In much of the world, a five-day work week is common. In some places, however, people are exploring the idea of paying workers the same amount for working just four days a week.

Last June, 61 companies in Britain agreed to try giving their workers a four-day work week. Many different kinds of businesses took part in the experiment. Some companies were small, while others had around 1,000 workers. The experiment ran for six months. It was the largest of its kind in the world: It turned out to be good for both businesses and individuals（个人）.

The number of days that workers were out sick dropped by 65 percent. About 57 percent fewer people left their jobs during the four-day work week trial. What’s more, the companies made more money-an increase of about 1.4 percent on average.

How did workers do more in less time? Some companies had fewer or shorter meetings. Some used technology to help employees get work done more quickly. Others set a “focus time” that workers would be able to finish tasks without wasting any time or energy on other things.

In general, the four-day work week left employees feeling better. About 39 percent felt less stressed（焦虑不安的）. On average, 73 percent of the workers were more satisfied with the time they spent working.

At the end of the experiment, 92 percent of the companies planned to keep the new schedule （日程安排）. The leader of one company said that the shorter work week allowed people to feel ready to “go for it”.

When Xiong Chuanfa, 34, blows a lifelike tiger out of sugar in just minutes, kids look at him in surprise thinking he is a magician.

Xiong has been blowing sugar figurines(吹糖人) for over twenty years. Blowing sugar figurines is a Chinese traditional folk(民间) art with a history of over 600 years and has been listed as a state-level intangible cultural heritage(文化遗产).

Every morning, Xiong prepares the sugar and drives to different markets in Nanchang to start his magic show.

He heats the sugar, pulls off a little to make a ball and blows it into different shapes—a rabbit, a monkey, and even Bing Dwen Dwen, the mascot of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

People, especially little kids, are interested in his skills. However, ________, he also stops by colleges. Many college students have been drawn(吸引) to the art, waiting in line for hands-on experience. Among them, Simon, a foreign student, couldn’t help having a try. Though it looked easy, he found it hard to make it. Thanks to Xiong’s help, Simon finally saw a horse slowly taking shape.

Simon was deeply moved after learning about the art. “I just can’t believe the traditional folk art can be kept so well here. I love it. Chinese culture should be spread around the world,” he said.

This art has been passed down for four generations(代) in Xiong’s family. His 6-year-old son often blows sugar balloons, just like what he used to do as a child.

“We will pass on the intangible heritage,” said Xiong.

A policeman is looking for a thief (小偷) on the street. A young man is running slowly in the park. When he sees the policeman, he begins to run fast. The policeman runs after him. The man runs fast, but the policeman runs much faster. At a crossing, the policeman stops him. “Where are you going?” asks the policeman. “You are the thief. You have long curly hair. You look like the thief” “No, no,” says the man. “I am not a thief at all. You see, I am just too fat. I just want to become thin.”