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Accidents at work due to alcohol or drug abuse cost U.S. businesses $33 billion per year, according to Council data. Cindy Ford, program manager at the San Antonio Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, says more organizations are developing programs in response to demand from businesses. The council has its own employee assistance program as well. More progressive companies that are not required to implement drug policies are realizing the benefits, Glisan adds. "Those that aren't mandated realize it's just good business," he says. Glisan declined to reveal the names of any ADPC clients. The firm serves companies nationwide, but has its largest concentration of clients in San Antonio. Glisan adds that he would like to increase ADPC's presence here. Recently, ADPC has seen its greatest client growth among small- to medium-sized businesses. That's a new trend, Glisan says. Traditionally, small businesses feel they can't afford to hire a consultant and implement a drug policy, he says. Today, drug policies and drug testing are more affordable. The cost, he says, is relatively low compared to damages, lost time and production, and workers' compensation claims due to substance abuse in the workplace. Also, ADPC creates employee "pools" for small businesses to facilitate random drug testing. The pools group together employees of several small businesses, allowing the employees to be randomly selected. Glisan began his track toward drug policy management and consulting while in the military as commander of the U.S. Air Force Forensic Drug Testing Laboratory. There he analyzed new drugs, procedures and treatments, as well as analyzed drug tests, he says. Glisan also was a member of the Department of Defense Biochemical Testing Committee that developed the drug testing policy for the entire Department of Defense. After more than 20 years of service in the Air Force and United States Marine Corps, Glisan tapped that experience and founded Aviation Compliance Testing in 1990. He began by creating drug programs for flight instructors. Still operating as a separate division, Aviation Compliance Testing now offers its services to a number of different companies and organizations in the aviation industry. In 1992, Glisan founded ADPC, after realizing that there was a need for drug policy management for many different businesses, not just those in the aviation industry. Since then, Glisan has built up a client list for ADPC that includes nearly 30 businesses in San Antonio and more than 400 nationwide. ADPC also is now affiliated with National Safety Alliance Inc. (NSA), a Nashville-based drug policy management group. In 1994, ADPC joined NSA. Glisan says the move gave ADPC national scope, without sacrificing the firm's autonomy. Glisan says he hopes ADPC's services will help to eliminate workplace substance abuse and increase the productivity of their clients' businesses.

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The purpose of this study was to determine the types of problems encountered by small business owners that receive counseling from Small Business Centers in the eastern region of North Carolina and the relationship between these problems and selected business characteristics. The three independent variables were industry sector (retail or service), business development status (startup or operating), and owner's gender (male or female). The type of problems encountered by small business owners was the dependent variable. Based on prior research by Ansoff (1965) and Chrisman and Leslie (1989), the classification system used to categorize business problems included administrative, operating, and strategic problems. The study was based on a survey research design and Pearson's chi-square and lambda tests were used to indicate significance between variables and strength of association. The data were taken from the administrative records of eight Small Business Centers in eastern North Carolina and featured a random sample of 300 small businesses.The findings of the study indicated that the majority of small business owners in the retail and service sectors in eastern North Carolina rely on counseling from Small Business Centers to help them resolve issues that are core to the development of a successful enterprise. The most common type of problems facing these business owners was strategic in nature (54%). The second most common type of problems experienced by these business owners was administrative (33.3%), followed by operating problems (12.7%). The only exception was with firms classified as operating. Administrative problems were more common in operating firms, regardless of industry sector or gender. In all other combinations of independent variables (retail, service, startup, female-owned, and male-owned), strategic problems were more prevalent.

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The SAP Business One Solution Partner program will include a rigorous two- tier certification process for potential partners to ensure quality. The program leverages the flexibility of SAP Business One as a simple yet effective business automation software tool as well as the SAP Business One software development kit -- one of the most advanced development environments available in the SMB space -- for partners to develop applications. Participating partners will receive training, marketing and other support from SAP, with multiple participation levels to accommodate partners of varying resources and involvement. The solutions will be offered in individual markets by the existing SAP Business One partner sales channel. The power and flexibility of the SAP Business One software development kit allows SAP Business One partners to enhance the value proposition of SAP Business One to customers by providing significant advantages such as a high degree of adaptability to business processes and management, powerful customizations, formatted search and user fields and smooth upgrade processes. The program will include partners in all countries where SAP Business One is available, selected for their expertise in specific industries as well as core business processes.

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Century Business Services, Inc. (Nasdaq: CBIZ) ("Century"), the nation's fastest emerging outsourced business services company, today announced that it has completed the acquisition of General Business Services, Inc. (GBS) and E. K. Williams & Co., franchisors of accounting, tax and business consulting services. Century also announced that it will combine the newly acquired Waco, Texas-based companies with its currently owned Comprehensive Business Services franchise network of Mission Viejo, California into a separate division, Century Small Business Solutions, Inc., which will focus specifically on the company's 54,000 smaller business clients (5 to 25 employees). The new identity will immediately apply to corporate operations and will be phased in throughout the franchise network.General Business Services, and its wholly owned subsidiary General Tax Services, provides business management services including general corporate and tax counseling, accounting services, tax preparation, financial counseling and personnel services. E.K. Williams & Co. specializes in information systems, accounting services, tax preparation and financial management services specifically designed to meet the needs of small businesses.By combining GBS and E.K. Williams with Comprehensive, Century gains the ability to market its existing business services, such as payroll administration, small group health programs, workers' compensation and other insurance products, human resources, valuation services and benefits administration, to a broader small business client base. The consolidation creates a franchisee network, consisting of more than 650 franchise units and serving in excess of 54,000 smaller corporate enterprises. Century currently provides business management, tax and accounting services to smaller business customers through its Comprehensive Business Services subsidiary ("Comprehensive"). Comprehensive serves more than 24,000 small business clients through 240 franchisees across the nation. General Business Services and E.K. Williams serve more than 30,000 small business customers through more than 400 franchisee offices in 47 states. By instituting it as a separate division, Century establishes Century Small Business Solutions as a significant player in the franchised accounting, tax, business services and financial management consulting industry.

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Steven P. Piccolino and Robert E. Fiorini doing business as Full Circle Software, 2 Vadney Road, Delmar 12054 Gerald E. Houk doing business as New Wave Pools, 19 Clapper Road, Selkirk 12158 Jason A. Meltzer doing business as JM Computer Consulting, 303 Cortland St., Albany 12208 Wook-Jin Hwang doing business as Bae Dal, P.O. Box 3810, Albany 12208 Raymond Richardson doing business as 4U & Yours, 181 S. Pearl St., Albany 12202 Karen D. Hogenson doing business as Homeworks, 136 Adams Place, Delmar 12054 Larry Smith doing business as Count One Enterprise Cleaning Service, 9-W Peiter Schuyler Court, Albany 12210 John F. Wunderlich doing business as Sparrowbush Farms, 21 New Sparrowback Road, Latham 12110Paul J. Yamin doing business as PJY Enterprises, 207 Hillcrest Ave., Albany 12203 Ernest Ripepi doing business as Topspin Tennis, 349 Hudson Ave., Apt. 4, Albany 12210 Trudy H. Marks doing business as A Woman's Touch, 48 Waterford Ave., Latham 12110 Matthew D. Nelligan doing business as Aisling Entertainment, 1236 Fifth Ave., Watervliet 12189 David M. Koonz doing business as Highline Painting Contractors, 130 Yardboro Ave., Albany 12205 Christine N. Caswell doing business as CNC Transcription, 126 Paine St., Green Island 12183 Lenzell Inc. doing business as New Vision, 157 Central Ave., Albany 12207 Lenzell Inc. doing business as Sedonia Secrets, 157 Central Ave., Albany 12207Daniel J. Pirrone doing business as S.S. Maintenance & Debris Removal, 1340 Seventh Ave., Schenect ady 12303 Kim Knightes doing business as Kim E. Knightes Consulting, 10 Morris Ave., Schenectady 12308 Alan B. Kuhn doing business as Al Kuhn Heating & Cooling, 2313 First Ave., Rotterdam 12303 Adel Marwan doing business as Bertmarket, 930 Cron St., Schenectady 12302 Michael J. Oliver doing business as Oliver's Florist, 1501 Maxon Road, Schenectady 12308 Lance S. Hall doing business as Schenectady African American Forum, 1 River Road, Schenectady 12148 Kathleen M. Delong doing business as Kathleen's Kreations, 1367 Crane St., Schenectady 12303 Cara M. Demeo doing business as Dance Force, 901 Draper Ave.

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After substantially watering down the House version of a far-reaching patent bill, inventors and small businesses are now gunning to quash the Senate version of the bill. For the third time in this decade, U.S. lawmakers are trying to change the country's patent system by considering a series of measures that would change the business of innovation and the millions of dollars that come with patent royalty payments. Up for consideration are whether patent applications should be made public before the patent is issued, whether third parties will be given a broader right to ask patent examiners to re-examine the validity of a patent, and whether companies using a technology before it was patented should be sheltered from dishing out huge royalty payments to patent owners. The Washington-based Alliance for American Innovation (AAI) and several small-business groups representing individual investors helped persuade the House to drop two key provisions from the bill before it passed that chamber. Those provisions would have made patent applications public after 18 months and given unrelated parties a shot at a patent by asking patent examiners to re-examine the quality of the patent. "We now focus our efforts on the Senate bill," says Beverly Selby, the head of AAI who also worked as a senior policy analyst for former President Ronald Reagan. Selby says her group will push for the Senate committee considering the patent bill to drop the provisions that were excluded from the House version. If the group fails in this effort, "we will try to kill the bill," from reaching the full Senate floor, Selby says. But Michael Kirk, executive director of the American Intellectual Property Law Association, will fight to keep the controversial provisions in the Senate bill. The property law association believes the 18-month publication provision will ultimately help inventors generate new capital to commercialize their products. Also, the association wants the patent re-examination clause inserted in the bill because it believes the quality of patents will improve under increased examination. "We are confident that the provisions that were dropped will remain in the Senate bill," Kirk says. "That makes the bill much stronger and will eventually help American inventors and companies." Capitol Hill sources say the patent bill will come under fire from several Democratic senators and even from a few Republicans including Sen. Christopher Bond, R-Mo., the head of the Senate Small Business Committee. Bond's committee has not taken a position on the bill yet, but a committee source hinted the provisions dropped from the House may have to be dropped from the Senate version to gain support. Rob Risser, a Michigan-based businessman who heads the Washington-based Small Business Technology Coalition, says the bill will have to be significantly changed to garner the support from small businesses and inventors. Risser points to a provision to develop a patent advisory board that will act as consultants to the system. The House version calls for a 12-member board appointed by the president, the House speaker and the Senate majority leader. The Senate version calls for a five-member board appointed by the president. "We just don't think small businesses will have much of a participation under this board," Risser says. "We want this bill to give us assurance that at least 44 percent of the people on the board are representatives for small business and individual investors." According to coalition's estimates, 44 percent of domestic patent applications are filed by small business and individual inventors. The patent bill is being treated as one of the most important bills for American businesses in decades. Numerous tries in previous years to change patent laws have fallen by the wayside. With the House's passage of the bill, supporters of a patent overhaul believe there may be hope this year. Sougata Mukherjee is Washington Bureau Chief for the San Antonio Business Journal.

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Family synergy is the foundation of Dependable Cleaners, but the longtime Denver business thrives under a structure of separate ownership. "All the family members are entrepreneurial," said Warren Toltz, Dependable's president and second-generation owner. He, his son Ken and son-in-law Jon Waldman each own a cluster of the company's 25 laundry and dry-cleaning stores in the Denver area, Pueblo and Colorado Springs. Yet, while each owner commands his own enterprise, Dependable's marketing, operating standards and approach to customer service are universal. "We have a strong sense of what people want, what we need to do to make customers come back. We talk about that all the time," Waldman said. "That's what our business is all about." Toltz's wife, Ruth, is corporate director and his son, Steven, is legal counsel for the company, which last year reported $6.7 million in revenue. Revenue and income each have grown by 40 percent during the last three years, Toltz said. He joined Dependable 31 years ago after working in real estate, which proved invaluable experience for expanding the company. Store location is critical because convenience is a high priority among customers, Toltz explained. The business grew most in the 1980s, despite Denver's depressed economy. Toltz attributes this success primarily to customer service. "My dad converted the business from 'central plant,' with a bunch of drop stores, to 'package plant,' where laundry and dry cleaning is done on site," at each store, Ken said. This makes it possible to offer same-day laundry service and tightens the link between the customers and the people who clean the clothes. Most dry cleaners still send garments to a central location or contract service, he added. A number of Dependable locations offer all-night drops, extended hours and drive-through service. Dependable's focus on customers is not new. Warren and Ruth Toltz have continued the legacy of Ruth's parents, Jack and Esther Bugdanowitz, who founded the company in 1930. The Bugdanowitzes remained involved until they died in the 1970s. Toltz encourages family to join the business, but emphasized that "it's important family members be successful for a period of time outside the business. Each brings more to the table ... and comes in with credibility." Waldman, who came aboard early in the 1980s, previously was general sales manager for KIMN radio station. Steven and Ken both joined Dependable two years ago. Steven had been practicing law and Ken was marketing director for Boyer's Brothers coffee, also a family-owned business. Working for Boyer's "was a tremendous opportunity for me. I was very glad to learn from that situation." Much of what Ken learned included how not to run a business, as he watched father and sons feud to the point of litigation. "One of the biggest problems of family in business is changing the relationship of being a parent and being a child," Toltz said. He added that the family does its best to keep work and social life separate. "You have to continually remind yourself that the person sitting across the conference table is somebody you are going to be sitting across from at the dinner table later that evening," added Waldman. "We work hard to keep the lines of communication open," Ken said. "My dad's not hearing anything from us he hasn't felt himself," having once been the new guy in management. Still, "finding that role that each person is comfortable in and that works the best for the business is a tremendous challenge," Ken said. He feels best suited to marketing, an area where Warren also has succeeded. Dependable's marketing effort is executed primarily in the realm of community involvement, Toltz said. "We understand that by giving, we end up receiving." The company started the "Coats 4 Colorado" coat drive 15 years ago and supports "Reading, Writing and Recycling," a community campaign to raise money for KCNC-TV's Homework Hotline. Dependable donates 2 cents for every hanger brought in. Ironically, the elements of family that cloud a business also form the mortar that holds it together. With family comes commitment and dependability, Toltz said. "There's pride, in your work and the product you're providing."

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It is often said that one never forgets the first time: situations of such fear and anticipation tend to leave indelible marks. Hiring a first employee is like that, because it represents a significant change in the life of a business. It also represents the first of many hurdles facing VARs and Sis along the road to maturity. Despite their misgivings, small VARs usually give in to the urge to develop growth strategies -- regardless of the consequence -- because it seems like the natural thing to do. They make valiant efforts but, through either inexperience or a lack of focus, only a select few perform well while maintaining consistent growth year over year. It doesn't have to be that way. Proven techniques -- unbeknown to many small companies -- have been used for years to manage small businesses while avoiding the traps implicit in growth. Typical first-time traps include administrative headaches caused by a lack of a reporting function; dilution of a company's business by ignoring the benefits of education; and, costly hiring errors. A VAR or SI's lack of business knowledge can often be traced to company executives with formal training in computer science rather than business administration. Managing and growing a business profitably is not easy at the best of times, and VARs can only succeed by becoming adept at the business of business, rather than the business of technology. We recognize that our success lies in being able to run the business in such a way that it will no longer need us," says Tony Compagnoni, president and co-founder of Toronto-based network integrator Malibu Computer Inc. "It was shaky at first. It's not something you can learn in a couple of months' worth of business seminars." From the basics on up Compagnoni, who studied computer science at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, was a self-confessed business illiterate when he and a partner started Malibu out of an apartment eight years ago. Since then they have grown the company at a relatively slow pace -- slow because of the steep learning curve in business terms, coupled with their strong desire to establish organized, internal processes. "Over the last eight years we've gotten our systems and methodologies in place, and the core people who do the relationship part of the business. It's going to be easier to grow from this point on," Compagnoni says. A slow, controlled growth strategy is one that has been recommended for small businesses since time immemorial but is particularly helpful in the case of VARs and Sis. According to I.T. venture capitalist and "angel investor" Leon Rudanycz, such an approach keeps overhead costs in check, thereby avoiding the necessity of having to seek financing from the banks to fund the business (service-based I.T. organizations know first-hand how hard it can be raising capital through the banks.) It also allows for the development of a company's market focus, while giving its principals time to develop the prerequisite business skills. "If you have high growth, you're going to need the banks, so why not slow that growth down a bit? Get a good solid foundation, and then go to the next level," Rudanycz advises. Because of their understandable preoccupation with technology, VARs and Sis can easily forget -- or not even realize -- that one of the fundamentals of a good business strategy is to have at least some semblance of a reporting capability. Without the ability to gauge company mechanisms such as payables, receivables and inventory, and do year-over-year comparisons, it can be difficult to separate the company's profit from its revenue, meaning that any clear diagnosis of a businesses' health is impossible. "A lot of small business owners operate their businesses by the seat of their pants," Rudanycz says. "They're so worried about sales, about providing service or support, that a lot of them don't focus on the bottom line; they focus on the revenue." A common belief among VARs is that more is better -- a mindset that often results in the company going in for the "easy sale." With business in the industry as plentiful as it is, and with a distribution channel that makes product procurement as simple as falling asleep, there can be a reluctance on the part of VARs and Sis to turn down business that is not a part of their core competency, or stated market objectives. Order-taking can have a powerful allure, particularly if the request comes in volume, or from an existing customer; but it can come at the expense of business that really matters. A lot of resellers just want to make their customers happy; they'll do anything, and they forget that every sale has to make a profit," Rudanycz says.

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The Powerful Gift of Love The passengers on the bus watched sympathetically as the attractive young woman with the white cane made her way carefully up the steps. She paid the driver and, using her hands to feel the location of the seats, walked down the aisle and found the seat he'd told her was empty. Then she settled in, placed her briefcase on her lap and rested her cane against her leg. It had been a year since Susan, 34, became blind. Due to a medical misdiagnosis she had been rendered sightless, and she was suddenly thrown into a world of darkness, anger, frustration and self pity. And all she had to cling to was her husband, Mark. Mark was an Air Force officer and he loved Susan with all his heart. When she first lost her sight, he watched her sink into despair and was determined to help his wife gain the strength and confidence she needed to become independent again. Finally, Susan felt ready to return to her job, but how would she get there? She used to take the bus, but was now too frightened to get around the city by herself. Mark volunteered to drive her to work each day, even though they worked at opposite ends of the city. At first, this comforted Susan, and fulfilled Mark's need to protect his sightless wife who was so insecure about performing the slightest task. Soon, however, Mark realized the arrangement wasn't working. Susan is going to have to start taking the bus again, he admitted to himself. But she was still so fragile, so angry - how would she react? Just as he predicted, Susan was horrified at the idea of taking the bus again. "I'm blind!", she responded bitterly. "How am I supposed to know where I am going? I feel like you're abandoning me." Mark's heart broke to hear these words, but he knew what had to be done. He promised Susan that each morning and evening he would ride the bus with her, for as long as it took, until she got the hang of it. And that is exactly what happened. For two solid weeks, Mark, military uniform and all, accompanied Susan to and from work each day. He taught her how to rely on her other senses, specifically her hearing, to determine where she was and how to adapt her new environment. He helped her befriend the bus drivers who could watch out for her, and save her a seat. Finally, Susan decided that she was ready to try the trip on her own. Monday morning arrived, and before she left, she threw her arms around Mark, her temporary bus riding companion, her husband, and her best friend. Her eyes filled with tears of gratitude for his loyalty, his patience, and his love. She said good-bye, and for the first time, they went their separate ways. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday... Each day on her own went perfectly, and Susan had never felt better. She was doing it! She was going to work all by herself. On Friday morning, Susan took the bus to work as usual. As she was paying the fare to exit the bus, the driver said, "Boy, I sure do envy you." Susan wasn't sure if the driver was speaking to her or not. After all, who on earth would ever envy a blind woman who had struggled just to find the courage to live for the past year? Curious, she asked the driver, "Why do you say that you envy me?" The driver responded, "It must feel good to be taken care of and protected like you are." Susan had no idea what the driver was talking about, and again asked, "What do you mean?" The driver answered, "You know, every morning for the past week, a fine looking gentleman in a military uniform has been standing across the corner watching you as you get off the bus. He makes sure you cross the street safely and he watches until you enter your office building. Then he blows you a kiss, gives you a little salute and walks away. You are one lucky lady." Tears of happiness poured down Susan's cheeks. For although she couldn't physically see him, she had always felt Mark's presence. She was lucky, so lucky, for he had given her a gift more powerful than sight, a gift she didn't need to see to believe - the gift of love that can bring light where there is darkness

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1. You always keep for him the other half of the chocolate almond chunk.2. When you're driving down the street, it seems as if all the lights really do turn green.3. When you fantasize, it's always about the man who's already in your life. Well, almost always.4. When you're talking something over with him, what you think and what you say are pretty much the same thing.5. When you tell him about last night's dream or this morning's conversation with your mother, he not only listens, he asks questions.6. You love the way he smells.7. Even when you're bored, you're not bored with him.8. You quickly forget about that beautiful guy you kept locking eyes with in the cappuccino line.9. At work everyone listens when you talk at meetings, asks whether you're wearing a new suit, wonders from where you get all those great ideas.10. As a couple you may have problems, but none for which breaking up is the solution.

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"She said that she would dance with me if I brought her red roses,"cried the young Student; "but in all my garden there is no redrose."From her nest in the holm-oak tree the Nightingale heard him, and she looked out through the leaves, and wondered."No red rose in all my garden!" he cried, and his beautiful eyes filled with tears. "Ah, on what little things does happinessdepend! I have read all that the wise men have written, and allthe secrets of philosophy are mine, yet for want of a red rose is my life made wretched.""Here at last is a true lover," said the Nightingale. "Night after night have I sung of him, though I knew him not: night after nighthave I told his story to the stars, and now I see him. His hair is dark as the hyacinth-blossom, and his lips are red as the rose ofhis desire; but passion has made his face like pale ivory, and sorrow has set her seal upon his brow.""The Prince gives a ball to-morrow night," murmured the youngStudent, "and my love will be of the company. If I bring her a redrose she will dance with me till dawn. If I bring her a red rose,I shall hold her in my arms, and she will lean her head upon myshoulder, and her hand will be clasped in mine. But there is nored rose in my garden, so I shall sit lonely, and she will pass meby. She will have no heed of me, and my heart will break.""Here indeed is the true lover," said the Nightingale. "What Ising of, he suffers--what is joy to me, to him is pain. SurelyLove is a wonderful thing. It is more precious than emeralds, anddearer than fine opals. Pearls and pomegranates cannot buy it, noris it set forth in the marketplace. It may not be purchased of themerchants, nor can it be weighed out in the balance for gold.""The musicians will sit in their gallery," said the young Student,"and play upon their stringed instruments, and my love will danceto the sound of the harp and the violin. She will dance so lightlythat her feet will not touch the floor, and the courtiers in theirgay dresses will throng round her. But with me she will not dance,for I have no red rose to give her"; and he flung himself down onthe grass, and buried his face in his hands, and wept."Why is he weeping?" asked a little Green Lizard, as he ran pasthim with his tail in the air."Why, indeed?" said a Butterfly, who was fluttering about after asunbeam."Why, indeed?" whispered a Daisy to his neighbour, in a soft, lowvoice."He is weeping for a red rose," said the Nightingale."For a red rose?" they cried; "how very ridiculous!" and the littleLizard, who was something of a cynic, laughed outright.But the Nightingale understood the secret of the Student's sorrow,and she sat silent in the oak-tree, and thought about the mysteryof Love.Suddenly she spread her brown wings for flight, and soared into theair. She passed through the grove like a shadow, and like a shadowshe sailed across the garden.In the centre of the grass-plot was standing a beautiful Rose-tree,and when she saw it she flew over to it, and lit upon a spray."Give me a red rose," she cried, "and I will sing you my sweetestsong."But the Tree shook its head."My roses are white," it answered; "as white as the foam of thesea, and whiter than the snow upon the mountain. But go to mybrother who grows round the old sun-dial, and perhaps he will giveyou what you want."So the Nightingale flew over to the Rose-tree that was growinground the old sun-dial."Give me a red rose," she cried, "and I will sing you my sweetestsong."But the Tree shook its head."My roses are yellow," it answered; "as yellow as the hair of themermaiden who sits upon an amber throne, and yellower than thedaffodil that blooms in the meadow before the mower comes with hisscythe. But go to my brother who grows beneath the Student'swindow, and perhaps he will give you what you want."So the Nightingale flew over to the Rose-tree that was growingbeneath the Student's window."Give me a red rose," she cried, "and I will sing you my sweetestsong."But the Tree shook its head."My roses are red," it answered, "as red as the feet of the dove,and redder than the great fans of coral that wave and wave in theocean-cavern. But the winter has chilled my veins, and the frosthas nipped my buds, and the storm has broken my branches, and Ishall have no roses at all this year.""One red rose is all I want," cried the Nightingale, "only one redrose! Is there no way by which I can get it?""There is away," answered the Tree; "but it is so terrible that Idare not tell it to you.""Tell it to me," said the Nightingale, "I am not afraid.""If you want a red rose," said the Tree, "you must build it out ofmusic by moonlight, and stain it with your own heart's-blood. Youmust sing to me with your breast against a thorn. All night longyou must sing to me, and the thorn must pierce your heart, and yourlife-blood must flow into my veins, and become mine.""Death is a great price to pay for a red rose," cried theNightingale, "and Life is very dear to all. It is pleasant to sitin the green wood, and to watch the Sun in his chariot of gold, andthe Moon in her chariot of pearl. Sweet is the scent of thehawthorn, and sweet are the bluebells that hide in the valley, andthe heather that blows on the hill. Yet Love is better than Life,and what is the heart of a bird compared to the heart of a man?"So she spread her brown wings for flight, and soared into the air.She swept over the garden like a shadow, and like a shadow shesailed through the grove.The young Student was still lying on the grass, where she had lefthim, and the tears were not yet dry in his beautiful eyes."Be happy," cried the Nightingale, "be happy; you shall have yourred rose. I will build it out of music by moonlight, and stain itwith my own heart's-blood. All that I ask of you in return is thatyou will be a true lover, for Love is wiser than Philosophy, thoughshe is wise, and mightier than Power, though he is mighty. Flame-coloured are his wings, and coloured like flame is his body. Hislips are sweet as honey, and his breath is like frankincense."The Student looked up from the grass, and listened, but he couldnot understand what the Nightingale was saying to him, for he onlyknew the things that are written down in books.But the Oak-tree understood, and felt sad, for he was very fond ofthe little Nightingale who had built her nest in his branches."Sing me one last song," he whispered; "I shall feel very lonelywhen you are gone."So the Nightingale sang to the Oak-tree, and her voice was likewater bubbling from a silver jar.When she had finished her song the Student got up, and pulled anote-book and a lead-pencil out of his pocket."She has form," he said to himself, as he walked away through thegrove--"that cannot be denied to her; but has she got feeling? Iam afraid not. In fact, she is like most artists; she is allstyle, without any sincerity. She would not sacrifice herself forothers. She thinks merely of music, and everybody knows that thearts are selfish. Still, it must be admitted that she has somebeautiful notes in her voice. What a pity it is that they do notmean anything, or do any practical good." And he went into hisroom, and lay down on his little pallet-bed, and began to think ofhis love; and, after a time, he fell asleep.And when the Moon shone in the heavens the Nightingale flew to theRose-tree, and set her breast against the thorn. All night longshe sang with her breast against the thorn, and the cold crystalMoon leaned down and listened. All night long she sang, and thethorn went deeper and deeper into her breast, and her life-bloodebbed away from her.She sang first of the birth of love in the heart of a boy and agirl. And on the top-most spray of the Rose-tree there blossomed amarvellous rose, petal following petal, as song followed song.Pale was it, at first, as the mist that hangs over the river--paleas the feet of the morning, and silver as the wings of the dawn.As the shadow of a rose in a mirror of silver, as the shadow of arose in a water-pool, so was the rose that blossomed on the topmostspray of the Tree.But the Tree cried to the Nightingale to press closer against thethorn. "Press closer, little Nightingale," cried the Tree, "or theDay will come before the rose is finished."So the Nightingale pressed closer against the thorn, and louder andlouder grew her song, for she sang of the birth of passion in thesoul of a man and a maid.And a delicate flush of pink came into the leaves of the rose, likethe flush in the face of the bridegroom when he kisses the lips ofthe bride. But the thorn had not yet reached her heart, so therose's heart remained white, for only a Nightingale's heart's-bloodcan crimson the heart of a rose.And the Tree cried to the Nightingale to press closer against thethorn. "Press closer, little Nightingale," cried the Tree, "or theDay will come before the rose is finished."So the Nightingale pressed closer against the thorn, and the thorntouched her heart, and a fierce pang of pain shot through her.Bitter, bitter was the pain, and wilder and wilder grew her song,for she sang of the Love that is perfected by Death, of the Lovethat dies not in the tomb.And the marvellous rose became crimson, like the rose of theeastern sky. Crimson was the girdle of petals, and crimson as aruby was the heart.But the Nightingale's voice grew fainter, and her little wingsbegan to beat, and a film came over her eyes. Fainter and faintergrew her song, and she felt something choking her in her throat.Then she gave one last burst of music. The white Moon heard it,and she forgot the dawn, and lingered on in the sky. The red roseheard it, and it trembled all over with ecstasy, and opened itspetals to the cold morning air. Echo bore it to her purple cavernin the hills, and woke the sleeping shepherds from their dreams.It floated through the reeds of the river, and they carried itsmessage to the sea."Look, look!" cried the Tree, "the rose is finished now"; but theNightingale made no answer, for she was lying dead in the longgrass, with the thorn in her heart.And at noon the Student opened his window and looked out."Why, what a wonderful piece of luck!" he cried; "here is a redrose! I have never seen any rose like it in all my life. It is sobeautiful that I am sure it has a long Latin name"; and he leaneddown and plucked it.Then he put on his hat, and ran up to the Professor's house withthe rose in his hand.The daughter of the Professor was sitting in the doorway windingblue silk on a reel, and her little dog was lying at her feet."You said that you would dance with me if I brought you a redrose," cried the Student. "Here is the reddest rose in all theworld. You will wear it to-night next your heart, and as we dancetogether it will tell you how I love you."But the girl frowned."I am afraid it will not go with my dress," she answered; "and,besides, the Chamberlain's nephew has sent me some real jewels, andeverybody knows that jewels cost far more than flowers.""Well, upon my word, you are very ungrateful," said the Studentangrily; and he threw the rose into the street, where it fell intothe gutter, and a cart-wheel went over it."Ungrateful!" said the girl. "I tell you what, you are very rude;and, after all, who are you? Only a Student. Why, I don't believeyou have even got silver buckles to your shoes as the Chamberlain'snephew has"; and she got up from her chair and went into the house."What I a silly thing Love is," said the Student as he walked away."It is not half as useful as Logic, for it does not prove anything,and it is always telling one of things that are not going tohappen, and making one believe things that are not true. In fact,it is quite unpractical, and, as in this age to be practical iseverything, I shall go back to Philosophy and study Metaphysics."So he returned to his room and pulled out a great dusty book, andbegan to read.

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When I was growing up, I was embarrassed to be seen with my father. He was severely crippled and very short, and when we would walk together, his hand on my arm for balance, people would stare. I would inwardly squirm at the unwanted attention. If he ever noticed or was bothered, he never let on.It was difficult to coordinate our steps -- his halting, mine impatient -- and because of that, we didn't say much as we went along. But as we started out, he always said, "You set the pace. I will try to adjust to you. "Our usual walk was to or from the subway, which was how he got to work. He went to work sick, and despite nasty weather. He almost never missed a day, and would make it to the office even if others could not. A matter of pride.When snow or ice was on the ground, it was impossible for him to walk, even with help. At such times my sisters or I would pull him through the streets of Brooklyn, NY, on a child's sleigh to the subway entrance. Once there, he would cling to the handrail until he reached the lower steps that the warmer tunnel air kept ice-free. In Manhattan the subway station was the basement of his office building, and he would not have to go outside again until we met him in Brooklyn' on his way home.When I think of it now, I marvel at how much courage it must have taken for a grown man to subject himself to such indignity and stress. And at how he did it -- without bitterness or complaint .He never talked about himself as an object of pity, nor did he show any envy of the more fortunate or able. What he looked for in others was a "good heart", and if he found one, the owner was good enough for him.Now that I am older, I believe that is a proper standard by which to judge people, even though I still don' t know precisely what a "good heart" is. But I know the times I don't have one myself.Unable to engage in many activities, my father still tried to participate in some way. When a local sandlot baseball team found itself without a manager, he kept it going. He was a knowledgeable baseball fan and often took me to Ebbets Field to see the Brooklyn Dodgers play. He liked to go to dances and parties, where he could have a good time just sitting and watching.On one memorable occasion a fight broke out at a beach party, with everyone punching and shoving. He wasn't content to sit and watch, but he couldn't stand unaided on the soft sand. In frustration he began to shout, "I' ll fight anyone who will tit down with me!"Nobody did. But the next day people kidded him by saying it was the first time any fighter was urged to take a dive even before the bout began.I now know he participated in some things vicariously through me, his only son. When I played ball (poorly), he "played" too. When I joined the Navy he "joined" too. And when I came home on leave, he saw to it that " I visited his office. Introducing me, he was really saying, "This is my son, but it is also me, and I could have done this, too, if things had been different." Those words were never said aloud.He has been gone many years now, but I think of him often. I wonder if he sensed my reluctance to be seen with him during our walks. If he did, I am sorry I never told him how sorry I was, how unworthy I was, how I regretted it. I think of him when I complain about trifles, when I am envious of another's good fortune, when I don't have a "good heart".At such times I put my hand on his arm to regain my balance, and say, "You set the pace, I will try to adjust to you."

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Tess was a precocious eight-year-old when she heard her Mom and Dad talking about her little brother, Andrew. All she knew was that he was very sick and they were completely out of money. They were moving to an apartment complex next month because Daddy didn’t have the money for the doctor’s bills and our house. Only a very costly surgery could save him now and it was looking like there was no-one to loan them the money. She heard Daddy say to her tearful Mother with whispered desperation, “Only a miracle can save him now.”Tess went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly jar from its hiding place in the closet. She poured all the change out on the floor and counted it carefully. Three times, even. The total had to be absolutely exact. No chance here for mistakes. Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twisting on the cap, she slipped out the back door and made her way six blocks to the pharmacy with the big red Indian Chief sign above the door. She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her some attention but he was too busy at this moment. Tess twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise. Nothing. She cleared her throat with the most disgusting sound she could muster. No good. Finally she took a quarter from her jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did it! “And what do you want?” the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice. “I’m talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven’t seen in ages,” he said without waiting for a reply to his question. “Well, I want to talk to you about my brother,” Tess answered back in the same annoyed tone. “He’s really, really sick… and I want to buy a miracle.” “I beg your pardon?” said the pharmacist. “His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now. So how much does a miracle cost?” “We don’t sell miracles here, little girl. I’m sorry but I can’t help you,” the pharmacist said, softening a little. “Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn’t enough, I will get the rest. Just tell me how much it costs.” The pharmacist’s brother was a well dressed man. He stooped down and asked the little girl, “What kind of a miracle does your brother need?” “I don’t know,” Tess replied with her eyes welling up. “I just know he’s really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my Daddy can’t pay for it, so I want to use my money.” “How much do you have?” asked the man from Chicago. “One dollar and eleven cents,” Tess answered barely audibly. “And it’s all the money I have, but I can get some more if I need to.”

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A painter hangs his or her finished pictures on a wall, and everyone can see it. A composer writes a work, but no one can hear it until it is performed. Professional singers and players have great responsibilities, for the composer is utterly dependent on them. A student of music needs as long and as arduous a training to become a performer as a medical student needs to become a doctor. Most training is concerned with technique, for musicians have to have the muscular proficiency of an athlete or a ballet dancer. Singers practice breathing every day, as their vocal chords would be inadequate without controlled muscular support. String players practice moving the fingers of the left hand up and down, while drawing the bow to and fro with the right arm—two entirely different movements. Singers and instruments have to be able to get every note perfectly in tune. Pianists are spared（free of ） this particular anxiety, for the notes are already there, waiting for them, and it is the piano tuner’s responsibility to tune the instrument for them. But they have their own difficulties; the hammers that hit the string have to be coaxed not to sound like percussion, and each overlapping tone has to sound clear. This problem of getting clear texture is one that confronts student conductors: they have to learn to know every note of the music and how its should sound, and they have to aim at controlling these sound with fanatical but selfless authority. Technique is of no use unless it is combined with musical knowledge and understanding. Great artists are those who are so thoroughly at home in the language of music that they can enjoy performing works written in any century.

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HAPPILY lived Mankind in the peaceful Valley of Ignorance.To the north, to the south, to the west and to the east stretched the ridges of the Hills Everlasting.A little stream of Knowledge trickled slowly through a deep worn gully.It came out of the Mountains of the Past.It lost itself in the Mashes of the Future.It was not much, as rivers go. But it was enough for the humble needs of the villagers.In the evening, when they had watered their cattle and had filled their casks, they were content to sit down to enjoy life.The Old Men Who Knew were brought forth from the shady corners where they had spent their day, pondering over the mysterious pages of an old book.They mumbled strange words to their grandchildren, who would have preferred to play with the pretty pebbles, brought down from distant lands.Often these words were not very clear.But they were written a thousand years ago by a forgotten race. Hence they were holy.For in the Valley of Ignorance, whatever was old was venerable. And, those who dared to gainsay the wisdom of the fathers, were shunned by all decent people. And so they kept their peace.Fear was ever with them. What if they should be refused the common share of the products of the garden?Vague stories there were, whispered at night among the narrow streets of the little town, vague stories of men and women who had dared to ask questions.They had gone forth, and never again had they been seen.A few had tried to scale the high walls of the rocky range that hid the sun.Their whitened bones lay at the foot of the cliffs.The years came and the years went by.Happily lived Mankind in the peaceful Valley of Ignorance.Out of the darkness crept a man.The nails of his hands were torn.His feet were covered with rags, red with the blood of long marches.He stumbled to the door of the nearest hut and knocked.Then he fainted. By the light of a frightened candle, he was carried to a cot.In the morning throughout the village it was known: "He has come back."The neighbors stood around and shook their heads. They had always known that this was to be the end.Defeat and surrender awaited those who dared to stroll away from the foot of the mountains.And in one corner of the village the Old Men shook their heads and whispered burning words.They did not mean to be cruel, but the Law was the Law. Bitterly this man had sinned against the wishes of Those Who Knew.As soon as his wounds were healed he must be brought to trial.They meant to be lenient.They remembered the strange, burning eyes of his mother. They recalled the tragedy of his father, lost in the desert these thirty years ago.The Law, however, was the Law; and the Law must be obeyed.The Men Who Knew would see to that.They carried the wanderer to the Market Place, and the people stood around in respectful silence.He was still weak from hunger and thirst and the Elders bade him sit down.He refused.They ordered him to be silent.But he spoke.Upon the Old Man he turned his back and his eyes sought those who but a short time before had been his comrades.“Listen to me,” he implored.” Listen to me and be rejoiced. I have come back from beyond the mountains. My feet have trod a fresh soil. My hands have felt the touch of other races. My eyes have seen wondrous sights.“When I was a child, my world was the garden of my father.“To the west and to the east, to the south and to the north lay the ranges from the Beginning of Time.“When I asked what they were hiding, there was a hush and a hasty shaking of heads. When I insisted, I was taken to the rocks and shown the bleached bones of those who had dared to defy the Gods.“When I cried out and said, ‘It’s a lie! The Gods love those who were brave!’ the Men Who Knew came and read to me from their sacred books. The Law, they explained, had ordained all things of Heaven and Earth. The Valley was ours to have and to hold. The animals and the flowers, the fruit and the fishes were ours, to do our bidding. But the mountains were of the Gods. What lay beyond was to remain unknown until the End of Time.“So they spoke, and they lied. They lied to me, even as they have lied to you.“There are pastures in those hills. Meadows too, as rich as any. And men and women of our own flesh and blood. And cities resplendent with the glories of a thousand years of labor.“I have found the road to a better home. I have seen the promise of a happier life. Follow me and I shall lead you thither. For the smile of Gods is the same there as here and everywhere.”He stopped and there went up a great cry of horror.“Blasphemy!” cried the Old Men. “Blasphemy and sacrilege! A fit punishment for his crime! He has lost his reason. He dares to scoff at the Law as it was written down a thousand years ago. He deserves to die!”And they took up heavy stones.And they killed him.And his body they threw at the foot of the cliffs, that it might lie there as a warning to all who questioned the wisdom of the ancestors.Then it happened a short time latter that there was a great drought0. The little Brook of Knowledge ran dry. The cattle died of thirst. The harvest perished in the fields, and there was hunger in the Valley of Ignorance.The Old Men Who Knew, however, was not disheartened. Everything would all come right in the end, they prophesied, for it was written their most Holy Chapters.Besides, they themselves needed but little food. They were so very old.Winter came.The village was deserted.More than half of the populace died of sheer want.The only hope, for those who survived, lay beyond the mountains.But the Law said “No!”And the law must be obeyed.One night there was a rebellion.Despair gave courage to those whom fear had forced into silence.Feebly the Old Men protested.

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Mother's Day is a time of commemoration and celebration for Mom. It is a time of breakfast in bed, family gatherings, and crayon scribbled "I Love You"s. The earliest Mother's Day celebrations can be traced back to the spring celebrations of ancient Greece in honor of Rhea, the Mother of the Gods. During the 1600's, England celebrated a day called "Mothering Sunday". Celebrated on the 4th Sunday of Lent (the 40 day period leading up to Easter), "Mothering Sunday" honored the mothers of England. During this time many of the England's poor worked as servants for the wealthy. As most jobs were located far from their homes, the servants would live at the houses of their employers. On Mothering Sunday the servants would have the day off and were encouraged to return home and spend the day with their mothers. A special cake, called the mothering cake, was often brought along to provide a festive touch. As Christianity spread throughout Europe the celebration changed to honor the "Mother Church" - the spiritual power that gave them life and protected them from harm. Over time the church festival blended with the Mothering Sunday celebration . People began honoring their mothers as well as the church. In the United States Mother's Day was first suggested in 1872 by Julia Ward Howe (who wrote the words to the Battle hymn of the Republic) as a day dedicated to peace. Ms. Howe would hold organized Mother's Day meetings in Boston, Mass ever year. In 1907 Ana Jarvis, from Philadelphia, began a campaign to establish a national Mother's Day. Ms. Jarvis persuaded her mother's church in Grafton, West Virginia to celebrate Mother's Day on the second anniversary of her mother's death, the 2nd Sunday of May. By the next year Mother's Day was also celebrated in Philadelphia. Ms. Jarvis and her supporters began to write to ministers, businessman, and politicians in their quest to establish a national Mother's Day. It was successful as by 1911 Mother's Day was celebrated in almost every state. President Woodrow Wilson, in 1914, made the official announcement proclaiming Mother's Day as a national holiday that was to be held each year on the 2nd Sunday of May. While many countries of the world celebrate their own Mother's Day at different times throughout the year, there are some countries such as Denmark, Finland, Italy, Turkey, Australia, and Belgium which also celebrate Mother's Day on the second Sunday of May.

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A long time ago and far away there lived a King and a Queen .They were very happy, for their first child, a girl, had been born. 　　" We must have a grand christening for her," said the King , who was delighted to have a daughter.　　"We must invite all the fairies of the kingdom to bless her," said the Queen.　　"How many are there now ?" asked the King.　　"Twelve or thirteen," said his wife. "Send the invitations . We`ll soon find out ."　　There were twelve fairies, and they were all sent invitations. A thirteen fairy had not been heard of for so long that it was presumed that she was dead. No invitation was sent. The day of the christening was sunny and bright. The Princes was named Briar Rose, and the fairies began to give their gifts.　　"She shall be beautiful, "said the first.　　"She shall be wise ,"said the second.　　"She shall be good,"said the third.　　"She shall be kind ," said the fourth.　　The gifts continued in this way, wishing all that was good for Briar Rose. Eleven of the twelve fairies had given their gifts when the room suddenly went dark. After a great flash of light a small dark figure stood in front of the King and Queen.　　It was the thirteenth fairy.　　"why wasn`t I invited to the christening?" she screamed.　　She was furious at being left out.　　"All the fairies of the kingdom have given their blessings. Well, here`s mine for the Princess. On her sixteenth birthday she will prick her finger on a spinning wheel and die."　　Another flash of light and the fairy was gone.　　"But we thought she was dead," said the King. "What can we do ?"　　The Queen was in tears.　　The twelfth fairy stepped forward.　　There is still my gift for Briar Rose," she said. "The fairy`s curse cannot be undone, but I can change it a little. She will fall into a deep sleep that will last one hundred years," There was a great hubbub in the hall as everyone discussed the events.　　The following day the King issued a proclamation, ordering that all spinning wheels and spindles were to be destroyed. Throughout the land there were great fires as the spinning wheels were burned.　　Over the years, the Princess grew into a lovely girl. All who met her were enchanted by her.　　Eventually, the bad fairy`s wish was forgotten. All spinning wheels and spindles had been destroyed ,so there was no reminder. And the fairy was not heard of again.　　And so, on Briar Rose`s sixteenth birthday, the King and Queen were due to arrive back from a far away visit. There was to be a large birthday party for the Princess.　　Briar Rose was wandering around the palace. Everyone was preparing for the party, so she could please herself where she went. As had never set foot in, she foot in, she decided to go exploring.　　"I wonder what is in the great South Tower," she said. All the servants and courtiers wished her a happy birthday as she made her way across the palace.　　That part of the palace was very old, and there were very few people there. The base of the tower was in a corridor. The entrance was a small, very solid looking door. The key was on the outside.　　"It`s very stiff ,"said the Princess, as she turned the key. "There! It`s open!"　　Stairs led up the tower in front of her .She began to climb them.　　Meanwhile, her parents had arrived back at the palace.　　"Has anyone seen the Princess?" asked the King.　　"Today is her sixteenth birthday-the day when the curse may fall. Somebody must know where she is."　　Nearly everyone had seen her, but nobody knew where she had been going.　　"She must be found," said the Queen. "If the prophecy is to come true, today is the day."　　A search of the palace and the grounds began.　　Meanwhile, the Princess had reached the top of the tower where there was another door . This time there was no key and the door was slightly open.　　"There must be a wonderful view of the rest of the palace and grounds from the window, "said the Princess . Then she heard a strange whirring sound. It was unlike anything that she had ever heard before.　　She pushed the door open and went into the room. There, in the middle, sat an old woman working at a spinning wheel. Behind her was an enormous bed.　　The wheel was making the noise.　　"What are you doing?" asked Briar Rose. "I have never seen one of those before, what is it?"　　"It is a spinning wheel, "said the old women, "Would you like to try it my dear?"　　"Oh. may I?" asked Briar Rose.　　She sat on the stool in front of the wheel and the wheel whirred round. As soon as she touched the spindle she pricked her finger. She fell to the floor in a deep sleep. The old woman, who was really the thirteenth fairy in disguise, picked her up and laid her on the bed.　　At that moment, all over the place, people began to asleep. The cooks who were preparing for the party fell asleep over the stirring and tasting. The scullery maids fell asleep over the washing up. The laundry maid fell asleep while they dusted, polished and prepared for the party.　　The King and Queen, the courtiers and the guests fell asleep in the Great Hall. The guards fell asleep at their posts. The search parties looking for the Princess fell asleep while they searched- in the gardens, in the corridors, in the spare rooms, and some in the oldest part of the palace.　　Even the flies fell asleep on the stable walls. The birds and the butterflies fell asleep in the palace the palace vegetable gardens. The gardeners and their helpers, who were busy chasing off the rabbit, fell asleep in mid-chase.　　In the hearths the fires died down and the meat stopped cooking. The kitchen maid stopped plucking the chicken.　　The entire palace fell asleep, along with the Princess.　　A hedge of briar roses sprang up around the palace, protecting it from the outside world.　　Years passed, and from time to time a King`s son would come to the famous briar hedge to try and find the mysterious sleeping Princess that the legend spoke of. But none got through. The hedge was too strong and the Princes were cut to bits.　　A hundred years passed and the tale of the Sleeping Beauty, as the Princess was known, become a great legend. Very few people believed she existed.　　One day a King`s son came to the nearby village.　　"Legend says," an old man was speaking in the village square. "Legend says that the Princess lies asleep behind that great briar hedge just outside the village In my grandfather`s day, you could see the topmost turret of her tower, so they say."　　The Prince stopped to listen. "Where can I find this hedge ?"he asked.　　"Just beyond the village, young sir, "said the old man. "If you`re going to try, you`ll need more luck than the other young men who have had a go."　　"I shall try," said the Prince. "We have heard of Sleeping Beauty in my kingdom."　　The Prince went to the hedge and held up his sword. He went to strike at the hedge, but where his sword met the thorns, great roses bloomed instead. A path opened for him, for the one hundred years were up. The curse was lifting.　　The hedge seemed to disappear before him.　　He went through into the palace grounds, walking past the sleeping rabbits, birds and butterflies, and the gardeners at their work. The kitchens were full of cooks and maids who hadn`t moved for a hundred years -- They were all fast asleep. Even the King and Queen who were seated at the table in the Great Hall were sleeping soundly!　　The Prince walked on through the palace, making his way to the tallest tower where he climbed the stairs and entered the tower room.　　There on the bed he saw Briar Rose fast asleep.　　"She is so lovely," he said, He had fallen completely in love with her. "How can I wake her?"　　He leant over and gently kissed her.　　Briar Rose`s eyelids flickered and she woke up. The first person she saw was the Prince and she fell in love with him.　　Together they walked down to the Great Hall. The King and Queen were just waking up, when the Prince and Briar Rose entered.　　The cooks in the kitchen woke up to carry on preparing the food and the chambermaids carried on with their work.　　The party was still to be held, but it was an engagement party instead of a birthday party. The Prince and Briar Rose were to be married.　　The hedge disappeared and the village saw the palace again and realised the legend had been true.　　The bad fairy was never heard of again.

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The drugstore was beginning to close for the night. Young Alfred Higgins, who worked in the store was putting on his coat, getting ready to go home. On his way out, he passed Mr. Carr, the little gray-haired man who owned the store. Mr. Carr looked up at Alfred as he passed, and said in a very soft voice, "Just one moment, Alfred. One moment before you go." Mr. Carr spoke so quietly that he worried Alfred."What is it, Mr. Carr?""Maybe, you'd be good enough to take a few things out of your pockets and leave them here before you go." said Mr. Carr."What -- What things? What are you talking about?""You've got a compact and a lipstick and at least two tubes of toothpaste in your pockets, Alfred,""What do you mean?" Alfred answered."Do you think I' m crazy?" his face got red. Mr. Carr kept looking at Alfred coldly. Alfred did not know what to say, and tried to keep his eyes from meeting the eyes of his boss. After a few moments, he put his hand into his pockets and took out the things he had stolen."Petty thieving, eh, Alfred." said Mr. Carr. "And maybe you'd be good enough to tell me how long this has been going on.""This is the first time I ever took anything."Mr. Carr was quick to answer, "So now you think you'll tell me a lie, eh? What kind of fool I look like, huh? I don't know what goes on in my own store, eh? I tell you, you've been doing this for a long time." Mr. Carr had a strange smile on his face. "I don' t like to call the police," he said, "but maybe I should call your father, and let him know I'm going to have you put in jail." "My father is not home. He is a printer. He works nights.""Who is at home?" Carr asked."My mother, I think."Mr. Carr started to go to the phone. Alfred's fear made him raise his voice. He wanted to show he was afraid of nobody. He acted this way every time he got into trouble. This had happened many times since he left school. At such times he always spoke in a loud voice, as he did tonight. "Just a minute," he said to Mr. Carr. "You don' t have to get anybody else into this. You don't have to tell her." Alfred tried to sound big, but deep down he was like a child. He hoped that someone at home would come quickly to save him. But Mr. Carr was already talking to his mother. He told her to come to the store in a hurry.Alfred thought his mother would come, rushing in, eyes burning with anger. Maybe she would be crying and would push him away when he tried to explain to her. She would make him feel so small. Yet, he wanted her to come quickly before Mr. Carr called in a policeman. Alfred and Mr. Carr waited, but said nothing. At last they heard someone at the closed door. Mr. Carr opened it and said, “Come in, Mrs. Higgins. "His face was harsh and serious.Alfred's mother came in with a friendly smile on her face and put out her hand to Mr. Carr, said politely, "I' m Mrs. Higgins, Alfred's mother."Mr. Carr was surprised at the way she came in. She was very calm, quiet and friendly. "Is Alfred in trouble?" Mrs. Higgins asked."He is. He has been taking things from the store -- little things, like toothpaste and lipsticks, things he can easily sell," Mrs. Higgns looked at her son and said sadly. "Is it so, Alfred?""Yes.""Why have you been doing it?" she asked."I've been spending money, I believe.”"On what?""On going around with the boys, I guess." said Alfred.Higgins put out her hand and touched Mr. Carr's arm with great gentleness, as if she knew just how he felt. She spoke as if she did not want to cause him any more trouble. She said, "If you will just listen to me before doing anything?" Her voice was cool and she turned her head away as if she had said too much already. Then she looked again at Mr. Carr with a pleasant smile and asked, "What do you want to do, Mr. Carr?" "I was going to get a cop. That is what I should do -- call the police."

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I was rich, if not in money, in sunny hours and summer days. Henry David Thoreau
When Thoreau wrote that line, he was thinking of the Walden Pond he knew as a boy.
Walking along the memory lane, I cannot help thinking of the basketball gym where I used to have great fun with my lovely friends. We went there when dawn broke, and then we played basketball in the hot sun, always killing the whole morning. Crazy, isn’t it? At that time,basketball,undoubtedly, became a friend of ours, or even a part of my life. Something deserves to belong to one sometime in life. Because of basketball, stupid but crazy guys like us, got together and became best friends than we could ever be in this life.
Time swallows many things: the gym is replaced by factories, and in the dump sleep quietly all parts of the basketball shelves. What matters most is that there will never be the crazy boys fooling around and teasing with basketball. Time flies--now we’re walking on a brand new life journey, separating from each other for our own puzzling future. It keeps reminding me of a saying in American TV series One Tree Hill—people always leave. I should admit that nothing can really accompany you forever in real life. In the end, they have to go no matter how you feel. Just as Emerson said, heartily known, when half gods go, the gods arrive.
Anyway, I will cherish those precious moments at the bottom of my heart. When alone or in a peaceful mind, they will always touch my heart and remind me of the unforgettable scenes. They all are walking on their own life: friendship flourishes in the beautiful memories. I will be very glad to claim that basketball still keeps me company all the time. And I believe he will always be with me and become a lifelong friend seeing me through difficulties and setbacks and witnessing my glorious moments. Playing basketball makes me feel good and learn how to appreciate my life--although I am not with my family all the year. I can treat it as home away from home.
Basketball has become a touchstone of my life against bad things especially when I lean how to protect myself after series of wounds from it. Why do you choose basketball, since you have been hurt because of it, asks my friend. Why? Words fail me. I can only say you cannot help loving a thing without regretting, once it becomes part of you. Just put it in an easy way, I just love this game and I enjoy it!
Yeah, no need for me to add extra explanations or reasons for my love of something. To some degree, basketball represents my young days, or just like a band in which I save my most valuable treasuries.
I was rich, if not in money, in sunny hours and summer days.

women11

A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.
As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautiful wrapped gift box. Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man's name embossed in gold. Angrily, he raised his voice to his father and said, "With all your money you give me a Bible?" He then stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible.
Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and a wonderful family, but realizing his father was very old, he thought perhaps he should go to see him. He had not seen him since that graduation day. Before he could make the arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.
When he arrived at his father's house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father's important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. As he was reading, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words... "PAID IN FULL".
How many times do we miss blessings because they are not packaged as we expected? Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.
Sometimes we don't realize the good fortune we have or we could have because we expect "the packaging" to be different. What may appear as bad fortune may in fact be the door that is just waiting to be opened.