People normally think of dogs as man's best friend, but to Brian Wilson, his two pet parrots are his best friends.

    It all began in 1995, when Brian was still a firefighter. A car accident caused serious damage to his brain. After several months of treatment, Brian's doctors said that he would never talk again and that he would have to spend the rest of his life in a nursing home.

    However, according to Brian, his two pet parrots didn't give up easily. They kept talking to him day and night, until one day, he said one word, then another, and all of a sudden was talking like a normal person again!

    Brian was so thankful that he decided to set up a home for birds which are not wanted by their owners. Now, his house is home to about 80 birds, including a great variety of birds like several macaws, cockatoos and African gray parrots. The birds fly around from room to room, some cackling (咯咯叫), others talking like humans. Though they all have big cages, Brian lets them fly freely inside the house.

    Over the years, Brian has developed a special relationship with birds. The birds that bite other humans, seem to like him and can get along with him well. He is now called a bird whisperer (鸟语者). Brian pays for most of the costs of looking after the birds with his own money, but has recently established a foundation (基金会) to accept donations. He and his birds also earn money by performing at birthday parties, weddings and other social events.

    For people who want to adopt (领养) Brian's birds, they have to volunteer at the foundation for three months before they can take the pet home.

Two months ago, my husband's hand was badly hurt after an accident at work. Then we had to, drive to the hospital to do the physical therapy(治疗)for his hand three times a week.

Today while we were driving to the hospital. We saw a young man standing in the strong and cold winds. We stopped and asked if he needed a ride. He gladly accepted and jumped into the back seat. His name was Dan and he wasn't going far.

As we dropped him off, we noticed he had many large piles (堆) of cut wood in his yard. We asked if he was interested in selling any. He said," Oh, you can just come by anytime, even if I'm not here and take all you want." We asked how much it would cost for a trunk load (一箱). He answered," It's free. We have more than we'll ever use. So just come by and get it anytime. Thanks for the ride and have a great day!"

We still wanted to pay for it and would only get it when someone was home, but he just kept saying what he already told us.

Dan just wanted to repay (回报) us with the wood, never knowing how much that would mean to us because my husband isn't able to chop any wood for us this winter.

When I was a student, life gave me a gift—happiness. One weekend, a car ran over me and hurt my 1 on my way home. 

Several days later, when I woke up in the 2 , I knew that I had to spend the rest of my life without arms. I felt 3 at that time. I was scared, but I knew that I had to face the fact. I couldn't get my arms back even if I4 every day. 

However, I got so much 5 from my family and friends. They made me become strong. From then on, I lived a（n） 6 life and enjoyed it. But in my daily life, I often see my classmates 7 little things: the bus comes late; they don't have mobile phones but others have, and so on. For me, I learned something important from the accident（意外）8 . We shouldn't pay too much attention to what we have 9 . We should think of what we have. Someone may say, "If I have a new car, I can 10 my life." But when you get the car, you will feel happy for a week and then feel unhappy because of other things. 

Happiness is about what we have! It comes from learning the importance of the things we have. 

Last month, I spent one week traveling in Australia by car. At the end of 1 trip, I had to return the car to the car rental company(汽车租赁公司).

I could see the company's sign,2 I couldn't find the way to the parking lot. I drove around the company for about half an 3 . Finally, I decided to ask someone for help.

" Could you please tell me 4 to get to the parking lot?"I asked 5 when a man came up to me.

" Of course!" he smiled.

 Instead of simply telling 6 the direction, he got in my car to show the way.

 After guiding me to the right place, the friendly man also helped me give the car back. To show my thanks, I invited him7 a meal together. He agreed.

 Then we8 some delicious food in a restaurant nearby. We talked happily as we enjoyed our meal. Though he seemed busy, he spent several hours 9 me.

I met many friendly people in Australia, but I will never forget the warm- hearted man, who made me feel much10 during that trip. And his kindness also made me decide to try my best to help people in need just like him.

There is a park near my home. But I don't go there very often. One afternoon, I went into the 1  and found it was very small. In the park there were two 2 ways. One was wide and clean, there were lots of beautiful3 on both sides, but the other was narrow and dirty, wild grass grew everywhere. I stood there for a while, at last I decided to follow the dirty way.

Ah! There was a small4 there. It was the most beautiful garden I had ever seen. There were trees and flowers. Some clean and comfortable chairs were under the trees. I thought it was the 5 place of the park.

Many people6 me that there was nothing to see in the park. Now I would love to tell them if they follow the right way, they can feel the 7 . But each time I tell them, they just smile at me without 8 . I know they don't believe me. My trip to the park that day made me understand 9 about life. In our life, we always have to make a decision. Don't be 10 to choose a different way. Be brave. You may get a big surprise!

A man left the airport(机场). There were many taxis. He asked every driver's name and he took the third one. It cost him $5 to go from the airport to the hotel. Then the man asked the driver to show him around the city for a whole day. For this task, the driver wanted $100. It was too much, but the man said nothing and agreed(同意). 

 The driver took the man to many places happily. 

 In the evening, they went back to the hotel. The man gave $100 to the driver and asked for another day of driving. It was another $100. The driver was very happy to be getting more money than before. 

 The next day, they went to the same places again. In the evening, the driver got his money, but he felt guilty(内疚的). He liked the man and 100 dollars a day was expensive. Finally the man's trip was coming to an end. 

"So you are going home. Where are you from?"

"I come from Kenova, Wayne County, in West Virginia. "

"Kenova?" said the driver. "I have a sister there. Her name is Susan Miller. Do you know her?"

"Yes, she asked me to give you 200 dollars!"