讀后續(xù)寫之“助人類”主題（練）- （原卷版）

助人類（練）（2023·湖南長沙·湖南師大附中?？家荒＃╅喿x下面材料，根據(jù)其內(nèi)容和所給段落開頭語續(xù)寫兩段，使之構(gòu)成一篇完整的短文。ThechainofkindnessTherainwascomingdownsohardthateachdropseemedtoexplodeasithittheroofofthecar.Tomlookedoutintothecoal-blacknight,strugglingdesperatelytokeephiscarontheroad.TherainbeatdowncontinuouslyandtheroadwasdesertedexceptforTomandhiscar.Tomcouldseehiswheelchairinthebackseatfromtherear-viewmirrorandquicklylookeddownathisthin,brokenlegs.Hecouldfeelafamiliarwaveofdespairstarttowashoverhim.Suddenly,aloudnoiseshookhimoutofhismomentofhopelessnessasthecarbegantobumpdowntheroad.“Great,”hethought,“aflattyre.”Withaheavysigh,Tombroughtthecartoastop,restinghisheadonthesteeringwheel,defeated!Afterafewseconds,helookedupandpeeredoutofthewindow.Inthedistance,hecouldseealighttwinklingintheblackness.WhenTomapproachedthehouse,ayounggirlaroundtenyearsoldwasstandinginthedoorway.Hepulledupandrolleddownthewindow.“Areyourparentsathome?”heshoutedoverthewindandrain.“IhaveaflattyreandIneedhelp.”“Waitaminute,”thegirlrepliedandwentintothehouse.Afewminuteslater,shereturnedwithanoldman.Thegirlheldhisarmandsmiledlovinglyupathim.Tomexplainedtheproblemtotheoldmanandadded,“Ineedhelpbecausemylegsareparalyzed.”Thewordscameoutflat.Buthedidnotknowhowelsehecouldconveythefactthatheneededhelpfromthisweakoldmaninthemiddleoftherainstorm.Theoldmansimplynodded.Theoldmanandthelittlegirlconcentratedontheirworkandtherainwassoakingthem.Onceagain,Tomcouldn’thelpbutfeelhewasuseless.Soontheoldmansteppedtothewindow.“You’reallset,”hesaid.Tomhandedsomemoneytotheoldman,buthemadenomovetotakeit.Finally,theyounggirlsaid,“Grandfatherisblind.”注意：1.續(xù)寫詞數(shù)應(yīng)為150左右；2.請按如下格式在答題卡的相應(yīng)位置作答。Tomdidnotknowwhattosay.___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Inspiredbythechanceencounter,Tomstartedtoseeeverythingdifferently.___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________（2023·福建廈門·統(tǒng)考三模）閱讀下面材料，根據(jù)其內(nèi)容和所給段落開頭語續(xù)寫兩段，使之構(gòu)成一篇完整的短文。Itwasthelongestheatwaveanyonecouldremember,andSebastiancouldn’twaittocooloffatthebeachwithhisdad.Beforeheadingoutoftown,theystoppedatthelibraryanddroppedoffafewbooks.Sebastiannoticedacrewworkingonthelibraryroof.HeaskedDadwhattheyweredoing.Dadexplainedthattheywererepairingtheroof,adifficultjobhehaddonehimselfforafewyears.ItwasthenthatanideaflashedintoSebastian’shead:Ibettheycouldusesomewater.Buttheideadisappearedjustasquicklyasthescenerypassingbyhiswindow,andhisthoughtsturnedtoswimming.Thewaveswereperfectforbodyboarding,andaseabreezecooledtheair.Butalltoosoontheywereheadedhome,backtotheheat.SebastianwashalflisteningtotheradiowhentheDJgavetheweatherreport,“Therecord-breakingheatwillcontinuethroughouttheafternoon,”shesaid.“Ifyouhavetobeoutside,remembertohydrate(補水)andstayintheshade.”Whentheydrovebythelibrary,therooferswerestillworkingandthesunwasbeatingdownonthem.Sebastianwonderedwhethertheyhaveenoughwater.Sebastianhadjustfinishedtwoweeksofsoccercamp,andevenwithfrequentwaterbreaks,ithadbeenmiserablyhot.Itmadehimthinkagainabouttakingsomewatertotheroofers.Sohesharedtheideawithhisbrother,Marcos.Marcosshrugged.“Youdon’tevenknowthoseguys.They’veprobablygonehomealreadyanyway.”MaybeMarcoswasrightSebastianwalkedtotheendofhisdriveway,wherehecouldgetaviewofthelibrary.Buttherooferswerestillthere,andthesunwasstillbroiling(酷熱的).Sebastiandidn’tseeanycoolersorjugsanywhere.ThenhetoldDad,“Ireallythinktheyneedsomewater.”AlookofconcerncameoverDad’sface.Hepickeduphiscarkeys,saying“Ithinkyou’reright.It’sonlygoingtogethotter.”注意：1.續(xù)寫詞數(shù)應(yīng)為150左右；2.請按如下格式在答題卡的相應(yīng)位置作答。Sebastianstuffedabagwithwaterbottlesandgotintothecarwithhisdad.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________“Itwasallhisidea,”dadsmiled,noddingatSebastian.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________（2023·浙江·校聯(lián)考模擬預(yù)測）閱讀下面材料，根據(jù)其內(nèi)容和所給段落開頭語續(xù)寫兩段，使之構(gòu)成一篇完整的短文?！癇EESAREDYING!”DoodlebugPinkleycried,thrustinghislatestcopyofWorldoftheWeirdathissisterDandelion.Hisfavoritemagazinehadalotofstrangebutimportantcontent.Thismonthitwasinsectsindanger.Thenumberofcertainbugs,includingbees,wasfallingsharplyallovertheworld.“It’sterrible!”Dandelionreplied,afterreadingthearticle.Theyweresittingontheoutdoorpatio(露臺)ofCoolYule’sIceCreamShop.“Maybewecouldmakeabeeroofgarden,too—likeinthisarticle,”Doodlebugsuggested.Yulerecommendedmakingitonthepatio,addingapollinator(傳粉昆蟲)gardenuptherewouldattractbees—andmorecustomers.“Brilliant!”Everyoneelserespondedinachorus.Nowtheproblemwashowtogetthefunds.Dandelionproposedraisingmoneybysettingupaboothneartheshop’sentrancetoalertpeopleandaskthemtodonate.Theplanwasago!ThenextdaytheirfriendsBog,TomikoandIzzymetDoodlebugandDandelioninsideYule’s.Everyonewasexcited.Theymadehandoutsexplaininghowthegardenwouldattractpollinators,dosomethingtohelppreventflooding,andimprovetheair.“Weshouldhaveabeemascot(吉祥物),”Izzysuggested.DoodlebugrecalledtheoldbeecostumethathisMomworeforHalloweenonce.Overtheenthusiasticuproar,Dandelionshouted,“Andyou’llbethebee,Doodlebug!”“WILLNOT!”Doodlebugshotback.“Toobig.Weneedtostuffsomegrownupintothatcostume.”Butwho,then?Fortenmadminutesthekidsdebatedloudly.“Silence,youlittlenoisykids!”someonesuddenlyroared.“I’mtryingtoreadaboutbeesindanger!”Thewholecrewturnedinshock.TheresatDoodlebug’shorribleteacher,Mrs.Noodleknocker.DoodlebughaddiscoveredlongagothatshewasaWorldoftheWeirdfan,butthatdidn’tmakeheranynicer.“Beesandbutterfliesneedhelp!”Mrs.Noodleknockercried.“Butapersoncan’tevenworryaboutthempeacefully!”注意：1.續(xù)寫詞數(shù)應(yīng)為150左右；2.請按如下格式在答題卡的相應(yīng)位置作答。Paragraph1:Doodlebug’seyeswentwideasabrilliantideacametomind._______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Paragraph2:Thebeecampaignwasamassivesuccess!_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________（2023·遼寧·校聯(lián)考模擬預(yù)測）閱讀下面材料，根據(jù)其內(nèi)容和所給段落開頭語續(xù)寫兩段，使之構(gòu)成一篇完整的短文。Oneday,Billywaswalkingintheparkwhenhesuddenlycameacrossahomelessdog.Heinitiallywasfrightenedofthedog,whoglaredandbarkedathimfromthebushes.“Heythere...Youhungry?”Billyaskedsoftly,tryingtocalmthedogdownashereachedintohispockettopulloutasandwich.Hetookonehalfandhelditouttothedog.Thedogcalmeddown,steppedforwardandateitnexttoBilly.Alittlecalmer,Billystartedtopatthedogasheatetheotherhalf.Thedogbegantolick(舔)hishandwhenbothpieceswerefinished.“I’msorry.ThatwastheonlysandwichItookwithme,”Billylaughedcheerfully,fullyloweringhisguard.Ashegotup,thedogbeganrunningandjumpinghappilyaroundBilly,hopingtoplaywithhim.“Sorry,buddy.Ihavetogohome,”Billysaid.ThedogcautiouslyfollowedBilly.Laterthatevening,Billysawthedogsittingoutsidehisyardthroughthewindow.Heimmediatelyranouttoher.“Buddy,whatareyoudoinghere?”Billyaskedasheplayfullypattedher.Thedogwaggedhertail,barkingindelight.“Alright.Letmetryandseeifmymomwon’tmindtakingyouin,”Billysaid.Billyranbackandtoldhismomallaboutthedog.“Areyoucrazy,Billy?Webarelyhaveenoughtosustainourselves.I’msorry,butit’sano!”Momdeclinedhim.Billyacceptedhismom’swordsandwentoutsidetosayhisgoodbyes.However,whenhegotoutside,henoticedtheheavystormwascomingandfeltforhisnewfriend.Hehadhopedthatthedogwouldseeksheltersomewhere,butshejustsatthere.Hefig-uredshewasstillwaitingforhim,sohewentoutintotheraintotrytoleadhisfriendtoshelter.“Comeon,girl!Go!”Billysaid,tryingtoleadthedogtothenearbyshelteredcarpark.Butshewouldn’tmoveaninch.Shestuckrightbyhisside.Therainbegantopourdownharder.注意：1.續(xù)寫詞數(shù)應(yīng)為150左右;2.請按如下格式在答題卡的相應(yīng)位置作答。Justatthemoment,Momappearedatthedoor.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Thenextmorning,Billyputupnoticesintheparktofindthedogowner.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________（2023·廣東惠州·高三統(tǒng)考期末）閱讀下面材料，根據(jù)其內(nèi)容和所給段落開頭語續(xù)寫兩段，使之構(gòu)成一篇完整的短文。Joeywassoexcitedhecouldhardlywaittogettothestore.HewalkedsofastthathissisterBethhadtorun.“Doyouhavetohurrylikethat?”shepuffed.OnhiswayfromschoolhehadseenthatbaseballcapinRogers’storewindow.Onlyadollar,andthiswasthelastcap!Joeyhadlookedatthecapalongtime.Hewanteditmorethananything.Everyboyatschoolhadone.Joeythoughtofhispiggybank,intowhichheputeverycoinforrunningerrands(差使)forhisfamilyandneighbors.Joeyracedhome,notstoppingforanything.Heheldthefatironpig,openeditcarefully,andpouredoutthecoins.Ten...twenty...thirty...ninetycents.Ifonlyhehadonemoredime(一角硬幣)!Lostinthought,Joeystaredoutthewindow.“What’swrong,Joey?”askedMother.Joeytoldaboutthemoneyandthecap.“Ifyougivemewhatyouhave,I’lladdadime,”Mothersaid,handinghimadollarbill.“I’llhavesomeerrandsforyoutomorrow.”Joeyjumpedup.“Oh,thanks,Mom.That’sgreat!”AndawaywentJoeyandBethtothestorewiththedollarbillinJoey’spocket.Theyturnedthelastcorner.Aheadwasagroupofboysandgirls,talkingheatedlyandlookingdownatthesidewalk.OneofthechildrenwasRonny,anewboywhohadbeeninthistownonlyashorttime.Ronny’sfatherhadbeensick,sotherewasn’tmuchmoneyforextras-likebaseballcap.“What’sthematter?”Bethasked,anxiously.“It’sRonny,”answeredSusan.“He’sbeenworkingandfinallysavedupawholedollar,andnowit’slost!”JoeywentovertoRonny.“We’llallhelplook.We’llfindit!”“RonnywasgoingtogetthatlastcapinRogers’window,”putinBilly.“Iwanteditalot.Iwanttojointhem.”Ronnysaidslowly.SuddenlyJoeyrememberedhowRonnyhadwatchedthefellowsplayingbaseball,hiseyeslightingupeagerlyastheyshoutedandran.注意：1.續(xù)寫詞數(shù)應(yīng)為150左右；2.請按如下格式在答題卡的相應(yīng)位置作答。Joeystaredattheground,thinkinghard._____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Forcingasmile,JoeyshowedBeththeemptypocket._____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________（2023·湖南長沙·雅禮中學(xué)?？家荒＃╅喿x下面材料，根據(jù)其內(nèi)容和所給段落開頭語續(xù)寫兩段，使之構(gòu)成一篇完整的短文。CheemiwasapoororphanlivinginPune.Nobodyknewwhereshehadcomefrom.YeteveryoneacceptedthefraillittlegirlandnamedherCheemi—thelittlesparrow.Shehelpedpeoplebydoingoddjobsforthem,suchasfetchingvegetablesfromthecornershoporlookingafterbabieswhentheirmotherswentshopping.EverybodyintheneighbourhoodlikedCheemi,exceptKelly.Kellywastherichestwomanthere.Cheemi,inhereyes,wasdirtyandinferiortoher.Therefore,shewouldnotallowCheemiintoherbighouse.Thehousewasalmostlikeamansionwithbigwoodencarveddoorsandhugehalls.Surprisingly,thewindowsoftheroomsdecoratedwithbeadsandcurtainswereverysmall.Kellylivedwithherson,herdaughter-in-lawGinaandherlittlegrandson,Carl.Carlwasagreatfavouritewiththegirls.Ginawasaverynice,educatedladyanddidn’tmindCarlbeingcarriedbyothers.Kelly,however,neverallowedCheemitotouchCarl.HowCheemiwishedshecouldplaywithhim!Thatyear,PanshetDamcollapsedandthewatersoftheMuthariver,nearPune,hadenteredthecity.Thewaterrosefast.Therewasconfusioneverywhere.Policevansweretryingtohelp.Whenwaterenteredtheirhouse,KellyandGinawereonthegroundfloor.Withinsecondsthewaterrose.ThepolicepersuadedKellyandGinatoclimbtothetopfloor.Inthehurryandconfusion,theyforgotthatCarlwassleepingonthefirstfloor!Thestaircaseswereflooded.Itwasimpossibletogettothebedroomonthefirstfloor.Thedoortotheroomwasclosedbutnotbolted(閂上).Anymomentthewatercouldrushin.Thewomenpanicked.“Carl!”theycried.“WhatwillhappentoourCarl?”Suddenlythepolicediscoveredthatoneofthebedroomwindowswasopen,butitwastoosmallforanadulttocrawlin.Onlyachildcould.Butnoonewaswillingtolettheirchildrentaketherisk.注意：1.續(xù)寫詞數(shù)應(yīng)為150左右;2.請按如下格式在答題卡的相應(yīng)位置作答。Outofnowhere,Cheemiappeared.

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LoudcheersgreetedCheemi,adaringandselflessgirl.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________（2023·江蘇南通·統(tǒng)考模擬預(yù)測）閱讀下面材料，根據(jù)其內(nèi)容和所給段落開頭語續(xù)寫兩段，使之構(gòu)成一篇完整的短文。Itwasaround7onMondaymorning.Paul,aticketgatelineassistant,wasworkinghisusualshiftatLeagraveStation.“Anotherwonderfulday!”hethoughtandbegantohum(哼)atune.SuddenlyaflashofmovementaroundPlatformOnecaughthisattention.Aftertakingacloserlook,herealizeditwasadogwithoutacollar,sillyandexcitable,runningroundafternothingatall.“Oh!”hehurrieddown,appearedinaflashandsuccessfullygotholdofthedog,butitmanagedtostrugglefreeoutofhisgrasp,jumpeddownonthetracksandgotstuck.Panicstruckamongstanders-byasthedogmadlyracedupanddownthetracks,tryingtofindawayout.Therewasalotofnoiseofpeopleshoutinganddogbarking.Thenthetrainkickedin.Obviously,therewasnotimelefttowaitforthedogtojumpoutonhisown,buthewasnotallowedtogodownonthetrack.Sohetookouthisphoneandrangthesignalmantowarnthetrains,gettingthemtoslowdown,readytostopifnecessary.Likeacatonhotbricks,helookedaroundtofindsomethinguseful.Luckilyaguyontheplatformtherehadsomebread.Sowithoutanyhesitation,Paultookthebreadandusedittoattractthedogasthelasthope.Immediately,thedogcameovertotheplatformedgewithwagging(搖)tails.Butitcouldn’tjumpbackup.That’snotthething,Paulthought.Justasitputitspawsuptogetthebread,Paulmanagedtograbit.Thankgoodness.Pauldraggeditupontotheplatform.Hecouldn’tletgoofitforfearthatitwouldstrugglefreeasecondtime.Hejustheldon,strokingitsfurandpattingonitsheadtocalmitdown.Finallyhetookthedogintothesafetyofthestaffroom.注意：1.續(xù)寫詞數(shù)應(yīng)為150左右；2.請按如下格式在答題卡的相應(yīng)位置作答。ThenPauldecidedtoturntosocialmediatoidentifyitsowner.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ThecouplesharedthephotosandthestoryontheTikTokthatevening.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________（2023·云南曲靖·統(tǒng)考二模）閱讀下面材料，根據(jù)其內(nèi)容和所給段落開頭語續(xù)寫兩段，使之構(gòu)成一篇完整的短文。AChristmasWorthRememberingHectorkickedhisbootinthesnow,angrythathecouldn’tchangeMom’smind.WhydidtheyhavetoworkatthehomelessshelteroverChristmas?Christmaswasforopeningpresents,eatingdeliciousfood,andplayinggames.Hedidn’twanttospendithandingoutpresentsandfoodtootherpeople.Momcalleditcommunityservice,buthecalleditabummer(令人不開心的事).“Whatareyoudoing?”askedDavidasheenteredHector’syard.Davidwashisfriendfromnextdoor.“Goingtobuildasnowcastle?”“No,”Hectorsaid.“I’mjusttryingtocooloff.”“Well,it’sdefinitelycoldouthere.What’swrong?”Davidasked.“Mymomsaidthatwe’regoingtothehomelessshelteronChristmasDay,”Hectorsaid.“We’regoingtohelpprovidethemwithaChristmaslunchandhandoutpresentstothekids.”“What’swrongwiththat?”Davidasked.Hectorstaredathim,hismouthhangingopen.“What’swrong?We’regoingthereonChristmasDay,that’swhat.”“Itmightnotbesobad.Wedidsomethinglikethatwithourlocaloutreachministry(外聯(lián)部)onThanksgiving.”Davidsaid.Hectorhadn’tknownthat.Still,hedidn’tthinkitwouldbemuchfun.Thenextweekpassedquickly.SoonitwasChristmasDay.ItwastimeforHectortogototheshelterwithhisparents.Astheyleft,Hectorsatinthebackseatofthecarwithhisarmscrossedandafrownonhisface.Attheshelter,amangreetedthemwithahappysmile.“Thankyouforcomingtohelptoday,”hesaid.“Ihopeyouwillenjoyyourtimehere.”Hectorseriouslydoubtedit.ThemantoldDadwherehecouldservefoodandhepointedMomtowardseverallargeboxesthatwerefilledwithpresents.注意：1.續(xù)寫詞數(shù)應(yīng)為150左右;2.請按如下格式在答題卡的相應(yīng)位置作答。Hectorstooduneasily,notsurewhattodo._________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Aferthemeal,HectorhelpedMompassthepresentsouttothekids._________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________（2023·江蘇蘇州·統(tǒng)考模擬預(yù)測）閱讀下面材料，根據(jù)其內(nèi)容和所給段落開頭語續(xù)寫兩段，使之構(gòu)成一篇完整的短文。Onedaytwoyearsago,I’dreturnedfromamorningwalkwithmydog.Atthefrontdoor,Idugaroundinmypocketsforthekeys.WhenIdiscoveredIdidn’thavethem,Idecidedtoreturntothepathswe’dtaken.Ispentanhourlooking,brushingasidetallgrasses,butthekeysremainedlost.IwasbeginningtogetupsetasIthoughtoftheconsequencesoflosingthem,soIcontinuedtoretraceoursteps,butinvain.Athomeagain,Ipulledthebackupkeyfromitshidingplace,letmyselfinthehouse,andfellonthesofaintiredness.Ibegantomakeakeylist.Thehousekeywasn’tthatimportantasIhadanextra.Themailkeywasabigdealbecausegettinganewonetakesalotoftime.Ihadasparecarkey,andthekeyfob(遙控鑰匙)wouldbeexpensivetoreplace.Andtheironheartmadebymygrandsonwaspreciousbeyondmeasure.Forsomereason,thinkingofitbeinggoneforevermadetearscometomyeyes.Iblamedmyselfforlosingthekeysandnotbeingmorecareful.Inmyhead,Iretracedmystepsagainandagainbutfinallygaveup.Thatnight,itturnedcolderandwehadasnowshower.Ienjoyedacomfort-fooddinner,playedsoftmusic,andsettledintoapeacefulevening.ItwaspeacefuluntilIheardthefrighteningnoiseofmycaralarmfromthegarage.Irushedtothecar,insertedthekeyinthedoorandfinallyopenedit,andthenwaiteduntilthealarmstopped.Ifeltred-facedasIimaginedmynext-doorneighborsbeingfrightenedandannoyed.Iwentbackinthehousebutitstartedagain.Iturneditoff,wentbackinside,andthealarmwentoffagain.Irepeatedtheprocess.Backinthehouse,Iwaited,butthenextsoundwasthefrontdoorbell.Assumingitwasaneighborreadytoblameme,Iopenedthedoorslowlyandturnedonthelightwithapologiesready.注意：1.續(xù)寫詞數(shù)應(yīng)為150左右；2.請按如下格式在答題卡的相應(yīng)位置作答。Inthelightsnowstoodthreeneighborsfromseveralstreetsaway.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________“Whatabrilliantidea!”Itookthekeysinmygratefulhands.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________（2023·湖北·華中師大一附中?？寄M預(yù)測）閱讀下面材料，根據(jù)其內(nèi)容和所給段落開頭續(xù)寫兩段，使之構(gòu)成一篇完整的短文。OnaFridayeveninginDecember,twoweeksbeforeChristmas,Ilostmyjob.Ihadn’tseenitcoming.Iwasexcitedfortheweekend,whenmydaughter,Kristil,then12,andIplannedtogetourChristmastree.ThenIlistenedtomyvoicemail:“We’resorrybutyourworkassignmenthasendedasoftoday.”

Myheartsank.Iwasn’tjustasingleparent;Iwastheonlyparent.Mypaycheckwassurvival.Thenextdayaswesearchedforourtree,IstruggledtobecheerfulasIeyedeachpricetag.“IseverythingOK?”Kristilasked.“Youseemworried.”“Igotsomebadnewsyesterday,”Itoldher.“Ilostmyjob.”

“Ohno,”Kristilsaid.“Well,Ihave$100fromGrandmaIcangiveyou.”“Absolutelynot,”Itoldher.OnMondaymorning,IdroppedKristilatschoolandsetoffonmymoneymakingpursuits.Iheadedtothepawnshop(當鋪)witharingthatmymotherhadgivenmeadecadeearlier.“BestIcandois$70,”theownersaid.“Thestone