I remember the first time I got on a horse. I was two years old and we were watching a friend of the family ride. My mom agreed to let me take a short ride around the ground with the friend and that was it' I became crazy about having a horse. From then on, I drove my parents mad beg­ging for a horse. Whenever I saw a horse, I would beg even harder.

    When I was four years old, problems appeared in my life. I had Selective Mutism (选择性缄默症). This is an unusual childhood disorder (失调) in which children stop speaking in certain social situations, many times at around the age of four. I spoke to my parents as usual, my brother and certain other people, but was silent at school and in social situations. I went days, weeks, months without a sound at school. At most, I might very quietly speak to a friend.

    My parents looked for a cure. One psychologist (心理医生) had an idea. Having discussed his plan with my parents in advance, one day I was asked by the psychologist what I wanted more than anything in the world. He explained that I was going to be given a chance to work for what I wanted. I couldn't believe my good luck, but I could not answer. I just stood there. Finally, I was allowed to whisper (低声说) the answer in my mother's ear. "A horse," was all I could say.

    I was to get a little horse, but before we could even start looking, I had to try to talk. I had a chart of weekly tasks I had to finish. I had to answer the phone five times every week, something I had never done before. I did everything that was asked of me and the day came when my parents found the perfect horse. His name was Sequoia, a strong little chestnut (栗子马). He was perfect, of course, and I fell in love immediately. It truly was a dream come true. When I was with Sequoia, I forgot all about my problems and felt strong and life.

    By connecting with them, I have learned to hug what I was once not able to do and I found my voice back.

    It was very cold, Amaya was warm in her house, thinking about an article she'd read at school. The article was about kids who 1 out their communities, and she thought it would be really cool to help her own town, Harvard.

    The only2 was that she wasn't sure how to help. In the article, the kids had grown food for people who needed food, but it was winter. She couldn't start a garden. Amaya was deep in thought when her mom said it was time to go shopping.

    As they drove along the road, Amaya saw a family wearing only light jackets. The cold wind blew 3 outside. How cold they must be! That gave her an idea! She could 4  winter coats, hats and gloves for people who needed them.

    She shared her idea with her mom, who thought it was great. But how would they 5 the idea to get plenty of winter clothing? Amaya decided to talk to her teacher, because then she could share her idea with her classmates at least.

    Ms. Monroe agreed when Amaya talked about her idea. They decided to call the 6  Hats in Harvard. Then they wrote a letter explaining the project. They also met with the headmaster during lunch time. He was excited about the idea, and said he would make sure copies (复印件) of the letter went home with all the students.

    They collected enough winter clothing in only one week. Then they left the clothes around two parks, so families who needed clothes could get them there. Three days later, Amaya and her mom went shopping again. She saw the same family that had given her the7for Hats in Harvard.  This time, though, the family wore some new coats, hats and gloves. Amaya felt 8 in her heart, and was very glad she could help others.

Jack is a thirteen-year-old boy. He is in Class Four Grade Seven. He always {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (get) up early and he often goes to school by bike. He likes English，Chinese and some other {#blank#}2{#/blank#} (subject). He enjoys singing and {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (dance). He is good at playing table tennis. Now he {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (have) an English lesson. Some of his classmates are reading books and some of them {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (write) the new words. They are all working hard. Tomorrow is Saturday. They {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (not have) any lessons. Jack and his classmates {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (play) table tennis tomorrow morning. Jack is going to have a picnic {#blank#}8{#/blank#} his parents in the afternoon. He is going to watch TV {#blank#}9{#/blank#} home in the evening. I think he {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (have) a good time tomorrow.

Mr. King was new to the school and to us. He always seemed blue and silent, even though he was a great teacher. Then many students were afraid of him. I wondered if he 1 a hard time or some terrible experiences. 

One day, I noticed him 2 alone on the bench in the school garden. I finally gathered up 3 and walked down towards him. Before I came near him, I breathed 4 a few times. 

"How are you?" I asked with my voice 5 . 

He managed to say, "Fine."

"Well, good to know. "I tried to be relaxed. "Hmm. . ." was all I heard. 

"What's up with you? "I asked, then I saw a puzzled look on his face. "I mean, why don't you like all other people in the school? Why are you always so quiet and 6 Why. . ."

"It's hard to explain in a few words, dear. You are just a little girl. What will you understand? I think I'd better 7 those worries to myself" he said slowly, 

"But I don't think so, sir. If you share your feelings with me, it'll help to reduce the 8 in your heart."

With that, I realized that it might be 9 to say that-after all, he was my teacher. But I10 tried to persuade him, "I'll be a good listener and I 11 I will never tell anyone. If you tell me your problem, you will have a light heart and you will have the sense that someone 12 you."

"Maybe you're right. . ." said Mr. King, after a moment's silence. 

Soon after our little talk, there was a 13 change on his face. Later that day in the class, there's a smile on his face. 

, More and more14 might pile up in your heart if you always leave things unsaid. So why not15 your heart and share with others often, even with a child? 

My daughter, Cindy, used to be shy but now she's kind of active and outgoing.

I still remembered one thing. One day last month, Cindy got a stomachache, so I took   her to see a doctor. When we waited in line outside the waiting room, we saw a lady beside us. She looked very upset. Then Cindy gave a smile card to the lady, saying," I hope everything goes well." The lady hugged Cindy and said nothing. Later, Cindy gave out five more smile cards that day.

Last Monday, I went shopping with Cindy in a supermarket. After shopping, we went to the cash register (收银台). To my surprise, I couldn't find my wallet and I didn't know what to do. At that time, a lady came to us and paid for the bill for us. She was just the lady who was at the doctor's that day. I said" thank you" to her. She said,"I was moved by your daughter's kindness." Then I returned the money to her the next day.

Now our family members always enjoy helping others. It makes us happy. And giving out smile cards is a good way to help others.