In the early hours of 7 September 1838, one of the worst storms in history was roaring（咆哮）along the coast of England. The lighthouse keeper1at a ship. “It will be gone in a few more minutes,” he said sadly. His daughter, Grace Darling, looking from an upstairs window, found the great ship had 2 against the rocks and broken into halves.

     “Can't we save them?” Grace asked when she saw the3people on the ship. “Isn't there any way to help them?”

“No one can take a lifeboat out in that water,” her father answered. “The waves（浪）are too large.”

    Grace had great4.She simply did not know how to give up. Filled with pity, she ran to the lifeboat quickly. Her father5. With tears running down his face, he begged his daughter not to get into the boat, 6 she would not listen. Her father could not let her go alone. He climbed in too. The two of them rowed in a great hurry. Each wave seemed 7to throw them into the sea at any time.

    Suddenly there was a terrible roar. The storm had 8the ship in two. People were holding on to each half tightly（紧紧地）.They had to be saved soon.

    Grace and her father rowed faster. Soon they reached the ship and began filling the lifeboat with9. Then father and daughter brought their lifeboat safely to shore.

    As news of her brave saving action reached the public, the whole country considered her as a national hero. Grace and her father received the Silver Medal10from the British government. To this day a small statue stands above the grave（墓）of Grace Darling. People still respect the young woman who refused to give up.

It was a sunny summer day and I walked back home from school. When I stood (站在) in front of my 1 , I found I lost my key. It was very 2 for me, because I only had one key. And my parents were out for some days.

I walked around the neighborhood, wishing to find the lost key. But I didn't find it. I 3 my mom and she told me to go to my aunt's home. My aunt lived in another house of our neighborhood. I could 4 with her that day, but I still needed to get my key back.

The next day when I went past the security hut (保安室) in the neighborhood, I saw something on the window. It was my key! "Is that yours, boy?" the guard (保安) asked me. "Yes. I lost it yesterday. 5 found it?" I said. The guard answered, "I don't know. Someone picked it up last night."

I was happy. I couldn't thank the person, but I can pass on (传递) his or her kindness.

One day, when I was doing the dishes, my mom walked up to me and said, "I'm sorry, dear. Dinner is 1 again. I'm afraid (恐怕) we will have it in 20 more minutes. "

I was surprised. "No, it was great. I loved it. "

"Really?" she said. "You always ate 2 , saying nothing, so I thought you disliked it. " "No, I really enjoyed it. You're the best cook. "I said. 

"Then you should 3 me about that. " she said. "When someone does something nice for you, you should thank him. If you don't, he might think you are not 4 and stop doing those nice things. "

 From then on, I 5 said "thank you" to others. It soon became a habit and something magic(神奇的)6 happening. In my first year of high school, during the final week, I came home and 7 some snacks (点心) on the table. "Thanks, Mom. "I said. "They aren't from me. " Mom said. "They're from your bus driver. " Guess what? He has driven that bus for years. I was the first per- son to ever thank him as we 8 . The two words made such a big 9 that he went out of his way and gave me the present. 

That's the power of appreciation (感激 ). When you 10 it, all is right in the world. Anytime taking two seconds to say "thank you" is the best. 

Once I got lost in the forest with my father. The sky got dark and we were worried，for it was our first time walking into that forest.

We didn't have any tools to show us the direction. My father and I had no choice but to put up a tent near a river to spend the night. When night fell, the stars came out, lighting the whole sky. That was when an idea came to my mind. As a member of the Astronomy (天文学) Club in school, I was able to tell different groups of stars in the sky. If we could find the North Star, we could find out which direction was north.

After I picked out the North Star, we found the north direction. We walked north and then saw a house. We went to the owner of the house to ask for directions. With his help, we made our way out of the forest. From this experience, I learned how important it is to use the knowledge that we have got to solve the problems we meet.

Dear Eric,

Surprise! I believe you didn't expect a note from your mom in your lunchbox! How is your school day so far? I hope it is going well. You always do your best. I am proud of you!

Because I had to leave so early this morning,I wrote this note last night and put it into your lunchbox to wish you well on your speech today. With all of your amazing research, writing, and practice, you are going to do great!

I know that you get a little nervous talking in front of large groups - - - everybody does. But just remember what you practiced and you just might forget about being nervous.

Here are a few things to remember when you are giving a speech:

1. Make eye contact(眼神交流) with your classmates.

2. Speak clearly and slowly.

3. Look at your note-cards only when you have to.

4.▲. Once you are in front of the class, pretend(假装) that you are a famous expert on your topic and everyone is listening carefully to your EVERY word. (I do that sometimes!) Then, you will certainly enjoy the whole speech!

Well, that's all for now. I am thinking of you today and I know you will do great. Do your best and be brave like George Washington. He was an excellent choice for your speech.

Good luck Eric!

Maybe we can go out for ice-cream after school.

Love,

Mom