Larry and Jo Ann were an ordinary couple. Like any other couple, they made efforts to make ends meet (收支相抵) and do the right thing for their children. They often argued about what was wrong with their marriage and who was to blame (责备). They wanted to make changes.

    "You know, Jo Ann, I've got a magic chest (衣柜) of drawers. Every time I open them, they're full of clean clothes," Larry said. "I want to thank you for filling them all these years."

    Jo Ann stared at her husband and felt strange. This wasn't the first time Larry had done something strange recently, so Jo Ann forgot it quickly. But it happened again a few days later.

    "Jo Ann, that was a great dinner," Larry said one evening. "I appreciate all you have done in the past 15 years. You have cooked lots of delicious food for me and the kids. "

    Jo Ann was growing worried. "What's wrong with my husband?" she wondered.

    Day in and day out, Larry continued his praise.

    Over the weeks, Jo Ann grew more used to her husband's unusual behavior. Her step was now a little lighter and she didn't seem to get upset as often.

    Larry has never told Jo Ann the reason for his change in behavior. So it will likely remain one of life's mysteries. But it's one I'm thankful to live with.

    You see, I am Jo Ann.

    Long long ago, there was a small village in the mountains, and many people lived there. Mike was one of them. He was a middle-aged man. The people in the village always laughed at him. They liked to show visitors how stupid Mike was. They thought this was an amusing thing to do.

    One day, a visitor came to the village. "Watch this!" a villager said and called to Mike." Come and play a game, Mike." he shouted. Mike walked slowly towards him, with a silly smile on his face. "Look, Mike, "the villager said, "I have got something for you." He showed Mike a $1 coin and a much larger 50￠（美分） coin." Which one would you like？" he asked Mike, holding them both out. Mike immediately took the 50￠coin. The villager laughed." See how stupid he is!" he said," He always does that. How stupid he is!" He walked away, leaving Mike with the visitor.

    The visitor felt sorry for Mike." Mike, listen," he said," Although the 50￠ coin is bigger than the 1 coin, the 1 coin is worth much more. Twice as much." "I know that," Mike said," But the very first time I take the $1 coin, they will stop playing the game. "Mike went away and left the visitor in silence.

    Blue Ocean Aquarium is a great place for families to take a holiday. Children love to see the sea animals and watch movies about sharks in it.

    Last Saturday morning, Mr. Black took his wife and two little sons to the aquarium. At the ticket office, he asked, "How much shall I pay to get in?" The woman at the ticket office answered, "The price is 20 dollars for each adult(成年人) or any kid older than five. We let kids in free(免费) if they are five or younger. How old are your kids?" Mr. Black said, "The older one is six and the younger one is three. I think I must buy three tickets." The woman was surprised. She said, "Sir, don't you want to save 20 dollars? If you tell me your older son is five, I won't know the difference." Mr. Black said with a smile, "Yes, that sounds right, but my kids will know the difference."

    From Mr. Black's story, we know honesty is very important in the modern society. We should tell the truth to the people around us, especially to the kids.

It is a long time since the story happened to me. And it is an unforgettable 1 for me. On a cold winter afternoon, I was walking home from a supermarket. My shopping bags were so 2 that I decided to stop to have a rest. Then I noticed a man walking out of a restaurant in front of me. He was holding a paper bag in his hand. He walked to a nearby dustbin (垃圾桶) and started looking 3 it.

Seeing this, I suddenly felt 4 . What a poor man he was! I knew the man would take all he could get from the dustbin, so I went up to him and gave him some 5 . The man, with wrinkles (皱纹) on his face, looked up in surprise and took what I gave him.

A big smile appeared on his face. Then he said, "Wow! First someone gave me this sandwich, then this drink, and now you gave me some delicious fruit. This is my little daughter's lucky day. I am sure 6 will be very happy. Thank you, boy!" Then he went away, singing a song 7 .

Just then, I understood what the saying "Giving is getting" really meant. Everyone in the world needs help, everyone will offer help and everyone will be 8 by others. Giving sometimes doesn't 9 much, but it means a lot to the people who you help. The man's 10 face at that moment comes into my mind every time when I help others. Then I can feel the bright happiness from the bottom of my heart.

 Betty and Carl wanted to go on a holiday. They chose a place called Maldives(马尔代夫). And they decided to 1 there for two weeks in spring, because they heard that the weather there was 2 at that time. They worked very hard for several3 . At last, they made enough money for their 4 trip. But their trip was more like a nightmare(噩梦)!

 The problem 5 when the flight (航班) was put off because of the bad weather. They couldn't 6 until night. They got on the 7 twelve hours later! But they couldn't fly to Maldives because there was a storm(暴风雨). They had to fly to another city first. There they stayed in a small hotel near the airport. 

 The hotel was next to the sea, but the sea was so8 that they couldn't swim in it. And the hotel swimming pool was 9 of leaves! The food was terrible, too. For breakfast there was 10 bread and milk! The worst part was when the storm came. They felt really11 . Because of the bad 12 , they had to stay for another night in the small hotel. And they had 13 to do. It was so boring. In the end, they 14 in Maldives three days later. And someone told them the weather was15 all the time there!