I grew up as the "baby" of my family. I was the 1 of three sons. My brothers were five and seven years older than me. They 2 with most of the chores (杂务) around the house, while I spent most of my time riding my bike, 3 basketball in the yard, and etc. To say I was a bit 4 wouldn't be unreasonable. I spent my childhood with all the fun and none of the 5.
By the time I entered my early teens, however, my 6 had moved out of our home. My dad was badly 7 and became disabled. We had 8 a mountain top house heated by a wood stove (火炉) with only well water to drink. I soon 9 myself then doing more 10 than I had ever done before. I 11 our garden and mowed our lawn (割草) in the summer. In the fall I carried wood to keep us 12 in the winter months to come. And all year round I carried 13 containers of water from a mountain spring back to our house.
At first I grumbled and 14 to myself. After a while, though, I began to find 15 in helping my parents that I 16 so much. I sang to myself when I cut wood and 17 while I carried water. I 18 found myself helping my mom with the dinner dishes and cleaning. I started to 19 something that I would carry with me the rest of my life too: When your work is done in 20, it isn't work.
