Tom walked into a shop. It had a sign outside: “Second-hand (旧的）clothes bought and sold.” He was carrying an old pair of trousers and asked the owner of the shop, “How much will you give me for these?” The man looked at them and then said,“Two dollars. ”

  “What?!” said Tom. “I thought they were worth at least five dollars.”

  “No,” said the man “They aren't worth a cent more than two dollars.”

  “Well,” said Toni, taking two dollars out of his pocket. “Here's your money. These trousers were hanging outside your shop. The list price (标价）of them was six dollars and a half. But I thought that was too much money, so I wanted to find out how much they were really worth.”

    Then he walked out of the shop with the pair of trousers and disappeared before the shop owner could think of anything to say.

    During all this time I never stopped thinking about escape. When I traveled across to the other side of the island, I could see the other islands, and I said to myself, "Perhaps I can get there with a boat. Perhaps I can get back to England one day."

    So I decided to make myself a boat. I cut down a big tree, and then began to make a long hole in it. It was hard work, but about six months later, I had a very fine canoe (独木舟). Next, I had to get it down to the sea. How silly I was! Why didn't I think before I began work? Of course, the canoe was too heavy. I couldn't move it! I pulled and pushed and tried everything, but it didn't move. I was very unhappy for a long time after that.

    That happened in my fourth year on the island. In my sixth year I did make myself a smaller canoe, but I did not try to escape in it. The boat was too small for a long journey, and I did not want to die at sea. The island was my home now, not my prison, and I was just happy to be alive. A year or two later, I made myself a second canoe on the other side of the island. I also built myself a second house there, and so I had two homes.

    My life was still busy from morning to night. There were always things to do or to make. I learnt to make new clothes for myself from the skins of dead animals. They looked very strange, it is true, but they kept me dry in the rain.

    I kept food and tools at both my houses, and also wild goats. There were many goats on the island, and I made fields with high fences to keep them in. They learnt to take food from me, and soon I had goats' milk to drink every day. I also worked hard in my corn (玉米) fields. And so many years went by.

B

    My grandfather Jack is 96 years old, and he has had an interesting life. He has travelled a lot in his life in the Far East. He visited the Taj Mahal in India and the Pyramids in Egypt. He hunted（狩猎） lions in Africa, and rode a camel in the Sahara Desert. He says the most beautiful place he has travelled to is Kathmandu in Nepal.

    Jack has married twice. His first wife died when she was 32. He met his second wife Maria while he was cycling round France. They have been married for 50 years, and they have lived happily in a small village since they got married.

    Jack says that he has never been ill in his life. The secret of good health, according to my grandfather, is exercise. He goes swimming every morning. He has done this since he was a boy. He also has a glass of wine every night! Perhaps that is his secret!

    Lester was walking in the street with two huge and heavy suitcases. A stranger walked up to him and asked, "Have you got the time?"

    Lester stopped, put down the suitcases and looked at his watch. "It's five fifteen,'" he said. "Hey, what a nice watch!" said the stranger. Lester smiled a little and said, "Yes, it's not bad. Look at this." Then he showed the stranger a time display for the 86 largest cities in the world. He hit a few buttons and a voice told the time in Chinese.  Lester continued, "Its voice can be set for different languages." The stranger seemed very interested in the watch. "That's not all," said Lester. He then pushed a few more buttons and a small map appeared on the watch. "The map can show where we are," explained Lester. "I want to buy this watch!" said the stranger. "Oh, no, I'm not selling it. I have spent nearly two years making it," said Lester. "I'll give you $1,000 for it!" "Oh, no, I've already spent more than that." "I'll give you $ 5,000 for it!"

    Lester stopped to think. The stranger quickly gave him a check(支票) and said, "$ 5,000. Here it is." Lester finally agreed to sell the watch. When the stranger was going to leave with the watch, Lester pointed to the two huge suitcases and said, "Hey, wait a minute. Don't forget your batteries."

    Recently, a video story has spread among people.

    James Anthony has cleaned the halls of Hickerson Primary School for 15 years. Although he is deaf, he never complains (抱怨). Instead, he greets every child and teacher with smile. Teachers and children love him very much and call him Mr. James.

    On the day Anthony turned 60, the school wanted to give him a very special surprise. That day when Anthony walked into a classroom, a group of children started to sign (打手势) and sing "Happy Birthday" to him. Anthony started smiling as usual. Then his jaw (下巴) dropped open and he laughed for joy as he realized what was going on. A few teachers led the kids through the whole song as Anthony watched. A wide smile was on his face. As they finished, tears came out from his eyes.

    Scott, secretary (秘书) of the school said, "The children love and respect Mr. James. They give him high fives in the halls, and he even teaches them sign language. Today he has put smiles on faces all around the world."

    My mother only had one eye. I never wanted her to show up at my school.

    One day during elementary school, I was terribly ill. My mother came.

    "Your mom only has one eye!" yelled some of my classmates. I wished my mother would just disappeared.

    "If you embarrass (使…尴尬) me, why don't you just die?" I shouted at her, taking no notice of the sad look on her face. My mother just handed me some medicine and left without saying anything.

    At that time, I didn't think I had hurt her feelings very much. That night I saw my mom crying in her room. Even so, I hated her tears from one eye. I made a decision. I must study hard and leave my mother.Years later my dream came true. I was quite successful. I never thought of going back to see my "ugly" mother until one day I got a letter.

    "My son, I'm sorry I only have one eye. When you were little, you got into an accident and lost your eye. As a mom, I couldn't stand watching you live with only one eye. So I gave you mine. I was never angry with you and I never regretted it because I love you." I cried out aloud. Only then did I realize how beautiful my mother was!