During all this time I never stopped thinking about escape. When I traveled across to the other side of the island (岛屿), I could see the other islands, and I said to myself, “Perhaps I can get there with a boat. Perhaps I can get back to England one day.”
So I decided to make myself a boat. I cut down a big tree, and then began to make a long hole (洞) in it. It was hard work, but about six months later, I had a very fine canoe (独木舟). Next, I had to get it down to the sea. How silly I was! Why didn't I think before I began work? Of course, the canoe was too heavy. I couldn't move it! I pulled and pushed and tried everything, but it didn't move. I was very unhappy for a long time after that.
That happened in my fourth year on the island. In my sixth year I did make myself a smaller canoe, but I did not try to escape in it. The boat was too small for a long journey, and I did not want to die at sea. The island was my home now, not my prison, and I was just happy to be alive. A year or two later, I made myself a second canoe on the other side of the island. I also built myself a second house there, and so I had two homes.
My life was still busy from morning to night. There were always things to do or to make. I learnt to make new clothes for myself from the skins of dead animals. They looked very strange, it is true, but they kept me dry in the rain.
I kept food and tools (工具) at both my houses, and also wild goats (山羊). There were many goats on the island, and I made fields with high fences to keep them in. They learnt to take food from me, and soon I had goats' milk to drink every day. I also worked hard in my corn (玉米) fields. And so many years went by.

    I was walking around in a store. I saw a cashier (收银员) hand a little boy his money back, saying, "I'm sorry, but you don't have enough money to buy this doll." I walked towards him and asked him who the doll was for.

    "It's the doll that my sister wanted most for Christmas," he said. I told him that maybe Santa Claus will bring it to her and that he shouldn't worry. He sadly replied, "No, Santa Claus can't bring it to her. I have to give the doll to my mom so that she can give it to my sister when she joins her."

    His eyes were so sad while saying this." My sister has gone to be with God. Daddy says that Mom is going to see God very soon too, so I thought that she could take the doll with her to give it to my sister."

    My heart nearly stopped. I quickly reached for my wallet and suggested that we count the money again. "Okay," he said." I hope that I have enough." I added some of my money to his without letting him see and we started to count it. There was enough for the doll and even some spare money left." Thank you, God, for giving me enough money!" the little boy said.

    I left the store, feeling as if my life had been changed forever.

    My name is Alan. I'm 12. I am English. My English teacher is Ms. Green, Her daughter is Helen. She is 13. Helen and I are good friends. This is Helen's school ID card. Its number is A-207789. My school ID card number is A-308828. I lost my school ID card this morning. I must find it. If you find it, please call me at 031—5655. You can e mail me at alan@163.com, too.