Ellie was a skilled gymnast (体操运动员). But she liked showing off (炫耀). At the gymnastics tryout (选拔赛), she put on a perfect performance." See who can do that!" she said proudly.
The next Friday, the list was posted announcing who had made the team. Ellie's name wasn't on it." It's unfair. I'm better than all the other girls!" she said. She went to see the coach.
"You are quite talented, but your attitude is terrible," the coach said." Making the gymnastics team isn't just about gymnastics. It's also about being on a team." That night Ellie complained to her parents. Her mother was angry, but her father said that the coach had a point. They had a big argument. Ellie couldn't sleep. She kept thinking about what the coach had said.
Ellie couldn't stay away from the gym, so she practiced alone. One day, after watching Ann fall off the parallel bars (双杠) again and again, Ellie ran to her and explained to Ann what she was doing wrong. Ann did as Ellie suggested and improved. Ellie didn't notice the coach was looking at her. Over the next few months, Ellie always helped the other girls. They did better and better." We couldn't have done this without Ellie's help," the girls said.
The following year, Ellie tried out for the gymnastics team again. This time, she was modest. When the girls praised her, she just smiled and thanked them. When the coach posted the list of who had made the team, her name was on it. Ellie and the other girls were all very happy.
①Ellie practiced alone. ②Ellie's parents argued.
③Ellie coached other girls. ④Ellie showed off at the gymnastics tryout.
