We are often told by our parents not to spend more than we have. It seems that the people who run several big US companies never learned that lesson.

    Over the past years, a number of the US banks have gone out of business. Millions of people have lost their money. Thousands of workers have lost their jobs. The financial crisis (金融危机) that began in 2007 has taken a turn for the worse.

    Experts say that the crisis was caused by banks lending too much money. With rising oil prices and falling house prices, many people and companies who borrowed money have found themselves unable to pay it back. This has left the banks out of pockets.

    However, the financial storm in the US is now affecting the rest of the world. If so, China will be one of the first countries to be hurt. No country has lent more than China to the US now. Moreover, the US is one of the largest buyers of Chinese goods. China will suffer a great loss (遭受巨大损失) if Americans have less money in pockets to spend on Chinese goods.

    Tom arrived at the bus station quite early for the Paris bus. The bus for Paris would not leave until five to twelve. He saw a lot of people waiting in the station. Some were standing in line. Others were walking around. There was a group of schoolgirls. Their teacher was trying to keep them in line. Tom looked around but there was no place for him to sit.

    He walked into the station café, and he looked up at the clock there. It was only twenty to twelve. He found a seat and sat down before a large mirror (镜子) on the wall. Just then, Mike, one of Tom's workmates came in and sat with Tom.

    "What time is your bus?" asked Mike.

    "There's plenty of time yet," answered Tom.

    "Well, I'll get you some more tea then." said Mike.

    They talked while drinking. Then Tom looked at the clock again. "Oh! It's going backward (倒行)!" he cried. "A few minutes ago it was twenty to twelve and now it's half past eleven."

    "You are looking at the clock in the mirror," said Mike. Tom was very sad. The next bus was not to leave for another hour. Since then, Tom has never liked mirrors.

More trees will on 2010 Tree-planting Day.

is Shanghai Wenhui Daily published?

The paper asks you a short title for an article.

we discuss the problem now?

The class teachers a meeting every Monday.