A little stream ran down from a high mountain far, far away through many villages and forests, until she reached a desert (沙漠). The stream then thought, "I've been through thousands of millions of difficulties. I should have no problems crossing this desert!" But as she started her journey, she found herself slowly disappearing into the sand. After many tries, she still failed and was very unhappy. "Maybe I can't reach the ocean in the end." she said sadly to herself.

At this time, a deep voice came, "If a breeze (微风) can cross the desert, so can a stream." It was the voice of the desert. But the little stream replied, "That's because a breeze can fly, but I cannot." "That's because you can't give up what you are. If you like to do it, let yourself evaporate (蒸发) into the breeze. It can take you across, and you can reach the ocean." said the desert.

"Give up what I am now and disappear into the breeze? No! No!" The little stream could not accept this idea. After all, she had never experienced anything like it before.

"The breeze can carry the vapor (蒸气) across the desert and let it leave as rain. The rain will form a stream again to continue its course." explained the desert very patiently.

"And whether you're a stream or vapor, your nature never changes." continued the desert. Hearing this, the little stream rushed into the open arms of the breeze, which carried her to the next stage of her life.

The course of our lives is like the experience of the little stream. If you want to overcome the difficulties in your life to get success, you should also change the way you used to be.

Martin got an important lesson from his teacher Mr. Lee. He will never forget it. 

One day, Martin and Mr. Lee went out for a walk. They reached a farm where Martin saw a pair of old shoes. They seemed to belong to (属于) a poor farmer who would return after a whole day of hard work. Martin thought of an idea, "Why don't we hide these shoes and wait? It will be fun to watch his reaction (反应) when he can't find his shoes. " Mr. Lee thought about it for a while and asked Martin to put some coins in his shoes. 

The farmer finished his work. As he put his foot in the shoes, he felt something hard. He was amazed to find coins. He took them out and saw if (是否) someone was looking for them. He didn't see anyone, so he kept them in his pocket. He got moved and tears came out of his eyes. 

The farmer looked at the sky, "Many thanks to that unknown person. You help me at the time of need. 

Because of your kindness and help, now I can buy medicine (药) for my wife and bread for my hungry children. "

Martin's eyes were full of tears. Mr. Lee said, "Now tell me what makes you happier. "

 Martin said, "I understand the joy of giving is much more than taking. "

There was a park near my home. But I didn't go there very often because many people said there was nothing special. One afternoon I went into the park. I walked quickly because there wasn't much to see. I walked for some time and found myself standing in front of two paths（小路）, " ▲ " I asked myself. I looked at one path, and then the other. I found that the two paths were different from each other. 

The left one was wide and clean. There were lots of flowers on both sides of the path. Though the flowers weren't very beautiful, they made me feel good. Then I looked at the right one. The path was different from the left one. It didn't look nice. It looked as if it had not been cleaned for months. For a long time, I couldn't decide which path to go along. 

After a while, a strange feeling made me follow the dirty path. It wasn't nice, but I didn't want to give up. At last, I came to the end of the path. To my surprise, there was a small garden. It was beautiful. I thought it was the nicest part of the park. 

Later, I told the others what I had seen in the park, but they just smiled at me without saying a word. I knew they didn't believe me. They couldn't even remember that path because it was so small. 

My trip to the park that day made me learn something about life. Don't be afraid to choose a different path. You may get a big surprise!

A man sees a butterfly. The butterfly tries to get out of chrysalis (蛹). The man cut the chrysalis and the butterfly comes out easily. To his , the butterfly is unable to fly. If the butterfly doesn't struggle (挣扎) to get out of the chrysalis, it can't fly. The struggle develops the energy in the butterfly. Similarly, the challenges of life bring out the in young people and prepare the ability to "fly". When people are young, meeting and overcoming challenges will make them strong and ready to face life. For successful people, the more challenges they have had, the more they are. One famous man, who now owns many big , used to sell socks from door to door when he was young. Another successful man is Eric. He up a college at the age of 30. His father died when he was only 16. He worked in the day and studied hard in the night. His father's death forced him to grow up fast. He took up the challenges and overcame them. Today, not only he himself, also his brothers and sisters are leading successful lives.

Nowadays, some parents and teachers actively young people to face challenges. It is important them to learn to meet challenges and overcome them.

All the runners stood nervously at the starting line. All of them had prepared (they) for this important race.

The race meant more to a boy named Bill, because most of the other runners had greater speed. Could Bill realize his dream of being  "all-school"runner? He would have to finish in the top 5 to win that honor.

Bill's life（fill）with disappointment. Primary school had been a long nightmare（噩梦） for him. Of all the reading skills, he even couldn't pick up(basic) one, although he had tried many times. Bill did not complain（报怨）. He simply tried hard. But in the following years he was till unable to catch up with his classmates.

Then one day his teacher called us ina conversation. She said, "I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but Bill isn't trying anymore. He has given it up(complete). "I became very sad and afraid. I was afraid Bill might have forever lost heart.

I had a talk with Bill. I told him about my own experiences. I said, "I was the slowest one in my class in primary school, my parents and teachers were loving and understanding. Because of that, I made it through those years and finally went on to a music school. Now, you know, I'm a (piano). We think achievements come easily to others. Life usually isn't like that. The person who (success)is usually only a few percent. "Bill said, "Dad, I guess that not doing so well isn't all that bad if someone loves you and stands by you.

In the (nine) grade, Bill went out for the race again.

Party Works to Serve Us

Since 1921, the Communist Party of China (CPC,中国共产党) has been leading Chinese people to live better lives.

Both of my parents joined the Party when they were in university. They are (pride) of it. As members of the Party, they know they (serve) the people. They always take part in community efforts (active). During the (usual) winter holiday in 2020，they joined a team of volunteers to help check people's information and spread knowledge about COVID-19. Their behaviors show me the duty of the Party members. I want to learn more from (they) and be a member of the Party.

When I was younger, my parents told me many touching (story) about the CPC The spirits of Hong Yan, Jinggangshan and Yan'an moved me so much. From that time forward, I became (interest) in the Party.

Many years have passed, I (read) lots of books and watched movies that show the spirit of the CPC. What's more I have joined in many activities that are about the Party in order to learn more about it. Now I am a League (团) member. I believe that before long, I (be) a real Party member, If I become a member of the Party, I will do as much as I can (help) others. I'm looking forward to that day!