I was always 1 and had too many things to do. Whenever my daughter caused me to change my plans, I thought to myself, “We don't have time 2 this.” So the two words I always said to her were: 3.

    The other day, the two of us rode to a 4 near our home. After shopping I bought her an ice cream, and she sat down 5 a table happily admiring the ice cream in her hand. Suddenly a 6 look appeared on her face. “Do I have to eat it up in a hurry, Mum?”

    I nearly cried when hearing this—the pains of a hurried life influenced(影响) my poor girl so deeply! As she looked at me waiting to know if she could 7 her time. I knew I had to make a 8. I thought of the times when I rushed (催促) my child through life, I began 9 what really matters in life….

    “You don't have to 10. Just enjoy it.” I said gently. Her whole face brightened and her shoulders 11. We sat side by side talking about things that interested us.

    When she got to the last bite (一口), she held it out to me, “ I 12 the last bite for you, Mum,” she said 13. As the icy taste put out my thirst, I realized I just got the present of a lifetime. I14 my child a little time… and in return, she gave me her last bite and reminded(提醒) me that things taste sweeter and love is easier to get when you stop rushing 15 life.

    "The first of June, and the King family is going on holiday tomorrow! " said Meg. "I'm free for three months!"

    "And Aunt March went away for her holiday today." said Jo. "Isn't life wonderful!"

    "What will you do all your holiday?" asked Amy.

    "I'll stay in bed late, and do nothing." said Meg.

    "I have lots of books to read." said Jo.

    "Let's not do any studying, Beth...." said Amy. "Let's play all the time and rest, as Jo and Meg are going to do."

    "I will if Mother doesn't mind." said Beth.

    Mrs. March agreed to the plan and said they could try it for a week.

   "But," she added, "I think by Saturday night you will find that all play and no work is as bad as all work and no play."

    Next day, Meg appeared at ten o'clock and ate breakfast alone. It was a lonely meal and the room was untidy, because Beth had not cleaned it.

    Jo went to the river with Laurie, then sat in the apple tree and read a book. Beth began to tidy things in her cupboard, but she got tired and left it half-done. She went to her piano, glad that she did not have to wash the cups and plates. Amy sat in the garden to draw, hoping someone would see her and say something nice about her picture. But no one appeared, so she went for a walk, got caught in the rain and came home very wet.

    At tea, everyone said that it had been a happy but unusually long day. Meg, who had been shopping in the afternoon, now decided that she did not like the dress she had bought. Jo had a headache from reading too long. Beth couldn't find anything in her cupboard, and the rain had made Amy's dress so wet that she couldn't wear it to Katy Brown's party the next day.

    Mrs. March listened, smiled and said nothing.

    The week seemed to get longer and longer with nothing much to do, and by Friday the girls were glad that it was nearly over. Then Mrs. March gave Hannah a holiday, and when the girls got up on Saturday, there was no breakfast ready, no fire in the kitchen, and no mother waiting for them.

    "What has happened?" said Jo.

    Meg ran upstairs, then came down to say that Mother was staying in her room to have a rest.

    "She says we must look after ourselves today." Meg said.

    "Good, I want something to do." said Jo.

    Secretly, they were all pleased to have something useful to do again. Beth and Amy put cups and plates on the table while Jo and Meg got the breakfast, then Meg took some tea and an egg up to Mrs. March. The tea was too strong and the egg was burned. Mrs. March did not complain, but she laughed to herself afterwards.

    Once there was an old man who was very proud of 1 things. One was his long white beard (胡子) The other was his ability to fall asleep the moment his head 2 the pillow(枕头).

    One day, his 3-year-old grandson asked him 3 he did with his beard when he slept : did it go under the quilt(被子)or above the quilt?

    The old man had never paid attention to this 4 and he didn't remember whether hisbeard remained above or went under the quilt. So he promised to 5the answer. It was very cold that night. The old man got into bed early and pulled the quilt over6Then he suddenly remembered his grandson's7.

    He knew that his beard was under the quilt. He 8it from under the quilt, and placedit above the quilt. This made him fell that something was not quite 9.So he put the beard under the quilt again. But he soon felt it would be 10if it was out. In and out went the beard; first under the quilt, then above it, then under once again. The old man had a sleepless night.

    The next morning the first thing he did was cut his beard. It wouldn't trouble him forever.

    It's 12:00. Mom is not at home. No one makes lunch for Jenny and Frank. Frank wants to have some bread, but Jenny doesn't1it.

    "How about making fruit salad? We have2, oranges and bananas at home," Jenny says.

    "Sounds nice.3I also like some hot food," Frank says.

    Jenny4some rice, some eggs and two tomatoes. She has a5idea( 想法),"I can make tomato and egg rice for you. It's very6

    They have lunch at 1:00 p. m. Frank7the tomato and egg rice is great. And the fruit salad is nice,8. Jenny is happy he likes them.

    9the evening, Mom comes home. She is happy that Jenny and Frank have a good10. She says, "I'm proud(自豪的) of you. You can look after yourselves when I'm out. Great!"