Bill, Frank, Dave and Tom were brothers. Every year they sent their mother expensive gifts on her birthday. They liked to show her how rich they were.

The eldest brother, Bill, had lots of money and wanted his mother to have the most expensive gift, but he didn't know what to buy. So he put an ad in the newspaper, "Wanted—the greatest gift for my mother”.

 About a week before his mother's birthday, a man came to his office. He brought a big bird, this bird can speak foreign languages and sing pop songs. The man made the bird talk in French and tell a joke in Japanese. Then the bird sang a beautiful song. The next day, Bill sent the bird to  his mother with a birthday card.

 The day after his mother's birthday, he called his mother, “Well, mother,” he asked, “what do you think of the bird?”"Oh, it's very delicious, dear." said his mother.

A Mystery (神秘的) Artist

    The first time I saw Suzy Khan, I knew I had to help her. All I knew was that she was an orphan, who had no parents, from Africa. She had just been adopted (收养) by a family, and they thought that the best way for her to learn American ways of life is to be with American kids.

    Suzy was really small for her age of 12. The boys in my class often laughed at her. She would open a book, pretending to read, with tears dropping on the open page. I looked down at this small girl and promised myself that I must help her.

    But how could I help her fit in with us? There had to be a way.

    One day, when I went into the classroom, I saw that Suzy had opened her geography book to a picture of a train, and in her notebook, she had made a perfect copy.

    I was surprised and thought that she could do something in the coming talent show. So, I took her to see the art teacher, Miss Parker, and showed her what Suzy had drawn. “Why, it's wonderful,” said Miss Parker, and then showed us a poster she had painted for the talent show. “I need more of these, but I just don't have enough time. Could you help me, Suzy?”

    On the day of the talent show, Suzy's posters were everywhere — all over the hall and all over the school, each one different.

    “And finally,” said Mr. Brown, the schoolmaster, at the end of the show, “We have a special award. I'm sure you've all noticed the wonderful posters.” Everyone nodded. “One of our own students painted them.”

    I could hear everyone whispering. “Who in our school could draw that well?”

    Mr. Brown waited for a while before saying, “Since this student worked so hard on the posters, she deserves a prize, too. Our mystery artist is our new student — Suzy Khan!”

    Mr. Brown thanked her for all the wonderful posters and gave her a professional artist's set. “Thank you,” she cried.

    I realized, at that time when I was looking at her excited face, she had probably never owned anything in her whole life.

    Everyone started to clap their hands. Suzy Khan gave them a shy smile. I knew then Suzy was going to be all right.

    John was born without arms. As a child, he learned to do many things with his legs. But there were a lot of things he couldn't do. His parents even had to feed him. His seven brothers had to help him to get dressed.

    One day his mom decided not to help John anymore. She told John's brothers not to help him either. "Let John do everything on his own," she said. "If John needs to eat, let him eat by himself. Let him get the dish himself. If he breaks up a few dishes, it's fine. No one will help him to get dressed either. Let him wear his clothes himself. If he can't get dressed himself, then let him run without clothes. But no one is allowed to help him. He has to learn to do everything himself."

    John's mother loved him. She wanted to help him. But if she always helped him, he wouldn't learn anything. She wanted him to be independent.

    Soon John learned to do everything by himself. When he was sixteen, he could even drive a car with his feet. John felt very proud. He thanked his mother for making him independent.

    Today John is a grown-up man. He has a business of his own and he is very successful. He also travels around the world.

    John likes children very much. He likes to talk and play with them. He tells them that they can learn to do anything. He teaches them how to be independent.

    It was 8:30 at night. Don was driving home. He was surprised when he saw a large, green light in the sky. The light was floating（漂浮）over a field. Don stopped his car and went out. He stood behind a tree and watched.

    The light got very bright. It came nearer and nearer. It was a UFO! And it landed in the field!

    "What's that? Maybe there are travelers from space in the UFO, "he thought. He started to walk across the field.

    Then a large door on the UFO opened. Something came out! It moved toward Don.

    The thing was not nice to look at! It had long yellow strings（细绳）on its face. Two round and blue balls were on its face. Under the round things, there were three holes. One hole opened and closed and made big noises.

    Now Don was afraid, but he tried to be brave. He walked nearer and listened to the terrible noises.

    "Hello," said the strange thing. "My name is Zeeb. I'm from the planet Mars（火星）. This is my first trip to the earth. Glad to meet you."

    An eight-year-old girl named Tina heard her parents talking about her little brother. All she knew was that he was very sick and they had no money. When she heard her dad say to her mom, "Only a miracle(奇迹)can save him now", Tina went to her bedroom and took all her money out of a small box and counted it carefully. Then she made her way six blocks to the local drugstore(药店).

    "And what do you want?" asked the owner of the store.

    "It's for my little brother." Tina answered. "He's really, really sick and I want to buy a miracle. His name is Mike and he is two years younger than me. Now he has something bad growing inside his head and my dad says only a miracle can save him.

    "We don't sell miracles here, child. I'm sorry, "the owner said, smiling sadly at Tina.

    In the store there was a well-dressed customer. He asked Tina. "What kind of miracle does your brother need?

    "I don't know," she replied. "He's really sick and my mom says he needs an operation (手术),But my dad can't pay for it ,so I have brought all my him."

    "How much do you have?" asked the man.

    "One dollar and seven cents, but I can try and get some more," she answered quietly.

    "Well, what a coincidence (巧合)," smiled the man. "One dollar and seven cents-the exact price of a miracle for a little brother. Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents."

    That well—dressed man was Carlton Armstrong, a famous doctor. The operation was completed without money. Two weeks later, Mike became well and was home again.

    Tina was happy. She knew exactly how much the miracle cost- one dollar and seven cents-and the faith(信念) of a little child.