People normally think of dogs as man's best friend, but to Brian Wilson, his two pet parrots are his best friends.

    It all began in 1995, when Brian was still a firefighter. A car accident caused serious damage to his brain. After several months of treatment, Brian's doctors said that he would never talk again and that he would have to spend the rest of his life in a nursing home.

    However, according to Brian, his two pet parrots didn't give up easily. They kept talking to him day and night, until one day, he said one word, then another, and all of a sudden was talking like a normal person again!

    Brian was so thankful that he decided to set up a home for birds which are not wanted by their owners. Now, his house is home to about 80 birds, including a great variety of birds like several macaws, cockatoos and African gray parrots. The birds fly around from room to room, some cackling (咯咯叫), others talking like humans. Though they all have big cages, Brian lets them fly freely inside the house.

    Over the years, Brian has developed a special relationship with birds. The birds that bite other humans, seem to like him and can get along with him well. He is now called a bird whisperer (鸟语者). Brian pays for most of the costs of looking after the birds with his own money, but has recently established a foundation (基金会) to accept donations. He and his birds also earn money by performing at birthday parties, weddings and other social events.

    For people who want to adopt (领养) Brian's birds, they have to volunteer at the foundation for three months before they can take the pet home.

Once upon a time, in a deep forest lived a hard-working and kind-hearted squirrel named Sammy. Sammy was known for his kind and helpful nature. He was always ready to give a hand to anyone in need.

One sunny morning, Sammy was busy collecting nuts for the winter. Suddenly, he heard a strange noise coming from a nearby bush. Hoping to find out what was happening, he got near the bush and looked inside. There, he found a little bird with a broken wing, struggling to fly.

Sammy felt sorry for the bird and quickly chose to help. He carefully carried the bird back to his comfortable tree hole and tried to cure its wing with leaves and soft grass. Day after day, Sammy gave the bird food and cared for it until its wing got better. As the weeks passed, the bird's wing grew stronger, and it was finally able to fly again. The bird thanked Sammy cheerfully and promised to help him in return whenever he needed it.

Not long after, a terrible storm attacked the forest, and Sammy's tree hole was blocked by fallen branches. Sammy was caught and he didn't know what to do. Just then, the bird flew by and saw Sammy's predicament. It quickly flew to the nearby animals and asked for help.

It took the animals quite a long time to, together, clear the branches and free Sammy from the hole. Sammy felt so thankful and found that his kindness had come back to him in the most surprising way.

From that day on, Sammy has continued to help others, and the forest animals have learned the value of kindness and helping each other. They live happily, knowing that together, they can overcome any challenge.

Life Is Not Always Fair

My father was short and disabled(残疾的). When we walked together, he would hold my arm for balance(平衡). People would stare. 

He liked his work and almost never missed a day, even if he was sick or the weather was bad. When there was snow or ice on the ground, it was impossible for him to walk, even with help. My sister or I would then pull him through the streets on a sleigh to the subway. 

He was a baseball fan and often cheered for our local team. He liked to go to dances and parties, where he could have a good time just sitting and watching. 

Although(虽然) he couldn't do many things that others could do, he never pitied himself. He has been dead for many years, but I think of him often when I envy(嫉妒) others, or when I complain(抱怨) about something that is unfair. 

One day Ram was lost on his way home and went into a forest. He walked in the forest and saw a den (洞穴) . He went inside and saw a lion there. He was so scared that he ran out{#blank#}1{#/blank#}. At that time, an elephant came and said, "Don't worry. I will be your friend." Great! Could you tell me the way out of the forest? " asked Ram. But the elephant did not know the way either. They walked and walked{#blank#}2{#/blank#}the elephant was trapped in a cage. To save the elephant, Ram asked all the animals in the forest for help, but they could do {#blank#}3{#/blank#}. So Ram had to wait. At last, when the man slept, Ram took the key from his bag and opened the cage. The elephant thanked Ram very much. He called {#blank#}4{#/blank#}elephants and trumpeted (吼叫) with them.{#blank#}5{#/blank#} the sound, some people came to the forest and took Ram home.

Hi，my name's Grace. I'm from England，but I live {#blank#}1{#/blank#}Ningbo with my family now. 

My father is {#blank#}2{#/blank#} English teacher. He is great fun，so the students all like{#blank#}3{#/blank#}. My mother is a doctor（医生）. She has many things to do. She is busy every day. My grandpa has healthy habits. Every morning，he plays Taiji with {#blank#}4{#/blank#}friends in the park. {#blank#}5{#/blank#} old is he? He always says he is 50. My sister and I{#blank#}6{#/blank#} students. We are at {#blank#}7{#/blank#} same school. I don't do well in Chinese，but my sister {#blank#}8{#/blank#}. She often helps me with it after class. {#blank#}9{#/blank#}you think my family happy? What {#blank#}10{#/blank#} your family? 

Emma was nervous about the ceremony. She was the valedictorian(致告别辞者) for their class, and she was {#blank#}1{#/blank#}(worry) about speaking in front of such a large audience (观众). Emma wanted to practice her speech one more time with Julie.

But {#blank#}2{#/blank#} was Julie? Emma looked everywhere, but she couldn't find her. She called Julie's cell phone and sent her a few text {#blank#}3{#/blank#}(message), but Julie didn't answer. Emma didn't have much time, so she practiced her speech behind the curtains in the hall. Nobody say her.

When it was time {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(line) up for the ceremony. Emma finally say Julie." Where have you been?"

Emma asked Julie. "I {#blank#}5{#/blank#} (call) you five times!"

"Sorry, I didn't hear my phone,"replied Julie.

"Where have you been? I {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(look) for you, too."

"I was in the hall, practicing my speech,"said Emma.

"Where? I didn't see you there," said Julie.

"I was behind the curtains," Emma said and laughed. "That's why you couldn't find me!"

Julie laughed, too. "Don't worry. You'll do {#blank#}7{#/blank#} great job!" They took their seats. Emma sat in the front row. She was still {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(real) nervous. Then, someone landed her a piece {#blank#}9{#/blank#}paper. It was a note from Julie! It said, " Good luck! You can do it!" Emma felt better and smiled. 

"Sometimes paper is the {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(good) technology." She thought.