Once upon a time all feelings went to an island for a vacation, and each was having a good time. Suddenly, a warning of a strong storm was announced, so all rushed to their boats. Yet, Love did not wish to run away quickly. There was so much to do. But as the clouds darkened, Love realized it was time to leave. But there were no boats to use. Love looked around with hope.

      Just then Richness was passing by Love in a large boat. Love shouted, "Richness, can you take me with you?" Richness answered, "No, I can't. There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat. There is no place here for you."

Love decided to ask Vanity (虚荣) who was also passing by in a beautiful boat for help. But Vanity said with a cold voice, "No, I can't take you with me. My boat will get dirty with your muddy feet."

      Sorrow passed by after some time. Again, Love asked for help. But it was useless. "No, I can't take you with me. I am so sad. I want to be by myself. "

    When Happiness passed by a few minutes later, Love again called for help. But Happiness was so happy that it hardly cared about anyone else.

      Love was growing worried and hopeless. Just then somebody called out, "Come, Love, I will take you with me." Love did not know who was being so kind, but jumped onto the boat happily.

      After getting off the boat, Love met Knowledge. Love asked, "Knowledge, do you know who was so kind to give me a lift when no one else wished to help?"

      Knowledge smiled, "Oh, that was Time."

      "Time?" asked Love. "But why did Time help me?" Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and answered, "Because only Time is able to understand how valuable Love is."

    Mr. Black retired（退休）five years ago, now he lives a happy life, he exercises in the morning, he plays with his grandchildren on weekends, sometimes he goes to parties.

    One Sunday evening, after Mr. Black had dinner, he went out for a walk with his granddaughter Jane, they saw three beggars（乞丐）outside the park.

    "Why do they beg in the street?" asked the little girl. "Because they're poor," answered Mr. Black.

    "Why don't they find any work?" "Because they're lazy." "Do you know who is the laziest of them?" "That's easy," said Mr. Black, he came up to them, took out five dollars and said, "I'll give the money to the laziest of you. Tell me who he is."

    "I lost my job a year ago," the first beggar stood up quickly and said, "of course I am!"

    "I haven't done any work for two years," the second beggar sat up and said, "give me the money."

    The third beggar went on lying on the ground and said, "Come over here, sir, put the money into my bag!"

    On the way back from work every evening, more often than not there would be a homeless man standing at the exit of the freeway(快车道). He looked to be in his late 40s but was probably a lot younger. He had shoulder length straight black hair and a short beard.

    Every day after work I would remember to gather any spare change, and put it aside to give to him if I saw him. A feeling of joy would come over me every time I saw him, while coming off the ramp(坡道). So did he. Sometimes the red light would be on for a minute and we would ask each other about our day. His answer would always be the same, "I'm blessed!"

    Then one day I was called into my boss's office and was told that I was being laid off. For the rest of that day all I could think of was "how am I going to provide for my kids as a mother, how am I going to pay rent?"

    Needless to say that on my way home that day I was very sad and upset. I didn't remember to look for my spare change and keep it ready like I usually did. Yet there he was as always, as I turned the ramp. He set his eyes on me, while still smiling and waving at others as usual.

    While I was waiting for the red light to turn, he strolled(闲逛) over to my car. He had a big smile. He looked at me straight in the eyes and said, "Today I will give you a dollar." He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a dollar bill.

    You see that day he taught me a valuable lesson more than a dollar bill. No matter what material things are taken from you, no one can take away your choice to be joyful. Every time I'm faced with challenges, I think of the homeless man's valuable lesson and remember that I am blessed.

    Bill is a farmer. He can't write or read. One day he goes to the city {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (buy) something. {#blank#}2{#/blank#} noon, he bas lunch in a restaurant. He {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (sit) down at a table and looks around. He {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (see) some old people put glasses on before reading their books. "Oh I {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (know) why I can't read or write. I want to have a pair of glasses," {#blank#}6{#/blank#} (say) to himself. Then he doesn't {#blank#}7{#/blank#} (eat) anything and can't wait {#blank#}8{#/blank#} (go) to the shop. All the glasses {#blank#}9{#/blank#} very expensive. But he still buys a pair. When he puts on the glasses, he still can't read. He is angry and asks the salesman, "Why can't I read with the glasses? {#blank#}10{#/blank#} there anything wrong with your glasses?" "Excuse me, but can you read?" the salesman asks. "No, I can't." The salesman laughs and says nothing again.

    A farmer had a friend and his friend was famous for growing wonderful apple trees.

    One day, the farmer's friend gave him a young apple tree and told him to take it home and plant it.

    The farmer loved the gift. But when he got home, he did not know where to plant it. He was afraid that if he planted the tree near the road, strangers would steal the apples. If he planted the tree in one of his fields, his neighbors would come at night and steal the apples. If he planted the tree near his house, his children would take the apples. Finally he planted the tree in his wood. Nobody could see it, but there was no sunlight in his wood, the tree soon died.

    Later, the friend asked the farmer why he planted the tree in such a poor place. "What's the difference?" the farmer said angrily, "If I plant the tree near the road, strangers may steal the apples. If I plant the tree in one of my field, my neighbors may come at night and steal the apples. If I plant the tree near my house, my children may take the apples."

    "Yes," said the friend. "but at least someone could enjoy the apples. Now no one could eat the apples, and the apple tree died!"

    I came to study in the United States a year ago. Yet I did not know the real American society until I was hurt in a car accident because after the accident I had to see a doctor and go to court.

    After the accident, my roommate called a doctor for me. I was very thankful and decided to repay him one day. But the next day, he asked me to pay him $200 for what he had done. I was surprised. He had good reason to charge me, he said. And if I wanted to collect money from the person who was responsible(负责的) for my injury(受伤), I'd have to have a good lawyer(律师). And only a good doctor can help me get a good lawyer. Now that he had helped me find a good doctor, it was only fair(公平的) that I should pay him. But every day I went to see the doctor, I had to wait about 50 minutes. He would see two or three patients at the same time, and often stop treating one so as to see another. Yet he charged me $115 each time. The final examination report only has ten lines, and it cost me $215.

    My lawyer was all smiles the first time we met. But after that he didn't want to see me at all. He knew very well the other party was responsible for the accident, yet he hardly did anything. He simply waited to collect his money. He was so irresponsible that I decided to dismiss him. And he made me pay him $770.

    Now I had to act as my own lawyer. Because of my inexperience, I told the insurance(保险) company the date I was leaving America. Knowing that, they played for time…and I left without getting a cent.