There are about 5,000 different kinds of ladybugs (瓢虫) in the world. They come in many different colors. Their bright colors warn other animals or insects not to eat them. Ladybugs taste bad. A bird or a frog that eats a ladybug will remember the bright colors and it will not eat another ladybug with the same colors again. When ladybugs are in danger, they will give out a fluid (液体) that tastes terrible. 

In many cultures, the ladybug is considered to be a symbol of good luck. Most ladybugs are kind to humans. They eat other insects which destroy crops. One ladybug can eat up to 5,000 insects in its lifetime.

Ladybugs have six short legs. They live in many different places, including green lands, forests, cities, the countryside and along rivers. Different ladybugs have different spots (点). Some of them don’t have spots at all. The most common kind in North America is the 7-spotted ladybug. The 7-spotted ladybugs are the most active from spring to autumn. When the weather turns cold, they look for a warm place to sleep, such as under stones or in houses.

Christian is a lion cub. His parents are zoo lions. When he is a cub, people take him to a big store in London. Many people come from all over the world to see him. One night, Christian gets out of his cage (笼子). He makes a big mess (一团乱) in the store. After that, people in the store put him up for sale.

When Ace and John see Christian, they want him for a pet (宠物). So they buy him and take him home. Christian lives with Ace and John. He is a good pet. They take him on walk and play games with him. They even take him to the beach. Later, Christian grows (成长) too big and he eats too much. It is difficult to look after him, so Ace and John can’t keep him at home.

Ace and John know they can’t keep him as a pet forever. One day, they take Christian to Africa. It is his first time to leave (离开) London. It is also his first time to live in the wild (野外). Ace and John leave Christian for a year. Then they go to see him in his new home. They want to see if he still knows them. When Christian sees Ace and John, he runs to them and licks (舔) their faces. He knows they are his friends.

Now, no one can have a lion for a pet. Ace and John are right to let Christian go free.