One of the most important lessons I learned from my father took place in our driveway when I was in elementary school. We used to play basketball every day, and he 1that I needed to learn how to shoot and dribble with my left hand. Being naturally athletic, I quickly became frustrated with my lack of left-handed 2. I became very angry, 3 down on the driveway, and began to cry, and my father stood there and looked at me as he waited 4 for me to get over my tears. When I realize that my behavior was not getting me 5, I got back up. He passed me the 6 and I continued to practice. His lesson of 7 giving up and working harder to accomplish my goals was conveyed to me without a word. I 8 became skillful with my left hand, but what I really learned that day was a road map for overcoming my biggest 9 in life.

    10 I was eighteen I was in a car accident, where I broke a vertebra in my spine. I was going to 11 to play soccer, and now I was told that I would never again be able to 12 athletically. For half a year I was not even able to 13 my own clothes. I wanted to 14 school and give up. I wanted to lie down and cry that life was 15, much as I had done in our driveway so long ago. 16every time I felt that way, that earlier memory danced in my mind. I knew that 17 I was patient and continued to work hard, I could overcome this difficulty.

    For three years I continued to go to school, doing three to four hours of 18 rehabilitation every day, with constant support from my parents. And I finally earned my 19 back on the playing field. That lesson in the driveway had 20 me to be on the field, and I owed it all to my dad. I succeeded because of who my father is, and who I am because of him.

    When I was 8 years old, I once decided to run away from home. With my suitcase 1 and some sandwiches in a bag, I started for the front door and said to Mom, “I'm leaving.”

    “If you want to 2, that's all right,” she said. “But you came into this home without anything and you can leave the same way.” I 3 my suitcase and sandwiches on the floor heavily and started for the door again.

    “Wait a minute,” Mom said. “I want your 4 back. You didn't wear anything when you arrived.” This really angered me. I tore my clothes off—shoes, socks, underwear and all—and 5, “Can I go now?” “Yes,” Mom answered, “but once you close that door, don't expect to come back.”

    I was so 6 that I slammed (砰地关上) the door and stepped out on the front porch. 7 I realized that I was outside, with nothing on. Then I noticed that down the street, two neighbor girls were walking toward our house. I ran to 8 behind a big tree in our yard at once. After a while, I was 9 the girls had passed by. I dashed to the front door and banged on it loudly.

    “Who's there?” I heard.

    “It's Billy! Let me in!”

    The voice behind the 10 answered, “Billy doesn't live here anymore. He ran away from home.” Glancing behind me to see if anyone else was coming, I begged, “Aw, c'mon, Mom! I'm 11 your son. Let me in!”

    The door inched open and Mom's smiling face appeared. “Did you change your 12 about running away?” she asked.

    “What's for supper?” I answered. 

    Dante Gabriel Rossetti was a famous 19th-century poet and artist.One day,he was1by an elderly man.The old fellow had some sketches and drawings that he wanted Rossetti to look at and tell him if they were any good,2if they at least showed3talent.

    Rossetti examined them carefully.After the first few, he knew that they were4,showing not the least5of artistic talent.But Rossetti was a kind man,and he told the elderly man as6as possible that the pictures were without much7and showed little talent.He was sorry,but he could not 8 to the man.The visitor was9 ,but seemed to10 Rossetti's judgment.

    He then11for taking up Rossetti's time,but12to ask whether he would just look at a few more drawings—these done by a young art student.Rossetti looked over the second batch of sketches and immediately became 13 over the talent they14 .“These,”he said,“oh,these are good.This young student has great talent.He should be given every help and encouragement in his15 as an artist.He has a great future if he will work hard and16it.”

    Rossetti could see that the old fellow was deeply17 .“Who is this fine young artist?”he asked.“Your son?” “No,”said the old man18 “It is me—40 years ago.If only I had heard your19then!For you see,I got discouraged and gave up—too20”

    A boy lost his arms in an accident. He had to1 the arms of his younger brother. 2 writing with his toes, he was completely 3 to do anything in his life. But when the two brothers both grew up, his younger brother wanted to 4 from him, living his own life. 5 he was heart-broken and didn't know what to do.

    A 6  disaster befell (降临) a girl, too. One night her mother who suffered from mental illness 7. So her father went out looking for her mother, 8 her alone at home. She tried to 9 meals for her parents, only to overturn the kerosene light(煤油灯)on the stove, resulting in a 10 which took her hands away. Though her elder sister showed her willingness to take care of her, she decided to be completely 11. At school, she always studied hard. Once she wrote the following in her composition, "I am 12. Though I lost my arms, I still have legs. I am lucky. Though my wings are 13, my heart can still fly."

    One day, the boy and the girl were both invited to appear on a 14 interview program. The boy told the TV host about his 15 future at being left on his own. However, the girl was full of 16 for her life. They both were asked to write something on a piece of paper with their 17.  The boy wrote "My younger brother's arms are my arms" 18 the girl wrote "Broken wings, flying heart".

    It is true that disasters can strike19. But if we decided to be 20, the hardship will turn out to be a fortune on which new hopes will arise.

    "Meow, meow, meow," is what I heard as I walked through the alley(小巷；胡同). I approached the noise and noticed a tail sticking out from under a piece of wood. Under the wood was a 1 black and white cat. I picked him up and 2 he must be freezing to death. I 3 home with the cat held in my jacket.

    My new best friend, who soon became known as Little Bit, received his name because he was almost 4 when I held him in my hands. He stood about five inches tall. Little Bit's small size had a great advantage - he 5 perfectly in the pocket of my jacket, which made 6 him everywhere very easy. Any time I was home, he wouldn't leave my 7. He was always eager to play with me. When I fell asleep at night, he would always 8 up around my head to ensure that I was warm.

    Unfortunately, I grew up. My teenage life 9 my relationship with Little Bit. I lived at such a fast pace that I stopped 10 time for him. My free time was spent with my friends instead. I would come in the house on my phone and not 11 him at all. His meows became an annoyance to me, but it wasn't his 12 that he wanted his best friend back.

    Time had caused a 13 to Little Bit. His body began 14 down and by the time I realized something was wrong with him, he had already lost his balance. He lay there and looked at me, and 15 this day I still remember the 16 look in his bright green eyes. I took him to the vet (兽医), but there was nothing he could do. The last time I 17 him he wasn't the same tiny cat I had found ten years before. Little Bit filled my arms and he was put to sleep that day.

    Little Bit's 18 made me realize how much he meant to me. He was always there for me when I needed him. I 19 our last years together and I feel sorry for not always being there for him. I will always 20 the special memories we made.

    I was touched so much. A while back, my three-year-old son and I settled back for his goodnight1. We lay down in his little bed and he said, "Daddy, when I get big can I live with you?" I assured him he could live with me2he wanted to.

    A moment later he said, "When you die you're going to feel3on your face and it will be me touching you." Then he4,"I will kiss you." He moved over, kissed me. I was aware of tears suddenly welling up in my eyes. I didn't want to explain5I was crying; as I opened my eyes to look at him, he was already6.

    I spent some time looking at him,7the minute and wondering about the depth of the8I'd had. It occurred to me that I didn't remember having much of this kind of9time with my father, and that this was a time that would be10short-lived. This time of11that forms a three-year-old's life, would soon be12. What will remain, however, will be the13of this short while reoccurring in my mind non-stop. It made all of the difficult14of being a father worthwhile.

    Sometimes, being a committed (承担义务的) father can feel like you're15the doorkeeper, driver, and16in the house. Then you will have "a17", one like this in which your child expresses18, pure, and unconditional love for you.

    When your kids have19home and you look back at these years, all of these will be strung (绑) together to20the memories of their lives with you.