One day a great general (将军) asks his soldiers, “what is the strongest power (力量) in the world?” Four of his soldiers put up their hands. They want to answer the question. The general asks the first man to speak. The first man is younger than the other three, and he is not strong. He says, “My gun (枪) is the strongest. It can kill anyone.” “Thank you. Next, please.” The second is very strong. He says, “I don’t think so. Soldiers use guns, so the soldier is the strongest.” The third man says, “Soldiers use guns, but our general gives orders (命令), so I think our general is the strongest.” The fourth one is the oldest. He says, “Love is the strongest. For love, people don’t use guns.” The general says nothing. He takes out a medal (勋章) and gives it to him.

“Miss Smith! What rough (粗糙的) hands Mary Jessup has !” said Daisy Marvin, as she walked home from school with her teacher.

“In my opinion, Daisy, Mary’s hands are the most beautiful in our class.”

“Why? Miss Smith, they are red and hard, how ugly (丑) they will look if she plays on a piano!” Daisy said.

Miss Smith took Daisy’s hands in hers, and said, “Your hands are very soft (柔软) and white, they look beautiful on a piano; but shall I tell you what the real difference is?”

“Yes, please, Miss Smith.” Daisy looked at Miss Smith, with eyes wide open.

“Well, Daisy, Mary’s hands are very busy. They do the dishes, take out the rubbish; they hang out clothes and fold them; they sweep the floor, clean the living room and make the bed, too; they are always trying to help her poor, hard-working mother.”

Miss Smith continued, “Besides, they dress her grandmother; they cook for her grandparents; they find time to play with them to make them happy.”

“They do good deeds (行为) to every living thing. I have seen them helping the homeless dog in the street. They are always ready to help those who need help.’’

“I shall never think Mary’s hands are ugly any more, Miss Smith.” Daisy said that with tears (泪水) in eyes.

“I am glad to hear you say that, Daisy; and I must tell you that they are beautiful because they help others gladly and cheerfully.”

“Oh, Miss Smith! I feel so sorry. I will learn from her to be a better one, I want to help others who are in need from now on.” said Daisy, looking into her teacher’s face with shining eyes.

“My dear, you are a good girl, I like you very much. But beauty doesn’t lie in how one looks but what he does.”