A boy called Tom sat near a wall with tears (眼泪) in his eyes. Mrs Bell came and asked, "What makes you so1?" Tom answered, "We will have a poetry (诗歌) competition. I don't think I can make it because other boys2me and call me ‘Slow Tom'."

   In a kind3, Mrs Bell said, "Look at the snail (蜗牛) on the wall. It is slow but sure. When you4heart, think of the snail." Tom thought he could run a race with the snail. So he decided to practice his poems until the snail got to the5of the wall.

   6, the day came. Tom did best in the competition. He didn't miss a word and won the prize. The headmaster (校长) asked, "How7you learn the poems so well?" "The snail on the wall taught me8to do it," said Tom. "I saw it climb up the wall little by little.9didn't stop, nor turn back, but went on. And I thought I would do the same with my task. By the time the snail had got to the top of the wall, I had learned it all." "Well done, Tom!" said the headmaster10. "Now boys, let us cheer for Tom and the snail on the wall."