It was the Greek shopkeeper who taught me about the power of being kind.
In 2008, I left Spain to study alone in London. My parents had to bring up my three younger sisters and two younger brothers, so I found three part-time jobs to pay for my studies. I worked early mornings and late nights, so I was tired, really tired, all the time.
Unfortunately, I got a cold and had a very high fever. Because I had spent all my free time working since I came to London, I hardly took part in any activities and I had no friends. Besides, I was too shy to communicate with others and ask others for help. After sleeping on the sickbed for two days, I went out to get some food. Normally, I went to the supermarket, but this time I went into the Greek shop, a small corner shop, because it was closer.
I picked up some food and gave it to the shopkeeper, who asked me, ‘You look terrible, my boy! You are not feeling well, right?’
I said YES in a low voice.
She pointed at the salami (腊肠) and bread I was buying and offered, ‘I can make you a sandwich, so you don’t have to do it yourself.’
I nodded without saying a word.
So, she made the sandwich and asked me to wait a moment. She went into the back room and came again with a bowl of hot soup.
‘It will warm you up,’ she said with a friendly smile.
What really warmed me up was not the soup. It was her smile that told me she cared me. Her kindness reminded me of my mother.
I had been quite shy, but from that day on, I did not let shyness prevent me from communicating with and being kind to others. Now I work in a children’s hospital in Africa. I love my work and people around me. I always bring my smile and kindness to them.
小题1:When did the writer leave for London?
| A．In 2003. | B．In 2009. | C．In 2008. | D．10 years ago. |
小题2:What can we learn about the writer and his family?
| A．His parents could not afford his studies. |
| B．There are five kids in his family. |
| C．The writer is the youngest child in the family. |
| D．In 2008 the writer left London to study in Spain. |
小题3:What happened to the writer?
| A．He lost his part-time jobs. |
| B．He had an argument with his friends. |
| C．He got a cold and had a very high fever. |
| D．He was not popular at his school. |
小题4:What did the shopkeeper not do for the writer?
| A．She made the sandwich |
| B．She cooked a bowl of hot soup |
| C．She made some bread |
| D．She sold him some salami |
小题5:Which of the following words can’t describe the Greek shopkeeper?
| A．Friendly. | B．Shy. | C．Nice. | D．Kind. |