It was a cold, rainy day. My mother and I drove to the mountains. It was dangerous to make the two-hour journey along the highway in such weather. I didn’t want to take the risk. But my mother suggested that we go to see something at the top of the mountain.

After ten minutes’ driving, we stopped the car and got out. Walking along a path, we turned at a corner. Gradually, the peace and silence of the place began to fill my mind. From the top of the mountain, I saw several fields full of flowers, shining like a carpet before us. It looked as if the sun spilled (播洒) gold down the mountain.

A lot of questions came to my mind. Who created such beauty? Why? How?

As we moved on, we saw a sign that read, “Answers to the Questions I Know You Are Asking.”

The first answer was, “One Woman-Two Hands, Two Feet, and Very Little Brain.” The second was, “One at a Time. ” The third, “Started in 1971.”

On our way home, I was so shocked by what we had seen. “She changed the world. One bulb (一株) at a time. She started almost 50 years ago. It was probably just the beginning of an idea, but she kept at it.” I said, “Imagine, if I had a dream and worked at it, just a little bit every day, what might I have achieved?”

My mother looked at me, smiling. “Start tomorrow.” She said, “Better yet, start today.”

This is a true story about a boy who, the world might say, was a terrible underachiever. While in the eighth grade, he failed subjects repeatedly. High school wasn’t much better; he flunked Latin, algebra, English, and received a grade of zero in physics. The boy managed to make the school golf team, but he lost the most important golf match of the season.

It’s not that his peers disliked this boy; it’s just that they never really seemed to notice him much. Even “Hellos” in the hall were a rarity. Out of all the failures in his life, there was something that did hold great importance to this boy, his love of drawing. Although in high school, the cartoons he submitted to the yearbook were rejected, once out of school, the boy was so sure of his artistic talent that he approached Walt Disney Studios with drawing works. I wish I could say the studios loved his work and immediately hired him, but such was not the case; another huge rejection.

Despite his lack of successes, this boy did not give up. He then decided to write his own autobiography in cartoons, about a little boy who was regarded as a loser and a nobody.

The name of this boy was Charles Schulz, the creator of the famous Charlie Brown and comic dog Snoopy.

In life, it is sometimes easy to feel like a nobody. We pass hundreds of people on the street on our way to work, or walk through a faceless crowd in a mall, and no one seems to notice or care. Deep inside, we may know we are special and unique and have lots to offer, but unless someone takes the time to look our way and give us a chance, we may feel worthless, just like Charlie Brown who couldn’t even manage to fly a kite or kick a football properly.

Just as Charles Schulz had faith in his artistic talent, so too, we must realize that nobody is a nobody. We all have special gifts and talents, and every human being is deserving and capable of being loved and appreciated.

Living next to next is the principle(原则) of a neighbor. Good neighborliness is the ideal to be aimed at. As the saying goes, no man is an island; he has to live with his neighbors. To make life easy and pleasant, he must cooperate with his neighbors.

Whether one likes it or not, one cannot do without neighbors. Normally he may think one can do without neighbors because he can manage all comforts and services, so the services or the need for a friend may not happen. However, the sympathy(同情), admiration and appreciation which a neighbor may offer will have a great humanizing influence. To share one's view and sometimes even sadness, one needs some neighbors.

But all neighbors are not always keeping the friendly relationship. Stresses and tension(紧张)develop because of misunderstanding. Very often children may be the cause for tense feelings. The neighbor’s son may pick a flower or a fruit from your garden and an argument may follow. Again he may throw his ball at your window breaking it. These are common cases so far as the younger on is concerned but it is for the elders to view them with calmness and make up for it. This may read easy on paper but not so in real life. But being broad-minded, one must be able to tolerate (容忍). Another reason for tension may be the animals. Your neighbor’s dog may be a real trouble or his chickens would come into your garden and eat away your plants.

In all these cases to keep up good neighborliness, some understanding between the neighbors is important. Small differences can be easily patched up or ironed out. Try to be friendly and the problem will not be difficult to solve. Care can at times play a good part and help the neighbors in a small or big way. Nobody is perfect and it is better not to speak ill of your neighbors. A cheerful word, a nod or a small talk will strengthen the feeling of good neighborliness.

Neighborliness is not only for people but it is also largely important between neighboring countries. History has got a lot to teach on this. Unless countries learn to live as good neighbors, there cannot be peace on earth. So children must be taught at home and in the school to cooperate with the neighbors and be friendly with them. The basic rule is to give and take and to develop a sense that the other man has as much right as you do, and some degree of tolerance is very necessary.