When a special occasion arrives,a colorful gift bag or a box often finds its way to a doorstep,an office desk or a mailbox.But once in a while,a present arrives at an unexpected moment to remind us that someone is thinking about us.
Wanda Anderson of Richland,US,remembers such a gift.
The rosebushes were finally in full bloom on that day in spring.
Seeing roses always brings to mind Wanda's childhood memories.To this young girl,those flowers were extra special. "We never had money to buy extra things,so even a tired rose was something to cherish," Wanda said.
Nowadays,to have a garden filled with many different roses is pure enjoyment.Wanda especially loves the very first blooms.
Her husband,Dale,devotedly takes care of the roses and knows this little fact about his wife.So,on this special morning,he picked the very first flowers of spring,fresh from the garden.But as Dale came back into the house,he was met by a neighbor who had stopped in for a quick visit.As the woman turned to go,Dale handed the roses to her.And even though their visitor insisted she didn't want to take them,she was repeatedly told that the flowers were hers to keep.
"I told her I was happy for her to have the roses,but I really wasn't," Wanda said,remembering the emotions she was feeling right then.
Seeing her very precious first blooms go out the door filled her with regret,and a bit of selfishness.
Throughout the rest of the morning,Wanda argued with herself,knowing it was "better to give than to receive." Nevertheless,she wished she could have kept the roses for herself.
Later that day,the couple headed to the post office,where Wanda waited outside in the car.Then,without warning,an older woman suddenly appeared at the car's open window,with a bunch of roses in her arms.
"These are for you," she said,giving the flowers to Wanda. "They're my first blooms this spring."
Totally surprised,Wanda thanked the woman and took a moment to smell the roses' rich fragrance.When she looked up,the mysterious visitor was gone.
To this day,that "special delivery" changed Wanda.Now,her very first blooms always go to someone else,as a reminder that someone is thinking of them.
(1)Why does Wanda love roses so much?(no more than 15 words)
Roses bring her childhood memories and at that time she couldn't afford them.
Roses bring her childhood memories and at that time she couldn't afford them.
(2)What does the underlined word "devotedly" mean in Paragraph 6? (no more than 5 words) Dedicatedly.
Dedicatedly.
(3)How did Wanda feel after the neighbor left?(no more than 10 words) She felt regret and upset.
She felt regret and upset.
(4)What changed Wanda's opinion of giving gifts?(no more than 10 words) The roses she received from a stranger.
The roses she received from a stranger.
(5)What's your opinion about the saying "It was better to give than to receive"?Please explain.(no more than 25 words) Giving to others brings happiness not only to others but also to yourself.
Giving to others brings happiness not only to others but also to yourself.