I wanted to go to a party. Especially it was a beach party. It had been almost the only thing my friends had been talking about for the last couple of weeks. But My mom had said no. The more desperately I pleaded her case, the more forcefully my mother said no. “I don’t care who’s going,” said coldly my mother, “you are not going.” I was heartbroken. This was my best friend’s party.

Sunday dinner came around and my grandmother joined the family for the meal. Gran noticed my depression but didn’t say a word. It was my turn to wash up and Gran said, “Let me help you.” “What’s up?” asked Gran as I dumped the dishes into the foaming water. Gran wiped a plate with a tea towel. “Mom won’t let me go to my best friend’s party.” I said sadly. “Has mom explained why she doesn’t want you to go?” asked Gran. “No.” I replied. “Then for a moment, put yourself in her position.” said Gran. “If you were mom, what would your objections be?”

I hadn’t stopped to think about my mom’s side. “Well,” I answered, “it’s a beach party. Maybe she doesn’t trust us or thinks we’ll get into trouble.”

“Are there going to be any adults there?” asked Gran. “No,” I said, “who wants their parents hanging around when you’re trying to have fun?” “Might it just be,” said Gran, “your mother doesn’t want anything unfortunate to happen to you.”“Nothing will happen.” I objected. “Maybe you’re right,” said Gran, “but maybe mom’s worried in case it could.”

Gran looked at me gently, seeming to expect my agreement. For a minute or so, I kept silent, pondering for a while about my eagerness for the party. “Maybe, you are right, however, is there no hope?” I inquired. “Not necessarily.” answered Gran, lost in thought.

Paragraph 1: “Then maybe think of a compromise.” suggested Gran.

Paragraph 2: The long-awaited beach party finally came.

A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer’s showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.

As Graduation Day approached, the young man waited for signs that his father had bought the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his study. His father said lovingly, “My dear son, I am so proud of you. But I hope you can remember: never spoil what you have by desiring what you have not. Sometimes we don’t realize the good fortune we have because we expect ‘the packaging’ to be different. What may appear as bad fortune may in fact be the door that is just waiting to be opened.” The young man paid no attention to his father’s words and responded impatiently, “OK, I know. Now, where is my gift, Dad?” His father handed his son a beautifully wrapped gift box. Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man’s name pressed in gold. Angrily, he raised his voice to his father and said, “With all your money, you give me a Bible?” He then stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible.

Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful wife and a lovely son, but realizing his father was very old, he thought perhaps he should go to see him. He had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make the arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and left all of his possessions to his son in his will. He needed to come home immediately and take charge.

When the young man arrived at his father’s house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart.

The young man came into his father’s study again and he began to …

Everybody pushed him away. With a big black birthmark (胎记) on his face, Thomas never had any friends. He was lonely, as if the world could never see the light. He used to love acting dramas in front of his mother, but now, he thinks he does not have the right to do so with such appearance.

This terrible life has begun since Thomas went to school. However, everything changed since that evening.

Thomas was sitting on the chair, staring out of the window while trying to forget the names that his classmates had called him earlier at school. The tree outside was surrounded by dried, lifeless leaves, with branches lowering themselves to the ground. It was so quiet that only the sound of the wind blowing the leaves away could be heard. A knock on the door broke the silence. “Thomas, here’s a letter for you.” Mom said. Just as Thomas reached out for the letter, Mom immediately pulled it away and said, “Let me read it for you.”

How are you? I know that you feel sad because of your birthmark, but you cannot change that. Therefore, instead of feeling bad for your appearance, you should stand up for yourself. Go to do astonishing things that would change everybody y’s thoughts about you. Prove yourself. I believe in you.

Regards,

Aunt Janice

Thomas felt a wave of warmness in his heart. That night, he carried a smile on his face to his dreams. After that day, Thomas received more letters from relatives, encouraging him to be brave to do what he wanted. Mom would read out every single letter, each time with a lovely expression. Thomas realized that there were so many people caring and loving him. He heard a voice telling him that he should prove himself to the world.

With the encouragements, Thomas joined the drama class in his school. Unexpectedly, the whole school cheered for him and praised his acting skills. The teachers later signed him up to represent the school for an acting competition. Despite of his appearance, he got the first prize. His confidence grew.