At 9: 30 p. m. yesterday, I was sitting in my chair, listening to a strange sound. It made me1.

This was the third time 1 had heard the2. I didn't know who or what made the sound. It sounded like someone was knocking at my3, but I lived on the ninth floor!

l was4scared to open my eyes until the sound stopped. I thought about asking for help, but I was sure people would5me. “There are no such things as ghosts, "they'd say.

“There it is again!” l shouted. My mom came upstairs and6me what was going on. Then she heard the strange noise too. She went into the bathroom. I wanted to7my mom because I was afraid that something bad would happen to her.8she started laughing. "It's OK, dear. It's just a strong wind making your curtain shake and knock the window.”

l was very surprised. Since then, I've started thinking more9. In the world, there are10ghosts. I don't need to be afraid. If such things happen again, I will do like what my mom did and find out the truth.

Have you ever been to any European cities? There are many (beauty) old buildings there. You can see some strange stone creatures on the top of these buildings. They are called gargoyles(滴水嘴). Gargoyles not only provide interesting decorations（装饰)for buildings, serve an important purpose. They can direct water away from the sides of buildings.

But how do gargoyles prevent rainwater from running down stone walls? Many gargoyles have troughs(槽)that were cut into their backs (catch)water. Then the water is directed out of the open mouth of the stone creature. Gargoyles (usual) have a long shape. Their length(长度) decides how far from the building's walls the rainwater is directed.

The word " gargoyle "comes the French word “gargouille”. It means“ throat”. Some people believe that gargoyles can protect (they) against bad spirits. Gargoyles have been used for hundreds of years. Ancient Egyptians often created gargoyles in the shape of lion's head. Other popular animal gargoyles were dogs, (wolf), snakes and monkeys.

Since modern drainpipes(排水管) were developed in the eighteenth century, gargoyles (become) less common. Sometimes buildings will still (build)with gargoyles. However, they are mainly used for decorations.

Nothing can us our dreams.

The umbrella my sister's.