On March 14, one of science's brightest stars went dark. Stephen Hawking, the world-famous British scientist, died at 78 in Cambridge, UK.

    Hawking is considered by many to be the greatest scientist in history since Albert Einstein. He came up with the theory（理论） that the universe (宇宙) began with the Big Bang and will end in black holes. His theories became the base for a lot of later research. He also wrote books to help common people understand the universe. His most famous book is A Brief History of Time, which has sold more than 10 million copies around the world.

    Besides his scientific achievements, Hawking was also someone who had a strong will. When he was 21, he got a serious illness that stopped him from walking and talking. Later in life, he had to sit in a wheelchair and “speak” using a computerized voice. But this didn't stop him from living a meaningful and colorful life.

    He celebrated his 60th birthday by going up in a hot-air balloon; when he was 65, he took part in a zero-gravity (零重力) flight to experience weightlessness. He hoped to travel into space one day. In 2015, Hawking spoke about how he felt life was unfair when he first knew about his illness. “But now, 50 years later, I can be quietly satisfied with my life,” he said.

    Many years ago, there was an old man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn not to judge(判断) things too quickly. So he told them to go and look at a pear tree. It was far away from his home.  The first, son went in winter, the second in spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in autumn.

    When the sons came back, the old man asked them to say what they had seen.

    The first son complained the tree was ugly. The second son said the tree was covered with buds and full of hope. The third son said the tree was full of green leaves. The youngest son said that the tree, bent down with heavy fruits.

    The old man explained that all of his sons were right, but each of them had seen just one season of the tree, He told them that they couldn't judge a tree or a person by only one season. "If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the hope of your spring, the beauty of your summer, and the harvest of your autumn." said the old man.

    It is true that we shouldn't let the hard season break the happiness of other seasons. Never give up during the difficult days and better times are sure to come some day.

    Brother Bear and Sister Bear know quite a lot about Bear Country. They know where the best honey trees are. They know the best places to see a rainbow (彩虹). But they don't know much about money. When they get some money, they run quickly to the Bear Country Mall and spend it. Sometimes, Sister puts her money in her piggy bank. But she usually spends it just a moment later. Brother doesn't even have a piggy bank!

    One day, Brother and Sister go to the mall. They see a new video game. It looks exciting. They run home to ask Papa to buy it. Papa gets angry. He shouts, "Video game! At the mall! You must think money grows on trees!" "You must make your money! Life is about working, making money and saving (存钱) for a rainy day!" Now Brother and Sister know how serious (严重的) it is. They begin to think about making money.

    In fact, Brother and Sister are very good at making money. They sell flowers by the side of the road. They sell strawberries door to door. They take visitors to see the most beautiful rainbow. They take care of pets for neighbours. Sister's piggy bank is full. Brother has to borrow Mama's sugar bowl to keep all his money.

    "I think that's enough. Look at them!" says Papa. "Yes. In the past, they didn't care about money. But now they care too much about it," says Mama. "Come here, children." says Papa. "Are you going to spend all your money?" "Yes!" Brother and Sister say together. "That's not good," says Mama. "You should spend only some of the money on useful things. And put some money there for a rainy day."

    Brother and Sister ask, "Where do we put our money?" "I think the Bear Country Bank is a good place, says Mama. "Good," says Papa. "The money can be your nest egg (存款)." That day the Bear family goes to the bank and opens an account (帐户) for Brother and Sister.

    While waiting to pick up a friend at the airport in Portland, Oregon, I had an experience which happened only two feet away from me.

    Trying to locate my friend among the passengers coming through the jet way, I noticed a man walking toward me carrying two light bags. He stopped right next to me to greet his family.

    First he kissed his three children one by one and said, "It's nice to see you. I missed you so much!" Then he hugged his wife, "I've saved the best for last!" giving her the longest, most passionate (狂热的) kiss I ever remember seeing. They stared at each other's eyes, smiling at one another, while holding both hands. For an instant they reminded me of newlyweds (新婚夫妇), but I knew by the age of their kids that they couldn't possibly be.

    Full of admiration, I asked, "Wow! How long have you two been married?" "Being together for fourteen years total, married twelve of those." He replied, without breaking his gaze from his lovely wife's face. "Well, then, how long have you been away?" I asked. "Two whole days!" "Two days?" I was astonished. By the intensity (热烈) of the greeting, I had thought he'd been gone for at least several weeks —if not months. I knew my expression betrayed me, so I turned away my eyes and said quietly, "I hope my marriage is still that passionate after so long!"

    The man suddenly stopped smiling and looked me straight in the eye. With forcefulness he told me something that left me a different person. "Don't hope, friend. Decide!" Then he smiled again, shook my hand and said, "God bless!"

    With that, he and his family turned and walked away together.

    I was still watching that man and his special family walk just out of sight when my friend came up to me and asked, "What are you looking at?" Without hesitation, and with a curious sense of certainty, I replied, "My future!"

    Hye-seung Hyun is a girl from South Korea韩国). She lives with her parents, sister and brother in Seoul. What is her school day like?

    Hyun gets up at seven. Her family usually eats breakfast at half past seven. Mom often makes breakfast.

    Hyun goes to school at 8:15. Classes in the morning are from 9:00 to 12:00. There are usually three lessons. Hyun loves art best.

    Hyun has lunch at school at 12:30. She doesn't have time to go home. Classes in the afternoon are from 13:00 to 15:00.

    After having a swimming lesson in the afternoon, Hyun has dinner at six. After dinner, she practices English and the piano. She goes to bed at 22:00. Before it, she talks with her family for some time.