Recently, I volunteered with Interact, my school's service group at Read 2 Me, an activity that gives volunteers the opportunity to read to little kids and interact with them.

I walked with other volunteers into a large room in which there was a large variety of books. Some were picture books, such as Cifford or The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Others were chapter books with pictures in them, such as the Berenstain Bears and The Wimpy Kid series. For the extremely talented kids who like to be challenged, we provided chapter books that required imagination to understand. Just after I had gathered some books together, someone announced that it was almost time for the activity to start. All at once, a burst of voices was heard. The doors opened, and the children rushed in, beginning to look for a reading buddy（伙伴）. They all looked so eager to read, just like mice eager to taste a piece of cheese. I was sitting there waiting and glancing at the books that I had picked out for the lucky kid I would read them to.

Just then, a boy about six years old began to come my way, and I knew that I had found my reading buddy. "Hi, I'm Max. Would you like to be my reading buddy?" "Sure," I responded. And then, I let him search for a book of his choice.

"I like this one," shouted Max. I looked at the book that he had chosen. It told an adventure story of a little girl with her dog, and it seemed that it would be a good one to read to him.

Paragraph 1: "Can you tell me why you want this book?” I asked.

Paragraph 2: Then came the after-reading activities in which we interacted with each other.

Hometown Feelings

Some people still live in their hometown. However, others may only see it once or twice a year. Nowadays, millions of Chinese leave the countryside to search for work in the cities. Among these is Zhong Wei, a 46-year old husband and father. He has lived in Wenzhou for the last 13 years. With a hard job in a crayon factory, he doesn’t find much time to visit his hometown. “I used to return home at least once a year, but I haven’t been back for almost three years now. It’s a shame, but I just don’t have the time” he says.

Many people like Zhong Wei regard with great interest how their hometowns have changed. Perhaps large hospitals and new roads have appeared. In many places, the government has also built new schools and sent teachers from the cities to help.

“I noticed that’s true of my hometown” adds Zhong Wei.

According to Zhong Wei, however, some things will never change.

Charles Rose lived in the country with his father, who taught him to read and to write. Mr. Rose told his son that, when his morning lessons were over, he might amuse himself for one hour as he pleased.

There was a river near by. On its bank stood the hut of a poor fisherman, who lived by selling fish. His careful wife kept her wheel going early and late. They both worked very hard to keep themselves above want. But they were greatly troubled for fear that their only son should never learn to read and to write. They could not teach him themselves, and they were too poor to send him to school.

Charles called at the hut of this fisherman one day, to inquire about his dog, which was missing. He found the little boy, whose name was Joe, siting by the table, on which he was making marks with a piece of chalk. Charles asked him whether he was drawing pictures.

“No. I am trying to write,” said little Joe, “but I know only two words. Those I saw upon a sign, and I am trying to write them.”

“If I could only learn to read and write,” said he, “I should be the happiest boy in the world.”

“Then I will make you happy said Charles.” I am only a little boy, but I can teach you that.”

“My father gives me an hour every day for myself. Now, if you will try to learn, you shall soon know how to read and to write.”

Both Joe and his mother were ready to fall on their knees to thank Charles. They told him it was what they wished above all things.

So, on the next day when the hour came, Charles put his book in his pocket, and went to teach Joe. Joe learned very fast, and Charles son began to teach him how to write.

Some time after, a gentleman called on Mr. Rose, and said, “Charles did not always amuse himself. I often see him go to the house of the fisherman. I fear he goes out in their boat.”

The moment the gentleman left, Mr. Rose went in search of his son.

The next day, his father took him to town, and gave him books for himself and Joe, with writing paper, pens, and ink.