Long long ago, a young man found a spring of delicious clean water while he was going through the desert. He brought some back to the oldest man in his village, who had been his teacher before. After a four-day journey he sent the water to the old man who took a deep drink, smiled warmly and thanked his student for the sweet water. The young man returned to his village happily. The next day, the teacher let another student taste the water. He spat it out, saying it was awful. It went bad because it had stayed in the old leather container(皮革容器) for so many days in such hot weather. The student asked his teacher why he pretended(假装) to like the awful water. The teacher replied, "You only tasted the water. I tasted the gift. The water was simply the container for love and kindness. And nothing could be sweeter than these."
　　I think we understand this lesson best when we receive small gifts of love from very young kids. Whether it's a slice of bread or a piece of colored paper, the natural and right response(反应) is to show our thanks and happiness because we get love from the gift.
　 To show our thanks doesn't always come naturally. Unfortunately, most children and many adults only see the thing itself. They never feel the meaning of the thing. We should tell ourselves and teach our children about showing thanks and happiness to the persons who give the gifts from their hearts because gifts from the heart are really gifts of the heart

1. 1.

   Where did the young man find the water?

   1. A.
      In a spring
   2. B.
      In a river
   3. C.
      In a lake
   4. D.
      In a village
2. 2.

   How long did the water stay in the old leather container?

   1. A.
      Six days
   2. B.
      Five days
   3. C.
      Four days
   4. D.
      Three days
3. 3.

   What does the word “replied” mean?

   1. A.
      smiled
   2. B.
      cried
   3. C.
      answered
   4. D.
      got angry
4. 4.

   According to the passage, what is the right response when we get gifts from others?

   1. A.
      We eat it up at once
   2. B.
      We only see the thing itself
   3. C.
      We think about the meaning of the bread
   4. D.
      We usually show our thanks and happiness naturally
5. 5.

   What does the writer want to tell us?

   1. A.
      We should never receive anything from others
   2. B.
      We should show thanks and happiness when we get the gifts from the heart
   3. C.
      We should pretend to love the things given by others all the time
   4. D.
      We should give gifts from our hearts

Books for Children

Fleabag and the Ring's End

Beth Webb

More stories of Fleabag, the talking cat—star of this wonderful set of 3 books.

Ages 8—13, 208 pages, paper-back

07459 44116, ￡3.99                     The little White House

Elizabeth Goudge

A fairy tale and winner of the Carnegie Medal.

Ages 8—12, 240 pages, paper-back

07459 45783, ￡4.99

My Very First Christmas Book

Lois Rock and Alec Ayliffe

A big, bright book, which presents the story simply, and delightfully for very young children.

Ages 0—3, 12 pages, 200mm x 200mm, board

07459 40560, ￡4.99                     First Festival: Christmas

Lois Rock

An all-in-one book to help grown-ups and children prepare their Christmas celebration together. Presents, activities and customs.

Ages 5—8, 48 pages, 290mmx250mm, hardback

07459 39074, ￡8.99

Star of Wonder

Pat Alexander

A wonderful collection of Christmas stories and poems. Full of lively pages to read and enjoy.

Ages 7—12, 224 pages, paperback

07459 39323, ￡4.99                     The Not-So-Wise Man

Alan MacDonald and Andrew Rowland

We all know about the 3 Wise Men who traveled to Bethlehem（伯利恒）and discovered the baby Jesus Christ. This is the tale of another one, who always missed the point.

Ages 5—9, 32 pages, 270mm×210mm, hardback.

07459 38922, ￡8.99

1.If you want to make a Christmas plan together with your children, which book do you   prefer？

A．Star of Wonder                         B．The Not-So-Wise Man

C．First Festival: Christmas                   D．My Very First Christmas Book

2.Which number would you dial if you want to order a book for your 2-year-old child?

A．07459 40560.                          B．07459 38922.

C．07459 45783.                          D．07459 44116.

3.If your child wants to read stories of animals, whose book will be your choice?

A．Pat Alexander.      B．Beth Webb.        C．Lois Rock.         D．Elizabeth Goudge.

                                 Books for Children   

1  If you want to make a Christmas plan together with your children, which book do you prefer？

            A. Star of Wonder                                           B. The Not-So-Wise Man

            C. First Festival: Christmas                      D. My Very First Christmas Book

2  Which number would you dial if you want to order a book for your 2-year-old child?

            A. 07459 40560.                              B. 07459 38922.

            C. 07459 45783.                              D. 07459 44116.

3   If your child wants to read stories of animals, whose book will be your choice?

            A. Pat Alexander’s.                                         B. Beth Webb’s.

C. Lois Rock’s.                                              D. Elizabeth Goudge’s.