WhenIwasseven,myparentsgavemeadoll,adoll’shouseandabook.TheArabianNights,camewrappedinredpaper.Iwasjustreadytoreadwhenmymotherwalkedintomyroom．

“Isn’tyourdolljustbeautiful?”mymotherasked.Ilookedatthedoll,withfairhairinapinkdress----I’llhavetocallher“she”becauseInevergaveheraname.Ifoldedmylipsandraisedmyeyebrows,notreallyknowinghowtoletmymotherdowneasily.

“Thisdollisdifferent.”Mymotherexplained,tryingtotalkmeintoplayingwithit.

Thinkingthedollneededlove,Ihuggedhertightlyforalongtime.Useless,Isaidtomyself.Finally,Idecidedtoplaywiththedoll’shouse.Butsincerearrangingthetinyfurnitureseemedtobetheonlyactivepossible,Ilostinterest.IcaughtsightagainofthethirdofmygiftsTheArabianNights,andIbegantoreadit.Fromthatmoment,thebookwasmyconstantcompanion.

EverydayIclimbedourgardentree,nestledamongitsbranches,IreadthestoriesinTheArabianNightstomyheart’scontent.MymotherbecameconcernedasshenoticedIwasn’tplayingwitheitherthedollorthelittlehouse.SheinsistedthatItakethedollupthetreewithme.

Tryingtoreadonabranch15feetoffthegroundwhileholdingontothesillydollwasnoteasy.Afternearlyfallingofftwice,Itiedoneendofalongvinearoundthedoll’sneckandtheoppositeonearoundthebranch,lettingthedollhanginmidairwhileIread.Ialwayslookedoutformymother,though.Isensedthatmyplayingwiththedollwasofgreatimportancetoher.SoeverytimeIheardhercoming,Iliftedthedollupandhuggedher.Thesmileinmymother’seyestoldmemyplanworked.

Theinevitable(不可避免的)happenedoneafternoon.Totallyabsorbedinthereading,Ididn’thearmymothercallingme.WhenIlookeddown,Isawmymotherstaringatthehangingdoll.Fearingtheworstofscolding,Iclimbeddowninaflash,reachingthegroundjustasmymotherwasuntyingthedoll.Tomysurprise,shedidn’tscold.Shekeptonstaringatthedoll．

Thenextday,myfathercamehomeearlyandsuggestedheandIplaywiththedoll’shouse.SoonIwasbored,butmyfatherseemedtobehavingsomuchfun,Ididn’thavethehearttotellhim.QuietlyIslippedout,pickingupmybookonmywaytotheyard.Soabsorbedwasheinarrangingandrearrangingthetinyfurniture