My father was born in a poor village in the north of Jiangsu, China. When he was a young boy, he went to school in the morning, and then 1 in the fields till sunset. And then he did his homework until midnight. Life was hard, because they had no 2!

    At the age of 14, my father heard of the United States of America. It was the 3 of gold, the land where poor people can become rich.

   “Why don't I go to America?” he thought to himself, full of 4.

    So, my father came to America. “I had thought it was easy to 5 money in America.” he told me. “But when I arrived there, I realized it's not 6. They didn't like to hire(雇佣) me because I spoke little English. Later, I worked in a small restaurant, cleaning up tables, 7 dishes and sweeping the floor. Life was hard for the first few years. I worked from 10 a. m. to 11 p. m. I wanted to go to school to learn English, but it's impossible. I couldn't 8 the schooling(学费).”

    My father 9 working hard，and reached his goal.

  “Alan,” he often told me. “If you want something, you have to work for it and never give up. Things do not come  10 in life.” That's what I learned from my father.

    Once, in a small village, lived a family with eight children. Two of the children loved 1 very much, but the family was so poor that it was impossible to send 2 of them to study at the art college at the same time. After many discussions, the two boys finally 3 a plan. They would toss(抛) a coin. The loser would go 4into the mines (煤矿) and, with his earnings(赚得的钱), 5 his brother studying at the college. Then, when the brother who won the toss finished his studies, after four years, he would support the other brother studying at the 6.

    James won the toss and Jack went down into the mines. James worked with all his heart and his paintings were much 7 than those of most of his teachers, and by the time he 8, he was beginning to make a lot of money for his paintings.

    9 James returned, the family held a big dinner for his great success. Soon after the meal began, James 10 up from his seat to drink a toast (举杯祝酒) to his dear 11 He said, "Jack, now you can go to the art college and your 12 will come true. I will take care of you. "

    But Jack said 13, "Brother, the four years in the mines has done too much to my hands, so it's too 14 Now I can' t even hold a glass. "

    To show his great love and respect, James drew his brother' s hands with 15 towards the sky.

    He called his drawing "The Praying Hands", which became very famous years later.

    Wishing to encourage her young son's progress on the piano, a mother took her boy to a pianist's concert on a summer holiday evening. After they found their 1, the mother saw two friends in the hall and walked to 2 them.

    It was the boy's first time to come to the hall. He thought it was a good 3 for him to explore the wonders of the concert hall. He 4 and walked around.  He walked 5 a door marked "NO ADMITTANCE"(禁止入内).    When the hall lights dimmed (变暗) , the 6 would begin.  The mother returned to her seat and discovered that her son was 7. The mother was 8 worried at that at the moment that tears (眼泪)  were in her eyes.

    The concert began, and the lights focused on (聚焦于) the wonderful piano on stage. The mother was 9  to see her little boy sitting at the keyboard, playing the song Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star 10 he did at home.

    At that moment, the great pianist came, quickly moved to the piano and 11 in the boy's ear, "Don't stop. Keep playing. " He leaned over (俯身) and began filling in a bass part (低音) with his left 12, then added a running obbligato (伴奏) with his right hand. They played the piano together 13.The old pianist and the young novice (初学者) changed a frightening situation into a wonderful creative experience. The audience (观众) stood up and  14 them.

    An artist's achievements and charm depend on not only his perfect skills 15 his good qualities.

Run for Class President

    Two months ago, when our class election (选举) started, I decided to run for class president. I enjoyed speaking in public and got along well with people, so I felt it easy to win. But I was 1 that people would feel bad for me if I lost.

    I was busy preparing in the following week. My plan wasn't to make promises to do things I couldn't 2 but to show my class why I wanted to be president. I put up my posters in hallways and in the classroom. I also spent three hours writing my speech, saying that I was the one they could turn to whenever they had a problem. Since I was 3 prepared, I felt that my chances of winning were strong.

    However, when I gave my speech on Election Day, the response (反应) wasn't what I had 4. Few people actually listened. When it was my opponent's (对手的) turn, everyone was screaming his name. His speech was short, but all to the point. By then, I realized I should have made mine shorter and clearer.

    It was obvious who would 5. For the rest of the day, I felt like it was over. I wanted to just go home and cry, but I made it through.

    My 6 was right: I didn't win.

    The next day, people were still talking about the election. I just pretended (假装) not to hear. But later, things got better. People 7 about the election and talked to me just as they did before.

    I don't regret putting time and energy into the election because I've learned that things aren't always going the way I expect. And moments of failure like this build 8—since then I've learned to face disappointment and grown stronger.

    A group of frogs were traveling through the woods. Unluckily two of them fell into a hole. When the other frogs saw how 1 the hole was, they told the two frogs that they couldn't be saved. The two frogs didn't 2 them and tried to jump out of the hole. The other frogs kept telling them to 3. Finally, one of the frogs believed what the other frogs were saying and 4. He fell down and died. The other frog continued to jump as 5 as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs shouted at him to stop. But he jumped even harder and 6 made it out. When he got out, the other frogs said, "Didn't you 7 us?" The frog explained to them that he was 8. He thought that they were 9 him all the time.

    This story teaches us a (an) 10:

    There is power of life and death in 11. An encouraging word to someone who is 12 can lift him up and help him 13 while a discouraging word can even 14 him.

    Be careful of what you say. Speak hopefully to those who cross your path. It is sometimes 15 to understand that an encouraging word can go such a long way. Remember anyone can say words that can encourage another person to continue his way in difficult times.

    Miss Chan, our class teacher, is my favorite teacher. We are going to1this school and I will miss her very much.

    Miss Chan is very patient. Whenever we2 questions in class. She explains to us very carefully. She is also3because she cares much about us. She often says to us. "Tell me immediately if you feel unhappy. Share your4with me and do not just try to solve it by yourself. "

    Miss Clran is very generous(慷慨的). One day, she gave each of us a book, Three Days to See, and told5We should read more. She once chose our monitor as the most helpful student, and gave him a set of stationery(文具)as a6. When she is free, she7helps us with our studies and we've made great progress.

    Not only do all of us like Miss Chan, but Miss Chan also likes my class because she thinks all of us are8. She always says she thinks herself very9to be the teacher of my class. In fact, Miss Chan is the most thoughtful(体贴的) teacher I have ever met. She always thinks about our feelings. I hope I will go to a high school with10as good as Miss Chan.