Animals are important in Indian culture and are treated in a special way. For example, a lot of elephants aren't {#blank#}1{#/blank#} . they are domesticated(驯养). They aren't kept as pets, but as working animals. Every working elephant {#blank#}2{#/blank#} its own keeper. An elephant and its keep meet for the first time when they are both young, and they grow up together. In fact, their relationship continues for the rest of the elephant's {#blank#}3{#/blank#} perhaps 40 years. Lots of elephants work in the forest, moving heavy {#blank#}4{#/blank#} when they are cut down. Some give rides to tourists, or {#blank#}5{#/blank#} people during celebrations and festivals. Keepers take excellent care of their elephants , feeding them {#blank#}6{#/blank#} and giving them a bath at the end of the working day.

{#blank#}7{#/blank#} special animal in India is the cow. Cows are protected animals, {#blank#}8{#/blank#}    they aren't kept on farms or killed for food, although people do use their milk. So in India you can often see cows walking around towns and cities, and nobody tries  {#blank#}9{#/blank#}   them. If they sit down in the middle of the road, people  {#blank#}10{#/blank#}  drive around them! Do you think it's interesting?

            I work as a volunteer for an organization that helps the poor in Haiti. Recently I took my son Barrett there for a week, hoping to  1  him. Before setting out, I told Barrett this trip would be tiring and   2  . For the first two days, he said almost nothing. I worried the trip was too much for a 17-year-old boy. Then on day three, as we were climbing  3    high rocky mountains, he turned to me and grinned (咧嘴笑), "Pretty hard."

    After that there was no turning back. A five-year-old girl, wearing a dress several sizes   4  large and broken shoes, followed Barrett around, mesmerized (着迷). He couldn't stop   5   . Later he said regretfully . "I   6   I could speak French." I was  7－this from a boy who hated and    8   French classes throughout school.

       Usually silent, he made friends with Gaby, our host, and kept asking questions about the country and its people. He came alive

      However, the moment that really took 9    breath away happened during my interview with a woman villager for an article at her house deep in the mountains. 135 centimeters tall, she was small in figure but strong in 10  . Through determination(决心), she had learned to read and write and 11  to become part of the leadership of the village .    her story, Barrett was as touched as I by this tiny woman's achievements. His eyes were wet and 12  was a mixture of love and respect on his face. He had finally understood the importance of my work.  13       When leaving for home, Barrett  13offered to stay behind as a volunteer. My insides suddenly felt struck. This   14  achieved all I'd expected. Soon he will celebrate his 18th birthday. He'll be a man.