He lost his arms in an accident that claimed his father's life who was the main source of support for the family. Since then, he has had to depend on the arms of his younger brother. For the sake of taking care of him, his younger brother became his shadow, never leaving him alone for years. Except for writing with his toes, he was completely unable to do anything in his life.
One late night, he suffered from diarrhea（腹泻） and had to wake up his younger brother. His younger brother accompanied him into the toilet and then went back the dorm to wait. But being so tired, his younger brother fell asleep, leaving him on the toilet for two hours till the teacher on duty discovered him. As the two brothers grew up together, they had their share of problems and they would often quarrel. Then one day, his younger brother wanted to live separate from him, living his own life, as many normal people do. So he was heart-broken and didn t know what to do.
A similar misfortune befell（降临，发生） a girl, too. One night her mother, who suffered from chronic mental illness disappeared. So her father went out looking for her mother, leaving her alone at home. She tried to prepare meals for her parents, only to overturn the kerosene（煤油） light on the stove, resulting in a fire which took her hands away. Though her elder sister who was studying in another city, showed her willingness to take care of her, she was determined to be completely independent. At school, she always studied hard. Most of all she learned to be self-reliant. Once she wrote the following in her composition: "I am lucky. Though I lost my arms, I still have legs; I am lucky. Though my wings are broken, my heart can still fly."
One day, the boy and the girl were both invited to appear on a television interview program. The boy told the TV host
They had both endured the same ordeal, but their different attitudes determined the nature of their lives. It is true that life is unpredictable. Disasters can strike at any time. How you handle misfortune when confronted with it, is the true test of your character. If you choose only to complain and escape from the ordeal, it will always follow you wherever you go. But if you decide to be strong, the hardship will turn out to be a fortune on which new hopes will arise.
相关单词：misfortune
misfortune解释：n.不幸，厄运，逆境，不幸事故，灾难
misfortune例句：
It is said to be an omen of misfortune.那被认为是一种不幸的先兆。
She had the misfortune to break her leg.她不幸摔断了腿。
相关单词：chronic
chronic解释：adj.(疾病)长期未愈的，慢性的；极坏的
chronic例句：
Famine differs from chronic malnutrition.饥荒不同于慢性营养不良。
Chronic poisoning may lead to death from inanition.慢性中毒也可能由虚弱导致死亡。
相关单词：overturn
overturn解释：v.推翻决定、结果等，翻倒，倾覆，使...翻倒
overturn例句：
Some high-ranking officers plotted to overturn the government.有几名高级军官策划推翻政府。
We saw the canoe overturn,throwing its passengers into the water.我们看到独木舟倾覆了，把上面的乘客掀入水中。
相关单词：kerosene
kerosene解释：n.(kerosine)煤油，火油
kerosene例句：
It is like putting out a fire with kerosene.这就像用煤油灭火。
Instead of electricity,there were kerosene lanterns.没有电，有煤油灯。
相关单词：determined
determined解释：adj.坚定的；有决心的
determined例句：
I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。
相关单词：whereas
whereas解释：conj.而，却，反之
whereas例句：
They want a house,whereas we would rather live in a flat.他们想要一座房子，而我们宁愿住在一套房间里。
Some praise him,whereas others condemn him.有些人赞扬他，而有些人谴责他。
相关单词：ordeal
ordeal解释：n.苦难经历，（尤指对品格、耐力的）严峻考验
ordeal例句：
She managed to keep her sanity throughout the ordeal.在那场磨难中她始终保持神志正常。
Being lost in the wilderness for a week was an ordeal for me.在荒野里迷路一星期对我来说真是一场磨难。
相关单词：confronted
confronted解释：面对( confront的过去式和过去分词 )； 使面对； 使对质； 处理
confronted例句：
When we confronted him, he denied everything. 我们与他当面对质时，他什么都不承认。
The writer confronted his pile of work with determination. 那作家下决心面对成堆的工作。
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