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TEXT 1

Maria and Lisa were best friends. They shared a two-bedroom apartment in

Hollywood. Maria was a clerk at a clothing store, and Lisa was a clerk at a supermarket.

Their hours varied, so they didn't get to spend a whole lot of time together. But last

weekend both were off work. "Let's go to the beach," suggested Maria.

"That's a good idea," agreed Lisa. "Which one?"

"Well, I would prefer an uncrowded beach, because I think I've put on a few

pounds recently. I don't want any boys seeing my fat."

"Oh, please," said Lisa. "You eat so little. Ounces don't turn into pounds. How

about Zuma Beach? That's pretty far north of Santa Monica Beach, so it's just rightnot

too crowded and not too empty."

"That sounds good," said Maria.

The drive to the beach took more than an hour. The weather had become cool

and windy. Within an hour they had collected about 20 beautiful shells into a plastic bag.

They were still walking slowly when they see a four-wheel All Terrain Vehicle coming

rapidly toward them. The driver was wearing a jacket that said Beach Patrol. He got off

the ATV and started yelling at them.

"What are you two doing here? Can't you read? The signs say Private Property.

They say No Trespassing. Get out of here before I write you a ticket and have you

arrested."

"What's your name?" Maria stood defiantly. "I'm going to report you to the police.

You're not a real patrol officer. This is a public beach.

"My name is John Smith. Report me to whoever you want. Now get out of here or

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TEXT 2

Pete was in his kitchen. He was about to slice three green apples. He liked to eat fresh

apples with cinnamon sprinkled on them. He opened the blinds so that he could get more

sunlight into the kitchen. Now he could see what he was doing.

He grabbed a knife out of a drawer. It said "Surgical Stainless USA" on the side of the

blade. The blade was very thin and light. It had teeth, like a saw. The handle was a brown piece

of cheap hollow plastic.

He had bought this knife about 20 years ago at a county fair. It was one of those knives

that were advertised on TV. It could cut through a tomato can, and then cut easily and cleanly

through a fresh tomato.

"You never need to sharpen it. The sharp edge is guaranteed for life." That's how they

advertised it. And Pete, for once, couldn't argue that the advertisers lied. This was a great knife.

But it was also a dangerous knife. A couple of years ago, Pete was careless. He was

rapidly slicing a potato and the blade got his finger. The doctor put three stitches in Pete's

finger.

"Next time, be more careful," the doctor said.

No kidding, Pete thought. He was so careful that he didn't use the knife for almost a

year.

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Text 3

It was pouring outside. People all stood there under the awning and just inside the door

of the shopping mall. They waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up

their hurried day. Among them was a little girl had been shopping with her Mom. She was

about 6 years old, beautiful red haired with a freckle faced image of innocence.

The little voice was so sweet, Mom, lets run through the rain, she said.

What? Mom asked.Lets run through the rain! The little girl repeated.

No, honey. Well wait until it slows down a bit, Mom replied.

The little girl waited about another minute and repeated, Mom, lets run through the

rain.

Well get soaked if we do, Mom said.

No, we wont, Mom. Thats not what you said this morning, the girl said as she tugged

at her Moms arm.

This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?

Dont you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, Ifwe can get through this, we can get through anything!'

The entire crowd stopped dead silent. Only the rain can be heard. They all stood silently.

No one came or left in the next few minutes. Mom paused and thought for a moment about

what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might

even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young childs life. A time

when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.

Honey, you are absolutely right. Lets run through the rain. If we get wet, well maybe

we just needed washing, Mom said.

Then off they ran. People all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted pastthe cars and through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case.

They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all

the way to their cars.

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Text 4

Sam had always wished that he could fly like a bird. He did not understand why he could

not fly. There were birds at the zoo that were much bigger than he, and they could fly.

One day in the park, Sam met another little boy who was crippled. He saw the little boy

who could not walk or run playing in the sandbox. He ran over to the little boy and asked him if

he had ever wanted to fly like a bird.No, said the little boy. But I have wondered what it would be like to walk and run like

other children.

That is very sad, Sam said. Do you think we can be friends?

Sure, said the little boy.

They played for hours till evening. At the end, Sam said to his new friend, Although I

cant fly like a bird, but you can.

Sam then turned around and told the little boy to slide up onto his back. He then began

to run across the grass. Faster and faster he ran, carrying the little crippled boy on his back.

Harder and harder he ran across the park. Soon the wind just whistled across the two littleboys faces.

At this time, the little boys father came with a wheelchair to pick up his son. He began

to cry as he watched his beautiful little son flapping his arms up and down in the wind, all the

while yelling at the top of his voice, Im flying! Dad, Im flying!