Once, in a small village, lived a family with two children, James and Jack. {#blank#}1{#/blank#} of them loved painting very much, but the family was so {#blank#}2{#/blank#} that it was impossible to send both of them to study at the art college at the same time. After many discussions, the two boys finally worked {#blank#}3{#/blank#} a plan. They would throw a coin. The loser would go to work in the mines（矿井） to support his brother's studies at the college. Then, when the brother at college {#blank#}4{#/blank#} his studies after four years, he would support the other brother's college studies.

    James {#blank#}5{#/blank#}, and so Jack went down into the mines. James worked with all his heart, and his paintings were soon much {#blank#}6{#/blank#} than those of most of his teachers. By the time he graduated, he was beginning to make a lot of money from his paintings.

    When James returned, the family held a big dinner to {#blank#}7{#/blank#} his great success. Soon after {#blank#}8{#/blank#} dinner began, James stood up from his seat to drink a toast to his dear brother. He said, "Jack, now you can go to the art college and your dream will come true. I will take care of you."

{#blank#}9{#/blank#} Jack said softly, "Brother, the four years in the mines has done too much to my hands, so it's too late. Now I can't even hold a glass."

James was heart-broken. One hour {#blank#}10{#/blank#}, he drew a simple picture of his brother's hands. This drawing is today known as the famous picture named The Praying Hands.

    It was thesummer before my third grade. Our girls' softball team was facing real pitchers(投球手)1thefirst time. Before that, we could just hit the ball on the tee (球座). When the coach started pitching, hitting became2forme. I missed every single pitch. From the side, I heard my teammate Emilylaughing at3. My face got hot and my throat feltlike it had a softball stuck in. At that moment, I was starting to4playingsoftball.

    The nextafternoon, when Mum said it was time to play the game, I told her I was5.She allowed me to lie down for a while. So I went to my room and6myselfin bed. This was difficult for me because I was fine and just7toavoid softball.

    Soon Mumcame in and said, "Time to go!" She didn't even ask if I felt8.I imagined Emily laughing from the sideline, and9Ireally did feel sick to my stomach. I began crying loudly. Still, Mum pulled myteam T-shirt over my head. She said, "You have to10forthe rest of the season, and only after that we can talk about11you'llcontinue next year." She added that practice was what I needed, not12.She promised to practise with me.

    I got twohits that afternoon, and Emily didn't make a13.Every week after that, I practised at home14I got to be one of thebest hitters on the team.

    That15taughtme that being afraid is part of life, and I can do whatever is expected of meif I keep working and practising.

Many stories happened at the Children's Medical Care Center. These stories deeply touched us. We saw a lot of children without hair because they got special treatment（治疗）.We played with them and drew pictures with them.They had great pains, but they were very friendly. It was much easier to talk with them than we had expected.

One day, a girl wanted toteach us how to fold paper.She taught us with great patience（耐心）and explained each step slowly.Though we could do that well，we still pretended（假装）to know nothing about it. We followed her step by step and did as she told us. Finaly,when we completed our work perfectly,she gave us a big hug．We could see the pride and happinss on her face．（A）她的父亲对我们十分感激。And his eyes were full of tears. Until then，we knew that the girl would receive an operation（手术）the next day.

It was really a valuable experience to all of us. We began to think about the ways to deal with the difficulties in life. （B）When we compare our "troubles"with those kids'. ours seem not worth mentioning at all.

Ole is a student from Norway at East China Normal School. He first visited China in 2016, and since then, he {#blank#}1{#/blank#} (develop) a deep interest in traditional Chinese culture. Recently, he and his team won the Shanghai International Students Dragon Boat Race. It was the team's{#blank#}2{#/blank#} (six) win in a row and his second time winning the first prize. "I {#blank#}3{#/blank#} (introduce) to the dragon boat racing in the spring of 2023. My teacher noticed my strong arms and encouraged me {#blank#}4{#/blank#} (try) it," said Ole. When he was asked the secret of his success, he replied, "There is no ‘I', {#blank#}5{#/blank#} only ‘we'. My teammates are international students coming {#blank#}6{#/blank#} different countries. Before we became the champions, we practiced rowing three times a week, trying to match the strokes with drumbeat. 

At first, we weren't very good. We did not know {#blank#}7{#/blank#} the problem lay. However, with continuous effort, we learned that teamwork is the key. Although we are culturally different, we are one team in the race. Before each race, the team would stand in {#blank#}8{#/blank#} circle and cheer loudly. "Taking part in this sport, we realized the {#blank#}9{#/blank#} (important) of cooperation. We trained hard, each stroke bringing us a closer to understanding the tradition of Dragon Boat Festival," said Ole {#blank#}10{#/blank#} (proud).

Many people think skateboarding（滑板） is very cool，but it's hard to learn this sport. I {#blank#}1{#/blank#}in a skateboarding camp last summer. On the first day，our{#blank#}2{#/blank#} ，Hagen，taught us how to stand on a skateboard. It sounded{#blank#}3{#/blank#}，but in fact it was difficult to do that. 

I could hardly keep my balance（平衡） on the skateboard， {#blank#}4{#/blank#}I was a beginner. I often fell on the ground. I couldn't even stand up. I was so tired that I wanted to have a（n） {#blank#}5{#/blank#}. But just when l was going to give up（放弃），I remembered the words my mum told {#blank#}6{#/blank#}， "No pains，no gains. " If I stopped halfway，I wouldn't get anything from this camp. So

A few days {#blank#}7{#/blank#}，Hagen taught us how to be cool on the skateboard. With all of my hard work，I did my {#blank#}8{#/blank#}to be cool. 

You may be interested{#blank#}9{#/blank#} skateboarding and think it is cool. {#blank#}10{#/blank#}，if you want to learn it well，you must practise hard. Without the love for it，you will never be cool on a skateboard!

I met Miss C about 45 years ago. Back then, she was my {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(sister) kindergarten teacher. I used{#blank#}2{#/blank#}(wish) I was her student when I looked into her classroom. Miss C {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(create) a safe place where children could be whatever they wanted to be. But my parents and sister told me I could start school when I was 4.

For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to be{#blank#}4{#/blank#}teacher. When I graduated, I couldn't wait to invite Miss C to my classroom. She arrived one day, and I saw joy on my students'{#blank#}5{#/blank#} (face) when they learned with her. After that, she often volunteered in my classroom. Over the years, we have shared our ups and downs{#blank#}6{#/blank#}each other. She asks me about my family and friends, and she tells me about hers.

I am here in her house now as the time to sell her house is near. I bring up boxes from her basement (地下室).I find papers about the ABC letters. I find my own name, too.{#blank#}7{#/blank#} (sudden), my mind goes back to Room 3.

Many years ago, Miss C sat on a chair while my classmates and I sat on the carpet. We learned about the letters. Now. Miss C and I sit on the chairs in her house, and we talk for hours. I listen carefully {#blank#}8{#/blank#}I know I still have more to learn from her.

It's amazing to meet a teacher{#blank#}9{#/blank#}can both teach you knowledge and support you in your life.{#blank#}10{#/blank#} lucky I am! Our friendship is one that neither of us expected.