Today is October 12th. It’s Henry’s 13th birthday. After breakfast, some of his friends come to his home. They give him some nice gifts. Henry is very happy. Then they play basketball for two hours. At noon, they have lunch in a restaurant (餐馆). It’s a great restaurant. The food is delicious and the prices are good. In the afternoon, they go to the Green Park.

At about 5:30 p.m., Henry comes back home. Henry’s mother buys a big birthday cake for him. Henry’s name and the words “Happy birthday” are on the cake. Henry gets some nice gifts from his family, too—a yellow T-shirt from his mother, a pair of sports shoes from his father, a CD from his sister, a basketball from his grandfather and a book from his grandmother. How happy Henry is!

Chris poured himself a glass of strawberry juice.

“Chris, that’s for the party,” Mrs White said.

“But I’m thirsty.”

“Then get yourself some orange juice from the fridge. And when you’re done, help your father set up the volleyball net.”

“Why isn’t Kurt helping?” Chris asked. “It’s his party. Why am I doing all the work while he’s out with friends?” The phone rang and Mrs White ran to answer it.

“Chris!” Mr White cried from the backyard. “I need a hand with this net.”

“Coming!” Chris put down his glass and ran to the backyard. Just then, Kurt came home. “ Hey, Chris,” Kurt said.

Mrs White said, “I think we need to set up the gift table. Chris, could you get a table from the basement?”

“After he helps me with this net,” Mr White said.

“I’m going to take a shower before the party,” Kurt said, heading inside.

“Unbelievable,” Chris said. “I’m doing all the work and he’s going to shower? It’s about time he should do something.”

“What’s that about?” Kurt asked, looking hurt.

“This is your party, but I’ve been doing everything. And people are going to give you presents. What can I get? Nothing. I wasted my whole day setting up when you went out with your friends.”

“You thought I was playing with my friends?”

“Weren’t you?”

“No. I was working. I had to get a job to help pay for college. I cleaned floors at the supermarket all this afternoon.”

“Oh,” Chris said. Suddenly carrying a few tables and chairs didn’t seem so bad. “There’s still an hour before the party starts.You should relax. Happy graduation!

It’s Sunday. Children don’t go to school on Sundays. But Kate gets up early in the morning. “It’s my birthday. I’m eight years old today.” she thinks, “Where are Dad and Mum? I want to know what they can give me for my birthday.”

Her father and mother are not at home. They are going shopping. And now they are talking about what to buy for Kate.

Dad: How about the doll? It looks nice. I think Kate would like the doll.

Mom: I don’t think so. She is not a little girl. I think she likes a new dress. Girls often like new dresses very much.

Dad: But she has a few new dresses and some new blouses. Oh, I think she must be very happy to have a box of colorful pencils and some picture books. Do you think so?

Mom: Yes. Let’s go over there and buy them.