The greatest source of inspiration for me has always been my father. Though he's been gone for 17 years, his 1 still resonate (产生共鸣). He taught me how to run my own race in life. But the most inspiring thing he taught me was to 2.

One incident is 3 in my mind. It happened when I was a teenager. My sister and I weren't very fond of a so-called friend of 4. Dad was a very generous man, and as he'd done with so many people, he'd given this fellow great help. But when he asked for a favor 5, the guy didn't deliver.

Dad's outlook (人生观) on most things was "Live and let live." In this case, however, his calmness 6 Terre and me, and we let him know it.

"How can you be nice to that man?" we said to him. "You've been so kind to him, and he's not being kind back. Why would you want to give him the time of day again?"

My father shrugged (耸肩) and said to us, " I do not bend my back with 7." I didn't get it at first, but over the years I came to understand the 8. Holding a grudge (怨恨) doesn't 9 the person you're angry with, but it changes you. It makes you heavier and gives you more weight to drag around.

After my father died in 1991, a (n) 10 came from a fellow I'd had a quarrel with years before to 11 his sympathy. He wrote: " I thought I'd tell you how sorry I am 12 the loss of your father. I know he 13 the world to you. I just wanted to let you know that you are in my thoughts."

Much moved, I wrote back. I thanked him for his 14. And then, because he'd 15 our disagreement, I recalled Dad's inspiring words. "I am my father's daughter," I wrote. "And like him, I do not bend my back with yesterday."

One day, Mr Smith goes to a dinner party. His clothes are very 1 . He comes into the room. There are many people in the room, 2 no one looks at him. And no one asks him to 3 at the table. He isn't 4 . But he doesn't say 5 . 

Mr Smith runs home very 6 and soon he puts on his best clothes. Then he goes back to the party. All people in the room 7 and look at him. They give 8 good food to eat. Mr Smith takes off (脱掉) his coat, and puts it on the 9 and said, "Eat, coat! It's time 10 you to have dinner." The other people are surprised (感到吃惊的) and 11 , "What are you doing? 12 do you do that?" 

Mr Smith says, "I am asking my 13 to eat food. When my clothes are old, you don't look at me. But after I 14 my nice clothes, and you give me good food. You shouldn't judge a man by his 15 !"

Ethan was riding his new bike. When he got to the end of the road, he turned around. He stopped the bike in front of Mom. 

"See? I never fall anymore. Can I ride to the park alone now?"

Usually, when Ethan rode a bike to the park, Mom or Dad came along. But this time, he was sure he could do it on his own. 

Mom looked at Ethan and said, "OK. But there are lots of cars on the street when you ride. You must be careful of them. And remember to come home early. Now, have fun on your own!"

Ethan felt excited to hear this. The park wasn't far from his home. Ethan looked both ways when he rode into the street, and he remembered his mom's words. At the end of the street, Ethan had to turn right to get to the park. He used his arm to make the signal (信号) so cars would know where he was going. 

When Ethan arrived at the park, he slowed down. He parked his bike and ran to find his friends. 

"You know what? I rode my bike here all by myself!" Ethan said. "It's very cool to do it on my own."