Are you a man or a mouse? When people ask this question they want to know whether you think you are a 1person or a coward (懦夫). But you will never really know the answer to this question 2you are tested in real life. Some people think they are brave, but when they come face to face with real 3, they act like cowards. Others think of themselves as cowards, but when they meet danger, they act like heroes.

Lenny had always thought of himself as a 4person. He got worried before examinations. He worried about his job and health. All he wanted in life was to be safe and healthy. Then on January 15th, 2002, a plane crashed into the Potomac River in Washington. Lenny happened to see a woman in the ice-cold water. He did not feel afraid. He5very calm and did a very dangerous thing. He jumped into the Potomac, 6to the woman, and kept her head 7the water. Seventy-eight people died that day. Thanks to Lenny, it was not 8.

When you are in a very dangerous situation and feel afraid, the body automatically(自动地) produces a chemical called adrenalin in the blood. With adrenalin in the blood system, you actually feel stronger and stronger and are 9to fight or run away. However, when you are terrified greatly, the body can produce too much adrenalin.10this happens, the muscles become very hard. You are then paralyzed (麻木) with fear. This is why when we are extremely frightened, we sometimes say we are “petrified”. This word 11a Greek word “petros”, which means “stone”. We are 12frightened that we become stonelike.

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