A student was one day taking a walk with his teacher. As they went along, they saw a pair of old shoes lying in the path. They were a poor farmer’s, who was working in the nearby field.

The student turned to the teacher, saying: “we will hide his shoes, and hide ourselves behind those trees, and wait to see what he will do.”

“My young friend,” answered the teacher, “we should never make fun of the poor. Why not put a coin in each shoe, and then we will hide ourselves and watch?” The student did so and they both hid themselves behind the trees. The poor man soon finished his work, and came across the field to the path where he had left his coat and shoes.

After putting on his coat, he put his foot into one of his shoes, and felt something hard. Then he bent (弯腰) down to feel what it was, and found the coin. Surprised, he looked at the coin, turned it around and looked at it again. He then looked around, but no person was seen. He put the money into his pocket, and continued to put on the other shoe. His surprise was doubled on finding the other coin.

He couldn’t control his feelings and fell to his knees, looked up to the sky and expressed his thanks. Then he spoke of his wife, sick and helpless, and his children without bread. He said the help would save them from dying.

The student stood there deeply moved, and his eyes filled with tears. “Now,” said the teacher, “are you not much happier than if you had hidden the shoes?”

Whenever the word “hero” comes to me, I immediately think of three Hs: honorable, hardworking, and happy. When I think more about this word, I picture someone who has

Hattie was born in Baltimore, Maryland on April 5, 1901. During her time at College she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Bacteriology and Physiology These were just the first steps towards what she was finally going to be remembered for. After college Hattie attended Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and received her medical degree.

After her education, she pursued her career, and after much time and hard work, she drastically reduced the number of infants(幼儿)dying from meningitis(脑膜炎). Hattie was very dedicated to her work and helped at as many locations as she could. Spending substantial（大量的）time in the laboratory, Hattie successfully developed a cure against the disease, which decreased the death rate to 20 percent. At the same time, she was also a teacher working with Columbia University.

She was a caring lady interested in other people’s lives. When she was teaching at Columbia University, other members would talk to her about students that were failing their classes, and somehow Hattie could always find convincing reasons as to why they should not be driven away. Later, Hattie became an instructor in Pediatrics at New York City’s Babies Hospital. After many honors, she became the first woman president of the American Pediatric Society in 1965. This was her last major achievement, for soon after, Hattie died of cancer on June 24, 1968.

Hattie is my hero because her positive attitude and strength helped her accomplish great things for others. She gave them her strength by developing medicines against diseased, which, by doing so, made them stronger. This is what makes Hattie Elizabeth Alexander my hero.

Cao Zhawa has been planting trees for most of his life. He lives and works in the heart of Mu Us Sandyland, an area in the southwest part of Inner Mongolia.

In 1958, when he was just 16 years old, Cao started planting trees. Cao’s trees now cover an area of more than 1.3 million square meters. Cao’s forest is worth an estimated 10 million yuan and can produce 100,000 kilograms oxygen, enough to sustain a full-grown adult for nearly a year.

Mu Us Sandyland is one of the places in China most affected by erosion(侵蚀) and desertification. The amount of annual rainfall ranges from 150 to 300 millimeters, while evaporation(蒸发) between 2,000 and 3,000 millimeters. Cao recalls that his growing-up was troubled by sandstorms. This was one of the factors that motivated Cao to join and stay on the tree-planting program.

Popularly known as the “Green Great Wall”, the project, which is set for completion in 2050, would be a 4, 800-kilometer greenbelt of trees and shrubs(灌木) protecting the area from strong winds and preventing soil erosion. Since the start of the Three-North Shelter Forest Program, millions of people have joined in and become a vital part of the plan.

However, the tree-planters face a host of challenges, with watering the most difficult among them. “When I was young, the level of groundwater was high,” said Cao, “But with less rain, the trees are hard to plant and keep alive.”

Planting trees has also become harder for Cao as he ages. However, he doesn’t want to leave the forest in the care of his children, and he insists the land belongs to the government. “When I die, I just want to be buried under the trees,” Cao said. “Then I will be with them forever.”