People once went hungry．A rich man who made bread and cakes sent for twenty of the1. children in the town，and told them to take a loaf（条）of bread from a 2every day till the hard days passed．

    The hungry children came together3 ， and argued for the bread，because each wished to have the largest one．Finally they went away without even thanking the good gentleman．

    But Gretchen，a poorly﹣dressed little girl，did not argue or 4with the rest，but remained standing quietly far away from them．5the bad﹣mannered girls left，she took the smallest bread，which alone was left in the basket，kissed the gentleman's hand，and went home．

    The next day the children were as bad﹣mannered as before，and poor，shy Gretchen 6loaf hardly the size of the one she got the first day．When she came home，her mother cut the loaf open．Many new shining pieces of 7fell out of it．

    Her mother was very surprised and worried，and said，"Take the money back to the good gentleman at once，for it must have got into the dough（生面团）8mistake．Be quick，Gretchen!Be quick!"

    But when the little girl gave the rich man her mother's 9 ， he said，"No，no，my child，it was no mistake．I had the silver pieces put into the smallest loaf to give you．Always be as satisfied，quiet，and 10as you now are．Go home now，and tell your mother that money is your own．"

    Devon Miller put the bag onto his back.

    "Did you take the water?" asked his dad.

    "Yes," said Devon.

    "How about the bread? And the map?"

    "Don't worry. I put 1 m my bag, Dad," Devon said. "Come on. Let's go!"

    Devon couldn't wait to start the hike (徒步旅行). It was 2 and Devon expected (期待) a good, long hike. Mr. Miller3a little, because it was his first hiking trip. Usually Devon's mom took him, 4 today she had to work. So Devon's dad decided to have a try.

    "Where do we start?" his dad asked.

    " 5 that tree with the yellow mark (记号)? That's the start of a small road. We just 6 the marks on the trees along the road. The small road goes in a big circle (圆圈). We'll 7 here in a few hours."

    Mr. Miller tried to smile. "Sounds like 8 !"

    Devon and his dad started their hike. It was a beautiful spring day. The weather was cool, but not very cold. They walked and walked. Then they stopped and ate their bread 9 lunch.

    Mr. Miller seemed a lot more relaxed. "This is fun. I'll go hiking with you 10 anytime," he said.

    A poor woodcutter and his wife lived in the forest in a small hut. It was 1small that it was only large enough for him and his wife2 in.3a cold night, somebody knocked at the door.4woodcutter opened the door and wanted to let the stranger in. His wife said, “I'm afraid we don't have that much space.” The man laughed5 said, “Two can sleep well, three can sit.” And then the stranger6 to come in and they all sat telling stories to each other.

    Then came7 knock. The woodcutter told the stranger, “Friend, open the door.” And the man said, “But there is no space.” The woodcutter said, “8 three people can sit 9 four people can sit a little10”.

    The stranger opened the door, and a man entered. Suddenly, a strange knock11did not seem to be human's was heard! The woodcutter said, “Open the door. I know who12. It is my donkey.” Everyone said, “13is the donkey going to stand?” The man said 14 all stand when the donkey15 in.

    A young man went to visit a wise man living deep in the mountain for the wisdom of life.

    "Excuse me！Could you tell me which the most1day in our lives is? Is it the day when we were born or the day we2?Is it the day when we fall in love or the day we succeed?" the young man asked.

    "3.The most important day in our lives is today, "the wise man replied calmly." Why?" the young man felt more 4."Is it because there is a moving event taking place today?"

    "No. Nothing has happened today."

    "Is it because of my visit?"

    "No. Even if nobody visited me today, today is5very important because today is the only wealth we have. No matter how memorable yesterday was, it has gone by like a ship going down into the sea; no matter how bright tomorrow may be, it hasn't come; but no matter how common today is, it is6our control."

    The young man still wanted to ask something, while the wise man7him and said, "When we are talking about the meaning of today, we have8a lot of it."

    The young man nodded and then went down the mountain.

    Actually, today is the only9we have.

    So, what we should do now is 10yesterday and tomorrow and catch fast today！

The clever monkey

    Once upon a time, there was a clever monkey. He lived on a beautiful island, in an apple tree.

    One day, a crocodile(鳄鱼)swam to the island. "I'm 1"he said. So, the monkey threw a red apple to the crocodile. The crocodile ate it 2.

    The next day, the crocodile came back. "Please, may I have two apples?" he asked. He ate one and gave one to his 3.

    The crocodile went to see the monkey every day. He wanted to be 4 just like the monkey. The crocodile's wife had an idea. "Why don't you5his heart? Then you'll be clever, just like him!"

    The next day, he said to the monkey, 'To thank you for the6, please come to my house and have lunch with me together. But when the monkey 7, the crocodile said, "I want to eat your heart, so I can be as clever as you!"

    The clever monkey thought quickly and said, "But my 8 isn't here. It's on the island."

    They all 9 to the island. "Wait here. And I will get my heart." said the monkey.

    The monkey quickly 10the tree and sat at the top. "Oh, Crocodile, you are so greedy(贪婪地). Of course, you can't have my heart. And now, you can't have my apples!" And the clever monkey laughed and laughed.