Walking by Mr. Groll's yard is the worst part of our morning walk—the unfriendly shape nearby that shades us: Mr. Groll.
"Hello, Mr. Groll." I 1 him as I do every morning. And he never answers me. But I know he's there, watching, behind his fence. Why does he 2 me? It's a mystery（迷） . Maybe he's afraid of me because I'm blind. 3 scare grown-ups sometimes. Then I 4 hearing him playing with my friend Jimmy, who's in a wheelchair. Maybe Mr. Groll does not like Vietnamese 5 . No. Every Saturday Mr: Groll and my big brother, Lien, help each other with yard work.
Me and Chó! An idea 6 my mystery. Maybe I do know why Mr. Groll doesn't talk to me! So, I attach Chó to a post, and I 7 my way along the fence.
"Mai! Be 8 !" Mr. Groll's loud voice steadies my 9 while his hand steadies my elbow（肘部）.
"You solve my mystery. It isn't because I'm blind that you don't like me. Or because I am a Vietnamese." I 10 . "It's Chó who scares."
He 11 his large voice. "I like you, Mai. And Chó, too. But up close, Chó scares my 12 away," he says.
I tell him, "Your fear of Chó may be big, but 13 is bigger. We will help. Come with me." I hear a smile in Mr. Groll's voice. "OK," he says, "I 14 you, my friend."
Then I take Mr. Groll's hand in mine and guide it to Cho's head. 15 , Mr. Groll pets Chó's ears. Friendly Chó—good Chó—swings her tail. Our new friendship begins.
