Hans Christian Andersen, a great Danish (丹麦的) writer, is very famous for his fairy tales(童话). He wrote a lot of best-known stories such as The Emperor's New Clothes and The Ugly Duckling. His fairy tales have brought happiness to children across the world. The tales have versions (版本) of over a hundred languages.

    Andersen was born in Denmark in 1805. When he was still a young boy, he was already very clever and imaginative (富于想象力的). He created a small toy theatre and made clothes for his puppets (木偶). He also loved reading.

    In 1816, his father died and he learned to be a tailor (裁缝). Later he worked in a factory. At the age of fourteen, Andersen moved to the capital of Denmark to become an actor and gave performances (演出) in the Royal Danish Theatre. However, his voice changed when he grew older, so the job had to stop. Then he began to write poems and fairy tales.

    In the spring of 1872, Andersen fell out of bed and didn't get well again. He lived until 1875 and died peacefully at the home of his close friends.

    You may think that inventions are far away from your everyday life. But in fact, almost everyone can invent. It's just that they do not realize that their idea could be the start of an invention. Once inventors see their ideas have some practical value, they don't let them run away.

    For example, the inventors of the dishwasher, American Josephine Cochrane, loved to give dinner parties. But she found it took too long to wash her dishes by hand. She decided that a machine could do the job faster. So, in 1886, she began to make one for herself.

    Here are the steps to create inventions. The first and most important step is to find the problem. Start by looking at what is wrong with things you see now and ask people around if they remember ever saying, “I wish someone would invent something for...” Then you might notice situations(情况) or things in need of improvement. The next step is to think about possible solutions. An invention is a new way of solving a problem. So think of many and unusual ways. You can often come up with a solution to a problem by looking at it from a different side.

    The hardest part of inventing is coming up with a problem and finding a solution. Once you have an idea, you can always get help building your invention. This problem-solving technique can also work in your everyday lives. So, why not try it in your studies, in your relationship with others, or even in the way you look at the world?

    My name is Amy. Mike, Lisa and I are good friends. We have different hobbies.

    I have a nice voice(嗓音). On the weekend, I often have a singing class. Mike likes cool things. On Saturday afternoon, Mike always dances hip-pop(街舞) in the park. Lisa likes cooking. She often cooks on the weekend. Sometimes she makes cakes for her family.

    On weekend, we usually go to the orphanage(孤儿院) together. I sing songs with the children. Mike teaches the children how to dance and Lisa cook food for them. We are always very happy. We can help the children.

    If you're away from home, feeling a bit blue or searching for some comfort, the Danes have a solution. It's called “hygge”. Coming from Danish culture, but popularized by the British in 2016, hygge is much more than just a word, it's becoming a feeling around the world.

    The hygge refers to the sense of happiness you get when your family is gathered together at new year or Christmas. It is all about the pleasant feelings of home: the smell of your mother's cooking, your partner's arm around your shoulder and so on.

    Hygge is an antidote(良药) to stress. You know when you've got it, a gentle warmth starts spreading through your body. Another important part of hygge is that it has nothing to do with modern technology. It's a period time to relax your tired mind and eyes. So, put down that smartphone and turn off the computer.

    You should also know that hygge is not about healthy eating or more exercise. In fact, it's just the opposite. You're supposed to be lost in what you like: enjoy sweet snacks and calorie-laden cakes freely.

    Let yourself be carried on a wave of nostalgia(怀旧) back to your birthplace, and remember  the childhood songs of your distant youth with a smile. If it helps, wrap yourself in a warm blanket and sleep with one of your favorite books (not a pill or e-reader).

    If Denmark seems too far, then think of old Beijing with its hutong and courtyard houses. Picture yourself sit around a traditional stove with your loved ones, eating dumplings and chatting about the old days. Let yourself drift back in time to a period where everything is relaxing, and there is no need to reply to any e-mails or text messages. They did not exist(存在) back then.

    Now you've really understood hygge without even having to set foot in Copenhagen.

    Andrew Carnegie was born in 1835 in Scotland. He was from a poor family. When he was twelve, his family moved to the USA. They wanted a better life. There, Andrew started to work right away. He got a job in a factory. He was a good worker, but he didn't like the job. Later, he changed his job. He worked at the Railroad Company where everybody liked him. He did many different jobs. His salary got higher every year.

    In his free time, Andrew loved to read. But in those days, the United States didn't have free public libraries. Luckily, he lived with a rich man with many books, who let young boys use his library for free, so Andrew could read as much as possible. He read throughout his life.

    Andrew learned a lot at the railroad company. He realized that the railroad was very important for big countries. He had a idea to start a business with railroads. He saved all his money and opened a business at the age of thirty years.

    First, his company made bridges for the railroads. Ten years later, it made steel for bridges, machines, and many other things. Soon he was the richest man in the world.

    Andrew liked to make money. But he believed it was very important to help other people. In 1901, he sold his company for $480 million. He started to give away his money to make new libraries and colleges all over the United States. He built 2811 libraries. Andrew also gave a lot of money to people who worked for peace. In 1903, he gave $1.5 million to build a Peace Palace in the Netherlands.

    Andrew Carnegie died in 1919.He was eighty-four years old. During his life, he gave away nearly all of his money. He gave away over $350 million for education and peace. There are colleges, libraries, hospitals, and parks named after Andrew Carnegie.He helped millions of people all over the world to study and learn.

    "No one in this world should be bullied(欺凌)and brought down by people. And no one deserves to hold in all those situations that have happened to them. If you are being bullied, you are supposed to open up and talk about it. I know you may not feel comfortable to say it out, but if you don't, they may gradually get used to bullying you. Remember that you are not alone. Others who get bullied know how you feel. People who love you will listen to you and be there for you. Stand up against bullying today. "

Jessica—15—Michigan

    "No one deserves to be bullied. It is just not right and fair. I had a friend who was bullied and I came to help and stopped it. When you see someone being bullied, please tell an adult or try to stop it yourself. You might be worried about being bullied as well, but there is no reason to be, because you are not alone. My classmates and I have set up a club called 'No Bullying' and we will go out our way to help stop bullying at school. "

    Bob—17—North Carolina

    "When I went into middle school, there was a boy whom everyone just 'decided' to pick on(欺负). He would always sit alone at lunch and never once had a friend. A few years later I remembered how many times this boy had tried to talk to me, but I never said a word. I was too scared to lose my friends. I was too selfish to help someone in need. It made me cry when thinking of how lonely he feels. Never again will I ever let anyone decide who is "worth" being happy and having friends. And I want others to learn from my mistake. When you see someone down on the ground，have the courage to be the hand that picks him up. "

    Angela—16 —Des Moines IA

    "If you've been a bully(欺凌弱小的人), you don't have to admit it, you just have to realize how you made them feel and change the way you behave. If you try to think about others, you will realize how much of a tough time they are going through. We are the future generation, and we are expected to make a change in the world. Take a stand and lend a hand, and someday we will make a difference in the world together. "

    Beverley—15—Washington D.C

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