Big Bear was Skinny Rabbit's friend and neighbor. Big Bear's birthday came and Skinny Rabbit sent him a hammock(吊床). Two trees grew in the space between the friends' houses. Skinny Rabbit and Big Bear tied the hammock between them. Big Bear climbed into the hammock.

    “How does it feel?" Skinny Rabbit asked.

    “Just wonderful!" Big Bear said. "But do you see how the sun shines through the branches (树枝), Skinny Rabbit?"

      "I do. It shines straight onto the hammock," Skinny Rabbit said. "I have an idea."    He put his beach umbrella beside the hammock. "How's that?" he asked.

    "It's almost perfect, Skinny Rabbit," said Big Bear. "Soft music would be nice for someone sleeping in a hammock."

    Skinny Rabbit went back into the house and came out with a radio. He tuned it to a station. The station was playing music.

    "Enjoy your sleep, Big Bear," said Skinny Rabbit. "I'll go and clean up the lunch dishes."    "Wait a minute! I thought of something else."    "What is it now?" asked Skinny Rabbit wearily

    "This hammock needs a friend to share with, Will you join me, Skinny Rabbit? Afterward we can do the dishes together."  

Skinny Rabbit said happily, "What a fine idea, Big Bear."

    One day, while I was walking on the street, I heard the piano music and singing rising above the noise of the people. I stopped and saw a young lady sitting at a piano.

    She was singing songs about love. The way she was singing made me a little comfortable. I stood there watching her playing on such a crowded New York square. I thought that she must be brave enough to perform in front of so many people.

    She noticed me. I walked over and told her how good her music sounded. “Thank you.” she said.

    “I have been going through a hard time recently, but you've made me hopeful again.” I said to her.

    “I'm glad that I could help,” she replied, “Why are you so sad?”

    “Well, my mom has lost her job, and I'm not sure what to do …”

    “Did you notice the way you were walking? Your head was down.” she said. “Don't be upset, because opportunity (机遇) comes in different ways and if your head is down, you might not see it. You should smile more… lift your head up.”

    I looked at her, surprised at how she was encouraging (鼓励) me. “Why are you playing the piano here?” I asked her with a smile.

    She explained that she saw a lot of unhappy people in the world and she tried to cheer them up by playing music.

    I smiled a little wilder, realizing that no difficulties could stop me from going on.

    This story happened four years ago. Tom was seven years old then. He was a good boy. He was one of the best pupils in his class. But he could not get up early. He often slept until nine or ten o'clock in the morning. So he was often late for school.

    Tom's mother didn't want him to be late for school. So she bought him a clock. She said to Tom, “You must get up when you hear the clock ring.”

    “Yes, Mum,” said Tom. After that Tom got up at six thirty when he hear the clock ring.

    One day his mother forgot to make the clock ring at the usual time. And the next morning Tom didn't get up at six thirty. It was time for breakfast. Mother went to see him. Tom was still in bed and his eyes were open.

    “Why didn't you get up?” Mother asked angrily.

    “You told me to get up when I heard the clock ring. So I am waiting for the bell. Mum, is the clock still sleeping?” Tom answered.

    Most people enjoy seeing a film because of its wonderful pictures and fantastic sounds. However, many years ago there were no sounds in the films. So actors had to act by using their body language. Everybody knows Charlie Chaplin, a world-famous funny actor. People everywhere have laughed at Charlie Chaplin's films until tears run down their faces. From his very first appearance they know what will happen. His body language makes people love his films.

    Charlie Chaplin was born in 1889 in London. When he was a child, his family was very poor in 1910, he went to the USA. In 1914 he made his first film. In this film he created the character of a little man who always faced difficulties. When Chaplin was rich, he opened his film company in 1918. He died in 1977.

    The poor man that Charlie Chaplin played in films makes all kinds of stupid mistakes. He is always in trouble, but he never gives up. He dreams of becoming a great man. Even people who don't understand English can enjoy Chaplin's films, because they are mostly silent. It isn't what he says that makes people laugh. His comedy (喜剧) doesn't depend on words. It depends on little actions which mean the same thing to people all over the world. This is the secret of Chaplin's huge success.

I think the most terrible thing in life for my little brother is getting up in the morning. He is almost sick when my mother calls," Herbert! It's seven o'clock! Get up!" Hebert answers," I'm coming!" and goes right back to sleep. I'm not all like my brother. I don't like to go to bed at night but I don't mind getting up in the morning. I usually wake up before my mother calls me. I jump out of bed and go into the bathroom to take a shower. I get dressed, brush my teeth, comb my hair, and get ready to go downstairs for breakfast as soon as my mother calls.

    But not for Herbert. He just sleeps. After calling a few more times my mother has to come upstairs and pull Herbert out of bed. It's that way every day with my little brother. Perhaps some day he'll learn to get up on time, but I really don't think so.