Zheng He was an amazing man. He was born in 1371. Eleven years later, he was caught by the army of a rich young man called Zhu Di and made to work for him. Over time the rich man saw that Zheng He was very clever and strong and they became close friends. In 1403 Zhu Di was made the King of China and he asked Zheng He to join his government.

The King wanted to learn more about the world and show other countries his power. He ordered many new ships to be built and made Zheng He their leader. between 1405 and 1433, Zheng He led seven sea trips to different parts of the world. He certainly travelled to India, Africa and the Middle East. A few people think his ships have even reached South America and Australia.

Each trip lasted between two and four years and it is believed he sailed more than 50,000 kms during the years of his travels.Zheng He led a fleet with 28,000 men and over 300 ships, such as boats for food, water and even soldiers' horses.

On these trips he brought with him many Chinese goods like silk and medicine to give to foreign kings or to sell for local goods. He returned from each trip with boats filled with expensive things such as gold and treasures, foreign guests and strange animals like a giraffe.

It is a pity that we may never learn everything about Zheng He' s travels. The Columbus of the east, Zheng He, died in 1433. After that, the new king, had these trips stopped and he burned almost all the books about Zheng He's travels, because he believed the trips were unlucky and too expensive. It is only in the last 50 years that historians have begun to carefully study the adventures of great Zheng He.

    Look at the photo of Linda's family. The man in the photo is Mr. White. He is Lina's father. The woman is Linda's mother. The girl in a yellow dress(裙子) is Linda. She's 7 years old. The boy next to (紧挨着) Mrs. White is Jack. He is Linda's brother. He is 9 years old. Linda and Jack are students, but they are not in the same school.

    In January, 2017, a Chinese "diplomat(外交官)" came back to China from the United States. Many US people were at the airport and said goodbye to her. Who is the diplomat? She is a 3-year-old panda called Bao Bao.

    Bao Bao was born at the National Zoo in Washington D. C., the US in 2013. Her parents are Tian Tian and Mei Xiang. China sent them to the US in 2000."We have watched Bao Bao grow up during the past three years," said Dennis Kelly, the zoo director. "We're going to miss her so much."

    Why does Bao Bao have to come back to China? It's because all the pandas born in foreign countries must come back to China before they turn 4. This is an agreement between China and other countries.

    Bao Bao spent about 16 hours on the plane home. A zookeeper and a doctor stayed with her along the way. The zoo also put bamboo, apples, biscuits, potatoes and water on the plane. Now, Bao Bao is happy at her new home in Chengdu, Sichuan Province.

    My daughter Eyen is ten years old. She is in Grade Three in a primary school. She is a cute girl though she has some strange ideas sometimes.

    One day she asks me, "Mum, what is your favorite subject?" I think for a while and answer," It is difficult to tell. I love singing, so music is my favorite. And I am good at English. My history teacher also says I am excellent. Well, I can say I don't like Science. But Science is important for us, you know. So you must do well in it. What is your favorite subject, Eyen? Tell me something about your subjects, dear."

    I like Chinese. It is easy. I like English because my English teacher likes me very much. I can't stand Maths. It is serious and sad."

    "Do you mean your Maths teacher is serious and sad?"

    "No, it is Maths, not the Maths teacher."

    "Why do you think so?"

    "Because Maths has so many problems! Isn't it sad all day?"