When I was in a primary school, I argued with a boy in my class. I forget what the argument was about, but I will never forget the 1I learned that day.

     I thought that I was right and he was wrong.2he thought that I was wrong and he was right. The teacher3 to teach us a very important lesson. She brought us to the front of the class and asked him to stand on one side of her desk and me on 4. In the middle of her desk was a large , round ball. I could5 see that was black . She asked the boy what color the ball was.”White,” he answered.

     I couldn't 6 he said the ball was white, while it was obviously(明显地)black! Another argument started7 us. This time it was about the8of the ball. The teacher told us to change the places and then asked me what color the ball was. I answered, “White.” It was a ball with 9 differently colored sides, and from his side it was white. Only from my side it was black.

     Sometimes we need to 10problems from the other person's opinion in order to truly understand his or her opinion.

    Monday morning is an important time at our school. All of the students go to the playground. We listen to music, and we1the national flag (国旗) go up.

    Usually, one student gives a talk on Monday mornings. One Monday last year, a boy gave the talk. He was2and excited! When I saw him, I wanted to have a try, too. Can I really do it?

    Last week, our teacher said our class should give the talk. My teacher3me, “I know you want to have a try. Next Monday, you can give the talk. Go and write something down. Get ready for it. I'm sure you'll do well. ”

    “Thank you,” I answered. It was such a great 4 for me! When I got home, I was excited. I wrote two pages for the talk. I read them again and again. When I read, I asked my parents 5. I wanted to make my teacher happy.

    Monday morning came. I began to feel 6. When did I last give a talk to so many people? Never! This was my first time. Could I really do it? Maybe I couldn't finish the talk.

    When I got to school, we all went out to playground. I 7 in front of everyone. I opened my mouth, but I couldn't say anything.

    “Take it easy,” I said to8. “Don't be nervous. You can do it. ”

    Just then, I looked down at everyone. I saw about 1,000 eyes. They were all looking at me! I couldn't even stand up.

    I looked at their eyes more carefully. Their eyes were saying, “You can do it! Don't be afraid, just talk!”

    I9a big breath(呼吸). Then I began to talk. It wasn't hard. It was easy.

    I don't know10I finished my talk. But I did it. I felt so good that day. I showed myself to everyone what I can do.

Philip is the bravest boy I know. His friends and family are all very1him.

Ten-year-old Philip was born with an2which means that he is always breaking his bones（骨头）. Although he has such a serious illness, Philip3playing sports. In January last year he4wheelchair racing. He came second in his first5, and since then Philip has won every other race!

In order to look for a new challenge（挑战）， Philip6to take part in the London Wheelchair Marathon（马拉松）7, five days before the race Philip got sick. He didn't want to8He finally made up his mind to take part. Philip was given medicine by his doctor and guess what? He not only9it, but he also finished in first place!

Philip is very10and never gives up. That's why he has been chosen to be the Bravest Child of the Month.

Tick-tock. Tick-tock

    Andreas watched the clock moving very slowly. This was his last class of the day - biology. Usually, Andreas really liked biology. But today was 1. Today there were tryouts（预赛） for the basketball team after school.

    There was only one thing that Andreas liked more than biology: basketball. Because of the tryouts, Andreas had been 2 for months.

    Tyrell had been Andreas's best friend since kindergarten. He was also trying out for the basketball team that afternoon. Andreas was glad he'd have his best friend by his 3.

    Suddenly the bell rang and class was over. Andreas and Tyrell walked down to the gym: When they got there, Andreas's heart sank (下沉). There were at least 60 boys crowded there, but the basketball team only had 4 for 20 people. Andreas and Tyrell looked at each other. What if only one of them made the team? That would be 5 than not making the team at all.

    The coach blew a whistle and the tryouts began. Andreas and Tyrell were separated into different groups. As soon as he 6 his hands on the basketball, Andreas felt better. This was why he loved the game. All the nights of practicing paid off as he took shots from the 3-point line.

    When the tryouts were over, the coach said he was posting a list of who made the team the next day before school. Andreas felt his stomach tighten. He knew he had played well, 7 was it good enough?

    "It's OK," said Tyrell. "I'm sure you made it. I just don't know if I did."

    "Playing on the basketball team wouldn't be any 8 without you," a little upset.

    They walked the rest of the way home in silence.

The next morning Andreas hurried to school and went to see the 9. Tyrell's name was at the very top—--he had made it! But Andreas didn't see his name anywhere.

    "Andreas!" He heard Tyrell's happy voice. "We made it!"

    "What do you mean?" asked Andreas. "My name's not on there."

Tyrell 10 up the first sheet of paper and pointed to Andrea's name at the very top of the second sheet. They shouted and gave each other a high-five（击掌）. They were going to be on the basketball team together.

Painting from Memory

    I was born in Damyang, a beautiful place known for its bamboo forests in Korea. I spent much time in the forests painting pictures of the 1 . Painting is one of my talents. I lived there until last year when my family moved to New York. My mother, a scientist, was asked to come work here.

    "There are no bamboo forests," I said, "there is nothing to 2 in New York."" Don't worry, you will find many things to see and paint there," my mother said. I still felt 3. "But I will miss home," I said. "Then you can paint pictures of your favorite places. They will make you feel at home even in New York," she said. So when we moved, I brought my forest paintings with me.

    New York was not easy at first. I missed home a lot. Yet when I looked at my paintings of bamboo, I felt much better. 1 soon 4 friends at school too. They also like painting, and we now paint in a group after school.

    Last month, we had a new neighbor, Varvara, an old lady who moved from Russia, to be closer to her daughter. She was sad to leave her home. My mother and I often visited her. She told us her unbearable homesick and everything about her hometown Vyborg. I could5 her home in my head.

    Varvara missed her home so much that she became ill. I worried about her and I wanted to do something for her. I had ever been in her6 before. At least, I had my forest paintings of home. However, she didn't even have that. Unless. A few days later, I met Varvara on the stairs. She looked better but still sad. I gave her my gift: a painting of Vyborg. I had painted it from her 7.

    She began to cry as she saw the painting. At first, I was worried that she didn't like it. Later, she told me that those were 'cars of joy. I knew just how she8 -wherever you go, hometown is always with you.