Mother used to ask me what the most important part of the body is. Through the years I would guess at the correct answer. When I was younger, I thought sound was very important to us, so I said, “My 1___________, mum.” She said, “No, many people are deaf. But think about it and I will ask you again.”
Since making my first attempt, I had often thought over the question. So the next time I told her, “Mum, it must be our eyes.” She said, “You are learning fast, but the answer isn’t correct because there are 2___________ people”
Over the years, Mother asked me a couple more times and always her answer was, “No, but you are getting smarter, dear.” Last year, my Grandpa 3___________ away. Everybody was heartbroken, crying. When it was our turn to say our final good-bye to Grandpa, Mum asked me, “Do you know the most 4___________ body part yet, my dear?”
I was 5___________ when she asked me this now. I always thought this was a game between her and me. She saw the puzzled look on my face and told me, “This question is very important. It shows you have really lived your life.” I saw her eyes full of tears. She said, “My dear, the most important body part is your 6___________.” I asked, “Is it because they hold up your head?” She replied, “7___________, it is because on them a crying friend or a loved one can 8___________ their head. I hope you will have a shoulder to cry 9___________ when you need it.”
Then and there I understood the most important body part is not a selfish one. It is being sympathetic to the pain of 10___________.
B
My father brought home a sailboat when I was ten, and almost each Sunday in summers we would go sailing. Dad was quite skilled in sailing, but not good at 11___________. As for me, I learned both before twelve because of living close to Lake Ontario.
The last time Dad and I set sail together was really unforgettable. It was a perfect weekend after I graduated from university. I came home and invited Dad to go sailing. Out we set soon on the calm lake. Dad hadn’t 12___________for years, but everything 13___________ well with the tiller（舵柄）in his hands.
When we were in the middle of the lake, a 14___________ wind came all of a sudden. The boat was hit violently. Dad was always at his best in any danger, 15___________ at this moment he froze.
“John! 16___________!” he shouted in a trembling voice, with the tiller still in his hands.
In my memory he could fix any 17___________. He was the one I always 18___________ to for strength and security. Before I could respond, a wave of water got into the boat. I rushed to the tiller but it was too late. Another huge wall of water turned 19___________the boat in a minute. We were thrown into the water, and Dad was struggling aimlessly. At that moment, I felt fiercely protective of him.
I swam to Dad quickly and assisted him in climbing onto the hull（船壳）of the boat. Upon sitting on the hull, Dad was a little awkward about his flash of. 20___________ “It’s all right, Dad. We are safe now,” I comforted him.
That was the first time Dad had counted on me in a moment of emergency. More importantly, I found it was my turn to start looking out for my father.