Helping others can help us too

Once upon a time, there lived a farmer who grew very good corn. Each year, he would take part in the state farmers’ fair (展览会) and win a top award for his corn.

“How can you afford to share your best corn seeds with your neighbors when some of them might go to the fair as well?” the reporter asked.

“Why wouldn’t I?” the farmer replied. “The wind picks up pollen (花粉) from the corn and moves it from field to field. If my neighbors grow poor quality corn, cross pollination (交叉授粉) will finally degrade (降低) the quality of my corn too. If I am to grow high quality corn, I must help my neighbors grow good corn too.”

The farmer’s answer made the reporter understand how aware (明白的) the old farmer was about connections (联系) in life.

It is the same with our lives. Those who choose to live in peace must help others around them to live in peace too. Those who wish to be loved must first learn to love others too. Those who wish to live well must help others live well too, as the value of our lives has something to do with the lives we touch.

My friend Bobby and his family lived a simple life. They didn’t have that much money to spend on anything but essential(必须的) things like food. But as the summer holidays came around, Bobby wanted to treat his kids and take them to play golf.

When they arrived at the golf course(球场), Bobby walked up to the woman at the ticket counter(售票柜台) and said, “How much is it to get in?”

The young woman replied, “$3. 00 for you and $3. 00 for any kid who is older than 6. We let them in free if they are 6 or younger. How old are they?”

Bobby replied “One is 3 and the other is 7 so I guess I should pay you $6. 00.”

The woman at the ticket counter said. “Hey, did you just win the lottery(彩票) or something? You could have saved yourself 3 dollars. If you told me that the older one was 6, I wouldn’t have known the difference. ”

Bobby replied. “Yes, that may be true but the kids would know the difference. It’s my responsibility to set a good example to them. That way, they can grow up and _______.”

Then, taking his two boys by the hand, Bobby spent a wonderful afternoon with them playing golf.

Do you like pillow (枕头) fighting? Many people love playing this game. 【小题1】 The students were divided into (分成) four groups. 【小题2】 We just needed to throw our pillows at each other’s camps. When the time was up, the group with the fewest pillows was the winner.

The game began. 【小题3】 I could see nothing but pillows. Some students in my group were responsible (负责) for throwing pillows. I was responsible for picking up the pillows on the ground. 【小题4】

Time passed quickly and finally the game was over. 【小题5】 Everyone was happy. This activity not only lets us relax our bodies and minds, but also lets us feel the power of unity (团结的力量).