爱在尘埃堆积的角落(txt+pdf+epub+mobi电子书下载)

作者：吴文智,方雪梅

出版社：宁波出版社

格式: AZW3, DOCX, EPUB, MOBI, PDF, TXT

爱在尘埃堆积的角落试读：

金秋时节　Altogether Autumn

Suddenly I think of my youngest daughter, living now in Amsterdam. Very soon she will call and ask，“Have you planted the bulbs yet?”Then I will answer teasingly that actually Im waiting until she comes to help me.And then we will both be overcome by nostalgia, because once we always did that together.One entire sunny autumn afternoon, when she was just over three and a half years old, she helped me with all the enthusiasm and joyfulness of her age.

It was one of the last afternoons I had her around because her place in school had already been reserved. She wandered around so happily carefree with her little bucket and spade, covering the bulbs with earth and calling out“Night night”or“Sleep tight”，her little voice chattering constantly on.She discovered“baby bulbs”and“kiddie bulbs”and“mummy and daddy bulbs”—the latter snuggling cozily together.While we were both working so industriously, I watched my child very deliberately.She was such a tiny thing, between an infant and a toddler, with such a round little tummy.

Every autumn, throughout her childhood, we repeated the ritual of planting the bulbs together. And every autumn I saw her changing；the toddler became a schoolgirl, a straightforward realist, full of drive.Never once dreamy, her hands in her pockets；no longer happily indulging her fantasies.The schoolgirl developed long legs, her jawline changed, she had her hair cut.It was autumn again and I thought“Bye roses；bye butterflies；bye schoolgirl.”I listened to her stories while we painstakingly burrowed in the earth, planting the promise of spring.

Suddenly, much quicker than I had expected, a tall teenager was standing by my side；she had grown taller than I. The ritual became rather silent, we no longer chattered away from one subject to another.I thought about her room full of posters and knick-knacks, how it had been full of treasures in bottles and boxes, white pebbles, a copper brooch, colored drawings, the treasures of a child who still knew nothing of money, who wanted to be read aloud to and who looked anxiously at a spider in her room and asked，“Would he want to be my friend?”

Then came the autumn when I planted the bulbs alone, and knew that from then on it would always be that way. But every year, in autumn, she talks about it.Full of nostalgia for the security of childhood, the seclusion of a garden, the final moments of a season.How both of us would dearly love to have a time machine.To go back.Just for a day.

我突然想起了自己的小女儿，现在她在阿姆斯特丹生活。她一会儿就会打电话过来问，“你种上洋葱了吗？”然后，我就会跟她开玩笑说，事实上，我正等她回来帮我呢。这样，我俩便双双陷入回忆之中，因为，我们曾经总在整个金秋时节的午后，一起种洋葱，当她还只有三岁半时，就满怀孩童的热情和欢欣来帮我了。

那天午后，她最后一次陪在我身边，因为她已经准备上学了。她拿着小桶和铁锨无忧无虑、满心欢喜地走来走去，用土盖洋葱时喊着：“晚安”或者“睡觉觉”，稚嫩的声音叽叽喳喳地说个不停。她发现了“洋葱宝宝”、“小洋葱”和“洋葱爸妈”——后者总是偎依在一起。当我们非常卖力地干活时，我刻意去观察自己的孩子，她如此娇小，刚学会走路，挺着一个小圆肚子晃晃悠悠的。

每年秋天我们都会一起种洋葱，在她的童年中无一例外。我每年秋天都能看到她的变化，从蹒跚学步的孩童变成一个女学生，坦率而现实，活力四射。她从不两手插兜地展开幻想，也不再满心欢喜地纵容自己沉湎于幻想。女学生双腿修长了，下巴的线条也改变了，她还剪短了头发。又一个金秋时节，我想，“再见了，玫瑰；再见了，蝴蝶；再见了，女学生。”我一边听她讲故事，一边用力挖土，播种春天的希望。

突然之间，这比我想象的要快很多，我的身边站着一位高挑的少女，她已经长得比我还高了。以往见面的仪式被沉默所取代，我们不再海阔天空地交谈。我想起她的房间满是海报和小装饰品；装满白色卵石、一枚铜制胸针、彩色图画等“宝物”的瓶子，在对钱财一无所知的孩子们看来，这些如此珍贵；她还曾想让大人大声给她念故事书，曾焦急地看着自己房间的蜘蛛问：“它想跟我做朋友吗？”

终于，那个秋天到了，我必须独自栽种洋葱了，我知道从那时起，将不会再有人陪我。但是每年秋季，女儿都会说起种洋葱，言语中流露出怀旧之情，怀念无邪的童年、仙境般的花园以及夏季的最后时光。我们都如此深深地渴望拥有一部时光机器，回到过去，即使仅有一天时间。

记忆填空

1.It was one of the afternoons I had her around because her in school had already reserved.She wandered around so happily carefree with her little bucket and spade, covering the bulbs with and calling out“Night night”or“Sleep tight”，her little voice chattering constantly.

2.Never once, her hands in her pockets；no longer happily indulging her fantasies.The schoolgirl developed long, her jawline changed, she had her hair.It was autumn again and I thought“roses；bye butterflies；bye schoolgirl.”

佳句翻译

1.那天午后，她最后一次陪在我身边，因为她已经准备上学了。

译

2.我一边听她讲故事，一边用力挖土，播种春天的希望。

译

3.我们都如此深深地渴望拥有一部时光机器，回到过去，即使仅有一天时间。

译

短语应用

1.Suddenly I think of my youngest daughter, living now in Amsterdam.

think of：记起，想起；考虑；想象；关心

造

2.The ritual became rather silent, we no longer chattered away from one subject to another.

no longer：不再

造

父亲给儿子的一封信　Dear Son

The day that you see me old and I am already not, have patience and try to understand me……

If I get dirty when eating……if I can not dress……have patience. Remember the hours I spent teaching it to you.

If, when I speak to you, I repeat the same things thousand and one times……do not interrupt me……listen to me.

When you were small, I had to read to you thousand and one times the same story until you get to sleep……

When I do not want to have a shower, neither shame me nor scold me……Remember when I had to chase you with thousand excuses I invented, in order that you wanted to bath……

When you see my ignorance on new technologies……give me the necessary time and not look at me with your mocking smile……I taught you how to do so many things……to eat good, to dress well……to confront life……

When at some moment I lose the memory or the thread of our conversation……let me have the necessary time to remember……and if I cannot do it, do not become nervous……as the most important thing is not my conversation but surely to be with you and to have you listening to me……

If ever I do not want to eat, do not force me. I know well when I need to and when not.

When my tired legs do not allow me walk……give me your hand……the same way I did when you gave your first steps.

And when someday I say to you that I do not want to live any more……that I want to die……do not get angry……some day you will understand……Try to understand that my age is not lived but survived.

Some day you will discover that, despite my mistakes, I always wanted the best thing for you and that I tried to prepare the way for you……

You must not feel sad, angry or impotent for seeing me near you. You must be next to me, try to understand me and to help me as I did it when you started living.Help me to walk……help me to end my way with love and patience.I will pay you by a smile and by the immense love I have had always for you.I love you, son……Your father亲爱的孩子：

当你看到我日渐衰老，昔日的强壮不在之时，请耐心地努力去了解我……

如果我吃东西时弄得一团糟……如果我无法穿戴整齐……请耐心点。你要记得，我教你做这些事情时曾花费了多少时间。

如果，当我总是一再重复相同的事情……请不要打断我……请耐心听我说……

在你很小的时候，我必须一遍又一遍地重复讲同一个故事给你听，直到你入睡……

当我不想淋浴时，不要羞辱我，也不要斥责我……你要记得，我曾编造了上千条理由，只是为了让你洗澡……

当你看到我对新技术的愚笨无知时，给我一些必要的时间，不要带着嘲讽的笑意看着我……我曾教了你多少事情啊……吃好，穿好……面对生活……

当我在交谈中偶尔忘记了内容，或者思路不清……让我有一些必要的时间回忆……如果我不能想起，请不要不安……因为最重要的不是我的谈话，而是有你相伴，有你倾听……

如果我有时不想吃东西，不要强迫我，我清楚自己什么时候需要食物，什么时候不需要。

当我衰老的双腿无法行走……伸出你的手……在你迈出人生的第一步时，我也曾这样帮你。

还有，当我有一天告诉你，我不想再活了……想随风而逝时，不要生气……总有一日，你会明白的……设法去了解，像我这样的年纪，不过是苟延残喘。

总有一天，你会发现，尽管我有许多过错，但我总想给你最好的，并总是设法为你铺好道路……

看到我靠近你时，一定不要感到伤心、生气或无奈，你一定要站在我身边，设法理解我、帮助我，就像在你刚开始生活时我所做的那样。扶着我行走……用爱和耐心帮助我走完人生……我会用微笑和始终给你的宽广的爱来回报你。我爱你，孩子……你的父亲

记忆填空

1.When you see my ignorance new technologies……give me the necessary and not look at me with your mocking……I taught you how to do so many things……to eat good, to dress……to confront life……

2.And when someday I say to you I do not want to live any more……that I want to……do not get angry……some day you will understand……Try to that my age is not lived but survived.

3.You must not feel, angry or impotent for seeing me you.You must be next to me, try to understand me and to me as I did it when you started living.

佳句翻译

1.当你看到我日渐衰老，昔日的强壮不在之时，请耐心地努力去了解我……

译

2.在你很小的时候，我必须一遍又一遍地重复讲同一个故事给你听，直到你入睡……

译

3.当我衰老的双腿无法行走……伸出你的手……在你迈出人生的第一步时，我也曾同样这样帮你。

译

短语应用

1.When I do not want to have a shower, neither shame me nor scold me……

neither……nor：既不……也不……

造

2.……I tried to prepare the way for you……

prepare for：为……准备，使有准备

造

躲到一边　Side Stepping

The photo album worn and old is sitting on the pile. She flips the cover open just to reminisce awhile.On the first page there she is, a baby in her lap, her son when he was one year old；she smiles as she thinks back.That was taken in the park where she took him to play.Funny how it sometimes seems like only yesterday.But other times it seems those days are distant memories.And all we have reminding us are pictures such as these.

She sees a picture of him with his second birthday cake, and smiles as she remembers of the face that he would make. When trying to blow out the candles he would have a fit.He tried so hard to blow them out but they would all stay lit.So Mom came to the rescue with a waving of her hand.The same time that he blew on it she waved a little fan.She smiles as she thinks back at all the things when he first tried, when she would lend a helping hand and then just step aside.

She sees a picture of him standing holding his first bike, and smiles when thinking how he said，“Its harder than a trike.”But she would run behind him holding on while he would ride, until he got his balance and then she would step aside.

She turns the page and sees a picture when he was in school, remembering he used to say that it was not so cool to have your mother waiting for the school bus at your side. So when the bus would get in sight, she quickly stepped aside.

She goes on through the album like a trip down through the years, and as she goes from page to page her eyes start forming tears. All through his life she stood by him in everything he tried, until he could do it alone and then she stepped aside.But even though she stepped aside she was always near, with a mother‘s worried heart and with a mother’s tears, knowing that a day would come when life would have a plan for her little boy who now has grown to be a man.

She closes up the album and looks at the fireplace. She sees his picture on the mantel with his smiling face.Called to active duty and hes serving now with pride.And once again with worried heart, she had to step aside.

杂物上放着一本陈旧的相册。她轻轻地翻开，仅仅是打算回忆片刻。第一张是她一岁的小宝宝坐在她的腿上。她面带微笑地回想着。这张是她带他在公园玩时照的，奇怪的是，这笑容依稀是在昨天，但那些日子却已是遥远的记忆。能让我们再次回味的也只有这些照片了。

她看到一张儿子和他两岁时的生日蛋糕的相片，记起他常常做的鬼脸。当他准备好了使劲吹蜡烛时，却怎么也吹不灭，于是妈妈过来帮助他，挥一下手。在他又吹蜡烛时，她轻轻扇了一下。她微笑着回想着他所有的第一次，她帮助了他，又躲到了一边。

她又看到一张儿子紧握着他的第一辆自行车的照片，当她想到儿子说“这比恶作剧难”时不禁笑了。但是当他骑车时，她就跟在他的后面扶着他跑，直到他平衡了，她才躲到一边。

她翻到另一页，看到了他上学时的照片，记起他曾经说等校车时妈妈在身边就不酷了。当校车进入她的视线时，她就急忙躲到了一边。

她继续翻着相册，就像是进行一次岁月的旅行，一页又一页，泪水模糊了她的双眼。在儿子的生命中，他每做一件事情，她都会站在他身边，直到他能独立完成，才会躲到一边。但尽管躲到了一边，却还是很近，带着母亲的牵挂和泪水，她知道总有一天生活会为她的孩子做好安排，现在他已经成了一个男子汉了。

她合上相册，望着壁炉，看着那张壁炉架上他笑着的相片。他很骄傲被应征入伍。她又一次牵挂着，却还是要躲到一边。

记忆填空

1.Funny it sometimes seems like only yesterday.other times it seems those days are distant memories.And all we reminding us are pictures such as these.

2.When to blow out the candles he would have a fit.He tried hard to blow them but they would all stay lit.So Mom came to the rescue with a waving of her.The time that he blew on it she waved a fan.

佳句翻译

1.这张是她带他在公园玩时照的，奇怪的是，这笑容依稀是在昨天，但那些日子却已是遥远的记忆。

译

2.她翻到另一页，看到了他上学时的照片，记起他曾经说等校车时妈妈在身边就不酷了。

译

3.她知道总有一天生活会为她的孩子做好安排，现在他已经成了一个男子汉了。

译

短语应用

1.And all we have reminding us are pictures such as these.

such as：比如；诸如

造

2.When trying to blow out the candles he would have a fit.

blow out：吹灭；吹散；（风暴等）减弱；消失；平息

造

当女儿发脾气　The Tantrum

My mother was a vocal supporter of corporal punishment, but for all her talking she had never spanked my siblings, and me only once. Instead she found ways of punishment that left a more lasting memory than the short sting of a swat on our rumps.One of the most memorable of these occasions occurred when I was four.

In the early 70smy mother attended college during the day while my sister was in school and I was in daycare. One day at daycare I watched an extremely tired mother attempt to pick up her daughter.The little girl asked，“Momma, are we going to McDonalds for dinner?”The mother replied，“Honey, not tonight.Momma has to run a few errands and then we have to go home and cook dinner for Daddy.”“But I want to go.”“Susie, I said not tonight.Maybe, if you are a good girl we can go tomorrow.”Susie immediately dropped to the floor, kicking and screaming，“I want to go to McDonalds.”

No amount of pleading or scolding her mother tried stopped Susies tantrum. Finally her mother gave in，“Okay, Susie, lets go to McDonalds.”Susie stopped yelling and smiling, she grabbed her mothers hand and they left.To say I was amazed would be inaccurate；I was delighted that anything I wanted could be had by throwing a tantrum.

That day my mother picked me up early from daycare because we were going to Sears＆Roebuck to pay on a Christmas Layaway. I was excited by the lights and decorations, and as we walked through the toy section on the way to the Layaway Department, I saw a toy I had to have.It was a white and red telephone whose bells rang as it was pulled along on a string.Looking lovingly up at my mother I asked，“Mama, can I have that telephone?”

She replied，“Baby, not now, but if you are a good girl maybe Santa will bring it to you.”“But Mama, I want that telephone right now.”Her eyes narrowed and her hand tightened on mine.“Becky, you cant have that telephone today, but if you misbehave you can have a spanking.”

By now we were standing in the long holiday line in the Layaway Department, and I figure it was now or never. I lay down on the ground and began screaming，“I want that telephone，”over and over again.Weary Christmas shoppers looked as my mother calmly said，“Becky, you had better get up by the count of three or else.One……Two……Three.”

Nothing. I was still in full tantrum.So then she lay down beside me on the floor, and began kicking and screaming，“I want a new car, I want a new house, I want some jewelry, I want……”Shocked, I stood up.

“Mama, stop. Mama get up，”I tearfully pleaded.

She stood, and brushed herself off. At first stunned, the others waiting in line began to sporadically clap, and before I knew it they were cheering and laughing and patting my mother on her back.She blushed and took a little bow and the next thirty minutes in line was pure misery for me as various parents leaving the Layaway Department, shaked their heads at me and said with a smile，“Your mom got you good.I bet youll never try that again.”

And I didnt, because it left a lasting mental picture more effective than any physical mark.

母亲常说她赞成体罚，虽然她嘴上这么说，但却从不动手打我的兄弟姐妹，而我也仅挨过一次打。相反，跟打屁股所带来的疼痛相比，她所用的一些惩罚方法总会给我们留下更深刻的印象。四岁时发生的那件事是我最难忘的事件之一。

那是70年代初，白天，姐姐去学校，我上托儿所，而妈妈就去大学里读书。一天在托儿所里，我看到一位非常疲惫的妈妈来接她的女儿。小女孩问道：“妈妈，我们去吃麦当劳好吗？”那位妈妈回答说：“宝贝，改天好吗？妈妈还有很多事要做，我们还得赶紧回家给爸爸做饭呢。”“但我就是想去嘛。”“苏茜，我说过了，今晚不去。如果你乖的话，妈妈明天就带你去。”苏茜马上一屁股坐在地板上，蹬着腿叫着：“我就要去麦当劳。”

不论她妈妈怎么说，苏茜都哭闹不停。最后那位妈妈做出了妥协，说：“好吧，我们就去麦当劳吧。”苏茜立刻不闹了，并笑着拉着妈妈的手离开了。看到这一切，我不仅仅是惊讶，而且开心极了，心想，要得到想要的东西，只要发发脾气就可以了。

我们那天要去西尔斯罗巴克商场取订购的圣诞礼物，因此妈妈很早就来接我了。一路上看到的那些漂亮的灯和装饰品让我兴奋不已，当我们穿过玩具区往订购部走去时，我看中了一件玩具。那是一个红白相间的电话机，一拉上面的绳子，就会有美妙的铃声响起。我抬头很乖巧地看着妈妈，说：“妈妈，给我买那个电话机好吗？”

妈妈回答说：“宝贝，现在不行。你要是乖的话，圣诞老人也许会送你一个的。”“但是妈妈，我现在就要。”她皱起了眉头，紧紧地抓着我的手说：“贝基，今天不能给你买，你再不听话，我就打你屁股了。”

人们在订购部前排起了长队，而我们当时已经站在队列中了。我觉得现在正是机会，决不能错过。于是我往地板上一躺开始不停地哭闹：“我要电话机……”旁边买东西的人全都看了过来，只见妈妈镇定地说：“贝基，我数三下，你最好站起来。一……二……三。”

我没有动，仍然哭闹着。于是妈妈在我旁边坐了下来，开始又踢又嚷：“我要新车，我要新房子，我要珠宝，我还要……”我吓得马上站了起来。

我哭着恳求道：“妈妈，不要这样。妈妈，站起来好吗？”

她站起身来并拍了拍衣服。人们先是一愣，接着陆陆续续地鼓起了掌。他们笑着，并拍拍妈妈的背以示喝彩，而我却还没明白是怎么回事。妈妈红着脸，向大家鞠躬致谢。接下来的三十多分钟，对我来说简直是煎熬。人们离开时，都对我摇摇头并笑着说：“你妈妈这么做都是为你好。我敢肯定你今后不会再这样了。”

我真的没有再那样做过。因为它在我心底留下了永久的烙印，比身体上的疤痕更深刻。

记忆填空

1.In the early 70smy attended college during the day my sister was in school and I was in daycare.day at daycare I watched an extremely tired mother attempt pick up her daughter.

2.Susie stopped yelling and smiling she grabbed her mothers and they left.say I was amazed would be inaccurate；I was delighted that I wanted could be had by throwing a tantrum.

3.By now we were in the long holiday line in the Layaway Department, and I figure it was now or.

佳句翻译

1.相反，跟打屁股所带来的疼痛相比，她所用的一些惩罚方法总会给我们留下更深刻的印象。

译

2.我觉得现在正是机会，决不能错过。

译

3.因为它在我心底留下了永久的烙印，比身体上的疤痕更深刻。

译

短语应用

1.Momma has to run a few errands and then we have to go home and cook dinner for Daddy.

run errands：办差事；跑腿

造

2.Finally her mother gave in，“Okay, Susie, lets go to McDonalds.”

give in：屈服；让步；交上

造

I‘ve spent most of my career as a traveling salesman, and I know that there’s nothing lonelier than a bunch of salesmen eating their meals in a motel coffee shop.

One year, my five-year-old daughter pressed a gift into my hands. The wrapping paper was all twisted, and it was bound together into a shapeless mass by at least a mile of tape.I gave her a big hug and sloppy kiss—the kind that all daddies give—and proceeded to unwrap the little package she had bestowed on me.The contents hidden within felt kind of soft, and I was very careful not to cause any damage.With excitement radiating from her face, little brown-eyed Jeanine stood attentively beside me in her too-small pajamas while I completed the process of unraveling my surprise.A pair of black, beady eyes peeked out from their papery hiding place, then a yellow beak, a red bow tie, and orange feet.It was a stuffed toy penguin that stood about five inches tall.Attached to its right wing with still wet paste was a tiny, wooden sign, and a hand-painted declaration，“I Love My Dad！”Beneath it was a hand-drawn heart, colored with crayon.Tears welled up in my eyes and immediately I gave it a special place on my dresser.

Seldom did much time pass before I had to leave on another business trip. One morning when I was packing, I tossed the penguin in my suitcase.That night when I called home, Jeanine was very upset that the penguin had disappeared.“Honey, its here with me，”I explained.“I brought it along.”After that day, she always helped me pack, and saw to it that the penguin went in along with my socks and shaving kit.Many years have gone by since then, and that little penguin has traveled hundreds of thousands of miles all across America and over to Europe.And we have made many friends along the way.

In Albuquerque, I checked into a hotel, dumped out my bag and dashed to a meeting. When I returned, I found the bed turned down and the penguin propped up on the pillow.In Boston, upon returning to my room one evening, somebody had perched it in an empty drinking glass on the nightstand—it never did stand up that well.

Tile next morning I left it sitting in a chair. Again that night it was in the glass.Once, at New Yorks Kennedy airport, a customs inspector coolly asked that I open my bag.And right there, on top, was my little pal.Holding it up, the agent quipped，“That‘s about the most valuable thing I have seen in all my years on the job.Thank God we don’t charge tax on love.”

Late one night, after driving over a hundred miles from my previous hotel, I unpacked my luggage only to discover that the penguin was missing. Frantically, I phoned the hotel.The clerk was incredulous and a bit aloof.He laughed, saying it hadnt been reported.Nonetheless, a half an hour later, he called back to say that my penguin had been found.The time was late, but not that late.I got back in my car and drove the couple of hours to retrieve my two-toned touring buddy, arriving near midnight.The penguin was waiting at the front desk.In the lobby, tired business travelers looked on at the reunion—I think with a touch of envy.A few of them came out to shake my hand.One man told me that he had even volunteered to deliver it to me the very next day.

Jeanine is in college now and I dont travel as much anymore. The penguin spends most of its time sitting on my dresser—a reminder that love is the best traveling companion.All those years on the road, it was the one thing I never left home without.

我的绝大部分工作都是做驻外销售人员。当一帮销售员在汽车旅馆的咖啡店里吃饭时，我知道没有什么比这更孤独了。

那年，五岁的女儿往我手中塞了一件用皱巴巴的包装纸包好的礼物，还用一条至少约1英里长的带子缠得一团糟。就像许多爸爸那样，我拥抱了她，并深深地吻了她一下，接着打开了包装。里面的东西很柔软，我非常小心，怕把它弄坏。简妮穿着小小的睡衣站在旁边，眨着那双棕色的眼睛注视着我，满脸兴奋。我充满新奇地打开礼物。一双黑色的，圆鼓鼓的眼睛从包装纸里露了出来，接着就是黄色的鸟嘴，红色蝴蝶结和橘黄色的脚。原来是一只大约5英寸高的企鹅。右翅膀上贴着一个胶水还没干的小木签，上面是手写的字：“我爱我的爸爸！”字下方是一颗用蜡笔涂了色的心。我的眼睛湿润了，我立刻将这个小企鹅放在我柜子里的一个特别的地方。

准备我的下次出差，中间只有很少的时间。一天早上当我包东西时，我把企鹅扔进了箱子里。那天晚上，我给家里打电话，简妮正因为企鹅消失了而伤心，我赶快解释：“宝贝，小企鹅在爸爸这呢，我让它守在我身边。”那天之后，简妮常常帮我收拾行李，每次都记得把企鹅和我的袜子还有剃须用品放在一起。从那之后的许多年里，小企鹅伴随我穿越了几十万英里从美国到欧洲。这一路，我也认识了许多朋友。

在阿尔布科克，我住进一个旅馆，把行李倒了出来，就冲出去赶一个会议。当我回来时，我发现床已经收拾好了，企鹅靠在我的枕边。在波士顿，一天夜里，我回到房间，有人把企鹅放在床头柜的一个空玻璃杯里，它从来没站得这么稳。

第二天早上，我把企鹅放在椅子上。晚上它却又进了玻璃杯。有一次，在纽约的肯尼迪机场，一个海关巡视员漠然地要求我打开包。刚一打开，就看见我的小伙伴在最上面。巡视员拿起来，笑着说，“这是我的工作生涯中见到过的最珍贵的东西了。感谢上帝，对爱征税是无理的。”

一个很深的夜晚，从我先前的那个旅馆离开后驾车走了一百英里，我打开行李，却发现企鹅不见了。我疯狂地给饭店打电话。办事员很怀疑还带有一点冷漠。他笑着说没有人上报。即使这样，半小时后，他还是打电话给我说，企鹅找到了，时间已经很晚了，但不迟。我开车返回，几小时后，我重新拿到了我的有两种颜色的旅行密友，到达时已是半夜。企鹅在前台的桌上等着。有几个疲劳的出差人员在大厅里看着这场团聚，我想还有一丝嫉妒。有几个人过来跟我握手。其中一个说他本来主动要求第二天给我送过来。

如今，简妮已经上大学了，而我出差的次数也少了。多数时候，企鹅都在我的柜子里静静地呆着。提醒我，爱是最好的旅途伙伴。在外出差的这些年中，企鹅是我每次都要随身携带的东西。

记忆填空

1.The contents hidden felt kind of soft, and I was very careful to cause any damage.With excitement radiating her face, little brown-eyed Jeanine stood attentively me in her too-small pajamas while I completed the process unraveling my surprise.

2.Tile next morning I it sitting in a chair.Again that night it was in the.Once, at New Yorks Kennedy airport, a customs inspector coolly that I open my bag.And right there, on top, was my little.Holding it up, the agent quipped，“That‘s about the most valuable thing I have in all my years on the job.Thank God we don’t tax on love.”

佳句翻译

1.简妮穿着小小的睡衣站在旁边，眨着那双棕色的眼睛注视着我，满脸兴奋。

译

2.从那之后的许多年里，小企鹅伴随我穿越了几十万英里从美国到欧洲。

译

3.多数时候，企鹅都在我的柜子里静静地呆着。

译

短语应用

1.……and it was bound together into a shapeless mass by at least a mile of tape.

at least：至少

造

2.Many years have gone by since then……

since then：从那时以来

造

爸爸的秘密　Fathers Secret

My father was raised in a fatherless home at a time when government assistance was unheard of. The family of five struggled mightily to survive.That Spartan upbringing caused my father to be extremely tightfisted.

When we children—two older brothers and myself—became aware that other children got spending money from their parents, we made the mistake of asking father for some. His face turned stone cold.“If you‘re old enough to ask, you’re old enough to earn，”he rumbled.And so, when the need arose, we scurried about the neighborhood seeking odd jobs or peddling produce from the garden.

His attitude didn‘t soften as we grew into adulthood and drifted away to jobs or college. There was a period of time when none of us had a car, so we had to ride the bus whenever we came home.Though the bus stopped about two miles from home, Dad never met us, even in inclement weather.If someone grumbled（and my brothers grumbled a lot），he’d say in his loudest father-voice，“Thats what your legs are for！”

So when I went away to college, I knew I was in for a long walk whenever I came home. The walk didn‘t bother me as much as the fear of walking alone along the highway and country roads.I also felt less than valued that my father didn’t seem concerned about my safety.That feeling was canceled one spring evening.

It had been a particularly difficult week at college. Tests and long hours in labs had left me exhausted.I longed for home and a soft bed.As other students were met at their stops, I gazed wistfully out the window.Finally, the bus shuddered to a stop at my destination point, and I stepped off, lugging my suitcase to begin the long trek home.

A row of privet hedge edged the driveway that climbed the hill to our house. Once I had turned off the highway to start the last lap of my journey, I was always relieved to see the hedge because it meant that I was almost home.On that particular evening, the hedge had just come into view when a gentle rain began to fall.I stopped to put a book in my suitcase and when I stood up, I saw something gray skimming along the top of the hedge, moving toward the house.Upon closer observation, I realized it was the top of my father‘s head.Then I knew—each time I’d come home, he had stood behind the hedge, watching, until he knew I had arrived safely.I swallowed hard against the threatening tears.He did care, after all.

On subsequent visits, that spot of gray became my beacon. I could hardly wait until I was close enough to watch for its covert movement above the greenery.Upon reaching home, I would find my father sitting innocently in his chair.“So！Its you！”hed say, his face lengthening into mock surprise.

I replied，“Yes, Dad, it‘s me. I’m home.”

爸爸是在单亲家庭中长大的，从小就没了父亲。那时候“政府援助”这个词更是闻所未闻。这个五口之家辛辛苦苦才勉强度日。那种简朴的环境，造就了爸爸的过分小气。

当我们还是小孩子时，我和两个哥哥意识到其他孩子的零花钱都是从父母那里得到的。我们天真地去央求爸爸，却不知道这是一个错误的决定。他板起铁青的脸说，“如果你们可以来要钱，你们就到了赚钱的年纪，”他用低沉的语气对我们说。从那以后，缺钱花的时候，我们不是慌忙地跑到街坊四邻找零工，就是看看菜园里有什么可以卖的东西。

当我们长大成人，在外面工作或上大学后，他的态度还是那么强硬。由于这段时间我们兄弟几个都没有自己的车，所以，无论我们何时回家，都只好乘坐公共汽车。尽管公共汽车站离我们家有两英里，但爸爸从未接过我们，即便是在天气恶劣的时候。如果有人埋怨（我的哥哥们常常牢骚满腹），爸爸就会显露出自己做父亲的威严，扯开嗓门用最大的声音喊道：“你们长两条腿就是用来走路的！”

因此，离家上大学期间，我知道无论何时回家，自己都要徒步走一段很长的路。我倒不担心走路，真正让我害怕的是在公路和乡村的小路上独自行走。因为爸爸好像并不在乎我的安全，我就觉得自己更加不受重视。然而，在一个春天的傍晚，我的这种感觉不复存在了。

那时，我在大学里度过了相当艰难的一周。不计其数的考试以及实验室里数小时的实验使我疲惫不堪。我向往自己的家和那张柔软的床。其他学生都陆续到了站，而我满怀渴望地看着窗外，看着他们被父母接走。最终，公车颠簸着停在我的目的地，然后我拖着手提箱下了车，开始了一段既漫长又艰难的回家之旅。

在那条通往山丘的车道边有一排女贞树篱，而我的家就在山丘上。每次我一离开公路，转向最后一段路程时，那道树篱便会映入眼帘，我总会感到很轻松，因为这说明我就快到家了。在那个特殊的傍晚，我刚刚看到那道树篱，天空中就飘起了毛毛细雨。我便停下脚步，将一本书放进手提箱。当我站起身的时候，我发现一个灰色的小点沿着那道树篱的顶端快速移动，正向我家的房子移去。近一些看，我才知道那是爸爸的头顶。接着，我如梦初醒——每一次我回家的时候，他都会站在那道树篱的后面，观察着，直到他确信我已安全到达。我强忍住呼之欲出的泪水。毕竟，他还是在乎我的。

从那以后，每次回家，那个灰点都成了指引我道路的灯。我迫不及待地走近，就想看着它偷偷摸摸地在那些绿树叶里移动。而当我到家的时候，我会发现爸爸正假装坐在椅子上。“噢！是你呀！”他会这样说，并拉长脸，装出一副惊讶的表情。

我就会回答：“是的，爸爸，是我。我回来了。”

记忆填空

1.When we children—two older brothers and—became aware that other children got spending from their parents, we made the mistake of asking father for.His face turned stone.

2.Though the bus stopped about two miles from, Dad never met us, even in inclement weather.someone grumbled（and my brothers grumbled a lot），hed say in his loudest father-voice，“Thats your legs are for！”

佳句翻译

1.那以后，缺钱花的时候，我们不是慌忙地跑到街坊四邻找零工，就是看看菜园里有什么可以卖的东西。

译

2.我倒不担心走路，真正让我害怕的是在公路和乡村的小路上独自行走。

译

3.接着，我如梦初醒——每一次我回家的时候，他都会站在那道树篱的后面，观察着，直到他确信我已安全到达。

译

短语应用

1.I longed for home and a soft bed.

long for：渴望

造

2.On that particular evening, the hedge had just come into view when a gentle rain began to fall.

come into view：看得见；进入视野

造

母亲也曾是个“捣蛋鬼”　My Mother the Hellion

As a child I always wondered how my mother knew what I was up to. How did she know I had not done my homework, had been smoking（and in my parochial school uniform, too），or had lied about where I had been and with whom?They were such well-constructed and convincing lies.And they had taken me so long to concoct.Now, looking back, the answer is crystal-clear to me.My mother did not have eyes in the back of her head, nor did she have a needie-sharp sixth sense of perception.The plain, unvarnished truth is……my mother was a hellion in her own youth.My grandmother was not alive to share this information with me.My grandfather, chief of police in our small town, never incriminated anyone, including his daughter.I simply know this is the answer.How else could she know what I was thinking, what I had done, and what I planned to do if she had not already trod the same path herself?

Take for example, the time our neighbors canoe was stolen from their yard. Actually，“stolen”is too harsh a word.“Borrowed”is more accurate.With the assistance of my cousin we paddled across the river in the dark to participate in a clandestine meeting of our friends.Because of a slight miscalculation of the tides, we were unable to return until almost daybreak.

The canoe was immediately returned to its rightful owners. Okay, they claimed the side was bashed in.I prefer dinged.Stuff happens.My mother said she knew without a doubt I had been involved.I thought she had a lot of crust bandying my name about that way.The perpetrator could have been anyone.

And how about the time she insisted I had been driving her car when she had been away?It certainly was not my fault the gas gauge was down. There could have been a leak.For heaven‘s sake, I didn’t even have my license then.Or the dozens of other peccadilloes she laid at my door, like the cozy little get-togethers I had put up.We were scrupulously careful not to leave any traces, yet I was always found out.Parties in the woods, occasional absences from school, fast cars, a glorious weekend in New York City, using false ID and being caught by my-gulp-grandfather.

Okey, I admit there was some truth to that one, but I can explain, honest. Someone once said，“Experience is the best teacher.”This is turning out to be true.How else could I know what my own daughter is up to—the little sneak！

孩提时，我总是奇怪为什么妈妈总能知道我在打什么主意。比如，我没做作业，吸烟（而且身穿教区校服），或撒谎去过哪儿以及和谁在一起，这些她都是怎么知道的？而那些谎言都是我精心编造的，非常令人信服。为了编造这些谎言，我花了很长的时间。如今回想起来，答案已经很明显了。妈妈的后脑勺上并没有长眼睛，也没有无所不知的第六感。而再明白不过的事实就是，她年幼时也是个调皮鬼。外婆在世时，没有告诉我这些。外公虽是我们小镇的警察局长，但也从未控告过任何人，包括他的女儿。但我知道答案就是这样。如果她没有同样的经历，又怎会知道我在想什么，做过什么，打算干什么呢？

比如，有一次，邻居家放在院里的独木舟被偷了。说实话，用“偷”有点太苛刻了，还是用“借”比较准确。在表弟的帮助下，天黑时我们划船过河，去参加朋友的秘密聚会。由于对潮水时间的计算有些误差，我们几乎天亮时才回来。

独木舟马上物归原主了。对了，他们声称船弦被撞坏了。我宁愿受到数落，因为经常会发生这种糟糕的事。妈妈认为，我一定参与了。我想她敢到处嚷嚷，破坏我的名声。不过，谁都有做这种事的嫌疑嘛。

而那次她坚持认为我趁她不在家时开了她的车，这又该怎么说呢？油箱里的油少了确实不是我的错，也许是漏了。算我倒霉，那时我还没有驾照呢。还有其他的一些小过失，她都会算在我的头上，比如我安排的一个惬意的小聚会。我们非常小心谨慎，以免留下任何痕迹，但我还是总被发现。比如，在森林里的晚会，偶尔的逃学，飚车，在纽约过一个愉快的周末，以及用假身份证——噢——不过那次被我外公抓住了。

好吧，我承认最后那件事是有我的错，但我可以诚实地解释。有人曾说：“经验是最好的老师。”确实是真理。不然现在我又怎么会知道自己的女儿在打什么鬼主意呢——这个小捣蛋！

记忆填空

1.They were such well-constructed and convincing.And they had taken me so long to concoct.Now, looking back, the is crystal-clear to me.My mother did not have in the back of her head, nor did she have a needie-sharp sixth sense perception.

2.the assistance of my cousin we paddled across the in the dark to participate in a clandestine of our friends.Because of a slight miscalculation of the tides, we were unable to until almost daybreak.

佳句翻译

1.妈妈的后脑勺上并没有长眼睛，也没有无所不知的第六感。

译

2.如果她没有同样的经历，又怎会知道我在想什么，做过什么，打算干什么呢？

译

3.我们非常小心谨慎，以免留下任何痕迹，但我还是总被发现。

译

短语应用

1.As a child I always wondered how my mother knew what I was up to.

be up to：从事，忙于；胜任；该由……负责

造

2.For heaven‘s sake, I didn’t even have my license then.

for heavens sake：看在上帝的份上；上帝保佑

造

9岁男孩与奇迹邂逅　A Nine-Year-Olds Brush with Magic

Every June, on the night before summer officially arrives, we renew an annual tradition at our house. Our children are given bowls and asked to collect pieces of nature that remind them of the coming season.They leave those bowls on the front of porch and we go for a walk.When we return we find fairies have transformed the bowls into ice-cream sundaes.

Im not certain how this tradition evolved, I think I was rambling on about fairies years ago, and it all just sort of happened. But ever since, it has been one of our favorite rituals.

“When are the fairies coming?”six-year-old Anna had been asking all last June, giddy with expectation. Meanwhile, Jim, nine, was getting wise to fairies and Santa and such silly things.So he was pretty cocky as the evening approached, winking and giggling.He said he would understand if, during our walk, Mom or Dad would forget something and return home.

Wink. Wink.

Or, he proclaimed, during the walk a parent might have to run an errand in the car.

Hee, hee.

Jim had everything figured out. Or so he thought.The evening arrived, gorgeous and balmy.The children collected leaves and blades of grass, pebbles and berries, twigs and dead insects.

We set their bowls on the front porch and took off on our walk. But midway round the block, I moaned that I had forgotten my keys and needed to go back.Jim smiled a knowing grin.

“Oh wait，”I added.“I find them！I dont have to go back.”As we continued on our way, Jim was beginning to get a bit confused.

Near our house, I warned that the fairies might not have arrived yet—and that we might need to go around a few more blocks. Jim seemed relieved.Yes, he said, they probably hadnt come.

Yet when we reached the porch, the bowls were in the same place we had left them—filled to their brims with ice-cream sundaes.

Anna accepted all this with complete innocence and exhilaration. But Jim was astonished, speechless, humbled.He looked up at me, at his dad, then gazed around the neighborhood in amazement.

“The fairies must have come，”he stammered as we all sat down to feast.“Maybe……is there really……was this magic?”

Jim was quiet the entire evening. I kissed Anna and said him good-night and tucked them into bed.But at 2 a.m.Jim crawled into bed next to me.“Mommy，”he whispered.“I cant sleep.You have to tell me, Mommy.How did you do it?”

By the time a child is nine you need to answer a direct question with a direct answer. So I told him I had asked a neighbor to help us.After we left on our stroll, she had sneaked over to our house and switched the bowls.Jim smiled, chuckled in relief and thanked me for telling him.Then he cuddled up and fell asleep.

And just then, at that moment, I believed in magic too.

每年六月，在夏季正式到来的前夕，我们家中都会举行一年一次的传统仪式。我们要求孩子们拿着碗去收集大自然的片断，提醒他们即将来临的季节。他们把碗放在门廊的前面，我们就一起出去散步。当我们返回家时，发现精灵们在碗里放满了圣代冰激淋。

我不确定这个习惯是如何发展来的，我认为也许是几年前我在讲精灵的故事时偶然想到的。但自那以后，这就成了我们最中意的仪式之一。“精灵什么时候降临？”去年六月，六岁的安娜一直带着急切的期望问。同时，九岁的吉姆已经明白了精灵和圣诞老人这些近乎愚昧的事情。所以在每天晚上到来时，他都特别骄傲地眨眼和傻笑。他说他明白了，当我们散步的时候，爸爸妈妈会因为忘记一些事情而返回家的。

他眨着眼睛宣布说，当我们散步时，父母会因为有事而回到车子那里。吉姆故作明白的笑了笑。也许这就是他所想的。晚上华丽而温和。孩子们收集叶子和草，小圆石和浆果，树枝和死了的昆虫。

我们把他们的碗放在门廊上，就出去散步了。但是到了中途，我叹息道没拿钥匙，必须回去一趟。吉姆抿着嘴笑了。“噢，等一下，”我喊道。“我找到了！我不用回去了。”于是我们继续我们的路程，吉姆也开始有些疑惑了。

临近家时，我提醒说精灵可能还没降临，我们还是再去别的地方走走吧。吉姆好像有些放心了。他说，确实，他们可能还没来呢。

当我们到了门廊时，碗还在原地，放满了圣代冰激淋。

安娜对这一切满心欢喜。但是吉姆很惊讶，他什么也没说，感到有些挫败。他仰着头看了看我，又看了看他爸爸，又惊异地看了看周围的邻居。

当我们都坐下品味着冰激淋时，吉姆结结巴巴地说，“精灵一定是来过了，或许这是真的……有魔力？”

吉姆整晚都很安静。我吻过安娜，说了晚安，又掖了掖他们的被子。但是凌晨两点，吉姆爬到我的被窝里低声说：“妈妈，我睡不着。”“妈妈，你必须告诉我，你是怎么做到的？”

面对一个9岁孩子的直接提问，你必须做一个干脆的回答。所以我告诉他是邻居帮的忙。我们散步时，他悄悄走近我们的房子，把碗换了。吉姆安慰似的咯咯笑了，还谢谢我告诉了他真相，然后就抱着我睡着了。

就在那一瞬间，我也相信这世界是有魔力的。

记忆填空

1.Our children are given and asked to collect pieces of nature that remind them of the coming.They leave those bowls on the front porch and we go for a.When we return we find fairies have transformed the bowls ice-cream sundaes.

2.Yet when we the porch, the bowls were in the same we had left them—filled to their brims ice-cream sundaes.

3.After we left our stroll, she had sneaked over to our house and switched the bowls.Jim, chuckled in relief and thanked me telling him.Then he cuddled up and asleep.

佳句翻译

1.我不确定这个习惯是如何发展来的，我认为也许是几年前我在讲精灵的故事时偶然想到的。

译

2.临近家时，我提醒说精灵可能还没降临，我们还是再去别的地方走走吧。

译

3.就在那一瞬间，我也相信这世界是有魔力的。

译

短语应用

1.Our children are given bowls and asked to collect pieces of nature that remind them of the coming season.

remind of：提醒；使记起；使回想起

造

2.Jim had everything figured out.

figure out：解决；算出；想出；理解；断定

造

萨姆的意图　Sams Purpose

For years now, I have held the hands of the dying.“How can you bear it?”people ask me.“Hospice nursing must be so difficult. How can you stand to be around so much suffering?”Those people dont understand that if you have the courage to look beyond suffering, you encounter triumph.I know this for a fact.Sam taught me.

An unlikely teacher, this infant of mine. Then one of the pediatricians said I couldnt take him home from the hospital after his birth.Disappointment had struck me then, as a new twenty-year-old mother, but fear lodged in me when the doctor mentioned serious problems and the need for more tests.Shock and disbelief gripped me when he predicted Sam would not improve.When I found a small voice to ask what we could do now, he seemed almost irritated at my lack of comprehension.As if to settle the matter once and for all, he blurted，“Your baby is severely retarded.He will probably never roll over, never sit, never crawl, never walk or talk.”Then, returning to an attempt at advising with compassion, he said，“Youre young and healthy.You can have more children.You should begin to think of institutional placement for him.”I stopped listening, turned, and walked a few feet toward my hospital bed.I pulled the curtain between me and the world and began to cry as quietly as I could.I looked at the waiting baby layette beside me and began to sob harder.

For the first week I returned every day to stand and stare silently through the nursery window, longing to hold and comfort that baby and myself. Afterward I left and cried for hours more.I woke up every night ready to shake off the nightmare, only to feel the more helpless facing the reality.But by the beginning of the second week, I began to feel myself steeling.I stopped crying and did not cry about anything for a very long time.Sam needed me.

My little boy, stricken with cerebral palsy and severe sight and hearing impairments, came home to me after one month. Sams life has not passed easily.Crayons never seemed a natural fit in his hand.The sound of the ice cream truck never reached his ears to cheer him on a summer day.No one ever chose him to play on the kickball teams hastily thrown together in the street by the neighborhood kids.Yet he has triumphed over every one of the predictions, the imposed limitations dropped upon him by a medical community lacking faith in the spirit of one small boy.With countless hours of therapy sessions, love, encouragement—and mostly his own unbelievable motivation—he learned to speak, read, write, and at age nine walk on his own.And interestingly, as Sam learned to walk, I discovered my independence.As he learned to speak, I too found my voice.The first time he made a joke and a stranger laughed heartily, I discovered the unblemished joy of a life—any life—well lived.

Because of Sam, I needed to hurry to find the spirited person within myself that I had never seen before. That kind of purpose and spirit has carried me through a humiliating divorce, a number of moves, college, and a career in hospice nursing.It has given me the courage to change my life from one of sterile comfort to one of rich love.Sam needed someone to respond, stand up for, and speak for him.He needed someone to begin to turn the world right side up again.

That day in the nursery, thirty-three years ago, I knew that he trusted me to do it, so I became that person. With my babys support, I became the mother he needed.In the process, I also became the person I always wanted to be……

多年来，我总是握着临终前的人的手。“你怎么能受得了？”人们问我，“临终前的人是很痛苦的，你怎么能老是被这种痛苦所环绕？”其实，他们不明白，如果你有决心超越苦难，你就会获得胜利，这是个真理，是萨姆教给我的。

我的婴儿萨姆——似乎一个不可能的老师，出生后，儿科医生说发现他患有严重的疾病，需要进一步检查，所以，我不能带他回家，我惊呆了，当时，我只有二十岁，是第一次做母亲。当听到医生说萨姆的病无法治愈时，我无法接受这个事实，我小声地问医生怎样补救时，他几乎认为我的理解力太差，因而有些被激怒了。为了让我不再问下去，他不假思索地说：“你的孩子严重弱智，将来很可能不会翻身，不会坐，不会爬，不会走路，不会说话。”接着，他又安慰我说：“你年轻，健康，可以再生孩子，把这个婴儿送到收养所。”我无法再听下去，转身走向我的病床。我拉下帘子，把自己和世界隔开，然后，偷偷地哭。我看着身边的婴儿用品，哭得更伤心了。

第一个星期，我每天都会去育婴室的门前，透过窗户，看自己的孩子，希望能够抱抱他，以安慰他，也安慰自己。我离开后，会哭上几个小时。我每天都会被噩梦惊醒，更加地感觉到无助。到了第二个星期，我就感觉自己坚强起来了，我不哭了，而且，很长时间，没有因为任何事情哭过。萨姆需要我。

我那患有脑瘫，并有严重视力和听力缺陷的儿子，一个月后回到家里，回到我的身边。萨姆的生活很艰难。他不曾握起过画笔。夏天，卖冰激凌的车的响声也不能使他快活起来，因为他听不见。想在街道上踢足球的邻里的孩子们，找人时，也不会找他。然而，他推翻了所有关于他的预言。医生因为不相信小男孩的精神力量，而断定他会有多种缺陷。但由于长时间全方位的治疗，加上爱和鼓舞的力量——当然，更重要的是他惊人的努力——他学会了说话、读书、写字，并且在九岁时，他可以自己走路了。有趣的是，萨姆学会走路后，我也有了独立感；他学会说话时，我也开始听到自己的声音了；他第一次讲笑话使一个陌生人开怀大笑，我更感到了生命的——任何一个充实生命的纯真与美好。

为了萨姆，我必须做一个意志坚强的人，尽管我从来都不曾是这样一个人。有了这样的目的和精神力量，我才经受住了一次让我感到耻辱的离婚、几次搬家，我才能大学毕业，我才有勇气选择重病护理这份职业。也正是有了这样的目的，我才有勇气放弃安逸无聊的生活选择充满爱的生活。萨姆需要有人打理，有人支持，有人为他说话，需要有人把他不公平的世界重新摆正。

三十三年前的那天，在育儿室里，我就感到他相信我就是他需要的那个人，所以我就成为了这样的一个人。在我的孩子的激励下，我成了他所需要的母亲。同时，我也成为了一个我一直想成为的人。

记忆填空

1.Disappointment had struck me, as a new twenty-year-old mother, but fear lodged in me the doctor mentioned serious problems and the for more tests.Shock and disbelief gripped me when he predicted Sam would not.

2.I stopped, turned, and walked a few feet toward my hospital bed.I pulled the curtain between me and the and began to cry as quietly as I could.I looked at the waiting layette beside me and began to sob harder.

佳句翻译

1.其实，他们不明白，如果你有决心超越苦难，你就会获得胜利，这是个真理，是萨姆教给我的。

译

2.我每天都会去育婴室的门前，透过窗户，看自己的孩子，希望能够抱抱他，以安慰他，也安慰自己。

译

3.为了萨姆，我必须做一个意志坚强的人，尽管我从来都不曾是这样一个人。

译

短语应用

1.……he seemed almost irritated at my lack of comprehension.

lack of：没有，缺乏；不足，不够

造

2.I woke up every night ready to shake off the nightmare, only to feel the more helpless facing the reality.

shake off：摆脱；抖落

造

红木钢琴　The Red Mahogany Piano

Many years ago, when I was a young man in my twenties, I worked as a salesman for a St. Louis piano company.

We sold our pianos all over the state by advertising in small town newspapers and then, when we had received sufficient replies, we would load our little trucks, drive into the area and sell the pianos to those who had replied.

Every time we advertised in the cotton country of Southeast Missouri, we would receive a reply on a postcard which said, in effect，“Please bring me a new piano for my little granddaughter. It must be red mahogany.I can pay$10 a month with my egg money.”The old lady scrawled on and on and on that postcard until she filled it up, then turned it over and even wrote on the front—around and around the edges until there was barely room for the address.

Of course, we could not sell a new piano for$10 a month. No finance company would carry a contract with payments that small, so we ignored her postcards.

One day, however, I happened to be in that area calling on other replies, and out of curiosity I decided to look the old lady up. I found pretty much what I had expected：The old lady lived in a one room share-croppers cabin in the middle of a cotton field.

The cabin had a dirt floor and there were chickens in the house. Obviously, the old lady could not have qualified to purchase anything on credit—no car, no phone, no real job, nothing but a roof over her head and not a very good one at that.I could see daylight through it in several places.Her little granddaughter was about 10，barefoot and wearing a feed-sack dress.

I explained to the old lady that we could not sell a new piano for$10 a month and that she should stop writing to us every time she saw our ad. I drove away heartsick, but my advice had no effect—she still sent us the same postcard every six weeks.Always wanting a new piano, red mahogany, please, and swearing she would never miss a$10 payment.It was sad.

A couple of years later, I owned my own piano company, and when I advertised in that area, the postcards started coming to me. For months, I ignored them—what else could I do?

But then, one day when I was in the area something came over me. I had a red mahogany piano on my little truck.Despite knowing that I was about to make a terrible business decision, I delivered the piano to her and told her I would carry the contract myself at$10 a month with no interest, and that would mean 52 payments.I took the new piano in the house and placed it where I thought the roof would be least likely to rain on it.I admonished her and the little girl to try to keep the chickens off it, and I left—sure I had just thrown away a new piano.

But the payments came in, all 52 of them as agreed—sometimes with coins taped to a 3×5 inch card in the envelope. It was incredible！

So, I put the incident out of my mind for 20 years.

Then one day I was in Memphis on other business, and after dinner at the Holiday Inn on the Levee, I went into the lounge. As I was sitting at the bar having an after-dinner drink, I heard the most beautiful piano music behind me.I looked around, and there was a lovely young woman playing a very nice grand piano.

Being a pianist of some ability myself, I was stunned by her virtuosity, and I picked up my drink and moved to a table beside her where I could listen and watch. She smiled at me, asked for requests, and when she took a break she sat down at my table.

“Arent you the man who sold my grandma a piano a long time ago?”

It didnt ring a bell, so I asked her to explain.

She started to tell me, and I suddenly remembered. My Lord, it was her！It was the little barefoot girl in the feed sack dress！

She told me her name was Elise and since her grandmother couldnt afford to pay for lessons, she had learned to play by listening to the radio. She said she had started to play in church where she and her grandmother had to walk over two miles, and that she had then played in school, had won many awards and a music scholarship.She had married an attorney in Memphis and he had bought her a grand piano.

Something else entered my mind.“Look, Elise，”I asked，“May I ask you what kind of wood is your first piano made of, the one your grandmother bought you?”

“Its red mahogany，”she said，“Why?”

I couldnt speak.

Did she understand the significance of the red mahogany?The unbelievable audacity of her grand-mother insisting on a red mahogany piano when no one in his right mind would have sold her a piano of any kind?I think not.

And then did the old lady understand the marvelous accomplishment of that beautiful, terribly underprivileged child in the feed sack dress?No, I‘m sure she didn’t understand that either.

But I did, and my throat tightened.

Finally, I found my voice.“I just wondered，”I said.“Im proud of you, but I have to go to my room.”

And I did have to go to my room, because men dont like to be seen crying in public.

多年以前，我是圣路易斯市一家钢琴公司的推销员。那时我二十几岁。

我们的广告刊登在各小镇的报纸上，在全州范围内出售我们的钢琴。当我们收到某个地方的足够的定单时，会用小卡车把钢琴送到定购钢琴的人的家里。

每次，在密苏里州东南部的棉花之乡登广告时，我们都会收到一份写在明信片上的定单，大意是说：“请为我的小孙女送来一架钢琴，一定要红木的，我会每月用卖鸡蛋的钱，付给你们10美圆。”这位老妇人在明信片上写满了字，还翻过来在正面的四边上也写满了字，以至于几乎没有地方写地址了。

当然，我们不可能接受每月10美圆的付款方式，因为没有哪一家信贷公司会接受这么小额的付款合同，所以，我们没有理睬她的定单。

可是，一天正赶上我去老妇人所在的地区送货，出于好奇，我决定去她家看看。我看到的和我想象的差不多：她住在棉花地中一间只有一个房间的佃农小屋里。

小屋是泥土地，里边还养着鸡。很显然老妇人没有资格以借贷方式买任何东西，因为她没有车，没有电话，没有正式的工作，只有一个不怎么好的屋顶，我发现屋顶的好几处地方都透光。她的孙女大约十岁，穿着用装饲料的麻袋做成的裙子。

我向老妇人解释说，我们不能接受每月10美圆的付款方式，并且告诉她下次看到我们的广告不要再寄定单了。我心情非常悲痛地离开了她的家。然而，我的话对她没起任何作用。

我们每隔六个星期就会收到同样的明信片。都是要订购一架新的钢琴，并且发誓每月都会付10美圆。这很让人悲伤。

几年后，我有了自己的钢琴公司，我在那个地区登广告，老妇人就把明信片寄到了我的公司。几个月我都没有理会她的定单，除此之外我还能做什么呢？

但是，一天当我在那个地区时，我有了其他的想法。我的小卡车上有一架红木钢琴，尽管我知道我是在做赔本的买卖，我还是把那架钢琴送到了她家里，以个人名义和她约定她每月付给我10美圆，分52次付清，没有利息。我把钢琴放在她屋里我认为最不可能漏雨的地方，并且告诉她和她的孙女不要让鸡飞到钢琴上。然后，我离开了，我就只当扔了一架新钢琴。

但是，按事先约定的，我准期收到了52次分期付款，有时，是用胶带粘在3×5英寸卡片上，装在信封里的硬币，这简直让人无法相信。

然而，这样特殊的事，我一忘就是二十年。

后来的一天我在孟菲斯市办理其他业务，在黎威河畔的一家度假宾馆吃过饭后，我走进休闲厅。我坐下来喝餐后饮料时，听到身后传来优美的钢琴曲。我四处寻找，看到一位年轻的女子在弹一架很棒的大钢琴。

在某种程度上我也可以算是一位钢琴家，我被她的高超技艺折服了。我拿起我的饮料来到她旁边的桌子，边听边看。她朝我微笑，问我想听什么曲子，并在休息的时候来到我的桌子前。“你就是那个多年前卖给我奶奶钢琴的那个人吧？”

我当时就愣住了，所以我让她解释到底是怎么回事。

她开始解释，我突然记起了当年的事情。天哪，她就是那个光着脚丫，穿着用装饲料的麻袋做成的裙子的小女孩儿。

她告诉我她叫埃莉斯，因为她的祖母没有钱供她去上钢琴课，所以，她就通过收音机学习钢琴。她说她开始和奶奶一起走两英里多的路去教堂弹琴，也在学校弹琴，她赢得了很多奖项，还赢得了音乐奖学金。她嫁给了孟菲斯的一位律师，他给她买了一架大钢琴。

我突然想起一件事情，我问，“埃莉斯，你能告诉我你祖母给你买的那架钢琴是什么质地的吗？”“它是红木的，”她说，“你为什么问这个问题？”

我没有说话。

她是否懂得红木的意义？她是否知道她祖母的勇敢呢？她的祖母明明知道没有人会卖给她任何一种钢琴，却坚持要红木的。我想她不会懂得这些的。

另一方面，那个老妇人能够想到她贫穷的穿饲料袋做成的裙子的孙女取得如此大的成就吗？我想她也不会想到的。

而这一切我都看到了，我的喉咙哽咽了。

最后，我说，“我只是好奇。我为你感到骄傲，但是，我要回我的房间了。”

我必须回到我的房间去，因为，男人不想在公众面前哭。

记忆填空

1.We sold our all over the state by advertising in small town newspapers and then, when we had received sufficient, we would load our little trucks, drive into the and sell the pianos to those had replied.

2.Of course, we could not a new piano for$10 a.No finance company would a contract with payments that small, we ignored her postcards.

3.And then the old lady understand the marvelous accomplishment of that beautiful, terribly underprivileged in the feed sack dress?No, I‘m sure she didn’t understand that.

佳句翻译

1.几个月我都没有理会她的定单，除此之外我还能做什么呢？

译

2.在某种程度上我也可以算是一位钢琴家，我被她的高超技艺折服了。

译

3.她是否懂得红木的意义？她是否知道她祖母的勇敢呢？

译

短语应用

1.Of course, we could not sell a new piano for$10 a month.

of course：当然；自然；毫无疑问

造

2.One day, however, I happened to be in that area calling on other replies, and out of curiosity I decided to look the old lady up.

out of curiosity：出于好奇心

造

“真好看”她说　“Beautiful”She Said

I never thought that I understood her. She always seemed so far away from me.I loved her, of course.We shared mutual love from the day I was born.I came into this world with a bashed head and deformed features because of the hard labor my mother had gone through.Family members and friends wrinkled their noses at the disfigured baby I was.They all commented on how much I looked like a beat-up football player.But no, not her.Nana thought I was beautiful.Her eyes twinkled with splendor and happiness at the ugly baby in her arms.Her first granddaughter.“Beautiful.”She said.

Before final exams in my junior year of high school, she died. Seven years ago, her doctors diagnosed Nana with Alzheimers disease.Seven years ago, our family became experts on this disease as, slowly, we lost her.

She always spoke in fragmented sentences. As the years passed, the words she spoke became fewer and fewer, until finally she said nothing at all.We were lucky to get one occasional word out of her.It was then our family knew she was near the end.

About a week or so before she died, she lost the abilities for her body to function at all, and the doctors decided to move her to a hospice. A hospice where those who entered would never come out.

I told my parents I wanted to see her. I had to see her.My uncontrollable curiosity had taken a step above my gut-wrenching fear.

My mother brought me to the hospice two days after my request. My grandfather and two of my aunts were there as well, but all hung back in the hallway as I entered Nanas room.She was sitting in a big, fluffy chair next to her bed, slouched over, eyes shut, mouth numbly hanging open.The morphine was keeping her asleep.My eyes darted around the room at the windows, the flowers, and the way Nana looked.I was struggling very hard to take it all in, knowing that this would be the last time I ever saw her alive.

I slowly sat down across from her. I took her left hand and held it in mine, brushing a sway lock of golden hair away from her face.I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out.I could not get over how awful she looked sitting there, helpless.

Then it happened. Her little hand wrapped around mine tighter and fighter.Her voice began what sounded like a soft howl.She seemed to be crying in pain.And then, she spoke.

“Jessica.”Plain as day. My name.Mine.Out of 4 children，2 son-in-laws，1 daughter-in-law, and 6 grandchildren, she knew it was me.

At that moment, it was like someone was showing a family filmstrip in my head. I saw Nana at my baptizing.I saw her at my fourteen dance recitals.I saw her bringing me roses and beaming with pride.I saw her tap dancing on our kitchen floor.I saw her pointing at her own wrinkled cheeks and telling me that it was from her that I inherited my big dimples.I saw her playing games with us grandkids while the other adults ate Thanksgiving dinner.I saw her sitting with me in my living room at Christmas time admiring our brightly decorated tree.I then looked at her as she was……and I cried.

I knew she would never see my final senior dance recital. I knew she would never see me cheer for another football game.I knew she would never sit with me and admire our Christmas tree again.I knew she would never see me go off to my senior prom.I knew she would never see me graduate from high school or college or see me get married.And I knew she would never be there the day my first child was born.This made tear after tear roll down my face.

But above all, I cried because I finally knew how she had felt the day I had been born. She had looked through what she saw on the outside and looked to the inside and saw……a life.

I slowly released her hand from mine and brushed away the tears staining her cheeks, and mine. I stood, leaned over, kissed her, and said，“You look beautiful.”

我从来都不认为我很了解她。她好像一直离我很远。毫无疑问，我爱她。从我出生那天我们就分享这份爱。我带着一个扭曲的脑袋和一张丑陋的面容来到这个世界，这些只是因为母亲的难产。家人和朋友都皱着鼻子看着我这个丑小孩。他们都评论我像一个挨了打的足球队员。但是她不。祖母觉得我很漂亮。她看着怀里的这个丑小孩，眼睛里闪着幸福的光芒。她说她的第一个孙女“很美”。

在我高一期末考试前，祖母去世了。七年前，医生诊断她患了老年痴呆症。于是，我们的家人都成了这种病的专家，渐渐的，她离开了我们。

她只能断断续续地说话。几年后，她的话越来越少，到最后她一句话也说不出来了。我们很幸运能听到她偶尔的话语。之后家人都明白她就要走了。

祖母去世前大约一周，她全身僵硬，无法自理了。于是医生决定把她送到特护院。这个地方人一旦进去就永远不可能出来了。

我告诉父母我很想去看她。我一定要去。难以自控的好奇心超越了那令我胆战心惊的害怕。

两天后，妈妈把我带到了特护院。祖父和两个姑妈也在，但他们都在走廊里，我独自进了病房。她闭着眼睛，瘫坐在床边一个大的带绒毛的椅子上，嘴巴麻木地张着。她在吗啡的药力下睡着了。我用眼睛飞快地掠过病房的窗户、鲜花，还有奶奶的面孔。我拼命地要记住这里的一切，我明白这将是我最后一次看到她活着的样子了。

我慢慢地坐在她面前。我拿起她的左手，紧紧地握着，撩起她脸上的一缕金发。我想说什么，但却说不出来。看到她无助地坐着，我难以忍受这种凄凉。

就在那时，她消瘦的手紧紧地握住了我的手。她发出微弱的呻吟，仿佛是痛苦地想要哭泣。她说话了。“杰西卡。”很清楚，是我的名字。她有四个孩子，两个女婿，一个儿媳妇，六个孙辈，她居然记得我。

当时我的脑海里就像是放一部家庭电影。我看到奶奶给我施洗礼；看到奶奶来我的舞蹈晚会；看到奶奶送我的玫瑰，带着愉快的骄傲；看到奶奶在厨房的地板上跳踢踏舞；看到奶奶指着自己布满皱纹的脸颊，还说我的酒窝是遗传她的；看到感恩节的宴会上大人们都在吃东西，奶奶却在和我们一起玩游戏；看到圣诞节时奶奶和我一起在客厅赞赏美丽的圣诞树。我看着此时的她，不禁泪流满面。

我知道她再也看不到我的毕业舞会了。我知道她再也看不到我为另一场足球赛做拉拉队了。我知道她再也不能跟我一起称赞圣诞树了。我知道她再也看不到我去参加高中毕业晚会了。我知道她再也看不到我中学、大学毕业，也看不到我结婚时的样子了。我知道她是不会出现在我第一个孩子降临的那天了。此时的我早已泣不成声。

但是最重要的是，我哭是因为我最终理解了我降临时她的感觉。她通过外表看到深处，看到了……生命。

我慢慢放开她的手，拭去我们脸颊上的泪水。我站着，俯下身子，吻她，说，“您真美！”

记忆填空

1.Family members and friends wrinkled their at the disfigured baby I was.They all commented on much I looked like a beat-up football player.But no, not.Nana thought I was.Her eyes twinkled with splendor and happiness at the baby in her arms.

2.She always in fragmented sentences.As the years, the words she spoke became fewer and, until finally she said nothing at all.We were lucky to get one occasional out of her.It was then our family knew she was the end.

佳句翻译

1.我从来都不认为我很了解她。她好像一直离我很远。

译

2.我想说什么，但却说不出来。看到她无助地坐着，我难以忍受这种凄凉。

译

3.但是最重要的是，我哭是因为我最终理解了我降临时她的感觉。她通过外表看到深处，看到了……生命。

译

短语应用

1.I came into this world with a bashed head and deformed features because of the hard labor my mother had gone through.

go through：参加；经受；仔细检查；通过

造

2.But above all, I cried because I finally knew how she had felt the day I had been born.

above all：首先；尤其是

造

心中的温暖　Warm in the Heart

It was a bitterly cold Denver morning. This was a day for staying home, for having a cold and waiting for Mom to bring a cup of soup.That was the way the day was supposed to be.

I had a job speaking at the Denver Convention Center to a couple hundred other people who, like me, were unable to have the sniffles and stay home for Mom to bring us soup. Instead, we gathered at the convention center, unable to do more about the weather than to talk about it.

I needed a battery for my wireless microphone. I had failed to pack a spare.There was no choice, really.I needed a battery.So I headed into the wind, head bowed, and collar up, shuffling in too-thin dress shoes.

Around the corner, I spotted a small sign announcing that a 7-Eleven convenience store was within sight. If I walked quickly and lengthened my stride, I could reach the front door and shelter from the brisk wind without drawing a breath of lung-burning air.People who live in Denver like to play with outsiders by telling them that winter in Denver means enduring a pleasant kind of cold.“Its a much drier kind of cold，”report the Denver folks, when their relatives ask how they like life in the mile-high city.Drier, my foot！Its cold enough to give the famous brass monkey reason to move.

Inside the 7-Eleven were two souls. The one behind the counter wore a name badge saying she was Roberta.Judging by her appearance, Roberta probably wished that she were home bringing hot soup and soothing words to her own little ones.Instead, she was spending her day manning an outpost for commerce in a nearly abandoned, downtown Denver.She would be a beacon, a refuge for the few who were foolish enough to be out and about on a day so cold.

The other refugee from the cold was a tall, elderly gentleman who seemed comfortable with his surroundings. He was in absolutely no hurry to step back through the front door and risk sailing through town at the mercy of the wind and ice-covered sidewalks.I couldnt help but think that the gentleman had lost his mind or his way.To be out on such a day, shuffling through the merchandise of a 7-Eleven, the man must be completely daft.

I didnt have time to be concerned with an old man who had taken leave of his senses. I needed a battery, and there were a couple hundred important people who had things left to do with their lives waiting for me back at the convention center.We had a purpose.

The old man somehow found his way to the counter ahead of me. Roberta smiled.He said not a single word.Roberta picked up each of his meager purchases and entered each amount into the cash register.The old man had dragged himself into the Denver morning for a lousy muffin and a banana.What a sorry mistake it was！

For a muffin and a banana, a sane man could wait until spring and then perhaps enjoy the opportunity to saunter the streets when they had returned to reasonableness. Not this guy.He had sailed his old carcass into the morning as if there were no tomorrow.

Perhaps there would be no tomorrow. After all, he was pretty old.

When Roberta had figured the total, a tired, old hand fished deep into the trench coat pocket. His fishing hand caught a change purse as old as the man himself.A few coins and a wrinkled dollar bill fell onto the counter.Roberta treated them as though she were about to receive a treasure.

When the meager purchases had been placed into a plastic bag, something remarkable happened. Not a word had been spoken by her elderly friend, an old, tired hand slowly extended over the counter.The hand trembled, and then steadied.Roberta spread the plastic handles on the bag and gently slipped them over his wrist.The fingers that dangled into space were gnarled and spotted with the marks of age.

Roberta smiled larger.

She scooped up the other tired, old hand and in an instant, she was holding them both, gathered in front of her brown face. She warmed them.Top and bottom.Then sides.She reached and pulled the scarf that had flown nearly off his broad but stooped shoulders.She pulled it close around his neck.Still he said not a single word.He stood as if to cement the moment in his memory.It would have to last at least until the morrow.When he would once again shuffle through the cold, Roberta buttoned a button that had eluded the manipulation of the old hands.She looked him in the eyes and, with a slender finger, mockingly scolded him.“Now, Mr.Johnson.I want you to be very, careful.”She then paused ever so lightly for emphasis and added sincerely，“I need to see you in here tomorrow.”

With those last words ringing in his ears, the old man had his orders. He hesitated, and then turned, and one tired foot shuffling barely in front of the other, he moved slowly into the bitter Denver morning.I realized then that he had not come in search of a banana and a muffin.He had come in to get warm in his heart.

丹佛一个非常寒冷的早上。这样的天气，人们应该整天都呆在家里，应该是感冒了在家里休息，等妈妈端来一杯热汤，这天就应该这样度过。

而我得去丹佛大会中心给几百人作演讲，他们和我一样没感冒，不可能呆在家里等妈妈端来热汤，而是聚在大会中心，对于这寒冷的天气也只能是谈论一下而已。

我的无线麦克风需要电池，而我没有带。我确实需要一块电池，没有其他办法了，我只好竖起衣领，低着头，穿着夹皮鞋，向寒风中走去。

我在一个拐角处看到一个指示标，上面不远处有一个7-11便利店。假如我快点走，步子迈大，就能进到商店里，避开凛冽的风和干燥的空气。住在丹佛的人对城外的人开玩笑说，丹佛的冬季能让你感受到愉悦的寒冷。当他们的亲戚问他们住在海拔一英里的城市感觉如何时，他们回答说：“那是一种干燥的寒冷。”干燥，胡说八道。天气冷得足以让那只著名的黄铜制的猴子移动。

有两个人在7-11便利店里，站在柜台后面的人佩带着一个有她名字的胸牌，她叫罗伯塔。从她的表情可以判断，她大概还是希望呆在家里给她的小孩端热汤，并说上一些宽心的话，但现在她却在寒冷的几乎没有什么人的丹佛市区的一个小商店里服务。她就是灯塔，是那些在这样寒冷的日子里还在街上行走的人的避难所。

便利店里的另一个人是位高个子老人，他显然是来躲避寒冷的，但是，他好像在店里呆得很舒服，不想走出商店，再回到大风里，走在结冰的人行道上。我不禁想到他可能是疯了，也可能是迷路了。在这样冷的天气里出来逛7-11便利店，这人真是愚蠢。

我没有时间去理会这个失去理性的老人。我要买一个电池，几百名有重要事情做的重要人物在会议中心等着我呢。我来这儿是有目的的。

可是，这位老人在我之前来到柜台前，罗伯塔笑着，老人没说话。罗伯塔拿起他挑选的商品，把商品的价钱逐个输入计算器。老人在这么冷的天气里出来，就是为买几个松饼和香蕉，真不值得。

就为买松饼和香蕉，一个正常的人是会等到春天来临，街道恢复正常，逛街的时候顺便买的。而这位老人却没有这样做，他拖着衰弱的身体在这样寒冷的早晨出来，让人感觉好像是没有明天了。

可能真的没有明天了，他已经很老了。

当罗伯塔算出总额，老人把僵硬的、干枯的手伸进大衣兜里，摸出一个像老人一样老的装硬币的钱包。几个硬币和皱巴巴的一美元散落在柜台上，而罗伯塔收起这些钱就像拿到宝贝一样兴奋。

松饼和香蕉被装进塑料袋里后，接下来发生的事让我震惊了。老人没说话，他僵硬干枯的手慢慢地伸过柜台，他的手在颤抖，接着稳定下来。罗伯塔把塑料袋的手柄撑开，套在老人的手腕上，他伸在空中的手指长满了说明他年龄的瘤和斑点。

罗伯塔笑得更亲切了。

她握起老人另一只僵硬干枯的手，把老人的双手捧在她褐色的脸颊前，上下左右地暖和着老人的手。他的围巾几乎从他宽阔却弯曲的肩膀上掉下来了，她帮他围在脖子上，但他仍然没说话，他站在那儿，好像是在把刚刚发生的一切装进自己的记忆里，而这种记忆至少要持续到明天。当然，明天他还会冒着严寒来这儿。罗伯塔为他扣上了被他忽略的扣子，她看着他的眼睛，竖起一个纤细的手指，开玩笑地责怪他，“约翰逊先生，我希望你以后多注意哟。”接着为了强调，她稍稍停顿了一下，很认真地说：“我明天还要在这儿看到你。”

罗伯塔说的最后一句话在他耳边回响，他记下了叮嘱。犹豫了一下，转过身，他前脚紧挨着后脚，挪动着，向寒冷的丹佛的早晨走去。这时，我意识到他不是来买香蕉和松饼的，他来这儿，是为了获得心灵上的慰藉。

记忆填空

1.I had a speaking at the Denver Convention Center to a couple hundred other who, like me, were unable to the sniffles and stay home for Mom to bring us soup.，we gathered at the convention center, unable to do more about the weather to talk about it.

2.When the meager purchases had been placed in to a plastic, something remarkable happened.Not a had been spoken by her elderly friend, an old, tired hand extended over the counter.

佳句翻译

1.住在丹佛的人对城外的人开玩笑说，丹佛的冬季能让你感受到愉悦的寒冷。

译

2.就为买松饼和香蕉，一个正常的人是会等到春天来临，街道恢复正常，逛街的时候顺便买的。

译

3.这时，我意识到他不是来买香蕉和松饼的，他来这儿，是为了获得心灵上的慰藉。

译

短语应用

1.……and risk sailing through town at the mercy of the wind and ice-covered sidewalks.

at the mercy of：任凭……摆布；完全受……的支配；在……掌握中

造

2.I realized then that he had not come in search of a banana and a muffin.

in search of：寻找；探求，追求

造

玛吉　Maggie

I never knew Maggie‘s age or what kind of life she’d had before I met her. Certainly, she bore the marks of a long, hard life of ill treatment, and she had a certain way of flinching whenever someone moved suddenly.I hadnt planned to bring Maggie into our lives.I took the children to Valean Farm to look at donkeys, not buy one.But one look into mine undid all my resolve.I wanted one.

We chose a lively colt whose soft muzzle poked inquisitively into my pockets, looking for a treat. Small and neatly built, Lexy stood no higher than my shoulder.“Shell want a companion，”said Val, the owner.“Donkeys dont like to live alone，”my face must have shown the dismay I felt.If one donkey stretched our budget, what would two do?“I dont think we can afford two，”I said with a lump in my throat, mentally bidding Lexy goodbye.

“Well, I can see Lexy‘d have a good home with you. Tell you what I can do.I have an old donkey here, too old for hauling anymore.I took her on a trade and to tell you the truth, she’s not much to look at.Can‘t get anyone to buy her, and I don’t want her.But she has a gentle nature, and if you like, I‘ll throw her in with Lexy.She’s over there.”

I followed Vals pointing finger. A gray donkey stood alone, aloof from the other donkeys still crowding around us.Even at a distance, I could see that her coat was rough and patchy, with dark skin showing through here and there.“Dont mind the coat，”continued Val.“She has a touch of the mange, but itll grow back in soon.”She didnt look up as we approached, marking it patently clear that she had no interest in us.

“Her names Maggie，”said Val.“She‘s been broken to ride and she doesn’t mind the saddle. Here, Ill show you.”Val pulled a saddle off the fence and strapped it on Maggie.Maggie stood quietly, still not looking up.“Hop on.”Val lifted up my son Nathan, plopped him on Maggies back, and slapped her rump.Maggie walked a few paces, looking neither to left nor right.“See?”said Val.“Gentle as can be, and nothing spooks her.”Maggie turned and came back toward us.For a moment, our eyes met.And in her eyes I saw resignation and despair.Maggie knew that she wasn‘t lively and young like the rest of the donkeys around her.She knew that she wasn’t wanted or desired, that she had no beauty or grace.And she knew that she was going to spend the rest of her life handed from one uncaring owner to another.

I walked over to her, put my hands under her grizzled muzzle, and lifted up her head.“Maggie，”I whispered, looking into her eyes.“You‘re coming home with me. I’m going to give you a warm barn with lots of hay, fresh water, a green pasture, and an apple tree to give you shade on hot, sunny days.And I will take care of you for the rest of your life.”

Maggie and Lexy arrived the next day. Lexy bounced out of the trailer and galloped up and down the fields, exploring every nook and cranny of her new home.Maggie walked over to a corner of the barnyard and put her head down.I understood.Shed been disappointed so many times before in her life.She knew better than to trust the whispered words of a stranger.

It took many months before Maggie allowed herself to enjoy her new life. She eventually came to have her favorite spot under the apple tree, her own corner of the pasture where the new grass grew tallest, and her own place in the warm, hay-scented shelter of the barn.Maggie learned to be loved to lift her head for a special scratch under her pendulous lower lip, to lean gently against my side so that I could slip an arm around her neck, and to nuzzle in my coat pocket for the special treat she knew I always carried.

She looked up at the sound of my voice, and in her own cumbersome way, galloped down the side of the hill to meet me. She joyfully brayed a welcome through the barn when I appeared in the morning, and snuffled a wet goodnight into my ear as I closed the door at night.

Maggie knew she was loved—not for how she looked or for what she could do, but just for being Maggie. She died in the spring six years after she came with us.She died in her comer of the pasture, with a wisp of new green grass in her mouth.She died quietly, without fuss, as she had lived her life.But in a departure from how she had lived most of her life, Maggie died loved.For the old, the unloved, and even the unlovable, Maggie is my reminder that love is a one-way flow until the heart learns to trust.

我从来都不知道玛吉的年龄和我见到它之前它的生活状况。但在它身上有长期被虐待的痕迹，而且每当有人突然惊动它，它都会很害怕。我本没有要让玛吉和我们一起生活的想法，我带着孩子们去瓦林农场只是看看驴，而没想买它。但是我突然看到一道目光，这改变了我的想法，我想买一头驴。

我选择了一头生龙活虎的小驴，它柔软的嘴伸进我的口袋里想找吃的。它个头小，但是身材还不错，它叫莱克西，差不多有我肩膀那么高。“它将来得有个伴，”驴贩子瓦尔说道，“驴讨厌独处。”当时我脸上的表情肯定很沮丧。我买一头驴都有经济压力，又怎么能买得起两头呢？“我买不起两头驴，”我有点儿哽咽地说。默默地在心里和莱克西说再见。“我知道你会对莱克西好的，所以我有这样一个想法：我有一头老得拉不动车的驴，也不好看，我想把它卖掉，但是没有人想要，我也不想要它了。不过它很温顺，如果你愿意，我可以把它送给你，让它给莱克西做伴。它就在附近。”

我顺着瓦尔手指的方向望过去，看到一头黑色的驴孤单地站在那里，没有和围在我们周围的驴在一起。即使从远处看我仍然能看到它的皮毛粗糙，还有几处掉了毛。“不要在意它的皮毛，”瓦尔继续说，“它生疥癣了，很快就会好的。”我们慢慢靠近它，它没抬头看我们，显然，它对我们没有兴趣。“它叫玛吉，”瓦尔说，“已经训练好了，有没有马鞍都可以骑它。现在让我给你们演示一下。”瓦尔从篱笆上拿下一套马鞍，套在玛吉身上。玛吉安静地站着，仍然没有抬头。“上去喽，”瓦尔抱起我的儿子内森，把他重重地放在玛吉的背上，并在它的臀部拍打。玛吉向前走了几步，它没有向左右张望。“瞧，它很温和，什么都不会惊动它。”瓦尔说。玛吉转身朝我们走来。那一刻，我看到了它的眼睛，顺从而绝望。玛吉知道自己没有其他驴可爱和年轻，也知道没人愿意要它，因为它不漂亮、不优雅。它还知道它的后半生会从一个无情的商人手中转到另一个无情的商人手中。

我走近它，托住它灰色的嘴巴，抬起它的头。我凝视着它的眼睛，对它耳语道：“玛吉，跟我一起回家，我会给你温暖的畜舍，许多干草，新鲜的水和绿色的牧地，还有一棵苹果树，它会在炎热的天气里为你遮阳。我将照顾你的后半生。”

次日，玛吉和莱克西来到我家。莱克西跳下拖车，在田野上飞驰，想走遍新家的每一个角落。玛吉走进牲口棚的一个角落，低下头。我知道它失望了太多次，不再轻信一个陌生人的耳语。

过了几个月，玛吉才开始喜欢它的新生活。它最终选择了苹果树下的草地，那里都是新草，而且长得最高，同时，它在温暖并充满干草香的棚子里找到自己喜欢的地方。并且，它学会了接受爱——它会抬起头，让我抓它下垂的下嘴唇，会靠近我，让我搂住它的脖子，会把嘴伸进我的口袋里找好吃的东西，它知道我的口袋里总是装着好吃的东西。

玛吉一听到我的声音就会四处张望，并且笨拙地从山坡上跑下来迎接我。早晨，我来到牲口棚，它会朝我欢快地大叫，以示欢迎。晚上，我离开的时候，它会用湿鼻子贴在我的耳朵上，好像是跟我道别。玛吉知道它被人爱，不是因为它的样貌也不是因为它的能力，而只是因为它是玛吉。六年后的春天它死了，死在草场的一个角落里，嘴里还叼着一撮青草。它安静地死去，没有打扰他人，就像它过去的生活一样。它生命的大多数时间里缺少爱，但它在最后的时光里是被爱着的。从玛吉身上我认识到，那些老人，没人爱的人和不可爱的人，首先，要信任爱，否则，他们不会感受到爱的存在。

记忆填空1.I hadnt planned to Maggie into our lives.I took the children to Valean Farm to look donkeys, not buy one.But one look mine undid all my resolve.I wanted.

2.I followed Vals pointing.A gray donkey stood alone, aloof from the other donkeys crowding around us.Even at a, I could see that her coat was rough and patchy, with skin showing through here and there.

3.She died in the spring six years she came with us.She died in her comer of the pasture, a wisp of new green grass in her mouth.She died quietly, without fuss, as she had her life.

佳句翻译

1.我从来都不知道玛吉的年龄和我见到它之前它的生活状况。

译

2.我知道它失望了太多次，不再轻信一个陌生人的耳语。

译

3.它生命的大多数时间里缺少爱，但它在最后的时光里是被爱着的。

译

短语应用

1.Even at a distance, I could see that her coat was rough and patchy, with dark skin showing through here and there.

here and there：各处，到处

造

2.Lexy bounced out of the trailer and galloped up and down the fields……

up and down：上上下下；到处；前前后后；来来往往

造

我道歉　I Apologize

To the woman in the booth behind us—I apologize for my mother.

She isnt aware she is staring at you“watching you eat.”All she is aware of is the activity around her, and the music of voices raised in conversation. All she is doing is looking around her with the wonder of a child trying to see everything, but without the ability any longer to know that she might offend.I will not deny her the joy she finds in going to dinner although all she will remember is the joy but not what caused it.

To the woman in the grocery store restroom—I apologize for my mother.

Her body has betrayed her. She isn‘t aware she has had an accident.Her diaper has to be changed and she has me to help her.Thank goodness that she won’t remember your comments about the odor or the accident.Unfortunately, I will.

To the man in the checkout line—I apologize for my mother.

She is living in a world of 70 years ago. She meant no offense and intended a compliment when she called you a fine looking Negro.Your harsh words will make no difference to her.She cant remember them and all she will remember is hurting because someone yelled at her.

To the kids on the sidewalk behind us—I apologize for my mother.

She shuffles rather than walks. We go slowly, with her trustingly holding my hand as I did hers when I was a child and these roles were reversed.She cant hurry up.Pushing her or calling her names cannot make her walk any faster.Her body and her mind are fragile now and neither will be getting any better.So walk around us quietly and hope it will never be you and your mother walking slowly together on the sidewalk.

To Moms friends—I apologize for my mother.

She doesn‘t remember the you of today. When she sees you when we are out, you are a stranger.She will greet you with the inborn graciousness she has always possessed but she doesn’t know you.The you of yesterday, however, is a source of joy to her as she talks about the things you did together“just last week”.

To the police—I apologize for my mother.

I believe that somewhere inside she knows that something is wrong and she wants to go home. Home is 70 years ago on a farm in North Carolina with her mother and father and three sisters.Thank you for taking the time to understand and bring her back to me when she goes searching for her home.

To my cousins—I apologize for my mother.

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