I was traveling alone through the UK. To reach places that were off the public transportation map，I bought an old car, which cost most of my money. I couldn't afford to stay in the hotel, so I had to camp in my car for the rest of the trip.

    One morning I awoke in my old car on a country road in Ireland and saw a single house. The water in my thermos (保温瓶）had gone cold, so I knocked on the door of the house. A woman opened it. I asked her for some hot water. But she wouldn't let me get away with just that! I was invited indoors. She asked me to sit at the table and have breakfast with her family. They filled my thermos before I left.

I was greatly moved. And I decided to pass the kindness on. The other day I met a young man who had been driving around to look for a parking lot. He looked increasingly upset. I was glad that I was able to point one out to him. His thankful smile was the hugest reward (奖赏）for me.

    When Jim was young, he liked watches very much. When he was 18 years old, he joined the army, and after a year, he began to teach himself to mend watches. A lot of his friends brought him their watches with problems and asked for mending. Jim was always glad to help.

    Jim's captain(土校) heard about this, and one day he brought Jim a watch and said, "My watch doesn't work, can you mend it for me?" "Yes, sir. I can. " Jim answered. A few days later, he brought the watch back to the captain. "How much shall I pay?" the captain asked. "Nothing, sir." Jim said. He took out a small box and gave it to the captain and said, "In the box are three wheels from your watch, I couldn't find any places for them when I put everything back."

Once there lived a wise man who had a very lazy son. The wise man was worried about his son's 1 for the son did nothing all day long. One day he said to his son， "There was some treasure in a faraway place and I want you to find it 2 ， no matter how long it takes you. I have drawn a map to guide you and it will be your only partner. " Then he gave his son a bag. Inside the bag there 3 some food， a little money and the map. 

His son set out on his long journey the next day. He had to travel across forests， rivers and mountains. Along the way，he was helped by some with food and by some with shelter（住所）. He also saw changing scenery（风景）and different seasons. Finally， he reached the place his father4 . He spent two days digging for the treasure，but found 5 . 

Feeling 6 ， he had to go home. On his way back， he sometimes would stop to enjoy the beauty of nature. He also learned to hunt and make meals. He had to fix his own shelter by himself. He was able to tell 7 by the position of the sun，find his way out by the marks he made and protect himself 8 wild animals. Also，he met the same people who had helped him 9 . This time，he helped them in return. 

After he reached home， he apologized（道歉）to his father because he didn't find the treasure. "There wasn't any treasure in the very first place，my son，" the father answered with a smile. "10 I think you have found your life's true treasure. "

Festival means having a great time for fun. Every country has its own way of celebrating festivals. Here are some interesting festivals in the world. 

Pamplona Bull(公牛) Run

If you want to experience running in front of the bull, you can plan your visit to Spain to join in their amazing festival. Every year this festival is celebrated during July. Anyone who is above 18 can go and enjoy this festival. 

Konaki Sumo Fest

Every year, this festival is celebrated during April in Japan. In this festival, Sumo Wrestlers(相扑运动员) hold babies in their hands and face off each other to see whose baby will cry first. This festival is perfect for someone who loves sumo wrestlers and babies. 

Holi, Vrindavan

The Holi Festival is also known as the festival of colors. It is an ancient Hindu festival. It starts with a bonfire (篝火) on the night before Holi. The next day is a day of colors. Everyone celebrates it by throwing colors and water to each other. Every year it is celebrated in India during March. 

Gol den Retriever(金毛寻回犬) Festival

Each summer in Scotland, usually around July, hundreds of golden retrievers get together in the country. The festival includes different games and competitions for golden retrievers and their human friends. With a big picnic of delicious Scottish food and group training classes, it is just a happy place to be. 

Dear Zhang Hua,

How time flies! I'm now in Grade 

9. I've changed a lot. I'm more active in both study and life than I was 2 years ago. How about you? What is your biggest change? By the way, I'm still weak in Chinese learning. Could you give me some advice?

Looking forward to your reply!

Yours, Tony

Dear Tony,

Yours, Zhang Hua

I used to be very shy, so I usually just listened to other people's conversations. My teacher Mrs. Smith always encouraged me to communicate with others.

 One day, she told us that our class would put on a play she had written. "I need someone to play the lead role. Does anyone want to try?" she asked. A few excited hands were raised up— mine wasn't one of them. Mrs. Smith walked up to me and said," I think you' re perfect for it."

Me, the lead? Mrs. Smith continued," I was thinking of you for the role when I wrote the play!" Suddenly, I thought it was time to throw away my shyness and show the world who I really was. I looked at Mrs. Smith and said," OK, I'll try."

After five months of practicing, the big day finally arrived. I felt so nervous. My knees shook and my heart beat like I'd just run a mile." It doesn't matter how you do tonight," said Mrs. Smith, as if reading my thoughts." You've already shown yourself how wonderful you are. That's the most important thing for you."

Mrs. Smith was right. When I stepped on the stage(舞台), I showed that I could take chances(机会) and be brave enough to make a big change for myself — a girl with new- found confidence(信心). I thanked Mrs. Smith a lot. She helped me to change by encouraging me to act the lead role of the play. It was a great experience and I'll never forget it.