Bill, Frank, Dave and Tom were brothers. Every year they sent their mother expensive gifts on her birthday. They liked to show her how rich they were.

The eldest brother, Bill, had lots of money and wanted his mother to have the most expensive gift, but he didn't know what to buy. So he put an ad in the newspaper, "Wanted—the greatest gift for my mother”.

 About a week before his mother's birthday, a man came to his office. He brought a big bird, this bird can speak foreign languages and sing pop songs. The man made the bird talk in French and tell a joke in Japanese. Then the bird sang a beautiful song. The next day, Bill sent the bird to  his mother with a birthday card.

 The day after his mother's birthday, he called his mother, “Well, mother,” he asked, “what do you think of the bird?”"Oh, it's very delicious, dear." said his mother.

In ancient China, a woman told the best stories. She married to the emperor (皇帝). Sadly, one day, this woman became ill and died. Everyone thought the emperor would soon find another favorite among his wives, but the emperor was very sad. He spent more and more time in his garden, and less and less time caring for the needs of his people. Everyone in the kingdom was worried.

One day, a priest (牧师) passed when some children were playing with their dolls. The dolls made dancing shadows on the wall. This gave the priest an idea. He knew the stories the emperor's wife used to tell. What if he could bring those stories to life?

    The priest made a puppet (木偶) out of bits of clay (黏土). He painted the puppet to look somewhat like the emperor's wife. When the puppet was finished, the priest silently walked into the emperor's garden, carrying his puppet, a candle and a curtain. He placed the curtain near the emperor's chair. He placed his candle, his puppet and himself behind the curtain. He waited for the emperor to appear.

The emperor did not even notice the curtain at first. The dancing shadow drew his eyes. As the priest moved the puppet behind the curtain, he told wonderful stories as the emperor's wife. It seemed as if his wife was spending time with him. The emperor was no longer sad. At the end of each busy day, the emperor went into his garden to visit his shadow wife and hear her stories once again. That is how shadow puppets first began.

    Linda was a sixteen-year-old girl in Canada. She was feeling bad for several days. Her mother took her to a hospital and the doctors found out that she had cancer(癌症). Linda's life changed. She began to go to the hospital often for treatment(治疗), and she also became depressed.

    The hospitals and the doctors were good, but Linda did not have hope herself. Linda's mother called a flower shop close to the hospital. "I want some beautiful flowers for my daughter. She is a teen girl with cancer. "She told the shop owner.

    Later, the flowers arrived. Then Linda saw something unusual. It was a card. It read, "Linda, I own(拥有)this flower shop. I had cancer when I was fifteen years old. I am 24 years old now. Good luck. My heart goes out to you.

Yours,

Alice

    Linda smiled. She finally felt some real hope. She found the will(意志)to live. Little things make a big difference. All of us can give little things like kindness encouragement and hope to others.

    My daughter Eyen is ten years old. She is in Grade Three in a primary school. She is a cute girl though she has some strange ideas sometimes.

    One day she asks me, "Mum, what is your favorite subject?" I think for a while and answer," It is difficult to tell. I love singing, so music is my favorite. And I am good at English. My history teacher also says I am excellent. Well, I can say I don't like Science. But Science is important for us, you know. So you must do well in it. What is your favorite subject, Eyen? Tell me something about your subjects, dear."

    I like Chinese. It is easy. I like English because my English teacher likes me very much. I can't stand Maths. It is serious and sad."

    "Do you mean your Maths teacher is serious and sad?"

    "No, it is Maths, not the Maths teacher."

    "Why do you think so?"

    "Because Maths has so many problems! Isn't it sad all day?"

    I am a karate (空手道) player. I still remember my first karate competition. Like other players, I was very excited about my event. I watched every player's techniques (技巧) so that I could carefully avoid their movements.

    Somehow I got into the semi-finals. In the semifinals, I got injured. I still didn't give up and got into the final. After all, getting the gold medal was my dream.

    In the final competition, there were no supporters on my side, as I was a new face. Instead, the crowd was cheering for my opponent. I could hear only my opponent's name.

    I ignored the crowd's cheering. I kept one thing in mind: focus, wait and attack. I had confidence in myself, and I knew that no matter how strong my opponent was, I had to do my best and fight well.

    When the time was up. I was leading with a3 -0 score. One thing I learned from that event is no matter how strong your opponent is don't think you are weak or strong. Just give your best shot, and you will make your way to success.

    Win or lose, you will learn from every step you take.