Seven years ago, I began accompanying my father to the local market to sell vegetables we harvested from our farm. At the beginning , I did what I could to1him while I also communicated with other participants in the market.

    As time went by, I increasingly2the craft of gardening,3I began planting a garden of my own to4a seller myself. The market soon became my5for many summers to come. The sellers in the market were6and more than willing to share their gardening experience. Many sellers were the new generation of farmers and acquired knowledge through the experience of their7. The years I participated in the market helped me grow, taught me many new skills and opened doors to success I8imagined.

    Responsibility came rather quickly as I 9to manage my own gardening business. There was a huge of work being self10. I had to do everything by myself. I learned that self-discipline(自我约束) and time management were important in order to11a productive garden. Rising 12in the morning at 4 a. m. to arrive at the market with my13produce ensured I would be there to greet early 14 .

    The market opened a door of opportunity I never dreamed of. It15me to make a profit to start a greenhouse business. It is a(n)16feeling when I see the seeds come out and raise them as they continue to17until they are ready for sale. I've learned18because it is impossible to rush Mother Nature! It takes time and work to make the plants grow and become mature. It is not an overnight19. Several weeks are required for the plants to be ready, but the 20is worth all the time I spend and all work I do.

    We know children should grow up, knowing the right sense of values. Here is a good example to teach them a good lesson.

    One day, a young man who was dressed poorly begged1door to door along the street.2an old wallet in hand, he was asking for a few coins to buy something to eat. He kept complaining about his bad3and kept wondering why those who had so much money were never 4 and were always desiring more.

    "As5as I'm concerned, if I had only enough to fill my stomach and to wear, I would not want anything more."

    Just at that moment Goddess Fortune noticed the beggar among the crowd and got close to him, greeting, "Hi, young man, I have wished to 6you for a long time. If you open your wallet, I will pour my gold into it. But keep in mind that I will do that only on this 7: All that falls into the wallet will be pure gold belonging to you; but every piece falling upon the ground8become dirt, worth nothing. Are you clear?"

    "I see. Now I'm ready." said the beggar with confidence.

    "Then you should 9! It's obvious that your wallet is a 10one, so don't load it too heavily," said the Goddess Fortune.

    The excited beggar could hardly 11to have gold. He quickly opened his wallet, and a 12 of yellow coins was poured into it. The wallet became heavier and heavier.

    "Is that enough? Isn't it cracking? Will your wallet strong enough for more?" warned the Goddess.

    "Never13.It's still strong enough now" replied the beggar confidently.

    The wallet was filled with14many coins that the beggar's hands began to shake. "Ah, if only the golden stream would 15 forever! Just a little more," said the beggar, "16 just a handful or two."

    "There! It's full. The wallet will 17." reminded the Goddess again, but the beggar insisted 18, "I know it will hold a little more, just a little more!" One more piece was added and the wallet split. The 19 fell upon the ground and became dust. The greedy beggar had now 20 but his broken wallet.

    The snow was falling and the roads had become dangerous. The schools were dismissed early, but much to my surprise, my1wasn't canceled. So I went, feeling especially heroic. As far as I could see, I was risking my life to keep my2. Snow or no snow, I would be on time for my scheduled donation at the local3center.

    When I got there, I discovered I wasn't 4. Four more "hero-types" were already lying back in donor chairs with lines5to their veins, and machines quietly pumping away to6their lifesaving gifts.

    Seeing my fellow donors honoring their own commitments, I realized why I was there. I lay back in my donor chair, ready to make a difference in the life of someone I would never7.

    To be honest, I'd never really thought about why I donate. I just do it. But a few months ago, during one of my8donations I learned that my blood was specifically for a cancer patient and for a newborn baby—both patients needed what I would give in order to live. I've viewed my visits to the blood center9ever since.

    My wife Karen is a10, too. And more importantly, she has been on the bone marrow (骨髄) list for fifteen years, ever since she signed up to provide bone marrow to a kindergartner with leukemia (白血病). That little girl died before Karen's bone marrow could help her,11Karen was called again recently. Her test results were still on file, and it turned out she was a potential12for someone else. The caller asked Karen if she would still be willing to become a bone marrow donor. "Yes," she said and then immediately began answering questions on the pages of paperwork for further testing. It was a race13time.

    I wish I could say that this14was won. It wasn't. The caller later thanked Karen for her participation and asked a few more questions—including whether or not she'd15on the donor list. "Of course," Karen answered.

    Last week Karen gave blood and next week I'll make my usual donation. I'll16an afternoon from my schedule and make an appointment. I don't know whose life my donation may17. Most likely it will be a18, but on any day the person needing a blood product could be you or me or maybe a loved one. It is worthwhile to19our time to donate.

    I really do feel20every time I donate. And I like the feeling.

In March, 5-year-old Wynn Radke came home from preschool with no idea that she wouldn't return for months because of the COVID-19. Her mom Colleen1her to think of a goal to work toward that involved a(n)2activity. Wynn wasted no time and shouted, “67 waterfalls (瀑布)!” While the number was3, her mom loved the idea so much that she4to help the little one!

The lovely pair's first 5 took place on March 28, 2020 at Fairy Falls, and it was amazing! From there, they 6 hiking to different waterfalls, documenting their progress7they inched closer and closer to their goal.

8, Colleen said the challenge was simply a way to get Wynn outside instead of "just watching YouTube all day." But it ended up being something therapeutic (有益身心健康的) for them to do during the92020 has brought their family. Between Wynn missing her friends and Colleen losing her job, the waterfall10have helped a lot.

It took Wynn and Colleen five months, but they finally11Winnewissa Falls—their 67th waterfall—in August!12reaching her goal, Wynn 13, "I did it!" And she wasn't the only one who was14. When she returned to school, her friends and teachers15 her with celebratory balloons! For her mom, the adventure was less about the milestones (里程碑) and more about the time they spent together.

Raynor Winn and her husband Moth became homeless due to their wrong investment. Their savings had been 1 to pay lawyers' fees. To make matters worse, Moth was diagnosed(诊断) with a serious disease. There was no 2 , only pain relief. 

Failing to find any other way out, they decided to make a walking journey, as they caught sight of an old hikers'(徒步旅行者) guide.

This was a long journey of unaccustomed hardship and 3 

recovery. When leaving home, Raynor and Moth had just ￡320 in the bank. They planned to keep the 4 low by living on boiled noodles, with the 5 hamburger shop treat. 

Wild camping is 6 in England. To avoid being caught, the Winns had to get their tent up late and packed it away early in the morning. The Winns soon discovered that daily hiking in their 50s is a lot 7 than they remember it was in their 20s. Raynor 8 all over and desired a bath. Moth, meanwhile, after an initial 9 , found his symptoms were strangely 10 by their daily tiring journey. 

11 , the couple found that their bodies turned for the better, with re-found strong muscles that they thought had lost forever. "Our hair was fried and falling out, nails broken, clothes 12 to a thread, but we were alive." 

During the journey, Raynor began a career as a nature writer. She writes, "13 had taken every material thing from me and left me torn bare, an empty page at the end of a(n) 14 written book. It had also given me a choice, either to leave that page 15 or to keep writing the story with hope. I chose hope."