Fishing with Grandpa

    One day, my grandfather went fishing, and let me go with him. He handed the rod (钓竿) to me, held my 1 and taught me how to throw my line into the water. Our bobbers floated (浮标漂浮着) together as we sat there, hoping for a bite. The sun 2 us. We sat and talked, “I remember when I could sit here and watch the fish 3 in the water,” he said. “Sometimes, they'd jump out and 4beside me. I didn't need a rod and bait (饵) at that moment.” “We have to be 5,” he continued, “The fish may come or they may not. It doesn't matter. We're out in the 6. It's a beautiful day. We're lucky to have the warmth of the sun. If it had rained, we wouldn't be here. ” He sat against a tree. “Yes, it's a 7 day,” he said. I watched our dobbers. 8 fish pulled them under that day. It didn't matter. I was with Grandpa. I felt grown up. Just being with him was special. He was well loved by everyone and I wanted to 9 him when I grew up. He'd worked hard all his life for what little he had, but he could still find time to laugh. He was a relaxing man. In the short time we had together, he 10 me many things: how to hold a rod, the value of a good time, the value of a good friend, respect for my elders, and the importance of working hard and living harder. The list is long.

    Last weekend we went camping in a small village in India. First, we took a long bus ride to a lake in the countryside. Then we 1 our tents and made a fire to keep us 2 and cook food on. On the first night, we just sat under 3 moon and told each other stories.

    The next morning, my sister and I got a terrible surprise. When we looked out of our 4, we saw a big snake sleeping near the fire. I was so scared 5 I couldn't move. We shouted to our parents for help. My dad started 6 up and down in the tent. This woke the snake up and it moved away. My dad told 7 later that snakes don't have ears but can feel things moving. He 8 told me it was important not to go near a snake. This was a very useful lesson for me.

    Lucy was a single mother. She lived with her little son. She lost her 1 two years ago and they had a very hard life. Being 2 was terrible. Her heart, was broken every time her son asked, "Can I have some more 3 please, Mom?"

    One day, when her son asked the same question again, she decided to prepare a big meal for him4 the only 6 dollars in her hand. She went to the supermarket,5 some food and cooked at home. Lucy was ashy mother,6she was strong-minded. "It's time to make a change," she thought. She once loved writing. To make some money, she 7 to write for magazines day and night.

    Things went 8. The local food bank started to provide Lucy with some free vegetables every month. Her son 9 had enough food to eat. Once he told Lucy that the dishes she made were 10. Then, an idea came to Lucy's mind: Why not 11 my recipes on the Internet?" She did. Many people liked her recipes and she became 12.

    Soon after that, some reporters interviewed her and asked her to write a book on 13. When Lucy got the money for the14 she wrote, she was very happy. Now Lucy has a well-paid job and a beautiful home, but shell15 the days when she worked hard for a good life forever.

    Joy was working in a factory far away from his home. One day he wanted to send a(n) 1 to his wife. But he could not read or 2, and in the daytime he had to work. So he could only 3 somebody to write his letter late at night. A letter-writer called Johnson lived near here. But it was 4 when he found Johnson's house.

    Johnson was already in 5. He said," It is late. What do you want?" Joy answered," I want you to write a letter to my 6." When Johnson heard that, he was not 7. He thought for a while and then said," Does the letter have to go 8?"

    "What does that matter?" answered Joy.

    " Well, my writing is very strange, 9 can read it except(除了) me. And it will cost you a lot of money 10 I have to go a long way to read the letter to you wife." Hearing these words, Joy went away.

    I have invented robots which improve the work of cars. My love of making things began1I was a kid. I really became excited about inventing after I learned about Thomas Edison.

    One day in fourth grade, our2gave us a project in class. We had to write to a company and learn about the products. I thought and thought. 3I chose the Thomas A. Edison Company. Soon after, the company sent me a book about the life of Thomas Edison. How I enjoyed reading and re-reading about his 4! I like the recorded sound and the electric light most. The inventions were clearly printed on my brain.

    My dad noticed my interest in inventing and5me. He showed me how to turn my ideas into plans and then into new things. Once, I surprised my dad6a model plane I made. Later, we found a7model plane in a store. I learned that different inventors often invent similar things. It is not unusual for this to happen. I also learned that not all great ideas8. Failure is a common part of the inventing.

    As my father and I worked together, I began to realize that my dad was quite an inventor himself. He was always9a better way to do a simple job. His guiding hands, together with my10 in inventing, led me to become an engineer and an inventor. Of course, I also thank Thomas Edison. He is my hero.

    Our dog named Zip always brings things home for us to keep! Many of them were toy bears, lambs and ducks. We never could 1the owners.

    One day Dad was 2 the newspaper, "Listen to this, everybody," he said. "To the person who took a Teddy bear from a child′s wagon(推车)-please bring back the toy bear. Our two-year-old son is very 3."

    "Zip does something 4again. He must have taken others′ toys," said Anita.

    "Yes," said Dad, "well, the paper gives the 5. This time I can take back Zip′s 6."

    "Do you think it is 7 to do that?" Mom asked. "If you tell others about Zip, who will believe you?"

    "I will 8 until dark  Then I′ll just put the Teddy bear at the front door and walk away. 9 will see me."

    Dad's idea 10 worked. He put Teddy at the gate. He turned to walk away and knocked into a chair!

    Dad started to 11. But he didn′t get very far. The gate light came on. A man opened the door. "12 is over here?" he called out.

    Dad kept silent and didn′t even try to 13. He just wanted to get away. Then the man saw 14.

    He shouted after Dad, "How 15 you are!" he said, "Taking toys from babies!"