①Carmen had always dreamed of being on stage. She was excited when she got her first big break with a part in the school play. She would play a part of the doctor. She would wear long, white doctor's coat and carry a big bag that held a newspaper with blank(空白的) pages and a box of bandages. Carmen would say some lines. She would do some funny acts and try to make her friends laugh. She could hardly wait to act in a real play on stage.
②As the play came closer, Carmen began to worry about being on stage. She just couldn't remember her lines. She sat in her bedroom, saying the lines over and over again. They just wouldn't stick in her head. It would be terrible if she forgot her lines on stage. She thought for a long time and decided to give up the play. She still wanted to be in the play, but she didn't want to risk making a fool of herself on stage.
③Carmen walked into the kitchen and said she wouldn't be in the play. " Don't worry so much," Carmen's father said. "You're a talented young girl. You are a natural performer." "Yes," her mother agreed, "You'll do better if you relax."
④Carmen knew they were right, but she couldn't stop worrying. Suddenly, she had a great idea. She took out the newspaper and wrote all of her lines on the blank pages. Now she could look at the newspaper and no one would know she was reading her lines. This would help her relax. That day, Carmen went on stage. She said her first line. Then she said her next line. Carmen didn't look at the newspaper once. Remembering her lines was easy because she was relaxed. As a result, Carmen remembered everything. After the play, Carmen let out a long deep breath and smiled happily. Carmen's parents went backstage, they rushed over to congratulate her on a job well done.
⑤"You are great!" Her mother said as she hugged Carmen.
⑥"You are a star!" her father said proudly.
