I had worried myself sick over Simon’s mother coming to see me. I was a new teacher, and I gave an honest ________ of the students’ work. In Simon’s case, the grades were awfully low. He couldn’t read his own handwriting. But he was a bright student. He discussed adult subjects with nearly adult comprehension. His work in no way reflected his ________.

So when Simon’s mother entered the room, my palms were sweating. I was completely ________ for her kisses on both my cheeks. “I came to thank you,” she said, surprising me beyond speech. ________ me. Simon had become a different person. He talked of how he ________ me, he had begun to make friends, and for the first time in his twelve years, he had recently spent an afternoon at a friend’s house. She wanted to tell me how ________ she was for the self-respect I had nurtured (培养) in her son. She kissed me again and left.

I sat there, ________, for about half an hour, ________ what had just happened. How did I make such a life-changing difference to that boy without even knowing it? What I finally came to remember was one day, when some students were ________ reports in the front of the class. Jeanne spoke ________, and to encourage her to raise her voice. I had said. “Speak up. Simon’s the expert on this. He is the only one you have to convince, and he can’t hear you in the ________ of the room.” That was it. From that day on, Simon had sat up straighter, paid more attention, smiled more, and became happy. And it was all because he ________ to be the last kid in the last row. The boy who most needed ________ was the one who took the last seat that day.

It taught me the most ________ lesson over the years of my teaching career, and I’m thankful that it came ________ and positively. A small kindness can indeed make a difference.

Leadership is not just the ability to lead a team, it is a journey of selflessness.

“Alright, class! We are going to work in groups to create a mind map!” Mrs. Low said. “This is a great________

for our group leaders to prove themselves worthy of that ________.” Mrs. Low then raised one of her________ with great expectations. The class burst out ________. Rita and John glanced at me warily. I raised my head________, the gleaming badge (闪耀的徽章) with the words “Team Leader” on my ________. I took out a piece of paper and pointed to John, “Hey you! Make a list of the stuff that we have learned.” John did not________; he simply bit his lip, muttering, “Is this really leadership?” I turned to Rita, “And you! Start drawing the mind map!” Rita angrily slammed her hand on the table. She________, “Why do you have to be so bossy?” It was as if I was standing in front of a mirror, looking at my________, wondering if I was proud to see how I was behaving then. Questions stuffed my mind until I felt it was about to________.Suddenly, Mrs. Low tapped on my shoulder, and explained, “Leadership is not just about being a leader. It is to serve others, not yourself. It is a(n)________journey.” Her words had lit a light bulb in my brain,________all my confusion.

Taking a deep breath and________my pride, l dashed to John and Rita and apologized. Their annoyed expressions________smiles. The following time witnessed our________cooperation. It didn’t take long before we finished the project. Deep down, I recognized that this was just the start of my lifelong journey to become a true leader.

Almost everything w as fantastic in the nature camp except for a girl, Elizabeth. When I saw her sitting alone in the hot sun at lunch, I asked her to eat w ith us under a   __________   tree. How ever, Elizab eth refused my kind ______ . When w e invited her to play volleyball w ith us, Elizab eth   __________   our invitat ion, too. After a few more ______   refusals like that, I decided to stay aw ay from Elizabeth.

It   _________ that w e w ere going on a nature   __________   and our instructor paired everyone up w ith a partner. Guess w ho my partner turned out to be. It w as Elizabeth!

“What do you like to do   __________?” I asked, trying to make some small   __________   as w e started out. “I like to ______   in peace and quiet,” Elizabeth   __________ . So w e had the quietest and most peaceful hike in the w orld   ______ w e saw a bird. “I think his w ing is hurt. Poor litt le b ird,” Elizabeth said   __________. “ He might be tak ing a rest over there.” I said. Elizabeth nodded. Then she w hispered, “ But w hat if he’s in   __________, like my granddad?” “Your granddad?” I said. “He   __________   and broke his leg the day the camp started. He’s   __________   in hospital and is in so much pain,” Elizabeth exp lained. I noticed she w as   __________. “I’m sorry for w hat I have done. For some reason, w henever I get really sad, I act   _________   and w ant to be alone,” she added.

“I get it,” I said. “I don’t alw ays know how to   __________   it w hen I’m feeling dow n, either.” “ Thanks,” she said, w iping off tears.

After that, Elizabeth seemed to get along w ell w ith us, and I think she actually   __________   the last few days of the camp.

Next time, if someone is unfriendly, give him a second chance. Maybe he’s going through a   _________   time.