I've loved my mother's desk since I was just tall enough to see above the top of it as mother sat doing letters. Standing by her chair, looking at the ink bottle, pens, and white paper, I decided that the act of writing must be the most wonderful thing in the world. Years later, during her final illness, mother kept different things for my sister and brother. “But the desk,” she would say again, “it's for Elizabeth.” I never saw her be angry, and never saw her cry. I knew she loved me—she showed it in action. But as a young girl, I wanted heart-to-heart talks between mother and daughter. They never happened. And a gulf opened between us. I was “too emotional(易动感情的)”. But she lived “on the surface(表面)”. As years passed I had my own family. I loved my mother and thanked her for our happy family. I wrote to her in careful words and asked her to let me know in any way she chose that she did forgive(原谅) me. I posted the letter and waited for her answer. None came. My hope turned to disappointment(失望), then little interest and, finally, peace— it seemed that nothing happened. I couldn't be sure that the letter had even got to mother. I only knew that I had written it, and I could stop trying to make her into someone she was not. Now the present of her desk told, as she'd never been able to, that she was pleased that writing was my chosen work. I cleaned the desk carefully and found some papers inside —a photo of my father and a one-page letter, folded(折叠) and refolded many times. Give me an answer, my letter asks, in any way you choose. Mother, you always chose the act that speaks louder than words.

    Issumboshi was a one-inch boy, and he was so small that he could not do any useful work on the family farm. His grandfather became tired of feeding such a useless man and sent him away to the city.

    “Learn to become a warrior(武士),”he told his grandson.“Then perhaps you will grow into a man of normal height.”

    To help the little man on his way, his grandfather gave him a cup to use as a boat on the river, his mother gave him two long grains of rice to use as oars and his father gave him a pin to use as a sword.

    Issumboshi's journey was long and dangerous. However, because he was so brave and clever, he at last reached the city safely.

    To his surprise, the streets were empty. The people of the city were hiding in their houses from a powerful giant.

    Immediately, brave Issumboshi went out to meet the giant. The giant tried to pick him up and eat him, but Issumboshi was so small and quick that the giant could not get hold of him.

    Issumboshi struck again and again at the giant with his sword. Before long, the giant fell to the ground and died from a thousand wounds.

    “Oh, what a great warrior he is!”the people of the city shouted as they came out of their houses.“What a great hero this young man is!”Hearing this, Issumboshi felt so proud that he stood up straight. He told himself, “I am already taller than I was. How wise my grandfather was to send me to the city!

People often say," Dogs are man's best friend." But cat lovers may not agree. Cats are becoming more popular in China. So, if you want to keep a cat as your pet, here are some things that you should know.

 Cats are great pets if you' re busy. They are great for small homes, because they don't need a lot of space(空间). They are quiet, too. sometimes they meow. Those cute sounds often mean your cat wants food, or it is saying hello.

What do pet cats eat? Those cats usually eat pet food. But in the wild, (野外) cats are carnivores, that means they only eat meat. Cats need more protein than dogs.

When you call your cat's name, it turns its head or does nothing at all. You may think your cat doesn't know its name. In fact, your cat knows its name. But most of the time, it just want to ignore (忽略) you and" be cool".

Cats are great pets if you know more about them. Don't you think so?

Mrs. Brown lives on a farm. Every day she gets up early and then starts her 1 : watering the plants, cleaning the yard(院子) and feeding the animals. Her husband, Mr. Brown usually makes her some bread and eggs for 2 . But today Mr. Brown isn't 3 in the kitchen and there is no food on the table.

" Tom!" Mrs. Brown calls her husband. There is no answer. She goes out and calls her4 . " Max!" But it doesn't 5 . Then Mrs. Brown goes to the yard and tries to 6 the dog. There is nothing.

" What is happening?" She is a bit 7 . She runs to check the cows. But there are no cows. Mrs. Brown looks around and finds no other 8 . " Where are my pigs and my horse?" she thinks.

 Then Mrs. Brown hears a noise behind the house. She runs to the back to 9 . Everyone is there: Mr. Brown, Max, the cows, the pigs and the horse.

"SURPRISE!" Mr. Brown holds a birthday cake and says 10 to Mrs. Brown, " this is today's breakfast for you, dear! Happy birthday!"

There are many interesting and fun things at my school.{#blank#}1{#/blank#}On September 9th, we have a soccer game at three in the afternoon. It's interesting for me. In October, we have a school trip.{#blank#}2{#/blank#} I really like it.{#blank#}3{#/blank#}The English party is on November 4th. It's in our classroom. The art festival is on November 22nd.{#blank#}4{#/blank#}On the 15th, we have a book sale in the school library.{#blank#}5{#/blank#}This is a really busy term!

On a recent Saturday morning, an excited crowd gathered together on San Francisco's waterfront.  They were watching in amazement as bubble (气泡) artist Kurth Reis slowly drew a large bubble from his bucket (桶) and released it into the air.  Several minutes later, the bubble suddenly popped.  A little girl in the crowd jumped and clapped.  She turned to Reis, eager for another show.  The "bubble man" had succeeded once again in bringing a little bit of joy to others.  

The 49-year-old traveled a rocky path to his new "job".  In 2018, Reis, then a deliveryman, had a serious motorcycle accident.  The man had several operations.  Each time he woke up after an operation, he felt like he had been "reborn".  Following 88 days in the hospital, he felt ready to start a new life.  In 2020, COVID-19 fled his city with sorrow.  Reis thought about what he could do to help make people feel happy again.  He turned to soap and learned to make large bubbles.  

Last year, Reis began performing his art form in parks across San Francisco.  People started to call him the "bubble man".  Some of them give him tips, but the man says he doesn't care about the money.  Reis feels that his art is useful in more important ways.  Not long ago, a woman spoke to him after watching one of his performances.  She told him that she had been very sad ever since her father's death.  Seeing his "joyful" bubbles, however, made her feel much better.  

 "I can't save the world.  I'm not trying to," Reis says.  "But by making some bubbles, I can put a smile on somebody's face. "