Mom looked at the awards banquet (宴会) invitation as though she had received ________ news. Her lips tuned down at the edges and her eyebrows twisted together as she read the paper again. “Baby, it might be a ________. Sometimes they accidentally send these things to the wrong people.” She spoke with apology in her voice.

The year before I’d started kindergarten, my mom bought pre-school workbooks. She began my education with ________ that was visible in her smile but only ________ shouting. Her voice and face made me think I had done something very ________. So, whenever she tried to teach me anything, from writing ABCs to tying shoes, I was ________ by the process of learning.

Mom expressed her ________ about me possibly having a learning disability to the teacher. But I made it through kindergarten just ________. Then fist grade. My ________ progress was never a topic of conversation. I had no idea where I ________, below average or smart .I didn’t care. I just ________ doing all the worksheets and activities. I wasn’t ________. I wasn’t crying. I wasn’t frustrated. ________ I wasn’t bringing home gold starred medals, either.

At the awards banquet, I sat by my best friend, ________ all through the meal. But Mom looked like still expecting bad news. The further we got into dinner, the ________ she became. All the subject awards were given out, but “Rebecca” was still not celled. I caught my mom’s ________. She was near tears.

The over-all achievement medals were given out last Mom’s head ________ in her hand. She ________ over to me “T tell you what. Let’s go get some ice cream and forget this whole thing. Sweetheart.” Seconds later, “Overall achievement for first grade—Rebecca!”

I ________ heard my name because I was thinking about ice cream. Later I returned with my medal, still not understanding its ________. I had outperformed every first-grader at my school that year, and I was smart! I asked, “Can I still have ice cream?” My mom nodded, crying and laughing at the same time.

There was once a modest village nestled in the heart of the mountains. The villagers lived a simple life, relying on the land for their _______ and being close-knit with one another. However, their peaceful existence was soon _______ when a terrible drought struck the region.

With each passing day, the villagers grew more _______. The once verdant fields transformed into desolate lands, and the formerly sparkling river rushed _______ in the absence of rain, it no longer has the crisp, clattering sound of the past. The village elder called for a meeting to discuss _______ they should do. After great deliberation, they came up with a plan.

They made the decision to _______ each and every able-bodied villager to undertake a journey in search of a mythical treasure that is concealed deep within the mountains. Legends say that this treasure possessed the power to _______ rain and break the drought. And this treasure has never been found. With hopeful hearts, the villagers set off into the unknown.

The journey was _______, with treacherous paths and dangerous obstacles. Along the way, they encountered fierce storms and soaring temperatures that tested their resolve. Yet, they remained _______ and persevered through the hardships.

After days of tireless searching, they finally ________ the hidden treasure in a hidden cave. As they cautiously approached, they realized that their discovery held no material wealth but instead presented a daunting enigma — an intricate and ________ inscription etched into the wall. Its mysterious symbols seemed to taunt them, beckoning them to uncover the secrets they fiercely guarded. It read, “The real treasure lies in the unity and resilience of everyone.”

The villagers were ________. They realized that the journey itself was the treasure they sought. Through their unity and determination, they had ________courage and hope in the face of adversity. Encouraged by this newfound ________, they returned to the village and worked together to overcome the drought, relying on their collective strength.

From that day forward, the villagers cherished their unity and ________their bond, never forgetting the true treasure they had discovered.

Our teacher once told us a story.

An old man lived in a certain part of London. Every morning he would go to the _______ and get on the train to Central London. Then he would sit at the street corner and _______ . He sat at the same street corner and begged for almost 20 years.

His house was very dirty and smelled _______ . The neighbors could not _______ the smell any more, so one day they called in the police to _______ the place. The officers knocked down the door and cleaned the house. There were small bags of money all over the house that he had _______ over the years.

The police counted the money and soon realized that the old man was a _______ . They waited outside his house to tell the good news to him. When the old man _______ home that evening, he was told that there was no _______ for him to beg any more as he was a millionaire now.

He said ________ went into his house and locked the door. The next morning he woke up as usual, went to the street and continued to beg.

________ , this old man had no great plans, dreams or anything important for his life. However, the very point we can learn is: ________ the things we enjoy doing. We should ________ ourselves to things that people around us may disagree to. Let nothing else determine our fate (命运) but ________ .

This story is a lesson that I will never forget. Every time I’m not focusing (全神贯注) on my study, I get ________ of this story.