Mr. Dawson was an old grouch1（心怀不满，抱怨） , and everyone in town knew it. Kids knew not to go into his yard to pick a delicious apple, even off the ground, because old Dawson, they said, would come after you with his ball bullet gun.
One Friday, 12-year-old Janet was going to stay all night with her friend Amy. They had to walk by Dawsons house on the way to Amys house, but as they got close Janet saw him sitting on his front porch2 and suggested they cross over to the other side of the street. Like most of the children, she was scared of the old man because of the stories shed heard about him.
Amy said not to worry, Mr. Dawson wouldnt hurt anyone. Still, Janet was growing more nervous with each step closer to the old mans house. When they got close enough, Dawson looked up with his usual frown, but when he saw it was Amy, a broad smile changed his entire face as he said, Hello Miss Amy. I see youve got a little friend with you today.
Amy smiled back and told him Janet was staying overnight and they were going to listen to music and play games. Dawson told them that sounded fun, and offered them each a fresh picked apple off his tree. They gladly accepted. Dawson had the best apples in town.
When they got out of Dawson on earshot, Janet asked Amy, Everyone says hes the meanest man in town. How come was he so nice to us?
Amy explained that when she first started walking past his house he wasnt very friendly and she was afraid of him, but she pretended he was wearing an invisible smile and so she always smiled back at him. It took a while, but one day he half-smiled back at her.
After some more time, he started smiling real smiles and then started talking to her. Just a hello at first, then more. She said he always offers her an apple now, and is always very kind.
An invisible smile? questioned Janet.
Yes, answered Amy, my grandma told me that if I pretended I wasnt afraid and pretended he was smiling an invisible smile at me and I smiled back at him, that sooner or later he would really smile. Grandma says smiles are contagious3（传染性的） .
If we remember what Amys grandma said, that everyone wears an invisible smile, we too will find that most people cant resist our smile after a while.
Were always on the go trying to accomplish so much, arens we? Getting groceries（杂货，食品） , cleaning the house, mowing4 the lawn - theres always something. Its so easy to get caught up in everyday life that we forget how simple it can be to bring cheer to ourselves and others. Giving a smile away takes so little effort and time, lets make sure that weve not the one that others have to pretend is wearing an invisible smile.
