I was driving my newly acquired motorcycle across the vastness of North Dakota when all of a sudden it froze up on the road. I would later be told the timing melt had slipped and this caused one of the pistons（活塞） to crack a cylinder（气缸） head, or something like that.

Anyway, I sat on the side of the road for what seemed like hours. I even pretended to have been in an accident, which didn't help. Finally, a young man pulled over and offered me a ride, but given that he already had two motorcycles in the back of his truck, he could only take me.

He drove me to the next town, where I asked to be dropped off. Rather than drop me off, he waited while I asked around if anyone could help me to pick up my motorcycle. One elderly gentleman was working and said that I could use his pickup! Can you imagine that a stranger gave me the keys to his pickup?

It was quite an experience, I must say. So, as I drove back 20 miles to get my motorcycle, the gentleman who first stopped to help me followed me. We both put the motorcycle in the back of the truck, and then I followed him another 50 miles or so and we both unloaded the motorcycle at his place. Then, he followed me back to the small town so I could return the man's truck. I didn't have much cash on me, maybe $40, but I gave it to the man for the use of his truck.

Two strangers helped rescue me from spending the night on the side of the road in ND. I don't recall their names, but when I close my eyes I can see their faces as if it were yesterday. Thank you, strangers. You may be reading this right now.

A bird went to seek (寻找) its happiness in the distance.

It flew and flew when it suddenly saw a little wilting (枯萎的) flower, whose face was full of smile. Not knowing why, the bird asked the little flower, “You are going to die. Why are you still so happy?”

“I am going to bear fruit and my dream will come true,” said the little flower.

Then the little bird saw it: happiness is a hope in the heart.

The little bird kept flying; it flew and flew when it suddenly saw a lame (瘸的) duck, which was singing a song. Not knowing why, it asked the duck, “You are so unlucky. Why are you still so happy?”

“Because I saw a little duck fall. And I helped it stand up again!”

Then the little bird saw it: happiness is a love in the heart.

The bird kept flying; it flew and flew when it suddenly saw a spider climbing a slippery wall. It fell off the wall for several times, but it went on climbing over and over again. Not knowing why, the little bird asked the spider, “You failed again and again. Why don’t you have pain but happiness on your face?”

“I am sure to climb up the wall if I try my best.”

Because it had seen the truth: happiness is not in the distance but in your own heart.