Environmental protection is one of the hottest topics nowadays. It was also something that ancient Chinese paid great attention to. In fact, the world's earliest environmental protection idea, ministry （部门） and law were all born in China. How did the ancient Chinese protect the environment?

The world's earliest idea of "managing state affairs（政事）through environmental protection"

Xunzi, a famous thinker in the Warring States Period, came up with the idea of "managing state affairs through environmental protection". He wrote in his book that vegetation（植被）should be protected well by humans.

Guan Zhong, a government officer 400 years ahead of Xunzi, was also an environmental protection expert. He said "a king who cannot protect his vegetation is not doing a good job".

The world's earliest environmental protection ministry"

Nine ministries set up by Shim, an ancient Chinese emperor, included "Yu"（虞） , an environmental protection ministry. Hie first " Yu'' leader was Boyi, an environmental protection expert. He invented wells so people could drink clean water. He knew a lot about animals and also called for animal protection.

The world's earliest "environmental protection law"

Over 4, 000 years ago, Dayu, an ancient Chinese water-control expert and also an emperor, made a rule, not allowing people to cut down trees in March or catch fish in June, because it was the time when they grew quickly.

Almost 3,000 years ago, Tianlv, the first environmental protection law, appeared in Qin. It recorded many ancient environmental protection rules. Two of them were interesting: firstly, rivers should not be blocked（堵塞）; secondly, grass and trees should not be burned to be fertilizer （肥料）except for summer. The second one is inspiring even for today. It can help to keep air clean and fresh.

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Saturday is Library Day for Tina's family. On this day, Mom always takes Tina to the library in the morning. First, Tina1 her favorite book. Next, she sits (坐) on her favorite yellow2 to read (阅读) the book.

Now Tina is in the3 with her favorite books. She wants to sit on the yellow chair,4 a girl is on it now. "You can sit on the chair next to it," Mom says to Tina. Tina isn't5 because that's a blue chair. "I must sit on the yellow chair on Library Day. I6 love it," Tina says to Mom.

"I know you like the yellow chair," Mom says. "But it's not7 ."

Then Tina8 the blue chair and sits on it to read books. The books are so9 and Tina reads them there all the morning. When it's 11:50 a. m, Tina says to Mom, "Now I10 Library Day is about reading good books, not about the chair. I like Library Day!"

① Have you ever thought about what's more important, looking fashionable or feeling comfortable? You might have noticed many people choosing style over comfort and some even go to extremes (极端) to follow fashion. But we should remember: being fashionable isn't everything. It's more important to be healthy. 

②Some people believe that they need to be a certain size to look good. So, they start extreme diets that are not good for their health. They might not eat meals or eat too little, which can make them feel sick. Is it a healthy way to live?

③Also, many girls wear shoes with very high heels. They might think high heels make them look taller. But these shoes can actually hurt their feet and make it hard to walk comfortably, and it can increase risks of falls. Some even wear tight(紧的) clothes that influence blood circulation(循环), making it hard to breathe. Should we put fashion over comfort and physical health?

④Besides, some boys and girls spend a lot of time and money changing their hair color. The material they use is usually harmful to their health. To make their hair straight or curly, they also use tools that are hot enough to burn their hair. But using these tools too often or at very high temperatures can make the hair dry or even burnt. Is it really worth it to risk our health, spending so much time and money?

⑤So, let's rethink what's really important. Is it fashion or is it our well-being? Clothes or hairstyles don't tell us anything about a person's character. Instead of spending a lot of time choosing clothes, we could use that time to do fun things with friends. And instead of following extreme diets, let's eat properly and exercise regularly. Remember, your value is not decided by your appearance, but by who you are as a person. 

Martin shook his money box again. Nothing! He carefully counted the 1 that lay on the bed. 32 dollars was all that he had. The 2 he wanted was at least 100 dollars! 3 on earth was he going to get the rest of the money?

He knew that his friends all had bicycles. It was 4 to hang around with people when you were the only one without wheels. He 5 what he could do. There was no 6 asking his parents, for he knew they had no money to spare.

There was only one way to get money. He would have to find a job. 7 who would give him the chance and what could he do? He decided to ask Mr. Allen for advice because 8 usually had experience on most things.

That was the 9 of Martin's odd-job (零工) business. For 3 months he worked every day after finishing his homework. He took dogs and babies for walks, cleared out cupboards, and mended books. He couldn't 10 how many cars be washed and how many windows he cleaned, but the money increased and he knew that he would soon have enough 11 the bicycle.

The day 12 came when Martin counted his money and found $104.32. He 13 no time and went down to the shop to pick up the bicycle he wanted. He rode 14 home. He looked 15 to showing his new bicycle to his friends. It had been difficult working for the money, but Martin knew it was a valuable experience. He had done what he thought was impossible, and that was worth (值得) even more than the bicycle.

I received a phone call from my friend the night before yesterday.  We talked for more than 40 1 .  But I spent 30 minutes listening to her.  Her 2 were full of complaints (抱怨) about the work, the society and other things.  Later I stopped her and 3 her, "Firstly, what are you trying to tell me after repeating all that? Secondly, how do you feel after 4 these complaints.  I think 5 can be changed unless you make up your mind to change it. " In the following communication, we talked much better.  We talked about the progress she had made on her6 , and I also gave her some advice on her work. 

We all have problems with our work, our friends, our families, or within ourselves.  We should do something to 7 the problem instead of complaining all the time.  What is the use of complaining? No use at all.  The goal of changing the world is too 8 .  We cannot achieve that big goal in one go.  Try to start with yourself, face to life actively and change your world.  Changing your world is an important part of changing the world.  And remember to be9 to others.  Be thankful, so you don't complain.  Then everything will change, 10 get better and better!

Change yourself, start by stopping complaining, and the world will really start to change.