16．
Once, a group of fishermen went out to sea. Their captain was an old and wise fisherman. He always guided them well.
At sea, the fishermen spread their large net into the water. When they pulled out the net, there was (1)        in it. This happened about two or three more times and the fishermen lost heart, but their captain (2)        them to keep trying.
Once again, the fishermen spread their net. It (3)        heavy when they pulled it out. But there were only some small fish, wood and seaweed in the net. When they were about to sink the net back into the water, their captain said, "Empty the net. Throw it back into the sea and try once again. "
When the fishermen checked the net on the boat, they found a box (4)        some gold coins and gems (宝石) in it. The captain (5)        them with all the fishermen and everyone went home happily
This story tells us we mustn't leave any work unfinished if we want to enjoy the fruits of our hard work.

28． People sometimes look at nature and fail to see its perfection (完美). For example, they look at a plant and think, "How much better this plant would be if only its flowers were more beautiful!" Or they see a summer rain and think, "If I had (1)        the world I would have made it never rain when people are on holiday. "
Such a (2)        happened long ago when a traveller was resting under an apple tree. As he looked around, he saw a big pumpkin in a nearby garden. He noticed that the vine (藤) on which the big pumpkin grew was quite weak. (3)        him, he saw small round apples hanging on strong limbs (树枝). "How stupid nature is!" the man thought to himself. "If nature had half a brain, it would have made these big pumpkins grow on this strong tree (4)        on the weak vine. "
The traveller was proud that he was smarter than the creator of all things in the natural world. Just then, a small apple fell from the tree, hitting him on the head. He quickly saw the defect (不足之处) in his thinking. He learned how things might have been different if it had been the huge pumpkin that had hit him on the head. "I clearly would have (5)        my life in such an accident, " he said.
As he went on his way, he had new admiration (钦佩) for nature.

29． Life is like a journey on a train with its stations, with changes of routes and with accidents!
At birth we get on the train and meet our parents. They are the ones who give us tickets. We b        that they will always travel by our side. However, at some station our parents will get off the train, leaving us on this journey alone.
As time goes by, other people will get on the train, many of whom will be important－our brothers, s        , friends, children, and even the love of our life.
Many will get off during the Journey. Some will move to another car for a w        and come back.
Many will go so unnoticed that we won't even know when their seats are left empty.
This train ride will be full of happiness, sadness, expectations, hellos and goodbyes.
Success is made up of helping, loving, having a good relationship with all passengers, and making sure that we give our best of ourselves to make their journey c        .
The question to everyone is: We do not know at which station we ourselves will get off. So, we must live in the best way－love, forgive, and o        the best of ourselves to others, including our seats if necessary. It is because when the time comes for us to get off and leave our seats empty, we should leave b        beautiful memories for those who will continue to travel on the train of life.
Thank you for being one of the passengers on my train. Have a very pleasant journey of life!

30． Rob Frenette had problems with bullies (欺辱) at school for eleven years. He was often lonely and scared. When he was fifteen, however, he decided to do something about his problems. He walked into a newspaper office and told them about the bullying. His story went into the newspaper and soon all the TV stations in Canada wanted to talk to him about his experiences. They also wanted to hear his ideas to stop bullying.
After that, Rob continued his studies at school, but in his free time he helped other people with bullying problems. With a friend Katie Neu, he made a website called "www. Bullyingcanada. c". Visitors to the website can find advice, stories and poems about bullying, in both English and French. When people are upset, they can talk on the phone or online to Rob and his team. Every weekend Rob has to answer e－mails to the website. He also speaks to children, teachers and members of government around the country about bullying.
Rob's most important message is:"When bullies are unkind to you, it isn't your fault. There's nothing wrong with you, so you should try to keep trusting yourself. And remember that there are people caring about your problems. You just have to find those people."
One of Rob's ideas is "Blue Day", a special day for stopping bullying in schools. Students have to wear blue clothes and in class they learn how to stop bullying. More than 150 Canadian schools now celebrate Blue Day, but Rob won't stop until there's a Blue Day in every school in Canada.

1. How old was Rod when he faced problems with bullies at school for the first time?
                                                                  
2. Rod stopped his studies at school after he told it to the newspaper, didn't he?
                                                                  
3. How often does Rob answer e－mails to the website?
                                                                  
4. Who do " those people" in Paragraph 3 mean?
                                                                  
5. What do you think of the idea of "Blue Day"? Why?