On the way back from work every evening, more often than not there would be a homeless man standing at the exit of the freeway (快车道). He looked to be in his late 40s but was probably a lot younger. He had shoulder length straight black hair and a short beard.
Every day after work I would remember to gather any spare change, and put it aside to give to him if I saw him. A feeling of joy would come over me every time I saw him, while coming off the ramp (坡道). So did he. Sometimes the red light would be on for a minute and we would ask each other about our day. His answer would always be the same, “I’m blessed!”
Then one day I was called into my boss’s office and was told that I was being laid off. For the rest of that day all I could think of was “how am I going to provide for my kids as a mother, how am I going to pay rent?”
Needless to say that on my way home that day I was very sad and upset. I didn’t remember to look for my spare change and keep it ready like I usually did. Yet there he was as always, as I turned the ramp. He set his eyes on me, while still smiling and waving at others as usual.
While I was waiting for the red light to turn, he strolled (闲逛) over to my car. He had a big smile. He looked at me straight in the eyes and said, “Today I will give you a dollar.” He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a dollar bill.
You see that day he taught me a valuable lesson more than a dollar bill. No matter what material things are taken from you, no one can take away your choice to be joyful. Every time I’m faced with challenges, I think of the homeless man’s valuable lesson and remember that I am blessed.
【小题1】 The writer would have a short conversation with the homeless man when                .

Sally: Excuse me, sir．____1____ (be) the sheep yours?

Bill: No, they ____2___ (be not)．Why don’t you ___3_____ (ask) the man over there?

Maybe he ___4____ (know)．

Sally: Hello．____5____ you________ (have) any sheep?

Man: Yes, but I____6____ (not know) where they are now．

Sally: Let me_____7___ (help) you ____8____ (find)them．Look! They’re over there!

Man: Oh, thank you．

Sally: You must ____9____ (1ook) after them better．

Man: Yes, l will．Here ____10____ (be)some money for helping us．

Sally: Oh, hat's OK．It was a pleasure to me．

　　A gentleman（绅士）put an advertisement（广告）in a newspaper for a boy to work in his office. From nearly fifty persons, he chose one and refused the others.

　　“I should like to know,” said a friend,“why you preferred that boy. He did not have a letter or a recommendation（介绍信）.”

　　“You are wrong,”said the gentleman,“he had many. He cleaned his feet at the door and closed the door behind him. That showed he was careful. He give his seat at once to that old man. That showed he was kind and thoughtful. He took off his cap when he came in and answered my question promptly（敏捷地）. That showed he was polite and gentlemanly.”

　　“I threw some books on the floor and some persons stepped（踩）over them, but that boy picked them up and put them on the table. He waited quietly for his turn instead of pushing. When I talked to him, I found his clothes were tidy, his hair was brushed clearly and his finger nails were clean. I think these are more important than a letter and recommendation.”