Mini was a very popular student. She was easy to get along with and she had many friends.

One day, the 10-year-old girl did 【小题1】bad in the class and her teacher told her to “stay as” punishment (惩罚). Staying back【小题2】doing something. ‘useful’, like helping in the garden or library after school is 【小题3】.

In Mini’s school, every month, students could 【小题4】their punishment time with someone else. If you had something else to do the【小题5】you were punished, you could ask a friend to do it for you. Of course, you had to do it for him, but it had to be in the【小题6】month.

On that day, a very dear aunt was visiting Mini on her way to America. That afternoon was the 【小题7】chance Mini had to meet her for another five years.

Mini had to find someone else to do it for her. But there was a problem. It was the 【小题8】day of the month.

She went to ask some students. But each one refused.

Of course, no one said no directly,【小题9】everyone had an excuse.

So, after school Mini stayed back to help the librarian, Ms. Martha. And, when Ms. Martha 【小题10】her crying after everyone had left, she let her leave to meet her aunt.

When she went home, she said to herself, “I thought I had many friends, but in fact I have none.”