Mark was walking home from school one day when he noticed a boy in front of him. The boy had dropped all of the books he was carrying, along with two sweaters, a baseball bat and a glove.

    Mark helped the boy pick the things up and walked home together. As they walked, Mark learned that the boy's name was Bill. Bill loved video games, baseball and history, but he was having trouble with some of his subjects in school.

    They arrived at Bill's home first. Mark was invited in for a Coke and to watch some television. The afternoon passed pleasantly with some laughs and small talk. Then Mark went home.

    They continued to see each other around school, had lunch together once or twice, then both graduated (毕业) from junior school. Three days before graduation, Bill asked Mark if they could talk.

    Bill reminded (提醒) him of the day years ago when they had first met. “Did you ever wonder why I was carrying so many things home that day?” asked Bill.

    “You see, I cleaned out my locker (储物柜) because I was going home to commit suicide (自杀). But after we spent some time talking and laughing, I realized that if I had died, I would have missed so many good time. So you see, Mark, when you picked up those books that day, you actually saved my life.”