The Statue of Liberty

One of the most famous monuments in the world, the Statue of

Liberty, was a gift of friendship [01] from the people of France to the
United States on the centenary of American independence. It is a
universal symbol of freedom and democracy. The Statue of Liberty
was dedicated on October 28, 1886, designated as a National
Monument in 1924 and restored for her centennial on July 4, 1986.
Made in Paris by the French sculptor Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi, in
collaboration with Gustave Eiffel (who was responsible for the steel
framework [02]).

The

statue

is

of a

robed

female

figure [03]

representing Libertas, the Roman goddess of freedom, who bears a

torch [04] and a tabula ansata a tablet evoking the law upon
which [05]

is inscribed the date of the American Declaration of

Independence, July 4, 1776. A broken chain lies at her feet.

Before it could be transported to the United States, a site [06] had to
be found for it and a pedestal had to be built. The site chosen was an
island at the entrance of [07] New York Harbor. By, 1884, a
statue which was 151 feet tall [08] had been erected in Paris. In
order to transport the statue to America, the figure was disassembled
into 350 pieces and packed in 214 crates [09]. Four months later, it
was reassembled on Bedloes Island (renamed Liberty Island in
1956).
On October 28, 1886, the statue had been put together again [10]
and it was officially presented to the American people by Bartholdi.
President

Grover

Cleveland

dedicated

the

Statue

of

Liberty before [11] thousands of spectators. Ever since, the great

monument has been a symbol of liberty for the millions of people who
have passed through New York Harbor to make their homes in
America.
Liberty Enlightening the World, the official name of the Statue of
Liberty, was

extensively

restored

in

time

for

the

spectacular

centennial of American independence on 4 July 1986, for whom it

symbolized the ideals of Washington and Lincoln. It has continued to
inspire people across the world.

Anniversary Day
Chloe and Kevin enjoy going out to Italian restaurants.
They love to eat pasta, share a dessert, and have espresso.
Chloe and Kevins anniversary is coming up. Kevin wants to plan a
night out at an Italian restaurant in town. He calls a restaurant to
make a reservation but they have no tables available. He calls
another restaurant, but they have no availability either.
Kevin thinks and paces around the house. He knows that Chloe loves
Italian food more than anything else. He knows that nothing makes
her happier. But the only two Italian places in town are too busy.
Kevin has an idea. What if he cooks Chloe a homemade Italian meal?
Kevin pictures it: he puts down a fancy tablecloth, lights some
candles, and plays romantic Italian music. Chloe loves when Kevin
makes an effort.
There's only one thing. Kevin isn't a good cook.
In fact, Kevin is a terrible cook. When he tries to make breakfast he
burns the eggs, when he tries to make lunch he screws up the salad,
when he tries to make dinner even the neighbors smell how bad it is.
Kevin has another idea: if he calls up one of the restaurants before
Chloe gets home and orders take-out, he can serve that food instead
of his bad cooking!
The day arrives. Chloe is still at work while Kevin orders the food,
picks it up, and brings it back home.
As he lays down the place settings, lights the candles and puts the
music on, Chloe walks in.
"Happy Anniversary!" Kevin tells Chloe. He shows off their romantic
dinner setting, smiling.
Chloe looks confused. "Our anniversary is tomorrow, Kevin."
Kevin pauses, looks at the calendar and realizes she's right. He looks
back at her.
"I guess it's always good to practice!" he says.

A Secret Talent
Eve is excited to go to her first Dylan Wyman concert in New York.
Dylan Wyman is Eve's favorite singer. In fact, Eve tells her mother
Jeannine, Dylan Wyman is her favorite person!
When they are about halfway to New York, Jeannine hears a weird
noise. "Oh no," she says, realizing that they have a flat tire.
There isn't much room on the side of the road, but Jeannine pulls the
car over and climbs out. Sure enough, their right rear tire is
completely flat.
Jeanine opens the trunk to get the jack and the spare tire. Traffic
continues to whiz by at seventy miles per hour.
"Mom, are we going to die?" Eve asks. She is really scared.
"Don't worry honey, I'll be quick," Jeannine says as she starts to jack
up the car.
"Wow Mom, how do you know how to do this?" Eve is shocked at her
mother's secret talent.
Then Jeannine takes off the flat tire.
"Wow Mom, how do you know how to do that?" Eve asks in wonder.
Jeannine just laughs. Then she puts the spare tire on. Eve says,
"Mom, whoare you?"
The entire tire change takes only 10 minutes. They both climb back
into the car and Jeannine says, "I'm so sorry honey, but we can't
drive all the way to Albany on this spare tire. We're going to have to
stop and buy a new tire. We might be late for your concert."
"That's okay, Mom," Eve says, "You're my favorite person now!"

Lost and Found

Donna and her husband John go to the beach every Saturday in the
summer. Today is no exception. Donna packs a picnic lunch. She
packs the beach umbrella and sun lotion.
She cannot find their beach towels. Donna always loses things. The
towels are not in the laundry basket or dryer. They are not in the
closet, either. She finally looks in her beach bag. She sees the towels
folded in the bottom. Of course, the beach towels are exactly where
they should be.
Donna puts on her swimsuit and floppy sun hat. She is almost ready.
She just needs her sunglasses. She thinks they are on the table by
the door. Or maybe they are in the bathroom. They could also be in
her purse. Donna sighs.
John puts the picnic basket, umbrella, and beach bag in the car. He
checks his fishing poles and equipment. He places them in the car
beside the picnic basket.. Daisy, their dog, jumps in the backseat.
She loves the beach! John is ready to leave. Where is Donna? She
knows he likes to arrive at the beach before the crowds.
John groans and shakes his head. Donna is always late.
Donna searches for her sunglasses. She cannot find them, and she
knows John is waiting. He hates when she is late! She grabs her
purse and locks the door.
"You are late," John says as Donna gets in the car. Donna tells John
that she could not find her sunglasses.
John looks at her and laughs! He flips down the sun visor so Donna
can see herself in the mirror. Donna looks in the mirror and laughs
too. Her sunglasses are on top of her head. They were there the
whole time!
"It is always in the last place that you look," Donna giggles!

A Very Important Game

Duke is watching a basketball game on TV. He is paying very close

attention to the game. His favorite team, The Celtics, is losing to the
Bulls.
Darlene, Duke's wife, is having a bad day. She is trying to talk to him
about it.
"Honey, I am feeling very stressed out."
"Okay. Wow! Are you watching this? The Celtics are really trying to
lose this game!"
"Um, honey? Are you listening to me?"
"Yes. Of course I am listening to you. I am listening to you and
watching the game at the same time."
"Duke! You are not listening to me!" Darlene is getting frustrated with
her sports-loving husband.
"I am listening, Darlene. What is stressing you out?"
"My job is stressing me out. I am thinking about quitting."
"Okay. Are you watching? The Celtics are missing every shot!"
"I am trying to talk to you. I am thinking about quitting my job. What
about paying the bills? What are you thinking about?"
"Okay."
"Okay? Okay, what?"
"Okay. Good."
Darlene is getting mad now. Why is her husband ignoring her? "Fine!"
She is shouting now. Duke is still staring at the TV. "Fine! Okay! I am
quitting my job. And I am never paying another bill. I am letting you
pay all the bills from now on! I am walking toward the door!"
"Where are you going?" Duke is still staring at the TV.
"I am doing the only thing I can to get your attention. I am driving to
Boston. I am trying out for the Celtics!"

Run and Play

Lisa returns home. She cannot believe her eyes!

Her kids, Ami and Ben are in the room. They run around the big and
expensive table and shout. This game is liked by them very much.
Lisa stands and looks at them. This is what she sees and hears.
Ben is asked to wait for Ami, but he does not wait. He continues to
run. So Amis request is changed. Now Ben is asked to help Ami. Ben
stops and Ami is helped. (Lisa is impressed!)
Now Lisa is invited to join them. "Yes, mummy! Come and join us!"
Ami and Ben shout.
So Amy and Ben are joined by Lisa. They run and play. This game is
enjoyed by them very much. Ami kisses Ben. Ben kisses Ami. Then
Lisa is kissed too.
Now Lisa wants to rest, but there are many things on her bed. They
are moved by the kids. A blanket is needed and Lisa receives it. She
now sleeps in her bed. Lisa and Ben are at home, so they are
protected.
But wait! What is this noise? Oh no, the big and expensive table is
smashed! Well, the table was not so protected . .

The Best Practice Ever

Shannon loves basketball. She loves everything about basketball.

Shannon always looks forward to basketball practice. She enjoys the
workout. She enjoys the competition. She enjoys the time with her
teammates.
Coach always starts practice the same way. They run ten laps around
the gym and then stretch out. They then practice shots. (Shannon
usually sinks most of hers!)
Then the coach introduces new drills. Then they practice the plays
they use in games.
Shannon concentrates and does her best. She works hard, and her
teammates appreciate her for it. She always has a positive attitude
and encourages her teammates to work harder and do their best.
But today, Shannon twists her ankle and falls down. She cries out in
pain, which is unusual for Shannon. She rarely cries. Everyone rushes
over to see if she is okay.
One of her teammates runs to get ice for her ankle. (Ice helps with
the swelling.) The others help her off the court and she sits down to
rest.
The coach asks Shannon if she is okay. She says, "I am fine. Ankles
heal."
The coach shakes her head. "Shannon," she says, "As usual, I am
impressed with your attitude and team spirit. In honor of Shannon,
we should all go get ice cream!"
So, the whole team climbs aboard the school bus and the coach takes
them all out for ice cream.
As she licks her mint chocolate chip ice cream cone, Shannon says,
"Today, I love basketball practice more than ever!"