The Water City of Venice

    In 1980s, I went to Italy for business. One day, I sat with my friend in a well-known coffee shop in a neighboring town of Venice(威尼斯), Italy, the city of lights and 1.

    As we enjoyed our coffee, a young man2 glasses entered and sat at an empty table beside us. He called the waiter and placed his order saying, “Two cups of coffee, one of them there 3 the wall.”

    We heard this order with interest and found that he 4 with one cup of coffee but he paid for two.

    When he left, the waiter 5 a piece of paper on the wall saying “A Cup of Coffee”.

    While we were still there, 6 middle-aged men entered and ordered three cups of coffee, two on the table and one on the wall. They had two cups of coffee but 7 three and left. This time also, the waiter did the same. He put a piece of paper on the wall saying, “A Cup of Coffee”.

    It was 8 and perplexing(困惑)for us. We finished our coffee, paid the bill and left.

    After a few days, we had a chance  9 this coffee shop again. While we were enjoying our coffee, a man 10 dressed entered. As he seated himself, he 11 the wall and said, “One cup of coffee from the wall.”

    The waiter served coffee to this man with the customary(惯常的)respect. The man had his coffee and left  12 paying.

    We were amazed to watch all this, as the waiter 13 a piece of paper from the wall and threw it into the rubbish bin.

    Now it was no 14 for us-the matter was very clear. The great respect for the needy shown by the inhabitants(居民)of this town 15 our eyes well up in tears.

    Many years later, when I went to Venice for business again, I did the same thing as my appreciation to this beautiful world.

    It's Christmas at Clara's home. Many guests arrive to celebrate with the family. Clara's godfather, Herr Drosselmeyer, makes toys. He gives Clara a very special gift of a 1 . Her brother, Fritz, is 2 . He takes the nutcracker away and it gets broken! After all the guests leave and the children go to bed, Clara 3 up at night and goes downstairs to get her nutcracker under the tree. She 4 asleep there. She dreams that all her toys come to life and are fighting against the bad Mouse King. The Nutcracker flies to 5 young Clara, but is struck down. Clara saves her Nutcracker by 6 her shoe at the Mouse King.

    With the Mouse King out of the way, Clara runs to the Nutcracker. When she kisses him, he turns into a prince! Then she and her prince enjoy a 7 trip along which they see dancing snowflakes and are welcomed by sweets.

    On Christmas morning, Clara wakes under the 8 holding her nutcracker. This story of Nutcracker is very popular,9 with kids. It was made into a ballet. Russian 10Tchaikovsky composed his beautiful music and that is one of the reasons why people love to watch it. See it at the theatre and yo'll find the story is also told by beautiful dances, rather than just words.

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    A king loved music. One day, a man 1 the king a harp (竖琴). When the king played it,   the harp sounded terrible. Many people tried it. They agreed that the harp was useless. It was thrown out as rubbish.

    A little girl found the harp. She didn't know how to 2 it. She decided to have a try. She played day and night. The music was never perfect,  3 each time it sounded a little better.

    One day, the harp started to produce beautiful music. In fact, it was a 4 harp. It could be played well by someone if he put in enough effort (努力).

    The king called the girl to the palace. When he saw that she was playing the old harp. He was filled with joy. He made the girl his own private 5.

    Do you like playing football? It is so popular among boys nowadays. Johnny, a twelve-year-old boy, 1 likes it very much. He used to 2 it in his room. His parents were very angry and told him several 3 not to play football at home because he could break 4, but he never listened.

    Last Sunday, his 5 went out for a walk and Johnny couldn't help playing football again. He was enjoying his game in the living room 6 his parents came in and saw him.

    “Oh, my God, Johnny, you know that playing with your ball at home is not 7. We are very 8 about you and are going to give your ball to another kid. You should obey(遵守)the rules 9 you are at home." Johnny's father said.

    Johnny felt very sad. He 10 that it was his mistake. He decided to obey the rules later, not only at home, but also at school.

    John was a manager in a factory. He enjoyed running for exercise around the park when he was free.

    One Sunday afternoon, after running as usual, John 1to go home and had a rest. Just then, he noticed an old woman standing by the road. 2old woman looked around worriedly. John went over and asked what 3 for her. After a short talk. John came to know that she forgot her way home and got lost. Besides, she was very tired and hungry. John called the old woman's son and then took her to the4restaurant.

    In the restaurant, John ordered food and drink for the old woman  5. While eating, sometimes she carelessly sprinkled(撒)food and drink on the table and on her coat. Other customers felt disgusted(厌悲的)at this sight. 6John didn't care about this. He stood up and cleaned the table from time to time 7 silence.

    It took the old woman some time 8 eating. After that, John paid the bill and they were ready to leave when the old woman's son arrived. He held John's hands and said, "Thanks to your help, my mother  9well" "You're welcome. She makes me remember my mom who died years ago. I did what a son should do, "said John. All the 10around showed respect(尊敬)to John. They were touched by his kindness.