根据下面短文内容，在短文的空格处填上一个恰当的词，使短文完整、通顺。
Everyone will have some difficulties in his life. I once had a very terrible childhood because of my ________. And a man changed me and my life.
Before I was five years old, I didn’t have any hair. I feared that other children would laugh at me, so I didn’t like to play ______ with them. I just stood by the window and watched them play. I felt lonely all the time but I wasn’t brave enough to go out of my own world. I saw an old man walking on the playground every day. He was not good-looking. As he passed by, children always laughed at him. The old man just looked at them, _________ any words.
I was angry with the children. I asked my brother, “Brother, don’t those children fear that the old man will beat them? ” My brother just said, “That’s not a problem. The old man ________ hear or speak.”
One evening, I played on the playground alone and the old man came again. I smiled and asked him, “Hi, what’s the time?” The old man looked at his watch. “It’s five thirty.” I was surprised, “You can hear and speak?” “Yes”, the old man smiled, “Don’t ________ about your hair, because it will grow when you grow up!”
I was happy. He was the _______ man to encourage me not to mind my hair. __________ then, I’ve decided to try to make friends. _________, kids were very friendly to me. And I wasn’t lonely any more. The man and his words are like a light, making my life bright.