caught it. She shot. 12 she scored!

The audience began clapping and 13 . Lauren's brown eyes shone as she wiped her sweaty forehead. Lauren's uplifting spirits and impressive performance, wrapped in a small 14 , struck everyone greatly. I felt enormously 15 to have Lauren as my daughter.