The umbrella is a very common object. It keeps the 1and the sun off the people. Most umbrellas can be folded up(折叠) so it is 2 to carry them.

    However, the umbrella was not always as 3 as it is now. In the past, it was a symbol of importance. Some African countries still use umbrellas in this 4. Someone carries an umbrella and walks behind the king or important person.

    Umbrellas have a long history. People in different parts of the world began to 5 umbrellas at different times. The Chinese had them more than 3,000 years ago. From there, umbrellas 6 to India and Egypt. In Greece and Rome, 7, wouldn't use them. They believed umbrellas were only for women.

    England was 8 the first country in Europe where common people used umbrellas against rain. The weather there is very 9 and umbrellas are very useful.

     Everybody uses umbrellas today. The next time you 10 one, thinking that for centuries only great men and women used them, you'll feel you are the important person, too.

    It is raining outside. A bus 1 at a small bus stop. A man 2 out of the window. He sees a woman. She is selling 3. The man wants 4 a cake. But he doesn't want to go out because it is raining. The man sees a boy. The boy is 5 the window. “Come here, boy, ” the man says, “Do you know 6 the cake is?” “Twenty fen. ” the boy says. The man 7 the boy forty fen and asks him to buy two cakes. “One is for you and 8 is for me, ” he says to the boy. After 9 minutes, the boy comes back. He 10 a cake. He gives the man twenty fen and says, “Sorry, there is  only one cake left. ”

    I was always 1 and had too many things to do. Whenever my daughter caused me to change my plans, I thought to myself, “We don't have time 2 this.” So the two words I always said to her were: 3.

    The other day, the two of us rode to a 4 near our home. After shopping I bought her an ice cream, and she sat down 5 a table happily admiring the ice cream in her hand. Suddenly a 6 look appeared on her face. “Do I have to eat it up in a hurry, Mum?”

    I nearly cried when hearing this—the pains of a hurried life influenced(影响) my poor girl so deeply! As she looked at me waiting to know if she could 7 her time. I knew I had to make a 8. I thought of the times when I rushed (催促) my child through life, I began 9 what really matters in life….

    “You don't have to 10. Just enjoy it.” I said gently. Her whole face brightened and her shoulders 11. We sat side by side talking about things that interested us.

    When she got to the last bite (一口), she held it out to me, “ I 12 the last bite for you, Mum,” she said 13. As the icy taste put out my thirst, I realized I just got the present of a lifetime. I14 my child a little time… and in return, she gave me her last bite and reminded(提醒) me that things taste sweeter and love is easier to get when you stop rushing 15 life.

    Once, in a small village, lived a family with eight children. Two of the children loved 1 very much, but the family was so poor that it was impossible to send 2 of them to study at the art college at the same time. After many discussions, the two boys finally 3 a plan. They would toss(抛) a coin. The loser would go 4into the mines (煤矿) and, with his earnings(赚得的钱), 5 his brother studying at the college. Then, when the brother who won the toss finished his studies, after four years, he would support the other brother studying at the 6.

    James won the toss and Jack went down into the mines. James worked with all his heart and his paintings were much 7 than those of most of his teachers, and by the time he 8, he was beginning to make a lot of money for his paintings.

    9 James returned, the family held a big dinner for his great success. Soon after the meal began, James 10 up from his seat to drink a toast (举杯祝酒) to his dear 11 He said, "Jack, now you can go to the art college and your 12 will come true. I will take care of you. "

    But Jack said 13, "Brother, the four years in the mines has done too much to my hands, so it's too 14 Now I can' t even hold a glass. "

    To show his great love and respect, James drew his brother' s hands with 15 towards the sky.

    He called his drawing "The Praying Hands", which became very famous years later.

    Mr Wu is an English teacher. Last Monday at the beginning of class, he 1 asked his students how their weekends had been. One girl said that she had spent a 2 weekend—she had her wisdom teeth pulled out and they still hurt. "Why do you always seem to be so happy, Mr Wu?" she asked.

    The girl's 3 reminded Mr Wu of something he had read somewhere before. "Every morning when you get up, you have a choice about how you want to get close to life that day," Mr Wu said with a smile. "I 4 to be cheerful."

    "And today is my lucky day," he added.

    "5? " The whole class were curious.

    "This morning, I 6 to school as usual. I only had to go another kilometer down the road when my e-bike broke down..."

    "Your e-bike broke down and it's your lucky day?" The students were 7. "What do you mean, Mr Wu?"

    "My e-bike broke down a quarter before class, so I 8 it on the roadside, took my books, and walked down the road. It took me ten minutes to arrive at the 9. I live eight kilometers away. My e-bike could have broken down 10 along the way. But it didn't. 11, it broke down in the perfect place—off the main road, within walking distance of here. I'm still able to teach my class 12 I'll be able to get it repaired after class. If my e-bike must break down 13,it couldn't be arranged(安排)in a better way."

    The students' eyes opened wide, and then they smiled. Mr Wu smiled back. Somehow, his story had 14 them. He was happy that they had a perfect chance to consider 15 in a new way.