Once, in a small village, lived a family with eight children. Two of the children loved 1 very much, but the family was so poor that it was impossible to send 2 of them to study at the art college at the same time. After many discussions, the two boys finally 3 a plan. They would toss(抛) a coin. The loser would go 4into the mines (煤矿) and, with his earnings(赚得的钱), 5 his brother studying at the college. Then, when the brother who won the toss finished his studies, after four years, he would support the other brother studying at the 6.

    James won the toss and Jack went down into the mines. James worked with all his heart and his paintings were much 7 than those of most of his teachers, and by the time he 8, he was beginning to make a lot of money for his paintings.

    9 James returned, the family held a big dinner for his great success. Soon after the meal began, James 10 up from his seat to drink a toast (举杯祝酒) to his dear 11 He said, "Jack, now you can go to the art college and your 12 will come true. I will take care of you. "

    But Jack said 13, "Brother, the four years in the mines has done too much to my hands, so it's too 14 Now I can' t even hold a glass. "

    To show his great love and respect, James drew his brother' s hands with 15 towards the sky.

    He called his drawing "The Praying Hands", which became very famous years later.

    My parents took me to Japan when I was little. I lived there for five years.1 I came back, my Japanese was very good. "Can I do something useful with my Japanese?" I asked myself.

    Then, one day last spring, I got a good opportunity(机会).

    Everyone was afraid of SARS, so I stayed at home with 2 to do.

    My father brought me a Japanese book. "Why don't you translate(翻译)it into Chinese? It will be better than3computer games all day."

    I promised (许诺)to do 2000 words each day. But 4 I found it was hard to keep the promise.

    One day in May, the weather was beautiful. But I couldn't go out. Those 2000 words were still5 me.

    After translating only three pages, I had already lost interest in the book.

    I looked at it for a long time. But I couldn't make myself turn the pages. How I6 I could just go outside and play football with my friends!

    I counted the words again and again .I just wanted to give up.

    I felt as if two people were fighting7 my mind. One said, "Don't give up! Keep working hard , and you'll do well!" But then the other one said ,"Go and play! It will be more 8 than translating. Do your work tomorrow. "

    I stood up and would9the computer.

    But then I remembered 10my parents had told me: "Whatever you do, don't stop halfway. " So I sat down and went on with it .

    A group of frogs were jumping through the woods when two of them fell into a big hole. All of the other frogs gathered around the 1  to see what could be done to help their friends.

    When they saw how 2  the hole was, the rest of the group agreed that itwas 3 for the two frogs to get out of the hole. In the beginning, the two frogs 4  with all their strength. Some of the frogs shouted into the hole that is was hopeless, just prepare for the fate(命运), others  5shouted that they two should save their energy and give up. But the two frogs continued jumping as 6as they could, and after several hours of hopeless jump they were quite tired.

    At that moment, one of the frogs gave up. He lay down at the7of the hole, and died as the others looked on his helpless sadness. However, the other frog8to jump with every bit of energy he has, even though he was completely worn out. His friends began a new shouting to him to accept his fate, waiting to die. But the frog jumped harder and harder. Finally he jumped so 9that he got out of the hole.

    The other frogs asked him surprisingly, “Why did you continue jumping when we told you it was impossible?” Reading their lips(嘴唇), the amazed frog explained to them that he was10and when he saw their gestures and shouting, he thought they were cheering him up, so he tried harder and finally succeeded.

    One day a little mouse was thirsty. She looked everywhere for water to drink. She climbed up onto a table. And she saw a bottle on the table. The mouth of the bottle was1. The little mouse looked inside the bottle. "Aha, there is2milk in it. That's great!" She went into it and began to drink.

    She drank and drank. After a moment she had drunk enough. Her stomach was too big and she couldn't come 3 the bottle. She cried for help. Just then a cat camp up to the table. When the cat4 the cry he jumped onto the table so5, and said, "You'll be my nice lunch!" The little mouse was very clever and she6 for a moment and said. "Brother Cat, you mustn't roll the bottle."7?" asked the cat. "I would get dizzy (头晕目眩的)", said the mouse. The cat said that he would let her8 soon. So he began to roll the bottle. Suddenly the bottle fell down onto the floor and broke into9. The little mouse ran10  as fast as she could. When the cat jumped off the table and ran after her, the mouse had already gone into her home.