Mei is a junior high student who loves reading. Every afternoon, she goes to the school library after class. She has complete access to many books and magazines there, and she can read anything she likes. One day, she picks up a new magazine and begins to read about the world.
The first story is about a German scientist who studies the earth. He says that the majority of people do not realise how serious the problem is. The heat around the earth is getting stronger every year. The gas that comes from cars and factories makes the air dirty and harms the sky. He believes that protecting the earth is very important for all of us. He hopes that the next generation will learn more and make better choices for our planet.
The second story is about a Scottish soldier from many years ago. He was an independent young man who did not want to follow orders all the time. He left the army and became a secret agent in the western part of his country. His marriage to a woman named Rose was well known in their town. Rose was the owner of a large farm, and she worked very hard. Somebody later wrote a book about the soldier's life, and teachers still use it as a reference in history classes today.
Next, Mei reads about a family business. The family sells goods from many different countries. One interesting object in their small shop is a bar of chocolate from Germany. The shop gives people easy access to products from around the world. When customers see so many choices, they open their mouth wide with surprise. The owner of the shop says that sharing goods helps people understand each other better.
The last story talks about the importance of protecting our skin. A doctor says that on hot summer days, people should drink water ahead of time before they go outside. Too much heat and sunlight can harm the skin in ways that are hard to fix. The doctor also says that wearing a hat can help keep the skin safe. Taking good care of your body is something that everybody should learn, no matter their age.
After reading, Mei realises that a single magazine can teach her so much about the world. She learns about science, history, business, and health all in one afternoon. She puts the magazine back on the shelf and smiles. She decides to read a new magazine every week. Reading, she thinks, is one of the best ways to understand the world and the people who live on this earth.