Once upon a time, there were two seeds(种子). They were good friends. They often talked with each other when they were free. One day, they had nothing to do. They lay on the ground. They looked up at the sky and had a chat with each other.

      The first seed said, “I want to grow! Then I can enjoy the sun and the rain!” Later, it grew. It had a chance to enjoy the sun and the rain.

The second seed said, “I am afraid of growing up. If I grow, I have to live in the soil. Little animals may come up to me and eat me. How terrible! If I become a beautiful flower, a child will come and pick me. It is much better for me to wait. It's a dangerous way to be alive.” It did nothing and refused to grow.

       Spring came soon. A duck came up to the seeds. It eat the second seed and went away. See? We shouldn't act like the second seed. We should face our life bravely.

阅读下面短文, 从每小题所给的A、B、C、D四个选项中选出最佳选项。

    A ten-year-old girl raised over 30, 000 pounds for a children's hospice in just eight months. What she did was to play her violin to the people who passed by in the street.

    Madison Glinski from the U. K. made a New Year's resolution to help poor children last year. She planned to try and raise 500 pounds for a local children's hospice before Christmas. Every day after school, Madison played the violin in front of a coffee shop. She played so well that many people stopped to enjoy her performance. People liked her idea of helping children in need so they were willing to give her money. Since she began playing the violin in the street at Easter, she had raised a surprising 32, 520 pounds by the end of the year. She also raised money by selling her own toys.

Madison's mother supported her daughter's idea. She said. “Madison has a musical talent. She has played the violin since the age of four. I am glad that she has used it to help others. She has a special interest for it.”

It is not the first time for Madison to help others. A few years ago, Madison asked her parents if they could all go to Africa at Christmas to help the children there. She collected toys, shoes, school things and clothes from her friends and neighbors to take to Africa. They had a special Christmas win the children in Africa. As soon as the family returned, Madison started to plan for the next trip.

    “As long as there are homeless kids. I will never stop helping them,” Madison says.

    Most of the taxi drivers in Beijing can speak some simple English, so western tourists can communicate (交流) with them. If a foreigner is in a street in Beijing, and he wants to take a taxi, the friendly taxi driver will stop near him and ask him in a friendly way. Here is the usual dialogue in English between them.

The taxi driver:” Can I help you?”

The foreigner: “Yes, please.”

The taxi driver:” Please get on the taxi.”

The foreigner: “Thank you.”

The taxi driver: “Can you tell me where you would like to go?”

The foreigner: “I'd like to go to Tian Qiao Street.”

The taxi driver: “OK, I see.”

    During the ride, the driver will play the western music for the foreigner, and the driver will also begin the conversation with a small talk like the weather or the fashion.

    After getting off the taxi, the foreigner will give the driver some tips (小费) like the way in his country, however, the driver will say politely, “Thank you, but I only take what the ride costs.”

    It is fun being a vet (兽医). I like it because although it is hard work, every day is different! It all depends on what is wrong with the animals that come in.

    At my clinic(诊所), I work long days on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and short days on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Sunday is my day off so I can spend some time with my family.

    My day at my clinic begins at 7 am. My clerk opens the door, turns on some music, and makes everyone a cup of tea or coffee. My assistant (助手) cleans and feeds the animals. The phones start to ring and people make appointments. This is a very busy time of day!

    At 9 am, pet owners start to arrive with their sick pets. Appointments take up the whole morning. At midday, I stop for two hours. I don't examine（检查）any new sick animals. I use these two hours to have lunch and do all my paperwork.

    At 2 pm. I start to see sick animals again. At 5 pm, three students from a local school who love animals arrive to help out. They are very kind and warm-hearted. I am always happy to see their smiling faces!

From 5 pm to 7pm, I continue to see sick animals. Then, at 7 pm, we close our doors and the clean-up begins! We tidy the clinic, and feed and clean the animals. Of course, we also stroke (轻抚) them and give them hugs! Then, we turn off the lights and go home. This is the type of day I want to have.

    I'm very happy being a vet, though unexpected things sometimes happen!