An elephant and a monkey were arguing.

  “Look, how big and strong I am!” The elephant said.

    The monkey disagreed, “Look, how fast I can run and climb! Can you?”

    At last they asked a wise tiger, “Which is better—to be strong or to be quick?”

    The tiger said, “Go across the river and pick the fruit on that tree for me, then I can tell.”

    So they went to the river, but the water ran fast and the monkey was afraid.

“Get on my back,” said the elephant proudly, “I shall carry you.”

Soon they crossed the river. There stood the tree. But the fruit was too high for the elephant to reach. He also tried to pull the tree down, but failed.

  “Don't worry.” The monkey climbed quickly up the tree, and picked the fruit.

    Then they returned and gave the tiger the fruit. “Which is better—to be strong or to be quick?”

The tiger smiled, “Neither of you could get the fruit alone. It took both the elephant's strength and the monkey's quickness to get it.”

    Music is an important part in our life. We may feel boring without music. Today when you go to stores, stations, restaurants and other places, do you notice music playing at any of these places? The answer must be “Yes”. And you might even hear music in an office or on a farm.

    I like many kinds of music. Classical music is great. Rock music is fast. Light music is relaxing. But I like folk music best. It sounds very beautiful. It can bring me into the dream land. It can make me relax and forget all the problems. It makes me learn better and helps me to be more active. It is true that I learn better when I am relaxed.

Music can also influence(影响) people's behavior(行为). Classical music makes people feel rich(富裕). When a restaurant plays classical music, people spend more money on food and drinks. When the restaurant plays modern music, people spend less money. Without music, people spend even less. Restaurants can make more money in this way.

    Hello, my name is Peter. I'm 12 years old. I have a picture. In the picture are two boys and a dog. Do you know the two boys? I know them. They are Jim and Frank. Jim and Frank are brothers. They have yellow hair and big blue eyes. They are my good friends. Now they are in China with their parents. We are in the same middle school and the same class. Their mother Mrs. Green is our English teacher. She is very nice. All my classmates love her. Harry is the name of the dog. He is yellow and big. He is my friend, too. We four often play together on Sunday.

    Jack is 10 years old, and I am his pencil. I'm Jack's helper(助手).

    Jack's pencil box is my home. I have some friends here. They are seven crayons, a ruler, a pencil sharpener and an eraser. Because Jack loves me, I'm the king(国王)in the pencil box. My friends and I are happy every day.

    Today, I am not happy because a pen comes in. It's new and beau­tiful. It's a music pen. It can not only(不仅) write but also(而且) sing. But I'm old and I can only help Jack to write. Jack likes it so much! The new pen is his helper now. It's the new king. What can I do now? Shall I go to a new home?

    When I was five, I had cancer ( 癌 症). My family learned about an organization that provided photography (摄影) classes to kids 1   cancer. I took the classes and learned how to 2a camera and how to take photos in different lighting situations. Taking photos made me 3about being sick for a while.

    At first, most of my photos were of4little dog, Charlie. I took pictures of him sleeping or playing. I also took pictures of 5 like flowers, trees and rivers. I 6 took photos of a little mouse once.

    Last year, I got invited to be a photographer on the red carpet (地毯) of  a big show in Los Angeles. I was so excited 7I could take photos of famous people. It was my first time to get close to them! It felt 8.

    Being a photographer and taking photos makes me feel happy. Now I want to 9what I have learned with other kids. I can't wait to pass on everything I've learned about photography and make other 10feel great, too.