In the town of Lampang in northern Thailand, there is an unusual group of musicians. They play many different kinds of music—everything from traditional Thai songs to music by Beethoven. Both children and adults love this group. What makes them so popular? Is it their music? Their looks7 Yes, it's both of the things, but it's also something else: they're elephants.

    These musical elephants started at the TECC in Lampang. The TECC protects elephants. It teaches people to understand and love them. And, like many zoos around the world, the TECC encourages elephants to paint.

    Richard Lair works for the TECC. He loves his job there and knows a lot about elephants. He says some of the animals' paintings are very good. But, in fact, elephants hear better than they see. And so he had an idea: if elephants are smart and they have good hearing, maybe they can play music. To test his idea, Lair and a friend started the Thai Elephant Orchestra. During a performance, the elephants play a number of instruments, including the drums and the xylophone (木琴).

    But can elephants really make music properly? Yes, says Lair. They are very creative. Human encourage the animals to play, but the elephants make their own songs; they don't just copy their trainers or other people. There are now CDs of the group's music which make money for the TECC. And the music these artists create is pretty amazing

    Mom and Dad are two of the most important persons in your life. Over your lifetime, they may influence you more than anyone else you will meet. So if your mom loves to read, you just might grow up carrying a book wherever you go, just as she does. But parents do a lot more than just pass on their hobbies. Moms and Dads need to care for their kids the minute their kids are born. Most parents will do this as long as they live.

    Here are some ways you can stay close, get along well, and build a strong relationship with your parents.

    Spend time together. Instead of playing computer games or watching TV, ask your mom and dad to play with you. Go outside together, or do some reading.

    Be kind. Little things might mean a lot to your mom or dad. You can brighten a parent's day with a hug, a card, or a joke. It's also lovely when a kid cleans up his or her room without being asked. And if you try not to fight with your brothers or sisters, your parents will be so happy!

    Do your best at whatever you do. You don't have to be perfect, but when you do your best, you make your parents proud. It makes them happy to see how you're turning into a good kid. Why？Because it lets them know they're doing a good job.

    My name is Bill Black. I am a student. My home is in America. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} My classmates are friendly to me. I love China.

    We study in a big classroom. {#blank#}2{#/blank#}The windows are bright. {#blank#}3{#/blank#}And we can see a big blackboard on the front wall. {#blank#}4{#/blank#} They are yellow. And what color are the doors? They are white. Can you see those red flowers on the teacher's desk? {#blank#}5{#/blank#}They're really beautiful!

    If the dream is big enough. A school was across from my home and I often saw a girl student playing basketball. She practiced over and over again, sometimes until it got dark. I asked her why she practiced so hard. She said, "I like basketball. I'm going to play for a top basketball team. I want to be the best."

    One day, I saw the girl sitting there, looking upset. I asked what was wrong. "Oh, nothing," she answered. "I'm just too short. "The coach told her that she was too short to play for a top team, so she should stop dreaming about it. But later she told me that her father said the coach was wrong. He just did not understand the power(力量)of a dream. Her dad told her that nothing could stop her if her dream was big enough.

    The next year, as the girl and her team went to the Northern California Championship game, she was seen by a college recruiter(招生人员). She won the scholarship(奖学金)to study in a college and she could play for a famous women's basketball team! Her dream came true!