《七个小故事带你轻松玩转单词》

弗莱德里克·毕巴德（Frederic Bibard） 著

申燕红 王晓蔷 译

责任编辑：Fiberead

©Fiberead 纤阅科技文化（北京）有限公司 2017

©浙江出版集团数字传媒有限公司 2017

本书版权为浙江出版集团数字传媒有限公司所有，非经书面授权，不得在任何地区以任何方式反编译、翻印、仿制或节录本书文字或图表。

DNA-BN：ECFD-N00010829-20170801

最后修订：2017年12月16日

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前言

我敢打赌，你肯定喜欢听故事，所有人都喜欢。事实上，人类自诞生之初就开始分享故事了。从围坐在火焰旁的分享，到躺在床头灯下的娓娓道来，在我们的日常生活中，讲故事一直都占有一席之地，并将一直如此。

你知道吗，你也可以运用故事的力量，有效地学习一门新语言。只要借助正确的工具和方法，故事就可以帮你学习很多新词汇，并提高阅读和听力理解能力。

因此，我很高兴和你分享这本新书。书中有7个不同的故事，包括去海滩、约会、假期、购物、宠物、食物与烹饪，以及植物与园艺。你在享受故事的同时还可以学习英语。

这本书有什么值得期待的地方？

免去查字典的烦扰。本书的每个故事后都附有词汇表。这样，遇到不认识的单词，你就不用再去查字典了，因此学习进程也会更加连贯和方便。

从中可以学到丰富的词汇和语法结构。在创作这些故事时，有意使用了丰富多样的实用词汇和表达结构，便于你在日常表达中运用。

本书能提高你的阅读理解能力和写作技巧。阅读书中这些易于理解的故事之后，你可以试着用自己的语言来给这些故事进行摘要。

提高你的听力水平并改善英语发音。在同步音频的帮助下，你可以听到英语母语使用者讲述故事。录音有两个版本：中高级学习者可以使用普通语速版本，初学者或者想要通过模仿来练习发音的中级学习者可以使用慢速版本。

希望你和我一样能够从本书中得到乐趣。尤为重要的是，希望它能帮助你达到英语学习目标。

尽情享用本书，祝你好运！

杰克·卡克特斯

A Trip to the Beach

Marie loved the beach. It was her favorite place in the entire world. It didn't matter which beach it was. She had visited many beaches in many places and she loved them all. What mattered to her was the sand between her toes, the sound of the waves crashing, and the wind blowing in her hair. Most of the time, thinking of the beach made her heart feel at peace, and it always made her smile.

beach – n.海滩；沙滩

favorite place – 最喜欢的地方

entire world – 整个世界

matter – v. 有重大关系；有重要性；要紧

sand - n. 沙子；沙地；沙滩

between – prep. 在……之间

toe – n. 脚趾

sound – n. 声音

waves crashing – 海浪拍击

wind blowing – 风在吹拂

heart – n. 内心；心脏

peace – n. 平静；和平

Now Marie has two young children, and she is pregnant with a third, which makes going to the beach much more difficult than it used to be. She used to just hop in the car and go whenever she pleased, but now it was not so easy! She still loved to be at the beach, but now she had to consider the kids' schedules, along with her own and her husband's, just to plan the trip. Then Marie and her husband had to get the kids ready to go, get themselves ready to go, and get everyone's luggage packed. Then they had to drive to the beach and the closest one was four hours away! Marie felt exhausted just thinking about it.

child – n. 孩子；儿童

pregnant – adj. 怀孕的

difficult – adj. 困难的；不随和的

hop in the car – exp. 跳上车

whenever – conj. 无论何时；每当

pleased – adj. 高兴的；喜欢的

not so easy – exp. 没那么简单；不太容易

consider – v. 考虑；认为

schedule – n. 时间表；计划表

husband's – 丈夫的

ready to go – exp. 准备出发

themselves – 他/她/它们自己

luggage packed – 收拾好行李

drive – v. 驾驶；驱动

closest – adj. 最近的

hour – n. 小时

exhausted – adj. 精疲力尽的；疲惫的

Spring break was coming up, and the kids would be off school for a week. She and her husband, John, decided that they would plan a trip to the beach and stay in a hotel for a couple of days. They had not been on vacation in years, and they needed to relax.

spring break – 春假1

off – prep. 离开；脱离

hotel – n.酒店；旅馆

couple – n.数个；一对

vacation – n.假期；休假

year – n.年

relax – v.放松；休息

“We're going to the beach for your spring break,” John told the children.

“Yay!” the children cried.

“I want to build a great big sandcastle,” said Trevor, the eldest, who was eight years old.

“I want to find a white seashell,” said Kitty, the youngest, who was five years old.

“I want to drink a cocktail on the balcony,” John said under his breath. Marie playfully slapped his arm and reminded him that he shouldn't say such things around the kids.

“I want to get a nice tan,” Marie sighed.

sandcastle – n.沙子城堡

eldest – adj.最年长的

years old – ……岁（年龄）

seashell – n.贝壳

youngest – ajd.最年幼的

five years old – 5岁

cocktail – n.鸡尾酒

balcony – n.阳台

playfully slapped – 开玩笑地拍打

remind – v.提醒

shouldn't – 不应该

tan – n.日晒后皮肤的黝黑色

sigh – v.叹气；叹息

They waited and waited, making plans and talking about how excited they were about going on vacation to the beach. They were staying for five whole days. It would be expensive for Marie and John because the hotel was not cheap, but they knew it would be worth it.

go on vacation – exp.去度假

expensive – adj.昂贵的

worth it – exp.值得的；有必要的

Spring break finally arrived. Marie woke the children up very early in the morning while it was still dark. She helped them get their suitcases and luggage into the car while John loaded hers and his own. Then, they started on the long drive to the beach.

arrive – v.抵达；到达

wake somebody up – exp.叫醒某人

suitcase – n.手提箱

load – v.装载

For the first hour the kids slept, Marie dozed, and John drove. It was still dark. The sky turned pale blue, then pale pink, then brilliant pink and orange as the sun rose. They stopped at a little cafe to get some breakfast and coffee. The kids ate pancakes, Marie had oatmeal and fruit, and John had an omelet. John and Marie got some coffee to go, then they piled back in the car and kept driving.

sleep – v.睡觉

doze – v.打瞌睡

drive – v.驾驶

brilliant – adj.闪亮的；灿烂的

rise – v.升起；增加

cafe – n.咖啡馆

pancake – n.薄煎饼2

oatmeal – n.燕麦粥

omelet – n.鸡蛋饼3

pile – n.挤；塞

“Mama, I'm bored,” whined Trevor.

“Count all the red cars,” suggested Marie.

“Mama, I'm bored too,” said Kitty.

“Count all the white cars,” suggested Marie.

“Mama, I'm bored too,” John teased.

“Count all the miles between here and the beach,” Marie laughed.

bored – adj.无聊的

whine – v.发牢骚；抱怨

suggest - v.建议；暗示

tease - v.戏弄；取笑

laugh –v.笑；嘲笑

As they drove, Marie thought about their third child, who was due to be born in a few weeks. She and John did not want to know whether the baby was a boy or a girl until the baby was born, so Marie had come up with many names she liked. She wondered if Trevor and Kitty would get along with the new baby. She wondered if she would ever fit into her old blue jeans again. She wondered if the child would like sports or if they would prefer indoor activities like reading. Kitty was an outdoor girl, while Trevor liked both but preferred things like video games and cooking with Mama. She wondered if John ever minded that she was a stay-at-home mom. Was he ever resentful that she quit her job to raise the kids? He always seemed grateful when he came home to a clean house full of happy children and a good home-cooked meal, so Marie tried not to worry too much.

due – adj. 到期的；预期的

born – v.出生

week – n.周；星期

whether – conj.不论；是否；是……还是

come up with – exp.想出

like - v.喜欢

wonder – v.不知道；怀疑；想知道

get along – exp.和睦相处；进展

fit – v.合身；合适

blue jeans – 蓝色牛仔裤

sport – n.运动

prefer – v.更喜欢；宁愿

indoor – adj.室内的

reading – n.阅读；朗读

outdoor – adj.室外的

video games – 电子游戏

cook – v.烹饪

mind – v.介意

stay-at-home mom – 全职妈妈

resentful – adj.不满的；厌恶的；怨恨的

raise the kids – exp.养育孩子

grateful – adj.感谢的；感激的

clean – adj.干净的

home-cooked – 家常的；家里做的

worry – v.担心；烦恼

“How many red cars have you counted?” Marie asked after a while.

“Eleventy-twelve,” Trevor said confidently.

“Even I know that's not a real number!” cried Kitty.“I counted five.”

“There were more than five,” Trevor insisted. “You're just saying that 'cause you're five years old.”

count – v.数；计数

confidently – adv.自信地

number – n.数字

cry – v.喊叫；哭泣

insist – v.坚持；坚称

“Am not,” Kitty protested, but secretly it was true. Five was her favorite number.

“Children, don't fight, please,” Marie admonished. She could feel a headache coming on, and they still had a long way to ride. She fished in her bag for a couple of action figures and handed them to Kitty in the back seat. “Why don't you play with those? Give one to Trevor.”

protest – v.抗议；抗拒

secretly – adv.秘密地；背地里

fight – v.吵架；打架；战斗

admonish – v.告诫；劝告

headache – n.头痛

fish – v.捞取；钓鱼

action figures – （会动的）公仔玩偶

The action figures kept the children occupied for a long time. They fell asleep again after that, and it was lunchtime when they arrived at the beach. Check-in at the hotel was not until 3:00PM, so they went to a sea food restaurant to eat lunch together. Marie ordered shrimp scampi, hoping it would not upset her stomach. The kids wanted fish sticks and french fries, while John opted for surf and turf.

occupy – v.占据；占领；使忙碌

lunchtime – n.午餐时间

Check-in – 办理入住手续；报道

hotel – m.酒店

seafood restaurant – 海鲜餐厅

shrimp scampi – 奶油蒜香明虾意面

hope – v.希望

upset one’s stomach – exp.不喜欢吃

fish sticks – 炸鱼条

french fries – 炸薯条

opt – v.选择；做出抉择

surf and turf – 海鲜牛排套餐

Finally, it was time to check in to the hotel. The hotel lobby was spacious and airy with many potted plants and lots of sunshine. The weather was mild and all the windows were open. The lady at the desk smiled a lot. She had dark brown hair pulled into a tight bun at the back of her head and she wore bright red lipstick. Then they took their luggage to the room, which looked out over the oceanfront, and changed their clothes. There was still time to go to the beach!

Finally – adv.最后；终于

lobby – n.大厅；大堂

spacious – adj.宽敞的；广阔的

airy – adj.通风的；轻快的

potted plants – 盆栽植物

sunshine – n.阳光

mild – adj.温暖的；温和的

pull – v.拉；扯

tight bun – 紧紧的圆发髻

lipstick – n.口红；唇膏

oceanfront – n.海滨

“Wait, children, you need to put on sunscreen,” Marie said as Trevor and Kitty ran for the door. “You don't want to get sunburned! John, you help Trevor and I'll help Kitty.” Marie took her daughter's hand and began applying sunscreen to her hands, instructing her where and how to rub it in.

No one wanted to be at the beach more than Marie, but by the time the children were ready to go to the water she was exhausted!

sunscreen – n.防晒霜

sunburn – v.晒伤；晒黑

apply – v.涂抹；申请

instruct – v.指示；教导

exhausted – adj.疲惫的；精疲力尽的

“John, you all go ahead.I'm going to lay down for a while. I will catch up with you later.”

Once everyone was gone, Marie sat on the edge of the bed in her pink bikini patting her tummy. She was excited for their third child, but this baby was wearing her out! She felt tired often these days. Her feet hurt, it was hard to eat because her appetite was irregular, and sometimes it was even hard to walk! She would be glad when this baby decided it was time to come out. For now, she would have to be content with taking a nap before she could enjoy the beach. Marie laid down and fell asleep almost immediately.

go ahead – 前进；进行

catch up with somebody – 赶上某人；抓住某人

wear one out – 让某人精疲力尽

appetite – n.食欲；嗜好

irregular – adj.不规则的；无规律的

content – adj.满足的

immediately – adv.立即；立刻

She woke an hour later, sat up with a little bit of a struggle and stretched. The sun was still out! She struggled to get to her feet too, but she made it. Marie looked at herself in the full-length mirror in the bathroom and smiled. Some women did not like how they looked while carrying a child, but Marie thought she looked perfect. She put her hair in a ponytail and made her way down to the beach.

struggle – n.挣扎；奋斗

stretch – v.伸展；拉伸

made it – v.达成；成功

full-length – adj.全身的；全长的

mirror – n.镜子

carry – v.搭载；运输

child – n.孩子

ponytail – n.马尾辫

John had rented an umbrella and the kids were playing with some new friends. Trevor was keen on making the best sandcastle on the beach and the other children had special buckets for making sandcastle shapes. Kitty was helping because she liked to do whatever Trevor was doing. John was sitting under the umbrella and watching the children, but when he saw Marie coming he stood up and took her hand and kissed her hello.

rent – v.租用

umbrella – n.伞；阳伞；雨伞

keen – adj.渴望的；热心的

bucket – n.桶

kiss one hello – exp.给某人见面吻

“How was your nap?” he asked.

“Really nice,” she panted, out of breath from the short walk down to the beach. “I'll be happy to have energy again once the baby is born!”

Marie walked the rest of the way down the sand to the water. She inhaled deeply, relishing the sweet, salty breeze whipping her curly black hair around, and the tangy smell of coconut tanning oil someone was using nearby. She curled her toes in the wet sand and closed her eyes to listen to the waves crashing. Right as a wave broke and washed over her feet she felt the baby kick, her eyes opened and she laughed, pressing her palm to the spot on her tummy. Even though she was tired, Marie felt content as she stood with her feet in the surf, looking at the sunset, and hearing the waves crash and her children laughing behind her.

pant – v.气喘；喘息

energy – n.精力；能量

inhaled deeply – 深深吸气

relish – v.享受；期盼

sweet – adj.甜蜜的；甜的

salty breeze – 咸咸的微风

whip – v.搅动；抽打

curly – adj.蜷曲的

tangy – adj.扑鼻的；强烈的

coconut tanning oil – 椰子美黑油

curl – v.扭曲；蜷曲

waves crashing – 海浪拍击

wash – v.冲刷；洗涤

break – v.打破

kick – v.踢

press – v.按压

palm – n.手掌

surf – n.（冲到岸边的）海浪

hear – v.听

behind – prep.在后面；晚于

They came back to the beach right after breakfast the next day. Everyone put on lots of sun block and Marie took a little nap under their umbrella while John played Frisbee with the kids. They ate lunch on the beach: peanut butter sandwiches, cold water and cold apples from a cooler full of ice. Marie went swimming with Trevor, but Kitty wasn't allowed yet because she was too small. Kitty cried until John started hunting for seashells with her and then she forgot all about swimming. Marie and Trevor swam past the breakers, where it was easy to just float on the waves like a seagull. Trevor started a splash fight, which Marie won because she was the queen of splash fights!

breakfast – n.早餐

sunblock – n.防晒霜

Frisbee – n.飞盘；飞碟

peanut butter sandwich – 花生酱三明治

apple – n.苹果

cooler – n.冰箱；冷却器；散热器

ice – n.冰

swimming – n.游泳

isn't allowed – 不被允许

hunt – v.搜寻；打猎

forget – n.忘记；忽略

breakers – n.碎浪区4

float – v.漂浮

wave – n.波浪

seagull – n.海鸥

splash fight – 水仗

queen – n.女王；王后

After another sandwich and some rest, the whole family decided to go for a walk on the beach.Marie walked arm-in-arm with John as the kids ran ahead, shrieking and splashing each other and throwing fistfuls of sand until John told them to cut it out.

shriek – v.尖叫

splash – v.泼洒；飞溅

throw – v.扔；投掷

fistful – n.一把

sand – n.沙子；沙地

cut it out – 停止；闭嘴

About twenty minutes in to the walk, Marie's stomach started to feel strange. It felt tight and it was painful! She stopped walking and grabbed John's hand. “I think the baby is coming!” she gasped.

“Kids, follow me!” John said. He easily lifted Marie in his arms and began carrying her up the beach. “My wife is having a baby!” he announced to no one in particular.

minute – n.分钟

stomach – n.腹部；胃

strange – adj.奇怪的；陌生的

tight – adj.绷紧的

painful – adj.痛苦的；疼痛的

stopped walking – 停止走动

grab – v.攫取；捕获

gasp – v.气喘吁吁地说；喘息

easily lifted – 很轻松地举起

carry – v.运输；拌匀

having a baby – 生孩子

announce – v.宣布

particular – adj.特别的；独有的

“Our little sister is coming!” cried Kitty.

“Our little brother is coming!” cried Trevor.

“Can someone help us? We're about a mile away from our car! I have to get my wife to a hospital!” John cried.

“I'm parked close by, let me give you a ride,” offered an older gentleman wearing a colorful Hawaiian shirt.

John considered him, then considered his wife, then nodded. “All right, thank you, yes, we'd be much obliged,” he said. “Come on, children.”

“Daddy we're not supposed to talk to strangers,” Trevor reminded John dutifully. “And never, ever get in a stranger's car!”

mile – n.英里

hospital – n.医院

park – v.停车

ride – n.旅行；乘坐；搭乘

colorful Hawaiian shirt – 色彩丰富的夏威夷衬衫5

consider – v.考虑；思考

nod – v.点头

be much obliged – exp.不胜感激

stranger – n.陌生人

remind – v.提醒

dutifully – adv.尽职尽责地；忠诚地

“That's right,” Kitty piped up.

“You're right, kids, this is a very unusual decision,” John agreed. “But it's okay because Mommy and I are both here. It'll be okay. Just never do it by yourselves, okay?”

“Is Mommy going to have the baby in the car?” Kitty wondered aloud.

“Probably not,” the man in the colorful shirt said to her. “What's your name, kid?”

“...Kitty,” she said shyly.

pipe up – 高声说话

unusual decision – 不同寻常的决定

agree – v.同意；赞成

by yourselves – 你们独自地

aloud – 大声地

Probably – adv.大概；或许

shyly – adv.害羞地

“Hiya Kitty, you can call me Charlie. And what's your name, fella?” he said to Trevor.

“Trevor,” he said sullenly. “Why are you driving us to the hospital?”

“Well, my own wife was in a similar situation,” Charlie explained. “We were on this very same beach in fact, over thirty years ago, when she started having our first child!”

“Was it a boy or a girl?” Kitty wanted to know.

“A boy,” Charlie said. “We named him Samuel, but everyone calls him Sammy to this day.”

They reached Charlie's car, which was an old green station wagon. John and Marie and Kitty got in the backseat while Trevor got to ride shotgun.

“Charlie, hurry!” John urged.

“I'm hurrying!” Charlie cried. “There's a lot of traffic today. Darn tourists...”

“Hey! We're tourists,” Trevor reminded him.

Fella – n.小伙子

sullenly – adv.不高兴地；阴沉地

similar situation – 相似的情况

station wagon – 旅行车6

backseat – n.后排座

to ride shotgun – exp.坐在副驾驶位置；担任守卫；保驾护航

urge – v.催促

traffic – n.交通

Darn tourists – 讨厌的游客

Marie was clinging tightly to John the whole time. When they got to the hospital, she was in a lot of pain and could not walk at all. They rushed her in and John followed while Trevor and Kitty waited with Charlie. Charlie didn't mind waiting and keeping an eye on the kids. There were some puzzles and little toys for kids in the waiting room which kept Trevor and Kitty occupied for a while, but everyone was very excited about the new baby. Trevor kept running across the waiting room and asking the nurse if they could see their baby brother yet.

cling – v.依偎

keep an eye on – exp.照看；留意

puzzle – n.拼图游戏；智力游戏；谜题

toy – n.玩具

occupy – v.使忙碌；占据；占有

nurse – n.护士

“Or sister!” Kitty added every time.

It took a long, long time. Charlie got some snacks from the cafeteria because it was dinner time, and Trevor and Kitty got a kick out of eating chips and candy bars for dinner. The kids fell asleep not long after that, because it had been a long, exciting day!

Around midnight, the nurse woke them up and she led Charlie, Trevor, and Kitty through the hospital to the room where their mom was staying.

Marie looked very pale and very tired, but she could not stop smiling. The baby was in her arms, swaddled in a soft white blanket. “Children, come meet your new baby brother,” Marie told them.

add – v.补充；增加

midnight – n.午夜

pale – adj.苍白的

tired – adj.疲倦的

swaddle – v.用襁褓包裹

blanket – n.毯子；毛毯

“I told you!” Trevor cried triumphantly. Kitty did not seem disappointed as she scurried over and hopped up on the bed beside her mother to look curiously at the red-faced infant.

“He's so cute,” Kitty cooed.

“I'm going to teach him how to play video games,” said Trevor.

“Charlie, I can't thank you enough for all your help today,” said John. The men shook hands.

“It was my pleasure. You have a lovely family, John. I enjoyed my time with the kids! Reminds me of when I had little ones of my own.”

“What's his name?” Kitty asked.

“His name is Charlie,” Marie said with a grin.

“You're teasing me!” Charlie exclaimed.

“Not at all,” Marie answered. “John wanted to call him Ernest if he was a boy, but I thought Charlie was a much better fit.”

“That's mighty sweet of you, ma'am,” Charlie said bashfully.

“If it weren't for you, Charlie might have been born in the sand!” John laughed. “In fact, we're calling his middle name Beach. Charlie Beach.”

“That's a silly name,” Kitty observed.

“Kitty is a silly name,” Trevor observed.

“Oh, children,” Marie sighed with a smile.

triumphantly – adv.洋洋得意地；耀武扬威地

disappointed – adj.失望的；沮丧的

scurry – v.急跑

hop – v.跳跃；蹦跳

curiously – adv.好奇地

infant – n.婴儿；幼儿

cute – adj.可爱的

coo – v.轻声地说

shake hands – 握手

pleasure – n.快乐；高兴

lovely family – 幸福的家庭

little one – exp.小家伙；孩子

tease – v.取笑；戏弄

answer – v.回答

fit – v.符合；适合

sweet of you – exp.你真好

bashfully – adv.羞怯地

middle name – 中间名

silly – adj.愚蠢的

observe – v.评论；观察；注意

1

2 薄煎饼：用牛奶、鸡蛋、面粉、糖等制成面糊后煎成的博饼。

3 鸡蛋饼：西式早餐，先把蛋液煎至凝固，然后加入火腿、番茄、洋葱、芝士等馅料，对折卷起即可。

4 碎浪区：海浪离开吹风起浪的区域，在接近岸边时，海浪底部与海底摩擦，速度降低，但水面上的浪花仍然快速前进，导致波浪越来越陡，最终破碎，这一区域被称为碎浪区，冲浪等水上活动多在此区域进行。

5 夏威夷衬衫：一种短袖衬衫，多印有丰富的图案，色彩鲜艳，适合热天穿着。

6 旅行车：一种两箱的轿车，与普通轿车相比后备箱的空间更大，适宜家庭出行。

Summary

Marie is a woman who just loves the beach, and in fact, it is her favorite place to be in the whole world. When Marie was late in her pregnancy with her third child, she worried that going to the beach would be too difficult a task when considering her two young children and how tired she was with her pregnancy. Despite Marie's fears, she and her husband set off to the beach on spring break for a five day vacation with their two children, Trevor, who was eight, and Kitty, who was only five.

After a very long drive, Marie and her family arrived at the beach. Marie was so exhausted that she took a nap while her husband John took the kids to the beach. The next day, Marie was able to spend much more time at the beach, and she had a wonderful time playing with her children.

After lunch, Marie suddenly went into labor and was rushed to the hospital by an altruistic local man named Charlie. After a long and arduous labor, Marie bore a son who she named—Charlie Beach!

词汇表：

beach – n.海滩；沙滩

favorite place – 最喜欢的地方

entire world – 整个世界

matter – v.有重大关系；有重要性；要紧

sand - n.沙子；沙地；沙滩

between – prep.在……之间

toe – n.脚趾

sound – n.声音

waves crashing – 海浪拍击

wind blowing – 风在吹拂

heart – n.内心；心脏

peace – n.平静；和平

child – n.孩子；儿童

pregnant – adj.怀孕的

difficult – adj.困难的；不随和的

hop in the car – exp.跳上车

whenever – conj.无论何时；每当

pleased – adj.高兴的；喜欢的

not so easy – exp.没那么简单；不太容易

consider – v.考虑；认为

schedule – n.时间表；计划表

husband's – 丈夫的

ready to go – exp.准备出发

themselves – 他/她/它们自己

luggage packed – 收拾好行李

drive – v.驾驶；驱动

closest – adj.最近的

hour – n.小时

exhausted – adj.精疲力尽的；疲惫的

spring break – 春假

off – prep.离开；脱离

hotel – n.酒店；旅馆

couple – n.数个；一对

vacation – n.假期；休假

year – n.年

relax – v.放松；休息

sandcastle – n.沙子城堡

eldest – adj.最年长的

years old – ……岁（年龄）

seashell – n.贝壳

youngest – ajd.最年幼的

five years old – 5岁

cocktail – n.鸡尾酒

balcony – n.阳台

playfully slapped – 开玩笑地拍打

remind – v.提醒

shouldn't – 不应该

tan – n.日晒后皮肤的黝黑色

sigh – v.叹气；叹息

going on vacation – exp.去度假

expensive – adj.昂贵的

worth it – exp.值得的；有必要的

arrive – v.抵达；到达

wake somebody up – exp.叫醒某人

suitcase – n.手提箱

load – v.装载

sleep – v.睡觉

doze – v.打瞌睡

drive – v.驾驶

brilliant – adj.闪亮的；灿烂的

rise – v.升起；增加

cafe – n.咖啡馆

pancake – n.薄煎饼

oatmeal – n.燕麦粥

omelet – n.鸡蛋饼

pile – n.挤；塞

bored – adj.无聊的

whine – v.发牢骚；抱怨

suggest - v.建议；暗示

tease - v.戏弄；取笑

laugh –v.笑；嘲笑

due – adj.到期的；预期的

born – v.出生

week – n.周；星期

whether – conj.不论；是否；是……还是

come up with – exp.想出

like - v.喜欢

wonder – v.不知道；怀疑；想知道

get along – exp.和睦相处；进展

fit – v.合身；合适

blue jeans – 蓝色牛仔裤

sport – n.运动

prefer – v.更喜欢；宁愿

indoor – adj.室内的

reading – n.阅读；朗读

outdoor – adj.室外的

video games – 电子游戏

cook – v.烹饪

mind – v.介意

stay-at-home mom – 全职妈妈

resentful – adj.不满的；厌恶的；怨恨的

raise the kids – exp.养育孩子

grateful – adj.感谢的；感激的

clean – adj.干净的

home-cooked – 家常的；家里做的

worry – v.担心；烦恼

count – v.数；计数

confidently – adv.自信地

number – n.数字

cry – v.喊叫；哭泣

insist – v.坚持；坚称

protest – v.抗议；抗拒

secretly – adv.秘密地；背地里

fight – v.吵架；打架；战斗

admonish – v.告诫；劝告

headache – n.头痛

fish – v.捞取；钓鱼

action figures – （会动的）公仔玩偶

occupy – v.占据；占领；使忙碌

lunchtime – n.午餐时间

Check-in – 办理入住手续；报道

hotel – m.酒店

seafood restaurant – 海鲜餐厅

shrimp scampi – 奶油蒜香明虾意面

hope – v.希望

upset one’s stomach – exp.不喜欢吃

fish sticks – 炸鱼条

french fries – 炸薯条

opt – v.选择；做出抉择

surf and turf – 海鲜牛排套餐

Finally – adv.最后；终于

lobby – n.大厅；大堂

spacious – adj.宽敞的；广阔的

airy – adj.通风的；轻快的

potted plants – 盆栽植物

sunshine – n.阳光

mild – adj.温暖的；温和的

pull – v.拉；扯

tight bun – 紧紧的圆发髻

lipstick – n.口红；唇膏

oceanfront – n.海滨

sunscreen – n.防晒霜

sunburn – v.晒伤；晒黑

apply – v.涂抹；申请

instruct – v.指示；教导

exhausted – adj.配备的；精疲力尽的

go ahead – 前进；进行

catch up with somebody – 赶上某人；抓住某人

wear one out – 让某人精疲力尽

appetite – n.食欲；嗜好

irregular – adj.不规则的；无规律的

content – adj.满足的

immediately – adv.立即；立刻

struggle – n.挣扎；奋斗

stretch – v.伸展；拉伸

made it – v.达成；成功

full-length – adj.全身的；全长的

mirror – n.镜子

carry – v.搭载；运输

child – n.孩子

ponytail – n.马尾辫

pant – v.气喘；喘息

energy – n.精力；能量

inhaled deeply – 深深吸气

relish – v.享受；期盼

sweet – adj.甜蜜的；甜的

salty breeze – 咸咸的微风

whip – v.搅动；抽打

curly – adj.蜷曲的

tangy – adj.扑鼻的；强烈的

coconut tanning oil – 椰子美黑油

curl – v.扭曲；蜷曲

waves crashing – 海浪拍击

wash – v.冲刷；洗涤

break – v.打破

kick – v.踢

press – v.按压

palm – n.手掌

surf – n.（冲到岸边的）海浪

hear – v.听

behind – prep.在后面；晚于

breakfast – n.早餐

sunblock – n.防晒霜

Frisbee – n.飞盘；飞碟

peanut butter sandwich – 花生酱三明治

apple – n.苹果

cooler – n.冰箱；冷却器；散热器

ice – n.冰

swimming – n.游泳

isn't allowed – 不被允许

hunt – v.搜寻；打猎

forget – n.忘记；忽略

breakers – n.碎浪区

float – v.漂浮

wave – n.波浪

seagull – n.海鸥

splash fight – 水仗

queen – n.女王；王后

shriek – v.尖叫

splash – v.泼洒；飞溅

throw – v.扔；投掷

fistful – n.一把

sand – n.沙子；沙地

cut it out – 停止；闭嘴

minute – n.分钟

stomach – n.腹部；胃

strange – adj.奇怪的；陌生的

tight – adj.绷紧的

painful – adj.痛苦的；疼痛的

stopped walking – 停止走动

grab – v.攫取；捕获

gasp – v.气喘吁吁地说；喘息

easily lifted – 很轻松地举起

carry – v.运输；拌匀

having a baby – 生孩子

announce – v.宣布

particular – adj.特别的；独有的

mile – n.英里

hospital – n.医院

park – v.停车

ride – n.旅行；乘坐；搭乘

colorful Hawaiian shirt – 色彩丰富的夏威夷衬衫

consider – v.考虑；思考

nod – v.点头

be much obliged – exp.不胜感激

stranger – n.陌生人

remind – v.提醒

dutifully – adv.尽职尽责地；忠诚地

pipe up – 高声说话

unusual decision – 不同寻常的决定

agree – v.同意；赞成

by yourselves – 你们独自地

aloud – 大声地

Probably – adv.大概；或许

shyly – adv.害羞地

Fella – n.小伙子

sullenly – adv.不高兴地；阴沉地

similar situation – 相似的情况

station wagon – 旅行车

backseat – n.后排座

to ride shotgun – exp.坐在副驾驶位置；担任守卫；保驾护航

urge – v.催促

traffic – n.交通

Darn tourists – 讨厌的游客

add – v.补充；增加

midnight – n.午夜

pale – adj.苍白的

tired – adj.疲倦的

swaddle – v.用襁褓包裹

blanket – n.毯子；毛毯

triumphantly – adv.洋洋得意地；耀武扬威地

disappointed – adj.失望的；沮丧的

scurry – v.急跑

hop – v.跳跃；蹦跳

curiously – adv.好奇地

infant – n.婴儿；幼儿

cute – adj.可爱的

coo – v.轻声地说

shake hands – 握手

pleasure – n.快乐；高兴

lovely family – 幸福的家庭

little one – exp.小家伙；孩子

tease – v.取笑；戏弄

answer – v.回答

fit – v.符合；适合

sweet of you – exp.你真好

bashfully – adv.羞怯地

middle name – 中间名

silly – adj.愚蠢的

observe – v.评论；观察；注意

中文翻译

海滩之旅

玛丽超爱海滩，不论哪里的海滩她都爱，海滩大概是世界上她最爱的地方。她去过很多地方的许多海滩，每一处她都爱。对她来说，重要的是脚趾间的细沙、浪花拍打海岸的声音，以及吹拂着头发的清风。大部分时候，只要一想到海滩，她的内心就会感觉到宁静，而这总能让她会心一笑。

玛丽已经有两个小孩了，而且现在又怀着第三胎，因此，去海滩玩儿比以前要难得多。之前，只要来了兴致，不管什么时候，跳上车就出发，但是现在可没那么简单了！她仍然喜欢去沙滩，但现在计划行程的时候，不仅要考虑自己和老公的日程安排，还要顾及到孩子们的时间表。然后，玛丽和老公要帮孩子们做好出门准备，要收拾好自己，还要打包全家人的行李。之后才能开车去海滩，最近的海滩离他们有4小时的车程！单是想想这些繁琐的过程，玛丽就已经觉得精疲力尽了。

春假1马上就要开始了，孩子们会有一周的假期。玛丽和她老公约翰决定来一场海滩之旅，并在酒店里住几天。他们已经好几年没有度过假了，需要放松一下。

“你们放春假的时候咱们去海滩玩儿。”约翰告诉孩子们。

“太棒了！”孩子们欢呼道。

“我要造一座漂亮的大大的沙子城堡。”特雷弗说道。特雷弗是家里最大的孩子，今年8岁。

“我想捡一个白色的贝壳。”凯蒂说道。凯蒂是妹妹，今年5岁。

“我想在阳台上喝鸡尾酒。”约翰压低声音说。玛丽开玩笑地拍了拍约翰的手臂，提醒他不该在孩子面前说这些。

“我想好好晒晒太阳，美黑一下。”玛丽叹了口气。

就这样，他们等啊等啊，做着各种计划，谈论着去海滩度假的兴奋。他们会在那里待整整五天。对来玛丽和约翰来说，这场旅行会开销不小，因为酒店可不便宜，但他们知道这趟旅行肯定物有所值。

春假终于到了。一大早天还黑着，玛丽就把孩子们都叫起来了。她帮孩子们把他们的手提箱和行李都搬到车上，而约翰则负责搬他们夫妻俩的行李。然后，他们就开始这趟去海滩的长途之旅啦。

最初的几个小时，孩子们在睡觉，玛丽打着瞌睡，约翰在开车。天还黑着。后来，天空开始变成淡蓝色，然后变成淡粉色，之后变成亮粉色、橘黄色，最后太阳终于升起来了。他们在一个小咖啡馆前停下车，吃点早餐喝些咖啡。孩子们吃了薄煎饼，玛丽吃了燕麦粥和水果，约翰则吃了鸡蛋饼。约翰和玛丽又买了咖啡打包带走，然后他们挤回车里继续上路。

“妈妈，好无聊啊。”特雷弗抱怨道。

“不如数数路上有多少辆红色的车吧。”玛丽给他提了个建议。

“妈妈，我也无聊。”凯蒂跟着说。

“那你数数有多少辆白色的车。”玛丽这么建议她。

“妈妈，我也很无聊。”约翰打趣地说。

“你去数数从这里到海滩还有多少英里。”玛丽笑着回答。

约翰继续开着车，玛丽想到了她肚子里怀着的第三个孩子，几周之后就要出生了。玛丽和约翰不想在孩子出生前知道性别，所以她挑了很多她喜欢的名字。她不知道特雷弗和凯蒂能不能跟新宝宝好好相处。她不知道自己的身材能不能恢复到能穿上旧蓝色牛仔裤的样子。她不知道这个宝宝会喜欢运动，还是更爱室内活动，比如读书。凯蒂是个喜欢户外活动的姑娘，特雷弗则能静能动，但他更喜欢打电子游戏，或者跟妈妈一起做饭。她不知道约翰有没有介意过她当全职妈妈。对于她辞掉工作照看孩子的决定，他有没有不满？但是约翰每次回到家，看到干净整洁的屋子、开心的孩子们和香喷喷家常饭，他似乎都心怀感激，所以玛丽努力不去过分担心这些问题。

过了一会儿，玛丽问道：“你数了多少辆红车？”

“十一十十二辆！”特雷弗充满自信地回答。

“连我都知道你说的根本不是个数字！”凯蒂大叫道，“我数了五辆。”

“肯定不止五辆，”特雷弗一口咬定，“你说五辆只是因为你今年五岁。”

“才不是呢！”凯蒂反驳道。但其实，哥哥说的是事实，五是她最爱的数字。

“孩子们，请不要吵架。”玛丽劝说他们。她能感觉到头痛正在袭来，而他们还有很长的路要开。她从包里摸索出几个公仔玩偶，递给了后座的凯蒂。“要不你玩玩具吧？给特雷弗一个。”

两个孩子玩了好一会儿的玩偶。他俩玩累了之后就继续呼呼大睡了，到达海滩的时候差不多是午餐时间。酒店在下午3点之后才能办理入住手续，所以他们找了一间海鲜餐厅去吃午餐。玛丽点了一道奶油蒜香明虾意面，希望这能合她的胃口。孩子们要了炸鱼条和炸薯条，约翰则选择了海鲜牛排套餐。

终于到酒店入住的时间了。酒店大堂宽敞又通透，摆着很多盆栽植物，洒满了阳光。天气暖和，所有的窗户都开着。前台的女士一直在微笑。她的头发是深棕色的，在脑后挽成一个紧紧的发髻，涂着亮红色的口红。接着，他们把行李搬到了房间——可以俯瞰海滨的房间，然后换了衣服。今天还有时间去海滩呢！

“等等，孩子们，你们得先涂防晒霜。”特雷弗和凯蒂往门口跑的时候被玛丽叫住了，“你们不想被晒伤吧！约翰，你去帮特雷弗涂，我来帮凯蒂。”玛丽抓着女儿的手，开始往她手上涂防晒霜，同时教给她应该在什么地方涂抹，以及如何涂抹。

没有人比玛丽更渴望去沙滩了，但是等到帮孩子们准备停当可以下水的时候，玛丽已经累坏了！

“约翰，你们先去吧。我想躺会儿。过会儿我就去找你们。”

等其他人都出门了，玛丽穿着粉色比基尼坐在床边，轻轻拍着自己的肚子。她对第三个孩子的到来很兴奋，但这个宝宝真的让她精疲力尽了！最近几天她经常会觉得很累。她的脚很疼，她的胃口时好时坏，所以吃东西也很困难，而且有的时候甚至连走路都很难！宝宝出生的那天，她肯定会如释重负的。现在呢，在去海滩之前，能小睡一下，她就心满意足了。玛丽躺下来，几乎立刻就睡着了。

她睡了一个小时后，有点吃力地坐了起来，舒展了下身子。外面还是阳光明媚！站起来也很困难，但是她还是站起来了。玛丽走到卫生间，对着全身镜打量自己，微笑了起来。有些女性并不喜欢自己怀孕的样子，但是玛丽觉得自己看起来棒极了。她把头发扎成马尾，开始出发去海滩。

约翰租了一把遮阳伞，孩子们正在跟新朋友玩。特雷弗醉心于建造沙滩上最棒的沙子城堡，其他孩子有专用的桶，用来让沙子城堡成型。凯蒂也在一边帮忙，不管特雷弗干什么她都想一起参与。约翰坐在阳伞下看着孩子们，但当他看见玛丽走来的时候，马上站了起来，牵起她的手，给了她一个见面吻。

“睡得好么？”他问。

“非常好。”她气喘吁吁地说，走到海滩的这短短一段路就让她喘不过来气了，“我现在就盼着宝宝出生，然后我就能重新恢复活力了！”

玛丽继续往前走过沙滩，踏进海水里。她深深地吸了口气，享受着甜蜜又有些咸咸的海风吹散她黑色的卷发，也享受着身边人涂的椰子美黑油那强烈的味道。她在湿的沙子里弯曲着脚趾，闭上眼睛聆听着海浪的拍击声。当海浪打过来冲刷着她的脚的时候，她感觉到宝宝在肚子里踢她，她睁开眼笑了起来，用手掌轻压着腹部宝宝踢过的地方。虽然玛丽很累，但赤脚站在海浪里、看着日落，还能听着海浪声和身后孩子们的笑声，这一切都让她十分满足。

第二天一早，他们吃过早餐就直接去了海滩。所有人都涂了很多防晒霜，约翰和孩子们玩飞盘的时候，玛丽在阳伞下面小睡了一会儿。他们在沙滩上吃了午餐：花生酱三明治，以及装在满是冰的小冰箱里的冰水和冰镇苹果。玛丽和特雷弗下海去游泳了，但是凯蒂还小，不能加入他们。凯蒂便大哭起来，直到约翰开始跟她一起捡贝壳，她才把游泳的事儿抛到脑后。玛丽和特雷弗游过碎浪区——在这一区域很容易像海鸥一样浮在浪花上。特雷弗开始打起了水仗，结果玛丽大获全胜，因为她可是“打水仗女王”！

每个人又吃了一个三明治，休息片刻后，一家人决定在海滩上散散步。玛丽和约翰手挽着手走着，孩子们则飞快地冲到了前面，一边尖叫，一边向对方泼水、扔沙子，一直到约翰让他们停下来才作罢。

大概二十分钟后，玛丽突然觉得肚子不舒服——感觉绷得紧紧的而且很疼！她停住脚步，抓住了约翰的手：“我觉得宝宝要出生了！”她喘着粗气说。

“孩子们，跟着我！”约翰说。他轻松地把玛丽抱了起来。“我老婆马上就要生了！”他大声宣布着，但是根本不知道在跟谁说话。

“我们的小妹妹要出生了！”凯蒂喊道。

“我们的小弟弟要出生了！”特雷弗喊道

“有人能帮帮我们么？我们的车停在一英里外！我得带我老婆去医院！”约翰喊道。

“我的车就停在附近，我带你们去。”一个穿着花花绿绿的夏威夷衬衫的年长男士说。

约翰打量了他一下，又考虑了一下老婆的情况，然后点了点头。“好的，谢谢您，感激不尽。”他说，“孩子们，快过来。”

“老爸，我们不应该跟陌生人说话，”特雷弗尽职尽责地提醒约翰，“而且永远不能上陌生人的车！”

“没错儿。”凯蒂大声附和。

“你们说的对，孩子们，这确实是个很特别的决定。”约翰对他们表示赞同，“但是没关系的，因为妈咪和我都在这儿呢。没事的。不过没有家长在的时候你们不能这样做，明白吗？”

“妈咪要在车里生宝宝吗？”凯蒂又大声问道。

“应该不会。”穿花衬衫的男人对她说，“你叫什么，孩子？”

“……凯蒂。”她害羞地回答。

“你好啊凯蒂，我叫查理。你叫什么名字，小伙子？”他又问特雷弗

“特雷弗。”他愤愤地说，“你干嘛这么好心要送我们去医院？”

“这个嘛，我老婆也遇到过类似的情况。”查理解释说，“事实上当时也是在这个海滩，已经是三十年前的事儿了，那时候她正怀着我们的第一个孩子！”

“是个男孩儿还是女孩儿呀？”凯蒂很好奇。

“男孩儿。”查理说，“我们给他起名叫塞缪尔，但是一直到现在所有人都喊他塞米。”

他们走到了查理的车旁，那是一辆老式的绿色旅行车。约翰、玛丽和凯蒂坐在后排，特雷弗则坐在副驾上。

“查理，快点儿！”约翰催促道。

“嘿！我们就是游客。”特雷弗提醒他。

“已经很快了！”查理大声回答，“今天路上车太多了。讨厌的游客……”

一路上玛丽都紧紧依偎着约翰。到医院的时候，她疼得太厉害，已经不能走路了。医护人员匆忙把她推进产室，约翰紧跟在后，特雷弗和凯蒂则跟查理一起等着。查理不介意一边帮着照看孩子们一边等他们。等候室里有一些拼图和小玩具，这让特雷弗和凯蒂玩了一阵儿，但每个人都对宝宝的降生感到激动。特雷弗时不时地跑过等候室，问护士现在能不能去看他们的小弟弟。

“也许是小妹妹！”凯蒂每次都这么补充一句。

就这样，过了很长很长时间。到晚餐时间时，查理从自助餐厅拿了一些零食，对于能用薯片和糖果当晚餐，特雷弗和凯蒂感到非常高兴。不久之后孩子们就睡着了，因为这一天实在是漫长又刺激！

大约午夜时分，护士叫醒了他们，带着查理、特雷弗和凯蒂穿过医院，来到他们妈妈所在的病房。

玛丽看起来苍白又疲惫，但是脸上一直挂着微笑。小宝宝躺在她怀里，身上包着一块软软的白毯子。“孩子们，来看看你们的小弟弟吧。”玛丽告诉他们。

“我就说吧！”特雷弗洋洋得意地喊道。但是凯蒂看起来一点儿也不失望，她急忙跑过去，跳到床上坐在妈妈旁边，好奇地看着这个红脸蛋儿的小婴儿。

“他太可爱了。”凯蒂轻声说。

“我要教他打电子游戏。”特雷弗说。

“查理，你今天的帮助我们实在是太感激了。”约翰说。两个男人握了握手。

“别客气。你有一个幸福的家庭，约翰。我也很喜欢跟孩子们在一起！这好像让我回到了自己孩子小时候。”

“给他起什么名字？”凯蒂问。

“他叫查理。”玛丽微笑着说。

“你在开玩笑吧！”查理惊呼。

“没开玩笑。”玛丽回答，“本来约翰说如果是男孩子的话就叫欧尼斯特，但是现在我觉得查理更合适。”

“您真是太贴心了，夫人。”查理有些害羞了。

“要不是有你在，小查理可能就要生在沙滩上了！”约翰笑道，“实际上，我们给他起的中间名就是比奇，查理·比奇。”

“这个名字太傻了。”这是凯蒂评价说。

“凯蒂这个名字也很傻。”这是特雷弗的评价。

“你们呀……”玛丽微笑着叹了口气。

1 春假：欧美学校一般在三月份会放春假，时间多为7-10天。

小结

玛丽是个热爱海滩的姑娘，事实上，海滩是她在这世界上最爱的地方。当她怀着第三个宝宝的时候，到了怀孕后期，一想到自己身怀六甲，家里还有两个年幼的孩子，她就觉得去海滩玩实在是太困难了。但是尽管如此，她和老公还是决定春假的时候带着孩子们——八岁的特雷弗和五岁的凯蒂——来一场五天的海滩之旅。

经过漫长的旅途，玛丽一家人终于抵达了海滩。老公约翰先带着孩子们去沙滩玩，而玛丽则需要小睡一会儿，她已经精疲力尽了。第二天，玛丽精神好了很多，可以在海滩多待些时候，并且跟孩子们度过了愉快的亲子游戏时光。

午餐后，玛丽突然开始阵痛，一位好心的当地居民——查理——紧急把他们送到了医院。经过了很长时间的痛苦分娩，玛丽生下了一个儿子，叫做查理·比奇！

Best Birthday Ever

Raquel woke up the morning of her twentieth birthday feeling like a million bucks.

She got out of bed as soon as her alarm went off. Usually, Raquel was not a morning person and she felt tired until her first cup of coffee of the day, but the morning of her twentieth birthday, she felt amazing! She got up and stretched with a big yawn and went into the bathroom to get ready for class.

like a million bucks – exp.感觉很棒

go off – (警报器) 突发巨响

morning person - exp.爱早起的人

amazing - adj.令人惊异的

stretch – v.伸展；舒展

yawn - n.哈欠

“Wow,” said Raquel as she looked in the mirror. She was having a good hair day. She had long, thick, dark brown hair that usually had a mind of its own. This morning, her hair already looked almost perfect. She brushed her hair with her favorite baby blue hairbrush until it was smooth and shiny, then she pulled it back into a bouncy ponytail on the top of her head. Because it was her birthday, Raquel was feeling fancy, so she decided to put on some makeup too. First, she applied black eyeliner and made sure that the lines were winged like she saw in fashion magazines. Then she put on some black mascara, which made her eyelashes look thick and long. Then she put on some bright red lipstick, which was fashionable and festive. To top it all off, Raquel splashed on some of her favorite perfume; it was expensive, over a hundred dollars a bottle, but it made her smell like a movie star.

good hair day – exp. 头发状态良好

mind of its own – exp.有自己的想法

baby blue – 淡蓝色

bouncy ponytail – 动感马尾

fancy – adj.精致的

makeup - n.彩妆；化妆品

apply - v.应用

eyeliner - n.眼线笔；眼线膏

fashion magazine – 时尚杂志

mascara – n.睫毛膏

eyelash - n.睫毛

lipstick - n.唇膏；口红

fashionable - adj.流行的；时髦的

festive - adj.节日的；喜庆的

Next, Raquel went to get dressed. She chose a bright red blouse that matched her lipstick, a black ballerina skirt and cute black flats. She admired herself in the mirror, thinking that she was the most beautiful girl on campus. And why shouldn't she be? It was her birthday!

blouse – n.女装衬衫

ballerina skirt -芭蕾短裙

flats - n.平跟鞋

Raquel went to the kitchenette in her dorm room and started brewing a cup of coffee. She loved coffee. Dark roast was her favorite and once she had a nice strong cup brewed, she put lots of cream and sugar in it. Usually, Raquel liked to eat a very healthy breakfast with yogurt and some fresh fruit, but she decided, because it was her birthday, that she could indulge in her favorite breakfast pastry: a Boston cream doughnut. The only problem was, Raquel didn't have any Boston cream doughnuts at home so she had to stop at the campus coffee shop to buy one.

kitchenette – n. 小厨房

brew – v.酿造；冲泡

indulge - v.沉溺；放任

pastry - n.油酥点心

Boston cream doughnut –波士顿奶油甜甜圈

She approached the counter at the coffee shop and smiled brightly. The cashier was a very cute boy that Raquel recognized from one of her classes. He smiled back at her and he was so handsome when he smiled that Raquel forgot to order.

“Can I help you?” the boy asked. Raquel looked at his name tag. His name was Michael.

“Oh! Yes, I want a Boston cream doughnut, please.” She pointed at the one she wanted sitting in the glass case.

Michael took out the doughnut using a little piece of waxed paper and put it in a doughnut-sized paper bag. He handed it across the counter to Raquel, still smiling. Boy, was he handsome when he smiled!

“Thanks,” said Raquel, “how much do I owe you?”

“You don't owe me anything, we're having a special promotion today,” Michael said. “Pretty girls get one Boston cream doughnut for free.”

Raquel erupted in a fit of giggles and blushed, hiding her face behind the paper bag containing the doughnut. “It's perfect!” she exclaimed.

“What is?” Michael asked.

“Today is my birthday,” Raquel explained shyly, “so it's like a birthday present!”

“Happy birthday!” Michael exclaimed. “Do you have any big plans for celebrating your birthday?”

“I don't know,” Raquel admitted, “I have classes all day, but I was going to ask my friends to go to dinner later.” She paused, then beamed at Michael. “Do you want to come to dinner?”

“That would be awesome,” said Michael, still smiling his ridiculously handsome smile.

“Can I get your number?” asked Raquel. She handed her phone across the counter and let Michael type in his cell phone number and name. He handed the phone back to her and she thanked him. “I'll text you later! I'm finished with class around four.”

“Great! I get off at four. See you later.”

“Bye!”

handsome – adj.英俊的

Boy – exp.好家伙！

promotion – n.促销；提升

erupt – v.爆发

giggle – n.咯咯的笑声

blush – v.脸红

exclaim – v.大叫；呼喊

shyly – adv.羞怯地

beam – v.堆满笑容；照射；发送

awesome – adj.极好的

ridiculously – adv.相当地；十分；荒谬地

text – v.发信息

See you later – exp.再见

Michael watched the girl walk away, admiring her legs and her puffy black skirt. He felt a little bit dizzy because the girl was so beautiful, and friendly, and she smelled nice, and Michael had decided that she was pretty much perfect. He could hardly believe that she invited him to dinner on her birthday! He was practically a stranger.

admire – v.欣赏；钦佩

dizzy – adj.晕眩的

hardly believe – exp.难以置信

stranger – n.陌生人

The rest of Michael's shift at the coffee shop went by very, very slowly. He kept thinking about how red the girl's lips looked, and how white her teeth were, and how brown her hair was. He got butterflies in his stomach when he remembered her giggling when he flirted with her.

shift – n.轮班

butterflies in his stomach – exp.忐忑；紧张

flirt – v.调情

Time slowed to a crawl. Michael was very distracted while he worked. He was usually a very good employee, but today, he got orders wrong, burned the milk while making a latte, and even accidentally ignored a customer while staring into space and thinking about the girl! The customer berated him and his manager scolded him, but Michael didn't care because he had a date tonight with the most perfect girl in the world.

Time slowed to a crawl – exp. 时光慢慢流逝

burn – v.烧掉；烧糊

latte – n.拿铁咖啡

accidentally – adv.意外地

staring into space – exp.呆呆地凝视前方

berate – v.严责

scold – v.责骂；训斥

When Michael clocked out, he checked his phone and, sure enough, he had a text from the girl.

Hey! Meet me at Tony's Pizza at 7. See you there! ;)

Michael felt giddy as he responded to her text: Okay! Looking forward to it. :) And it was true, he really was looking forward to seeing the girl again. He had just enough time to go home, get cleaned up, and get a birthday card. Michael still lived with his parents at their house, which was close enough to campus that he could ride his bike. It was a beautiful day: sunny and not too hot. There was very little traffic, so his ride home was easy. He went inside the house, said hello to his mom, and went upstairs to change.

giddy – adj.头晕的

campus – n.大学；校园

traffic – n.交通

upstairs – n.楼上

Michael was a very tall boy. He had just turned twenty-one, and his mom said he was probably finished growing. He was six and a half feet tall and sometimes it was hard to find trousers that were long enough. He had one nice pair of trousers that fit him perfectly, so he decided to wear them to meet the girl, even though he had also worn them to work and they smelled a little bit like steamed milk and coffee. He put on a red polo shirt, thinking that the girl might still be wearing her red blouse and it would be funny if they matched. To cover up the smell of coffee, Michael put on some cologne and then he was ready to leave.

turn – v.变成；转变

feet – n.英尺

steamed – adj.蒸熟的

funny – adj.有趣的

cologne – n.古龙香水

He had just enough time to stop by a gift shop on the way. He knew he had already given the girl the doughnut for a present, but he liked her a lot and wanted to impress her so he also got a card. He didn't know what kind of card she would like, though! Would she want a card with a funny joke and a silly picture? Would she want a card with a sentimental message? Was she religious; would she want a card wishing her a blessed year? Michael settled on a card that was decorated with cute drawings of pink flowers and a happy cartoon puppy wishing her a happy birthday. He bought the card and started to write on it, but then he realized that he did not know her name!

gift shop –礼品店

impress – v.给人印象

sentimental – adj.伤感的；多愁善感的

religious – adj.宗教的；虔诚的

blessed – adj.受祝福的

cartoon – n.卡通；漫画

Michael began to panic. How stupid could he be? He asked a girl on a date without even knowing her name! She had his phone number and everything. How embarrassing! Michael groaned out loud and thumped his head down on the counter.

“What's wrong, buddy?” The guy behind the counter was an older man with gray hair and glasses.

“I don't know this girl's name,” Michael moaned. “I asked her on a date and I don't even know her name!”

“Tough luck, kiddo,” the man said. He was trying not to laugh, but he thought it was pretty funny.

“I feel so stupid,” Michael grumbled. “It's her birthday, too.”

“Everyone makes mistakes,” the man said, and he shrugged.

panic – n.恐慌

stupid – adj.愚蠢的

on a date – exp.约会

embarrassing – adj.令人尴尬的

groan – v.呻吟；叹息

buddy – n.伙伴；小男孩

moan – v.抱怨；呻吟着说

pretty funny – exp.很有意思

stupid – adj.傻瓜

grumble – v.嘟囔；抱怨

mistake – n.错误

shrug – v.耸肩

Michael decided he would just not write anything on the card and hope that she didn't notice. He had been feeling excited and happy all day, but now he just felt nervous. If she found out that he didn't know her name, she would probably think he was some kind of creep or maybe she would think he was stupid. Michael didn't know what she would think, but it probably would not be good!

He got on his bike with the blank birthday card in his backpack and started the ride to Tony's Pizza. At least the food will be good, he thought.

notice – v.注意到

nervous –adj.紧张的

creep –adj.极讨厌的人

Raquel was so happy about Michael coming to dinner that she almost forgot to eat her doughnut.She ate it during class and spilled a little bit of the sweet cream filling on her notebook. It wasn't that big of a deal, but her notebook would smell like pastries for weeks to come!

forgot – v.忘记

sweet cream filling – 甜奶油馅

that big of a deal - exp. 没什么大不了

The lecture was so boring that Raquel barely took any notes. It was a statistics class, and Raquel didn't really like math. She liked history class better, and this semester she was taking a dance class which she enjoyed a lot.

barely – adv.几乎不

statistics –n. 统计学

dance – n.舞蹈

Raquel couldn't even enjoy her history lecture that day though, because she kept thinking about Michael. She kept thinking about his big, handsome, goofy smile. She thought about his black coffee shop uniform and wondered what he would wear later. She thought about his shaggy black hair. She thought about how tall he was, and she wondered if he had very big hands. She wondered if he would care that she was a whole foot shorter than him. She wondered about Michael all day long, until her last class ended and she was free to go.

goofy –adj.傻瓜的

uniform –n.制服

shaggy – adj.蓬松的

wonder –v.想知道

foot –n.英尺

She went to the library to do some studying but still kept thinking about Michael. She texted a bunch of her friends to invite them to dinner at Tony's Pizza later on, and after that she was able to study for a little bit, but Raquel really could not focus on her notes! So she decided to go take a walk because it was such a beautiful day.

studying – n.学习；研究

text –v. 发短信

focus – v. 集中（注意力）

Outside, the sky was a deep blue color and the air was cool and refreshing. It was springtime, so the grass and trees were a happy shade of green and there were flowers all over the place. Some of the trees had lots of tiny pink flowers, other trees had big white flowers, and some trees had no flowers at all: only buds and leaves. Bright yellow daffodils and tulips in a multitude of colors smiled up at Raquel from the ground, and because it was her birthday, she smiled right back.

deep blue –adj.碧蓝

refreshing – adj.提神的

springtime – n.春季

buds – n.嫩芽；蓓蕾

leaves –n.树叶

daffodils – n.水仙花

tulips –n.郁金香

multitude –n.多数

Raquel saw a few of her friends while she was walking, and asked them to come to her birthday dinner later that night, but they all said they were busy! Jolisa had to work, Mary Beth had an exam the next day, Carrie had a paperdue, and Thomas had to take his cat to the veterinarian. Raquel felt disappointed but it was still her birthday, so she tried not to let it get her down.

exam –n. 考试

paper due –论文上交日期

veterinarian –n.兽医

disappointed – adj.失望的

get her down –让自己失落

At last, seven o'clock came around. Raquel walked in to Tony's Pizza and chose a great big table so that everyone she had invited could sit with her. She ordered a soda and eagerly watched the door, waiting for her friends to show up.

But they didn't.

Seven o'clock became seven-thirty, and then it was eight o'clock. Raquel drank three sodas and was still sitting all by herself at the great, big, empty table. She tried not to be sad but, when eight o'clock came and no one was there to celebrate with her, Raquel felt tears in her eyes and she looked down at the table.

“Hey!” said a familiar voice.

Raquel looked up and saw Michael standing beside her. He looked very nice in his red polo shirt, except he had a scrape on his arm and his hair was mussed!

“What happened?” Raquel cried, leaping to her feet. “Are you okay?”

came around – exp.来访

eagerly –adv.急切地；渴望地

to show up – exp.出现

tears –n.眼泪

familiar–adj熟悉的

scrape – n.刮痕

mussed – adj.混乱

cry– v.大叫；哭喊

leap – v.跳

“Yeah, I just crashed my bicycle,” Michael said sheepishly, “that's why I'm late. I'm really sorry.”

“Oh my gosh. You're not hurt, are you?”

“No, I'm fine! I promise. Um... where is everyone else?” Michael asked. He looked at the empty table with a concerned expression.

crash – v. 撞

sheepishly – adv.怯懦地

Oh my gosh – 我的天！

Concerned expression –担忧的表情

“That is a good question,” Raquel grumbled. “No one showed up.”

“Let me buy you some pizza,” Michael offered as he and Raquel sat down together.

Together, Michael and Raquel finished a whole pepperoni pizza. It was the best pizza either of them had ever tasted. Raquel felt much better after she ate, and she thanked Michael for coming to dinner.

“It's my pleasure,” Michael told her, “I've been looking forward to it all day!” He took the card out of his backpack and handed it to her, “For you.”

“Thank you!” Raquel exclaimed. She opened the card, and as she read it, she smiled. “That's so sweet of you, Michael.”

Michael smiled and squirmed a little in his seat when she said his name, because he still didn't know her name. He had asked her on a date, bought her dinner, and given her a birthday card; and he still didn't know her name! The evening ended after they sat and talked for a few hours. They both had class early the next day and needed to get home and go to bed.

“Let me give you a ride home, since your bike is broken,” Raquel offered. Michael agreed, and she drove him home. Once they got to Michael's house, Raquel said, “Thanks again, Michael, this was the best birthday I've ever had!”

Michael smiled and, feeling brave, he leaned over and kissed the girl's cheek!

Raquel giggled. Michael said goodnight and went inside. He still didn't know her name.

“How was your date, honey?” Michael's mom asked when he came in.

“It was... good,” Michael said.

“You don't seem too sure about that,” his mother said, looking at him over the top of her glasses.

“Mom?”

“Yes?”

“I don't know her name. The girl I asked out. I don't know her name! I forgot to get it when I met her, but she knows my name and she has my number and everything,” Michael groaned.

“Why don't you just ask her?” his mom said.

“I can't just ask her! She'll think I'm so dumb!” Michael said.

“If she is the right girl for you, she'll understand,” Michael's mom reassured him, but this didn't make Michael feel any better. “Can you ask one of her friends?”

“I can't just ask someone!” Michael scoffed, “They might tell her.”

“Didn't you say you have a class with her? Maybe you can ask the professor,” his mom suggested.

So, the next day during his class with the girl Michael approached the professor and asked for the girl's name. He described Raquel, but Michael wasn't very good at describing, and the professor thought he meant a different girl!

“Her name is Brittany,” the professor said confidently.

When the girl walked in the room, Michael marched right up to her and smiled.

“Hi, Brittany,” he said. His smile went away as the girl frowned.

“My name is Raquel,” she grumbled.

Michael was mortified. He felt about as tall as a grasshopper's knee. He wanted to disappear into the floor. His cheeks turned bright red. Raquel saw how embarrassed he was and she relaxed.

“That's okay, Michael. Everyone makes mistakes!” Raquel took his hand and they sat down together in the front row.

Raquel thought that Michael was the best birthday present she had ever gotten.

It's my pleasure – exp. 我很荣幸

looking forward to it - exp.期待

so sweet of you – exp.你太贴心了

squirm – v.扭动；局促不安

offer –v.提议，提供

agree–v.同意

brave – adj.勇敢的

kiss – v.吻

cheek – n.脸颊

honey –n.宝贝

groan –v.呻吟

reassure–v.使安心

scoff – v.嘲笑

suggest – v.建议

approach – v.接近

describe –描述

confidently – adv.自信地

march –v.(坚定地)向某地行进

frown –v.皱眉

mortified –adj.窘迫的

as tall as a grasshopper's knee – exp.矮到尘埃里

relax – v.使放松

Summary

It was Raquel's birthday, and she felt incredible. She dolled herself up before going to class, put on perfume, and even decided to get herself a doughnut for breakfast from a local coffee shop. This is where Raquel meets Michael, a handsome boy who gives her a Boston cream doughnut for free and flirts with her. Raquel is so smitten with Michael that she invites him to her birthday dinner with friends that evening.

All day long Raquel and Michael daydream about each other, but Michael has one worry—he doesn't have Raquel's name. When it's time for the big dinner, nobody shows up but Michael, and he's an hour late—Raquel had just started to cry before he arrived. They end up having a wonderful date, but, even after kissing her good night, Michael still doesn't know Raquel's name.

The next day, Michael asks a professor about Raquel's name, but he is given the wrong name, and calls her Brittany instead. Michael is then terribly embarrassed, but Raquel handles the situation with grace and forgives him immediately, proving that she is the right girl for him.

词汇表

like a million bucks – exp. 感觉很棒

go off – (警报器) 突发巨响

morning person - exp.爱早起的人

amazing - adj.令人惊异的

stretch – v.伸展；舒展

yawn - n.哈欠

good hair day – exp.头发状态良好

mind of its own – exp.有自己的想法

baby blue – 淡蓝色

bouncy ponytail – 动感马尾

fancy – adj.精致的

makeup - n.彩妆；化妆品

apply - v.应用

eyeliner - n.眼线笔；眼线膏

fashion magazine – 时尚杂志

mascara – n.睫毛膏

eyelash - n.睫毛

lipstick - n.唇膏；口红

fashionable - adj.流行的；时髦的

festive - adj.节日的；喜庆的

blouse – n.女装衬衫

ballerina skirt -芭蕾短裙

flats - n.平跟鞋

kitchenette – n.小厨房

brew – v.酿造；冲泡

indulge - v.沉溺；放任

pastry - n.油酥点心

Boston cream doughnut –波士顿奶油甜甜圈

handsome – adj.英俊的

Boy – exp.好家伙！

promotion – n.促销；提升

erupt – v.爆发

giggle – n.咯咯的笑声

blush – v.脸红

exclaim – v.大叫；呼喊

shyly – adv.羞怯地

beam – v.堆满笑容；照射；发送

awesome – adj.极好的

ridiculously – adv.相当地；十分；荒谬地

text – v.发信息

See you later – exp.再见

admire – v.欣赏；钦佩

dizzy – adj.晕眩的

hardly believe – exp.难以置信

stranger – n.陌生人

shift – n.轮班

butterflies in his stomach – exp.忐忑；紧张

flirt – v.调情

Time slowed to a crawl – exp.时光慢慢流逝

burn – v.烧掉；烧糊

latte – n.拿铁咖啡

accidentally – adv.意外地

staring into space – exp.呆呆地凝视前方

berate – v.严责

scold – v.责骂；训斥

giddy – adj.头晕的

campus – n.大学；校园

traffic – n.交通

upstairs – n.楼上

turn – v.变成；转变

feet – n.英尺

steamed – adj.蒸熟的

funny – adj.有趣的

cologne – n.古龙香水

gift shop –礼品店

impress – v.给人印象

sentimental – adj.伤感的；多愁善感的

religious – adj.宗教的；虔诚的

blessed – adj.受祝福的

cartoon – n.卡通；漫画

panic – n.恐慌

stupid – adj.愚蠢的

on a date – exp.约会

embarrassing – adj.令人尴尬的

groan – v.呻吟；叹息

buddy – n.伙伴；小男孩

moan – v.抱怨；呻吟着说

pretty funny – exp.很有意思

stupid – adj.傻瓜

grumble – v.嘟囔；抱怨

mistake – n.错误

shrug – v.耸肩

notice – v.注意到

nervous –adj.紧张的

creep –adj.极讨厌的人

forgot – v.忘记

sweet cream filling – 甜奶油馅

that big of a deal - exp.没什么大不了

barely – adv.几乎不

statistics –n.统计学

dance – n.舞蹈

goofy –adj.傻瓜的

uniform –n.制服

shaggy – adj.蓬松的

wonder –v.想知道

foot –n.英尺

studying – n.学习；研究

text –v.发短信

focus – v.集中（注意力）

deep blue –adj.碧蓝

refreshing – adj.提神的

springtime – n.春季

buds – n.嫩芽；蓓蕾

leaves –n.树叶

daffodils – n.水仙花

tulips –n.郁金香

multitude –n.多数

exam –n.考试

paper due –论文上交日期

veterinarian –n.兽医

disappointed – adj.失望的

get her down –让自己失落

came around – exp.来访

eagerly – adv.急切地；渴望地

to show up – exp.出现

tears – n.眼泪

familiar– adj熟悉的

scrape – n.刮痕

mussed – adj.混乱

cry– v.大叫；哭喊

leap – v.跳

It's my pleasure – exp.我很荣幸

looking forward to it - exp.期待

so sweet of you – exp.你太贴心了

squirm – v.扭动；局促不安

offer –v.提议，提供

agree–v.同意

brave – adj.勇敢的

kiss – v.吻

cheek – n.脸颊

honey –n.宝贝

groan –v.呻吟

reassure–v.使安心

scoff – v.嘲笑

suggest – v.建议

approach – v.接近

describe –描述

confidently – adv.自信地

march –v.(坚定地)向某地行进

frown –v.皱眉

mortified –adj.窘迫的

as tall as a grasshopper's knee – exp.矮到尘埃里

relax – v.使放松

中文译文

最好的生日

今天是拉克尔的20岁生日，清晨醒来，她感觉好极了。

闹钟一响，拉克尔便立刻跳下了床。平日里，她不爱早起，而且往往要喝一杯咖啡才能精神起来。但在今天早晨，她感觉神清气爽！拉克尔起身打了个大大的呵欠，伸了伸懒腰，走进浴室，准备洗漱一下去学校。

“哇。”拉克尔照了照镜子，不禁发出感叹，今天的发型太棒了。她有一头浓密的深棕色长发，但往往难以打理。而今天早上，她的头发看上去已经几近完美了。拉克尔用她最爱的淡蓝色发梳将头发梳理得柔顺光亮，在脑后扎了一个高高的马尾辫，动感十足。

今天是拉克尔的生日，她想把自己打扮得精致一点，所以她决定画个妆。她首先画了个上挑的黑色眼线，就像在时尚杂志上看到的那样；接着涂上黑色的睫毛膏，让睫毛看上去又长又密；然后擦上亮红色唇膏，既时髦又喜庆。最后，拉克尔喷上了自己最爱的香水——这香水挺贵的，要100多美元一瓶呢，但能让她闻起来像个电影明星。

接下来，拉克尔去穿衣服。她选了一件红色衬衫，鲜艳的红色与她的红唇相配，一条黑色芭蕾短裙，一双俏皮的黑色平底鞋。拉克尔欣赏着镜子里的自己，感觉自己是整个校园最美丽的女孩，她理应是最美的？今天可是她的生日！

拉克尔走进宿舍的小厨房给自己煮了杯咖啡。她喜欢喝咖啡，而且最喜欢深烘焙咖啡。每次喝浓咖啡，她都会加许多糖和奶油。早饭她通常吃得很健康，还要配上酸奶和新鲜水果。但今天过生日，她决定放纵自己吃一些最爱的点心——波士顿奶油甜甜圈。唯一的问题是，宿舍里没有波士顿奶油甜甜圈了，所以她必须到学校的咖啡店去买一些。

拉克尔带着灿烂的笑容，走近咖啡店的柜台。收银的男孩子很可爱，拉克尔认出来他们上过同一门课。男孩回以微笑，男孩笑起来的样子帅气极了，让拉克尔忘记了点单。

“来点什么？”男孩问道。拉克尔看了一眼他的胸牌，得知他叫迈克尔。

“哦哦！我要一个波士顿奶油甜甜圈，谢谢。”她指着静静躺在玻璃橱中的甜甜圈。

迈克尔用一小块蜡纸包起甜甜圈，放在专用纸袋里，递给了柜台外的拉克尔。笑容自始至终都挂在他的脸上。天哪，他笑起来太帅了！

“谢谢，”拉克尔说道，“我该付你多少钱？”

“不用付钱，我们今天有促销活动，”迈克尔回答，“漂亮的女孩可以免费得到一个波士顿奶油甜甜圈。”

拉克尔忍不住“咯咯”地笑了起来，脸蛋“唰”一下红透了。她羞涩地把脸藏在纸袋后，惊喜地叫道：“太完美了！”

“什么太完美了？”迈克尔不解。

“今天是我的生日，”拉克尔害羞地解释，“所以这就像是给我的生日礼物！”

“生日快乐！”迈克尔大声说道，“准备怎么庆祝？有没有计划？”

“我不知道，”拉克尔老实回答，“我一整天都有课，但我打算邀请朋友晚上聚餐。”她停了停，微笑着问迈克尔，“你愿意一起来吗？”

迈克尔果断答应：“那真是太棒了！”依然是一副迷死人的笑容。

“可以把你的电话号码给我吗？”拉克尔问着，将手机递给迈克尔，让他输上自己的电话和名字。迈克尔照做了，然后递回手机。拉克尔道了谢，“迟些给你发信息，我大约四点下课。”

“好极了，我四点下班。再见！”

“拜！”

迈克尔目送拉克尔离开，欣赏着她修长的腿和蓬蓬的黑色短裙，感到一阵目眩神迷。她是如此美丽亲切，笑起来那么甜美，简直太完美了！这么优秀的女孩居然邀请自己去参加她的生日聚餐！而自己只不过是个陌生人！

迈克尔觉得剩下的上班时间变得分外漫长，他一直在回想女孩红润的嘴唇、洁白的牙齿和美丽的棕色长发。回忆起调笑时她银铃般的笑声，迈克尔不禁心猿意马。

时间慢得就像蜗牛在爬。迈克尔根本无心工作。他一贯是模范员工，今天却频频失误：一会儿下错单，一会儿在调配拿铁1的时候煮糊了牛奶，甚至还因为发呆没听到顾客的要求而遭到顾客的指责。迈克尔被经理狠狠训斥了一番，但他一点儿也不在乎。因为今晚，他要和世界上最美丽的女孩约会！

终于打卡下班了，迈克尔拿起手机，果然看到了女孩发来的信息。

“嗨！7点托尼披萨店见！不见不散！ ;)”

迈克尔幸福得快要晕过去了，立刻回复道：“好！万分期待！：）”这可是大实话，他确实十分期待再次见到那个姑娘。时间还充足，他可以回家把自己整理利索，再准备张生日贺卡。迈克尔仍与父母住在一起，住的地方离学校很近，他可以骑自行车回去。今天天气很好，晴空万里，温度适宜。路上车很少，他很快就骑到了家。进门后跟妈妈打了声招呼，迈克尔就上楼换衣服去了。

迈克尔个子很高。他刚满21岁，妈妈说他应该不会再长个儿了。他身高足足六尺半（1.96米），有时候都买不到合适的裤子。他有一条非常合身的裤子，虽然上班穿的就是这条，闻起来有热牛奶和咖啡的味道，但他还是决定穿着它去见女孩。迈克尔套上一件红色的马球衫2，因为他觉得很可能女孩还穿着早上那件红色的衬衫，那两人将是多么相配。最后，迈克尔喷上一些古龙水来遮盖身上的咖啡味，准备出发。

还有时间顺路去礼品店。虽然自己已经给了女孩甜甜圈作为礼物，但强烈的爱慕之情驱使迈克尔打算给女孩留下更好的印象。不知道女孩喜欢什么样的生日卡片，是印着小笑话和搞笑图片的，还是写着煽情的文字的？她有宗教信仰吗？会喜欢带有宗教色彩的祝福卡片吗？最后，迈克尔选了一张十分可爱的卡片，上面画着粉红色的花朵，还有一只笑眯眯的卡通小狗在祝女孩生日快乐。买下卡片后，迈克尔打算写些祝福的话语，却突然意识到，自己还不知道女孩的名字！

迈克尔开始慌了，自己怎么这么笨？他邀请女孩约会，却连对方名字都不知道！而对方却知道自己的电话号码和一切信息！太尴尬了！迈克尔懊恼地呻吟了一声，手撑着额头颓然靠在柜台上。

“怎么了小伙子？”柜台后的男人问道。他一头白发，戴着眼镜。

“我不知道那个女孩的名字。”迈克尔抱怨道，“我约她出来，却连她的名字都不知道！”

“真不走运，孩子，”男人安慰着迈克尔，虽然觉得很好笑，但努力不让自己笑出来。

“我觉得自己蠢透了。”迈克尔嘟囔着，“今天还是她的生日呢。”

“人人都会犯错。”男人耸了耸肩，继续安抚着可怜的迈克尔。

迈克尔决定什么都不写，暗自希望女孩不会注意到。整整一天他都沉浸在开心和兴奋中，现在却紧张万分。如果她发现我连她的名字都不知道，会不会觉得我很讨厌，或者觉得我很傻？迈克尔不知道她会怎么想，但一定不是什么好印象！

想到迈克尔会来参加自己的生日聚餐，拉克尔高兴地差点忘了吃甜甜圈。课间她吃掉了甜甜圈，还往笔记本上掉了些甜奶油馅。这没什么大不了的，只不过未来几周，她的笔记本闻起来会像是香喷喷的甜点！

这节统计课太无聊了，拉克尔没怎么记笔记，因为她不是很喜欢数学。她更喜欢历史课，而且这学期她还选了自己喜欢的舞蹈课。

然而今天拉克尔连历史课都没能好好听，因为她一直在想迈克尔，想着他灿烂、帅气又傻傻的笑；想着他黑色的咖啡店制服，好奇晚些时候他是不是还会穿着赴约；想着他蓬松乌黑的头发，猜测着他有多高，手掌会不会很宽大；会不会在意自己比他矮了足足一英尺……整整一天，直到最后一节课结束，她都沉浸在对迈克尔的遐想中。

下课后拉克尔去图书馆温习功课，却仍然忍不住得想迈克尔。她给一堆朋友发了信息，邀请大家晚些时候在托尼披萨店聚餐。发完信息，她勉强学了一会儿，可注意力根本没法集中在笔记上！外面天气正好，拉克尔决定出去走走。

正值春日，晴空碧蓝，风清气爽，芳草连天，绿树成荫，鲜花遍地。有些树上点缀着小小的粉色花朵，有些盛开着大大的白花，有些树没有开花，只有含苞待放的蓓蕾和层层叠叠的树叶。鲜艳的黄水仙和色彩斑斓的郁金香怒放，仿佛在对拉克尔微笑。拉克尔也冲着这些娇艳的花儿报以微笑，因为今天是她的生日。

散着步，拉克尔看到了几个朋友，便邀请他们参加晚上的聚餐，但大家都说太忙了！乔丽萨要去工作，玛丽•贝丝要准备第二天的考试，嘉莉要赶论文，汤姆斯要带自己的宠物猫去看兽医。拉克尔有些失望，但她努力不让这些小插曲影响自己的好心情。

马上七点了，拉克尔走进托尼披萨店，选了一张巨大的桌子，这样大家能都和她坐在一起。她点了杯苏打水，急切地盯着店门，等着朋友的出现。

但是没有人来。

时针从七点指向七点半，又指向了八点。拉克尔已经喝了三杯苏打水，依然孤零零地坐在空荡荡的大桌子上。她努力不让自己难过，但当时针指向八点，还是没有人出现时，她的眼泪忍不住开始打转，拉克尔垂头看着桌下。

“嘿！”一个熟悉的声音响起。

拉克尔抬起头，看到迈克尔站在她身边，穿着一件红色polo衫，看上去帅极了。他的手臂上有擦伤，头发也一团糟。

“发生什么了？”拉克尔惊叫着跳了起来，“你没事吧？”

“没事，我骑车的时候撞了下，”迈克尔怯怯地说，“所以我来迟了，真的很抱歉。”

“我的天，你没伤到吧？”

“没有，我好得很！我保证！嗯……其他人呢？”看着空空如也的桌子，迈克尔面露担忧。

“问得好，”拉克尔抱怨道，“一个人都没来。”

“我给你点些披萨。”迈克尔说道。两人一起在桌前坐下。

他们吃光了整个意大利腊香肠披萨，这是他们吃过的最美味的披萨。拉克尔感觉好多了，对迈克尔能来参加聚餐表达了感激之情。

“荣幸之至，”迈克尔告诉她，“我一整天都在等待这一刻！”他从背包里拿出贺卡递给拉克尔，“送给你。”

“谢谢你！”拉克尔大声说道。她打开贺卡，读着上边的祝福，开心地笑了。“你真是太贴心了，迈克尔。”

听到她叫自己的名字，迈克尔一边笑，一边不安地在凳子上扭了扭身体，因为他还不知道拉克尔的名字。他邀请她约会，为她买单，给她买生日贺卡，却仍然不知道她的名字！夜晚在几个小时的畅聊中度过了，第二天早上两人都有课，于是他们准备回家睡觉。

“你车子坏了，我送你回家吧。”拉克尔提出，迈克尔欣然同意，于是拉克尔送迈克尔回了家。到迈克尔家时拉克尔说：“再次谢谢你，迈克尔，这是我有史以来最美好的生日！”

迈克尔笑了，感觉勇气倍增，他靠过去亲吻了女孩的面颊。

拉克尔咯咯笑了。迈克尔道过晚安，进了家——他还是不知道女孩的名字。

“约会怎么样，宝贝？”进家的时候妈妈问迈克尔。

“嗯……挺好。”迈克尔老实答道

“你看上去不是很有把握。”妈妈说，视线从眼镜上方瞥向迈克尔。

“妈妈。”

“嗯？”

“我不知道她的名字。我约会的这个女孩，我不知道她的名字！遇到她的时候我忘记问，但她知道我的名字，知道我的号码，知道我的一切！”迈克尔嘟囔道。

“为什么不问她？”妈妈疑惑。

“我不能问！她会觉得我是个木头！”迈克尔反驳道。

“如果你是她的真命天子，那她会理解的。”妈妈安慰道，但这并没有让迈克尔好受些。“你能问问她的朋友吗？”

“我谁都不能问！”迈克尔自嘲，“他们会告诉她的。”

“你不是说和她选了同一门课吗？或许你能问问教授。”妈妈建议道。

于是第二天一起上课的时候，迈克尔找到教授，询问女孩的名字。他形容了拉克尔的样子，但是他笨拙的形容让教授给出了另一个女孩的名字！

“布里特妮，错不了。”教授肯定地说。

当女孩走进教室，迈克尔径直走向她，笑着打招呼：“嗨！布里特妮！”但看见女孩皱起眉头时，迈克尔的笑容凝固了。

“我叫拉克尔。”女孩抱怨道。

迈克尔尴尬极了，感觉自己瞬间矮到了尘土里，脸颊烧得通红，恨不得找个地洞钻进去。看着他尴尬的样子，拉克尔忙安慰道：“没关系，迈克尔。人人都会犯错！”拉克尔拉起他的手，一起在前排坐下。

拉克尔认为，迈克尔是她收到过的最棒的生日礼物。

1 拿铁：由浓缩咖啡加鲜奶冲泡而成的一种咖啡。

2 马球衫：一种带领子的短袖运动衫。

小结

今天是拉克尔的生日，她感觉棒极了。去学校之前她先好好打扮了一番，喷了香水，甚至还决定去附近的咖啡厅买个甜甜圈当早餐。就在那里，她遇见了马克尔，他是个英俊的小伙子，免费给了她一个波士顿奶油甜甜圈，还一直跟她调笑。拉克尔简直迷上了迈克尔，所以邀请他和朋友们一起参加当天晚上她的生日晚餐。

整整一天，拉克尔和迈克尔都在想着对方，但是迈克尔有个麻烦——他不知道拉克尔的名字。到了晚餐的时候，除了迈克尔，一个人都没来，而迈克尔还迟到了一小时，在他到餐厅之前，拉克尔差点儿就要哭了。不过最后他们的约会非常棒，互道晚安的时候他还吻了她，但是迈克尔仍然不知道拉克尔的名字。

第二天，迈克尔去向教授打听拉克尔的名字，但是得到了一个错误的名字，他叫了她布里特妮。迈克尔尴尬极了，但是拉克尔对此的反应却非常优雅，她马上原谅了他，这也证明了她是迈克尔命中注定的姑娘。

Holidays in America

American holidays are strange to me. I was born and raised on the East Coast in America. I have lived through these holidays all of my life, and with each year I only see them as stranger and stranger. Some of our holidays have special religious meaning, but some of them do not. All of them are associated with interesting traditions.

holidays – n.假日；节日

strange – adj.奇怪；陌生

born and raised – exp.在某地出生，在某地长大；土生土长的

religious – adj.宗教的

associated – adj.有关联的

traditions – n.传统

It all starts on the first of January: New Year’s Day. It is a public holiday, which means that most businesses and offices will be closed for the whole day. Some people call the 1st of January, “National Hangover Day,” because it is traditional to drink too much on the 31st of December: New Year's Eve. I wonder why someone would want to start the New Year feeling sick. New Year's Day is special to me because I really like the idea of an official date to start over or begin working to achieve a goal. I like new beginnings. New Year's Day did not mean much to me when I was growing up, but now that I'm older, I understand better the healing power of a formal new beginning. When we make mistakes as children, maybe we get yelled at by our parents, or we get a time-out, but then the mistake is over and done with. We move on quickly. As adults, when we make mistakes they tend to be big mistakes that follow us around for a long time. New Year's Day, gives us a chance to wipe the slate clean. Even if we are still dealing with the consequences of our mistakes, we can try to forgive ourselves and leave the regret behind in the old year.

e regret behind in the old year.

New Year's Day – 新年；元旦

public holiday – exp. 法定假日；公共假日

Hangover – n.宿醉

drink too much – exp.喝太多

sick – adj.难受；恶心

special –adj.特殊的；特别的

official –adj.官方的；正式的

start over– exp.重新开始

work – v.工作；办事；努力

achieve –v.达到

goal – n.目标

beginning –n.开始；开端

grow up – [短语]长大

heal– v.治愈

formal –adj.正式的

make mistakes – exp.犯错误

time-out - （对顽皮孩子的）隔离处分

wipe– v.消除；擦

Wipe the slate clean - exp.一笔勾销

deal with – exp.处理；解决

consequence – n.后果；结果

forgive –v.原谅

regret –v.后悔

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated on the third Monday in January. It is also a public holiday, so many offices are closed. This day honors a black activist from the 1960s who helped peacefully advance the causes of civil rights and racial equality in the United States. Despite the cultural significance of the person the day celebrates, this holiday is not as popular as many of the others in this country.

celebrate – v. 庆祝

activist – n.活动家

peacefully advance – 和平推进

civil rights –民权

racial equality –种族平等

cultural significance –文化意义

Valentine's Day is celebrated on the 14th of February.It is not a public holiday, which means that offices and businesses do not close, but Valentine's Day is a pretty big part of American culture.It is a special day set aside for romantic couples to celebrate one another and offer displays of love and affection. Traditional Valentine's Day gifts are flowers, cards, candy (especially chocolate), and sometimes jewelry or stuffed animals. Many couples arrange a special date on Valentine's Day and have dinner at a fancy restaurant. When I was a kid, we used to exchange Valentine’s cards at school, but we were not allowed to just bring a Valentine’s card for someone we had a crush on. We had to bring cards for everyone in the class so that no one felt left out. Some people would also bring in candy which was very exciting! Now that I'm older, I think Valentine's Day is a bit silly because I think we should show our love and affection to the people we care about every day of the year. Other people don't like Valentine's Day because it makes people who are single feel left out. Even when I am single on Valentine's Day (which I am right now!), I like the holiday because I like to feel festive. Last year, I took myself out to a fancy dinner on Valentine's Day. It was probably the best Valentine's Day I've ever had.

Valentine's Day – 情人节

set aside – exp.挑出，拨出，留出

romantic couples – 浪漫的情侣

display – v.展示

affection – n.爱慕；喜爱

card – n.卡片；贺卡

candy - n.糖果

chocolate – n.巧克力

jewelry - n.珠宝

stuffed animal –n.填充玩具

date – n.约会；日期

fancy – adj.（酒店、餐厅、汽车等）昂贵的；豪华的

allow – v.允许

have a crush on – exp.迷恋某人

feel left out – exp.感到被遗忘了

silly – adj.愚蠢的

single – adj.单身的

festive – adj.喜庆的

President's Day is celebrated on the third Monday in February. Even though it is a public holiday and we get the day off, it is not as culturally significant as some of the other holidays. This day commemorates the first president of the United States, George Washington, and other influential presidents from our history.

President's Day – 总统日

get the day off - exp.休假

commemorate – v.纪念

president – n.总统

influential – adj.有影响力的

On the 17th of March we celebrate Saint Patrick's Day. Originally, Saint Patrick's Day was one of the Catholic feast days which recognize various saints within the Catholic religion and commemorate their contributions. However, in the present day Saint Patrick's Day is also celebrated by people who are not Catholic as a day for people to wear the color green, eat and drink green-colored food, and celebrate Irish heritage (Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland). Many people also drink alcohol on Saint Patrick's Day. There is a tradition that if a person is not wearing green on Saint Patrick's Day, you are supposed to pinch them. There are also legends about tiny mythical creatures called leprechauns, which resemble fairies, and if you catch a leprechaun it has to give you a pot of gold. When I was very young, we set up a “leprechaun trap” at school! The next morning, we came in and there was no gold, but there was a set of tiny green footprints leading away from the trap - the “leprechaun” had escaped!

Saint Patrick's Day - 圣帕特里克节

Catholic feast – 天主教的盛宴

recognize – v.认可

saints – n.圣徒；圣人

religion – n.宗教

contribution – n, 贡献

present day – 如今，当今

heritage – n.遗产；财富

patron saint – exp.守护神

pinch – v.掐

legend – n.传说

mythical creatures – 神话生物

leprechaun -（爱尔兰）矮妖

fairy – n.精灵；仙子

gold -n.金子

footprints – n.脚印

escape - v.逃跑

In In late March or early April we celebrate Easter Sunday which is another holiday rooted in religious tradition. In popular culture, Saint Patrick's Day has lost much of its religious meaning, but Easter is still mostly a religious holiday. Many Christian people go to church on Easter Sunday regardless of what denomination they are. Some non-Christian people celebrate Easter Sunday simply because holidays are fun! Easter is a traditional time to have a big dinner with the family or sometimes with extended family. A classic Easter dinner might be ham, served with vegetables and bread on the side. Small children are given toys and candy as symbols of the bounty and fertility of springtime.

Other symbols of spring, like rabbits, are also associated with Easter Sunday. Chocolate in the shape of rabbits and marshmallows shaped like baby birds are also consumed. There is a myth that on Easter Sunday, the Easter bunny brings the gifts of toys and candy to the children. Though today, Easter is a predominantly Christian holiday, it also has interesting elements of old Pagan celebrations of nature and springtime. It is one of two very important holidays in the United States like that.

Easter Sunday –复活节

root – vt.生根，固定；根源在于

popular culture – exp.流行文化

meaning –n.意义；意思

church - n.教堂

denomination –n.教派；命名

extended family – n.家族；大家庭

ham - n.火腿

vegetables - n.蔬菜

bread on the side – 额外的面包

bounty - n.慷慨；丰富

fertility - n.肥沃；丰产

springtime - n.春日

rabbits - n.兔子

consume – v.购买

marshmallow - n.棉花糖

predominantly – adv.占主导地位地

elements - n.元素；组成部分

Pagan – adj.异教的；异教徒的

nature - n.自然

At the end of May, there is a public holiday called Memorial Day. This holiday is meant to commemorate all of the people who have served in the military and honor those who lost their lives in service. It is interesting to me that, in this country, we pay less attention to more serious holidays like this one. Memorial Day is not as culturally significant as some of the other holidays like, for example, Valentine's Day.

Memorial Day –阵亡将士纪念日

serve – v.服役；服务

military – n.军队

serious –adj.严肃的

At the beginning of July, we celebrate Independence Day. Independence Day is a public holiday on the fourth of July which commemorates the signing of the document that declared the United States' independence from Great Britain. Traditionally, we set off fireworks at night to celebrate, and some communities have big, impressive displays of fireworks for everyone to watch. When I was growing up, a family friend used to have a huge party every year for Independence Day, and I remember that it was always lots of fun. Dozens of people came and went all day long. Everyone brought food to share, and they made barbecue on a charcoal grill. Barbecues are a popular way to celebrate Independence Day. My favorite part of those parties was always the squirt gunfights! They would set up a small plastic kiddie pool full of water, leave a bunch of toy squirt guns there, and my friends and I would have epic battles in the hot July sun until we were all soaking wet. Sometimes the battles would last until twilight, and then we would be called away to watch the fireworks. We could see big fireworks from the back yard, so everyone would gather in the back to watch the big community display from far away. Then we would all move to the front yard, where they would set off a bunch of smaller fireworks in the driveway. I haven't been to that party in years, but I would bet it still happens!

beginning – n.开始

Independence Day – 独立日

sign –v.签订；签署

document – n.文件

declare – v.宣布

independence - n.独立

set off – exp.燃放

fireworks – n.烟花

impressive – adj.印象深刻的

huge party – 盛大的聚会

Dozens – 许多；几十个

barbecue - n.烧烤

charcoal grill – 木炭烤架

squirt gun fight– 水枪大战

plastic kiddie pool –小孩塑料泳池

bunch – n.束；群

epic battle –史诗般的战斗

soaking – adj.浸湿了

twilight – n.暮光

community display – 社区表演

driveway –n.车道

In September, we have another public holiday called Labor Day which is supposed to commemorate the contributions of the Labor Movement which helped establish workers' rights in the United States.This was a very important movement, but I doubt many Americans know what Labor Day is supposed to celebrate!

Labor Day – 劳动节

suppose – v.料想

Labor – n.劳工

establish workers' rights – 建立工人的权利

doubt - v.怀疑

At the end of October, we celebrate Halloween on the last day of the month. Ha lloween is a blend of various religious traditions that has become, like most other major holidays in the United States, simplified by its popularity. It is not a public holiday. Halloween is meant to celebrate the memory of people who have passed on, but I think it has lost that meaning for most people. Nowadays, Halloween is a day to dress in costumes, throw parties, give out candy, and even pull pranks! Many children dress in costumes and go to each house in their neighborhood to collect candy in a tradition known as “trick-or-treating.” When the neighbor opens the door, the children are supposed to say, “Trick or treat!” Originally, this meant that if the person did not wish to be “tricked”, they had to give the children a “treat” such as candy. I think that most people do not even bother with playing tricks anymore. It is now expected that people give out the candy. As a grown person, I think it's a lot of fun to hand out candy to children and see all of their costumes. Halloween was my favorite holiday as a child because I loved dressing up - this is still true for me today, even though I do not get candy any more. Most children stop “trick-or-treating” as adolescents. Another fun Halloween tradition is pumpkin carving. People buy pumpkin gourds and hollow them out by scooping out the seeds and pulp. A design is carved in to the hollow pumpkin so that a candle can be inserted and the design will light up at night. The carved designs are sometimes spooky but sometimes also very beautiful.

Halloween – n.万圣节

blend – v.混合

various – adj.多种多样的

popularity – n.流行

memory - n.记忆

passed on - exp.去世

Nowadays – av.现在，当今;

costume - v.消费；购买

throw parties – exp.开派对

pull pranks – exp.恶作剧

neighborhood - n.与某处邻近的地区; 临近街坊

trick - v.捉弄

treat - v.请客；接待

bother - v.打扰

expect - v.期待

give out – exp.散发

hand out – exp.分发

dress up – exp.打扮

pumpkin carving – 南瓜雕刻

gourds - n.葫芦

hollow – adj.空心的

scoop -v.舀

seed - n.种子

pulp - n.纸浆; 果肉

design -n.设计

candle - n.蜡烛

insert -v.插入

spooky - adj.幽灵般的

he fourth Thursday in November marks a holiday called Thanksgiving. This holiday has its origins in the country's history as well, and it is supposed to celebrate the first harvest when the colonists came to the continent. The cornucopia is a symbol of Thanksgiving representing the thanks being given for the abundance that we enjoy. The turkey is also a symbol of the Thanksgiving holiday because it is the traditional centerpiece of the Thanksgiving meal. The turkey is typically stuffed with seasoned bread crumbs before baking and the stuffing is served as a side dish along with cranberry sauce and some vegetables, like string beans or collard greens. This is another holiday where it is traditional for the whole family to get together for a big meal. It is a public holiday, and some say it is the most-traveled day of the year, as people drive to see their relatives. The day after Thanksgiving is a popular time for stores to have sales encouraging people to start buying gifts for Christmas which is usually about one month afterward. I have always thought it was a bit silly to start anticipating Christmas so early, but many people put up Christmas lights and buy Christmas trees the day after Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving – n.感恩节

harvest – n.丰收

colonists – n.殖民者

continent – n.大陆

cornucopia - n.丰饶之角

symbol - n.符号；象征

represent – v.代表

abundance – adj.丰富

centerpiece – n.中心装饰品（餐桌中央的摆饰）

stuffed - adj.填充的

seasoned breadcrumbs – 调味过的面包屑

bake – v.烘烤

stuffing – n.填充物

cranberry - n.羽衣甘蓝

get together – exp.聚集

have sales - exp.打折

anticipate - v.盼望

As you might have guessed, Christmas is a very big deal in the United States. It is a public holiday celebrated on the 25th of December, and it is probably the very biggest holiday of them all for most people. Some stores start displaying Christmas merchandise the day after Halloween, almost two months in advance! Christmas is like Easter, in that it is a blend of Christian and Pagan traditions, but presently it is recognized mostly as a Christian holiday. Many people go to church at Christmas. I mentioned Christmas trees earlier, which are a Pagan tradition of bringing evergreen branches indoors to make the home more cheerful in the winter. In the modern version of this tradition: people buy whole evergreen trees, set them up in their homes, and decorate them with lights and ornaments. Festive Christmas lights are also put up on the exterior of the house. Some neighborhoods even have Christmas light competitions to see who can make the biggest, best display! Gift-giving is another big part of the Christmas holiday, but some people feel that this detracts from the religious meaning of the holiday. Part of the gift-giving tradition is the myth of Santa Claus who was a religious figure in Europe. Through years of re-telling and commercializing the European religious story, we wound up with a myth about a man in a red suit who comes into the house on Christmas Eve to leave gifts for children while they sleep. For some reason, many children are raised to believe that this myth is true, and that Santa Claus is a real person. This might be because Santa Claus is not supposed to leave gifts for children who are naughty! Christmas was always very important in my family, because it is a major holiday, but it is also my father's birthday and my grandmother's birthday! Many families get together for a big Christmas dinner which typically includes turkey or ham with the usual bread and vegetables on the side. In my family, we also get to have birthday cake!

Christmas – 圣诞节

very big deal – exp.重大的事或人

display- v.展示

merchandise – n.商品；货物

in advance – exp.提前

Christmas trees – 圣诞树

evergreen branches indoors – 室内的长青树枝

cheerful – adj.开心的；快乐的

modern – adj.现代的

ornaments – n.装饰物

exterior – adj.外部的

competitions – n.竞争

Gift-giving – n.赠送礼物

detract – v.减损；贬低

myth – n.神话；传说

commercialize - v.（尤指不择手段地）利用……牟利，商业化

For some reason – exp.出于某种原因

raise – v. 抚养

naughty – adj.淘气的

birthday - n.生日

birthday cake –n.生日蛋糕

A few days after Christmas, on the 31st of December, we celebrate New Year's Eve. Many people stay up until midnight to welcome the New Year. There is a large, famous celebration that happens in New York City on New Year's Eve every year. Thousands of people congregate in Times Square to “watch the ball drop.” The ball sits atop a pole on top of a building in Times Square, and is slowly lowered over sixty seconds so that it lands at exactly midnight. Almost everyone counts down the last ten seconds of the year, and then, at midnight people blow noisemakers and sing a song called “Auld Lang Syne.”

This is a Scottish song known widely in the English-speaking world for welcoming the New Year. There are many traditions across many cultures surrounding the New Year, but a very popular one (other than the “ball drop”) is that you're supposed to kiss someone at midnight! I'm not sure why this is, but I have never done it and my years have all turned out pretty good anyway. Some people also do a champagne toast at midnight.

New Year's Eve – 新年夜

midnight –n.午夜

welcome –v.欢迎

famous – adj.出名的 ；著名的

congregate – v.聚集

atop – prep.在……的顶上

pole – n.柱子

building –n.建筑

lower- v.下降；降低

exactly – adv.恰好地；正是；精确地；正确地

counts down – exp.倒计时

noisemakers - n.发出嘈杂声的人(如狂欢者等)；噪音发生器(如足球赛等用的小喇叭、锣鼓等)

surround –v.围绕

kiss – n.吻

champagne - n.香槟酒；香槟酒色

That completes the cycle of weird holidays and fun traditions! The next day is New Year's Day: a new beginning, a fresh start, and a clean slate.

completes – v.完成

cycle – n.循环

weird – adj.奇怪的

Summary

This is a short story written about the author's opinion of all of the major holidays in the United States, all of which he or she views as very strange, mostly because the traditions that are practiced today have absolutely nothing to do with how the holiday started, it's religious origins, or what it is or was supposed to represent.

The author begins with New Year's Day and goes around the calendar and back to New Year's Day, musing that it doesn't make sense to start off a brand new year feeling sick from drinking too much alcohol the night before in celebration (which is custom in America) although he/she does like the idea of new beginnings.

This essay is sure to find you satisfied at the end, and a bit more knowledgeable too, as the author goes through the holidays citing the origins of American holidays and also speculating about some silly American traditions.

词汇表

holidays – n.假日；节日

strange – adj.奇怪；陌生

born and raised – exp.在某地出生，在某地长大；土生土长的

religious – a 宗教的

associated – adj.有关联的

traditions – n.传统

New Year's Day – 新年；元旦

public holiday – exp.法定假日；公共假日

Hangover – n.宿醉

drink too much – exp.喝太多

sick – adj.难受；恶心

special –adj.特殊的；特别的

official –adj.官方的；正式的

start over– exp.重新开始

work – v.工作；办事；努力

achieve –v.达到

goal – n.目标

beginning –n.开始；开端

grow up – [短语]长大

heal– v.治愈

formal –adj.正式的

make mistakes – exp.犯错误

time-out - （对顽皮孩子的）隔离处分

wipe– v.消除；擦

Wipe the slate clean - exp.一笔勾销

deal with – exp.处理；解决

consequence – n.后果；结果

forgive –v.原谅

regret –v.后悔

celebrate – v.庆祝

activist – n.活动家

peacefully advance – 和平推进

civil rights –民权

racial equality –种族平等

cultural significance –文化意义

Valentine's Day – 情人节

set aside – exp.挑出，拨出，留出

romantic couples – 浪漫的情侣

display – v.展示

affection – n.爱慕；喜爱

card – n.卡片；贺卡

candy - n.糖果

chocolate – n.巧克力

jewelry - n.珠宝

stuffed animal –n.填充玩具

date – n.约会；日期

fancy – adj.（酒店、餐厅、汽车等）昂贵的；豪华的

allow – v.允许

have a crush on– exp.迷恋某人

feel left out – exp.感到被遗忘了

silly – adj.愚蠢的

single – adj.单身的

festive – adj.喜庆的

President's Day – 总统日

get the day off - exp.休假

commemorate – v.纪念

president – n.总统

influential – adj.有影响力的

Saint Patrick's Day - 圣帕特里克节

Catholic feast – 天主教的盛宴

recognize – v.认可

saints – n.圣徒；圣人

religion – n.宗教

contribution – n, 贡献

present day – 如今，当今

heritage – n.遗产；财富

patron saint – exp.守护神

pinch – v.掐

legend – n.传说

mythical creatures – 神话生物

leprechaun -（爱尔兰）矮妖

fairy – n.精灵；仙子

gold -n.金子

footprints – n.脚印

escape - v.逃跑

Easter Sunday –复活节

root – vt.生根，固定；根源在于

popular culture – exp.流行文化

meaning –n.意义；意思

church - n.教堂

denomination –n.教派；命名

extended family – n.家族；大家庭

ham - n.火腿

vegetables - n.蔬菜

bread on the side – 额外的面包

bounty - n.慷慨；丰富；

fertility - n.肥沃；丰产

springtime - n.春日

rabbits - n.兔子

consume – v.购买

marshmallow - n.棉花糖

predominantly – adv.占主导地位地

elements - n.元素；组成部分

Pagan – adj.异教的；异教徒的

nature - n.自然

Memorial Day –阵亡将士纪念日

serve – v.服役；服务

military – n.军队

serious –adj.严肃的

beginning – n.开始

Independence Day – 独立日

sign –v.签订；签署

document – n.文件

declare – v.宣布

independence - n.独立

set off – exp.燃放

fireworks – n.烟花

impressive – adj.印象深刻的

huge party – 盛大的聚会

Dozens – 许多；几十个

barbecue - n.烧烤

charcoal grill – 木炭烤架

squirt gun fight– 水枪大战

plastic kiddie pool –小孩塑料泳池

bunch – n.束；群

epic battle –史诗般的战斗

soaking – adj.浸湿了

twilight – n.暮光

community display – 社区表演

driveway –n.车道

Labor Day – 劳动节

suppose – v.料想

Labor – n.劳工

establish workers' rights – 建立工人的权利

doubt - v.怀疑

Halloween – n.万圣节

blend – v.混合

various – adj.多种多样的

popularity – n.流行

memory - n.记忆

passed on – exp.去世

Nowadays – av.现在，当今;

costume - v.消费；购买

throw parties – exp.开派对

pull pranks – exp.恶作剧

neighborhood - n.与某处邻近的地区; 临近街坊;

trick - v.捉弄

treat - v.请客；接待

bother - v.打扰

expect - v.期待

give out – exp.散发

hand out – exp.分发

dress up – exp.打扮

pumpkin carving – 南瓜雕刻

gourds - n.葫芦

hollow – adj.空心的

scoop -v.舀

seed - n.种子

pulp - n.纸浆; 果肉

design -n.设计

candle - n.蜡烛

insert -v.插入

spooky - adj.幽灵般的

Thanksgiving – n.感恩节

harvest – n.丰收

colonists – n.殖民者

continent – n.大陆

cornucopia - n.丰饶之角

symbol - n.符号；象征

represent – v.代表

abundance – adj.丰富

centerpiece – n.中心装饰品（餐桌中央的摆饰）

stuffed - adj.填充的

seasoned breadcrumbs – 调味过的面包屑

bake – v.烘烤

stuffing – n.填充物

cranberry - n.羽衣甘蓝

get together - exp.聚集

have sales - exp.打折

anticipate - v.盼望

birthday cake!

Christmas – 圣诞节

very big deal – exp.重大的事或人

display- v.展示

merchandise – n.商品；货物

in advance – exp.提前

Christmas trees – 圣诞树

evergreen branches indoors – 室内的长青树枝

cheerful – adj.开心的；快乐的

modern – adj.现代的

ornaments – n.装饰物

exterior – adj.外部的

competitions – n.竞争

Gift-giving – n.赠送礼物

detract – v.减损；贬低

myth – n.神话；传说

commercialize - v.（尤指不择手段地）利用……牟利，商业化

For some reason - exp.出于某种原因

raise – v.抚养

naughty – adj.淘气的

birthday - n.生日

birthday cake –n.生日蛋糕

New Year's Eve – 新年夜

midnight –n.午夜

welcome –v.欢迎

famous – adj.出名的 ；著名的

congregate – v.聚集

atop – prep.在……的顶上

pole – n.柱子

building –n.建筑

lower- v.下降；降低

exactly – adv.恰好地；正是；精确地；正确地

counts down – exp.倒计时

noisemakers - n.发出嘈杂声的人(如狂欢者等)；噪音发生器(如足球赛等用的小喇叭、锣鼓等)

surround –v.围绕

kiss – n, 吻

champagne - n.香槟酒；香槟酒色

completes – v.完成

cycle – n.循环

weird – adj.奇怪的

中文翻译

美国假日

于我而言，美国的节假日有些奇怪。我在美国东海岸出生、长大。我一直都在度过这些节假日，但每年我却觉得这些假期越来越陌生了。我们的一些节假日有特殊的宗教意义，有一些则没有。不过，所有节假日都与有趣的传统相关联。

一切都从1月1日——元旦开始。这天是法定假日，意味着大多数企业和办公室会放假一整天。在12月31日晚，也就是新年夜，人们习惯于多喝几杯庆祝都会喝个烂醉，因此，有些人称1月1日为“全国宿醉日”。我不知道为什么有人想要以醉后想吐的方式开始新的一年。新年对我来说是非常特别的，因为我真 的很喜欢这样的想法：正式地以某一天为节点，开始或者重新做某些事情，并努力达成目标。我喜欢新的开始。在成长过程中，新年对我来说并没有太多意义。但是现在我年纪大些了，我更深刻地理解到正式新开始的治愈力量。当我们还是孩子的时候，犯了错误，父母可能会对我们大声呵斥，或者让我们闭门思过，然后，这些错误就算处理完可以翻篇儿了，我们总是很快就能让过去的事过去。而作为成年人，我们所犯的错误，却往往像什么特大错误一样，会长期跟随我们。新年则给了我们机会，把往事一笔勾销。即使我们仍然需要对所犯的错误进行善后，我们也可以试着原谅自己，把遗憾留在过去的一年里。

一月的第三个星期一是马丁·路德·金纪念日。这也是一个法定假日，所以很多办公室都放假。这位黑人运动家马丁·路德·金从20世纪60年代开始，一直以和平的方式帮助推动了美国民权和种族平等事业。人们为纪念他而设立了此纪念日。尽管对他的纪念具有文化意义，然而这个假日的受欢迎程度，并不及美国的其他许多节日。

情人节是2月14日。这一天并不是法定假期，这意味着办公室和企业都不会放假，但情人节仍是美国文化中的重要部分。情人节是专为情侣设定的节日，在这天，情侣们一起庆祝，表达爱情和依恋。传统的情人节礼物包括鲜花、贺卡、糖果（特别是巧克力），有时是首饰或毛绒玩具。许多情侣会在情人节那天安排特别约会，并在一家豪华餐厅共进晚餐。我还是孩子的时候，我们曾经在学校交换情人节贺卡，但是并不允许只给某个心上人送情人节贺卡，而是必须为班上的每个同学带来贺卡，这样就不会有人被落下了。有些人也会带来糖果，这就更让人开心了！ 现在已是成人的我，觉得这样过情人节有点傻。在我看来，每一天我们都应该向我们关心的人表达爱意和依恋。其他人不喜欢情人节，因为这让单身的人备受冷落。但在情人节那天即使我是单身（我现在就是单身！），我仍然喜欢这个节日，因为我很享受它喜庆欢乐的气氛。去年的情人节，我一个人出去享用了一顿奢华的晚宴。这可能是我曾度过的最好的情人节了。

2月的第三个星期一是美国总统日。虽然这天是法定假日，放假一天，但这天并不像其他假日那样具有文化意义。这一天用来纪念美国第一任总统乔治·华盛顿，以及美国历史上其他有影响力的总统。

在每年的3月17日，我们会庆祝圣帕特里克节。最初，圣帕特里克节只是天主教的节日之一，用来承认天主教内的各种圣徒，并纪念他们的贡献。 然而，在今天，它也成为了非天主教徒的节日。为了庆祝，这些人们会穿着绿色的衣服、吃绿色的食物、喝绿色的饮料，来庆祝这一爱尔兰传统（圣帕特里克是爱尔兰的守护神 ）。许多人也会在圣帕特里克节喝酒。有一个传统是，如果有人在圣帕特里克节那天没有穿绿色服装，那你就应该去捏他们。还有一些传说是关于那些小小的神话怪物——爱尔兰矮妖的，它们与精灵相似，如果你能抓住一个这样的小妖精，那它就必须给你一灌金子。小时候，我们在学校设置了一个“妖精陷阱”！第二天早上我们来到学校，陷阱里没有金子，但是在陷阱旁却延伸出一些小小的绿色足迹——“妖精”逃脱了！

我们在三月末或者四月初庆祝复活节，这又是一个源于宗教传统的节日。在流行文化中，圣帕特里克节已经没有多少宗教意义了，但复活节仍然具有浓厚的宗教色彩。在复活节，许多基督徒都会去教堂，不管他们是哪种教派。而一些非基督教徒只是因为假期有趣，也会庆祝复活节。一般来看，复活节是家人团聚一起享用大餐的日子，有时候整个家族都会聚在一起。经典的复活节晚餐可能是火腿，旁边配有蔬菜和面包。小孩子们会收到玩具和糖果，这些象征着春天的慷慨馈赠和生机勃勃。其他春天的象征——比如兔子——也与复活节有关。人们会买很多兔子形状的巧克力和雏鸟形状的棉花糖。还有一个神话传说：据说在复活节那天，复活节兔子会给孩子们带来玩具和糖果作为礼物。尽管现在复活节仍是基督教的一个主要节日，但它也包含着一些其他有趣的元素——异教徒自古以来对自然和春天的庆祝。美国两个非常重要的节日都是如此。

五月底，有一个叫做“阵亡将士纪念日”的法定假日。这个假日是为了向曾在军中服役的所有人致敬，并纪念那些在军中服役时牺牲的烈士。让我感到有趣的是，在美国，我们对类似这样更严肃的假日的关注却较少。阵亡将士纪念日不像其他一些节日——例如情人节——那样具有文化意义。

七月初，我们庆祝独立日。独立日是七月四日，纪念在1776年7月4日美国正式通过《独立宣言》，宣布美国脱离英国而独立，这天也是法定假期。传统上，美国人会在当晚燃放烟花来庆祝，一些社区还会举行令人印象深刻的盛大烟火表演，供大家观赏。当我还小的时候，一个家里的朋友每年都举办大型派对来庆祝独立纪念日，在我的记忆中，每次都非常好玩儿。几十个人在一起玩乐整整一天。每个人都会带来食物分享，还会在炭烤架上做烧烤。烧烤是庆祝独立日的流行方式。聚会中，我一直最喜欢部分就是水枪大战！大人会拿出一个儿童塑料游泳池，给里面装满水，并在里面留下一堆玩具水枪。我和朋友们就会在七月炎热的太阳下进行史诗般的战斗，直到我们都湿透了。有时候战斗会一直持续到黄昏，然后就会有人来叫我们去看烟花。从后院看到盛大的烟花，所以大家都聚在后院观看远处的大型社区烟花表演。烟花结束后，我们都会移到前院，在那里，人们会在车道上燃放一些较小的烟花。我已经有几年没有去过那个聚会了，但我敢打赌，聚会仍然有！

9月份，我们又有一个法定假期——劳动节。在美国历史上，是工人运动帮助奠定了工人权利，劳动节就是为纪念工人运动而设立的。工人运动对美国发展是非常重要的，但我怀疑许多美国人并不知道劳动节是庆祝什么的！

在10月的最后一天，我们庆祝万圣节。万圣节本是融合了多种宗教传统的节日，而如今——与美国大多数其他主要假日一样——因广受欢迎得以简化。它并不是法定假日。万圣节本是一个追思已故之人的节日，但我觉得，对大多数人来说它已经失去了这层意义。如今，在万圣节，人们会各种装扮、开派对、送糖果甚至恶作剧。许多孩子穿着化妆服，戴着面具，用惯用的方法“不给糖就捣蛋”在社区挨家挨户地收集糖果。邻居一打开门，孩子们应该说“不给糖就捣蛋”！最开始这意味着如果主人不想“被捉弄”，就必须“款待”孩子——比如给糖果。现在已经基本没人再恶作剧了，所有人都会散发糖果。作为一个成年人，我认为向孩子们散发糖果、看他们的精心打扮是很有趣的。万圣节是我童年时期最喜欢的节日，因为我超级喜欢乔装打扮——现在仍然如此，虽然我已经要不到糖果了。大多数孩子进入青少年时期就不会再玩儿“不给糖就捣蛋”的把戏了。另一个有趣的万圣节传统是南瓜雕刻。人们购买整个南瓜，挖走里面的南瓜籽和南瓜肉，把南瓜掏空。将设计好的图案雕刻在空心南瓜上，中间放入蜡烛。在夜晚，就可以点亮雕刻好的南瓜。雕刻出的样子有时候像幽灵一样阴森恐怖，但有时也非常漂亮。

11月的第四个星期四是感恩节。这个节日起源于美国的历史，是庆祝殖民者来到美洲大陆的第一次丰收。丰饶之角1是感恩节的象征，代表着对我们享受的丰盛食物的感谢。火鸡是感恩节大餐的传统主菜，因此，火鸡也是感恩节的象征。在烤制前，火鸡内通常要填满经过调味的面包屑。然后填料会被取出，与蔓越莓果酱和一些蔬菜——比如如豆角或羽衣甘蓝——一起作配菜。这是又一个通常全家人聚在一起吃大餐的节日。这是一个法定假期，很多人会开车去看亲戚，因此，有人说这是一年中旅行最多的一天。感恩节之后的第二天，通常商家都会开始针对圣诞礼物进行促销活动，圣诞节正好是一个月之后。虽然我总觉得这么早就开始期待圣诞节有点傻，但还是有许多人在感恩节后的第二天就买圣诞树，装饰好了圣诞灯。

你们大概已经知道了，12月25日的圣诞节在美国是一个重大的节日。这天是法定假期，而且对大多数人来说，这可能都是最重要的一个节日。一些商店在万圣节的第二天就开始陈列圣诞商品了，提前了将近两个月！与复活节类似，圣诞节融合了基督徒和异教传统，但目前它被认为是基督教节日。在圣诞节许多人会去教堂。我在前文里提到过圣诞树，这是一个异教的传统，他们在冬天把常绿树枝带进室内，让家里更加富有生气。而这种传统的现代版本是：人们会购买整棵常绿树，放在家中，用彩灯和饰品装饰。节日的圣诞灯也会被挂在房子外面。一些社区甚至会举行圣诞灯竞赛，看看谁能做出最盛大、最好看的彩灯装饰！赠送礼物是圣诞节的另一大主题，但有些人觉得这样有损节日的宗教意味。赠送礼物的传统一部分来自欧洲的宗教人物——圣诞老人的神话。经过多年的反复讲述和商业化，这个来自欧洲的宗教故事让我们兴奋不已：在圣诞前夜，当小孩子们沉浸在梦乡的时候，一个穿着红色外衣的老人会来到家里给孩子们留下礼物。出于某些原因，许多孩子从小就被教育这个神话是真的，相信圣诞老人是个真实存在的人。这可能是因为在故事里淘气的孩子不会收到圣诞老人的礼物！一直以来圣诞节在我们家都有重大意义，不仅仅因为这是一个重要的节日，还因为它也是我父亲和祖母的生日！当天，许多家庭会全家团聚，举行大型圣诞晚宴，通常有火鸡或火腿，加上面包和蔬菜作为配菜。而在我家的晚宴上，我们还会吃到生日蛋糕！

在圣诞节的几天之后，就到了12月31日，这天晚上，我们庆祝新年夜。 许多人会熬到午夜来迎接新年。每年的新年夜，纽约市都会举行一场著名的大型庆祝活动。数以千计的人聚集在时代广场观看“降球仪式”。世代广场一栋大厦楼顶矗立着一根柱子，球则在柱子顶端，新年前一分钟倒计时开始时球也随之慢慢滑落，午夜零点正好降落到楼顶。最后十秒的时候几乎每个人都在大喊着倒计时，到了零点，人们会吹起喇叭，唱一首叫做《友谊地久天长》的歌曲。

这是一首苏格兰歌曲，由于被英语国家在迎接新年时使用而广为人知。关于新年有许多跨文化传统，其中极受欢迎的一个（除了“降落”之外）就是你应该在午夜亲吻某人！我不知道这是为什么，尽管我从来没有这样做过，但我的每一年最终过得都相当不错。有些人也会在午夜举起香槟祝酒干杯。

这样，由各种稀奇古怪的节日和趣味十足的传统组成的一个轮回就圆满完成了！第二天是新年：之前的一切，都一笔勾销，眼前一个新的开始，一个新的起点。

1 丰饶之角：希腊神话中用鲜花和树叶包裹、装满了各种水果的羊角，可以从里面倒出任何想要的东西，后来成为感恩节的象征，现在多用柳条编制的中空喇叭形篮子代替，里面摆放各种水果面包。

小结

这篇小故事讲的是作者对于美国各个主要节日的看法——他/她觉得每个都很奇怪，主要原因是现在庆祝节日的传统与其起源、宗教源头或者意义毫无关系了。

作者从新年开始讲起，顺着日期写各个节日，最后又以新年结尾，并认为用宿醉的方法庆祝新的一年（这在美国已经是惯例了）毫无意义，虽然他/她还是非常喜欢“新的开始”这个说法的。

读到最后，你肯定能从文章中学到些什么，因为作者历数了各个美国节日的传统起源，并且也反思了很多不甚明智的美国传统。

Love Yourself

“I have to find the perfect dress for prom next week!” Laila sighed as she passed racks of beautiful dresses. This one was champagne-colored, with a gauzy skirt that went all the way to the floor. The other one was bright pink, and the skirt was short and sort of poofy. That one was turquoise-colored, and it had lots of shiny crystals sewn into a pattern on the bust. Laila admired them all, but she knew she could not have them because they didn't sell them in her size.prom - n.毕业舞会

sigh– v.叹气

champagne-colored –adj.香槟色的

gauzy – adj.薄纱的

poofy – adj.脂粉气的

turquoise-colored –adj.绿松石色的；蓝绿色的

crystals – n.晶体；水晶

bust – n.胸部

admired – v.欣赏；羡慕

Laila was fat.

She followed her mom to the plus sized part of the store. The clothes that fit Laila were designed for much older people. She was only sixteen, and she wanted to wear a sparkly, shiny dress like all the other girls would be wearing, and she felt so sad that she could not.

“What about this one, honey?” Laila's mom held up... a suit. A business suit. A pale pink blazer and a knee-length skirt. Laila groaned out loud.

“I'll look like an old woman!” she protested. She turned to peruse the selection of other dresses. They all looked like clothes that a grandma would wear to church on Sunday. She settled on an olive green dress with deep pink roses embroidered on the neckline, sleeves, and skirt.

“You'll look so nice in that,” Laila's mom said.

“It's okay, I guess,” Laila grumbled. She knew she would be embarrassed no matter what she wore, because she was fat, and everyone could see it.

plus size–exp.加大尺码

sparkly–adj.耀眼的

honey – n.宝贝；甜心

business – n.商务；商业

blazer –n.西装

groaned –v.叹息；呻吟

protested –v.抗拒

peruse – v.详细考察

church – n.教堂

olive green – adj.茶青色；橄榄绿

embroidered –v.刺绣

neckline – n.领口

sleeves – n.袖子

It's okay – exp.还可以

I guess–exp.我想；我认为

grumbled – v.抱怨；嘟囔

embarrassed – adj.尴尬的；困窘的

All her life, it had been difficult for Laila to find clothes. It was the same, every time, whether she needed a prom dress or a new pair of jeans. She had to compromise between what she liked and what would fit her. It was always a long, painful chore that left Laila feeling exhausted and depressed.

compromise – v.妥协；让步

chore – n.讨厌的或累人的工作

exhausted –adj.疲惫的

depressed – adj.沮丧的

Many stores did not carry clothes in her size. Laila felt like the world was saying that fat people did not deserve nice, stylish clothes, and that was why there were none in the stores. Some stores exclusively had clothes made for fat people, but those clothes were often very expensive, poorly made, and in a style that looked more like a dull middle-aged divorcee than a teen aged girl. Kids at school made fun of her because she was fat, and they made fun of her because of the clothes she was forced to wear because they did not make clothes for girls Laila's size and age. Every day, she looked in the mirror and felt sad looking at herself. It was not easy to be fat.

deserve – v.应受；应得

stylish – adj.时髦的

exclusively – adv.排外地

expensive – adj.昂贵的

middle-aged divorcee –exp.中年离异妇女

made fun of her –exp.取笑她

forced – adj.被迫的

People who cared about Laila said things to her that hurt her feelings. They all meant well, but really, they just made Laila feel worse and worse about herself!

“You don't need to eat that,” Laila's mother would say, even if Laila was really hungry.

“But I'm hungry,” Laila would counter.

“Hunger hurts, but starving works,” her mother sometimes said, so Laila would go hungry. Sometimes she would go so long without eating that she would feel dizzy, and sometimes she would faint, but no one believed that it was because she had not eaten. Then kids made fun of Laila for being fat and for fainting.

meant well –exp.本意是好的

counter – v.反驳；反击

starving –adj.挨饿的

dizzy – adj.晕眩的

faint –v.昏厥

“Boys would like you if you lost weight,” Laila's dad said, which made Laila feel like no one would ever like her unless she lost weight. There was a boy at school that Laila had a crush on, but she rarely spoke to him because she was so sure he would not even look at a girl like her. Little did Laila know, the boy liked her too, but because Laila never spoke to him, he thought that Laila hated him!

had a crush on – exp.迷上某人

Little did Laila (sb.) know –exp.某人不知道的是

liked her（sb.） –exp.喜欢某人

“You'd have more friends if you were thinner,” Laila's grandma said, even though Laila did have friends who liked her just the way she was. Did her grandma mean that her friends secretly did not like Laila because she was fat?

Ever since she was very young, Laila did not like herself. As young as six years old, Laila would see herself in the mirror and feel bad. Was it because of her size, Laila wondered, or because of how people treated her because of her size? It had to be because of her size because everyone else blamed her size, Laila reasoned. Fat was bad, she was fat, and that made her bad.

As she got a little older, Laila started going on diets. She went on her first diet at age ten, and all she was allowed to eat was spinach: Raw spinach, cooked spinach, steamed spinach, roasted spinach... Laila could eat as much spinach as she wanted, but nothing else. The diet gave her a stomach ache and she could only stick with it for one week. After that, the sight of spinach made Laila feel a little queasy in her stomach. She tried other diets too, one right after the other, and they all had strange names and very specific rules. One diet only allowed cabbage soup and grapefruit for two meals a day, but the third meal could be whatever she wanted. One diet only allowed meat, eggs, and dairy, but fruit, grains, and most vegetables were forbidden! It was strange to Laila that she could have as much cheese as she wanted but not an apple or some carrots. Another diet prohibited all sugar and all grains. Eating no sugar made sense to Laila, but because she could not eat grains, not even rice or wheat bread, she did not have much energy. Each diet she began with new hope, because this diet would be the one that fixed her. This diet would make people like her, make boys want to talk to her, make her thin, and make her life perfect. This diet would make her fit in to the sparkly prom dress.

going on diets – exp.节食

spinach – n.菠菜

Raw – adj.生的

cooked – adj.煮熟的

steamed – adj.蒸熟的

roasted – adj.烤的

stick with it – exp.坚持下去；忍耐

queasy – adj.呕吐的

strange – adj.奇怪的

specific – adj.特定的

cabbage – n.卷心菜

grapefruit – n.西柚

forbidden – adj.被禁止的

prohibited – adj.被禁止的

grains – n.谷物

energy – n.能量

But each diet failed! The reasons for failure were myriad. Most of the diets left Laila feeling very hungry all of the time, and she did not have enough energy to pay attention in school or play with her dog. Some diets were too hard to follow. She could not go out to eat with her friends or buy lunch at school. Some diets excluded Laila's very favorite foods, and even when she resisted for weeks at a time, eventually she would give up and eat. The diets did not make Laila popular, and they did not make her thin. She felt like even more of a failure. Laila had good grades in school; she was good in many subjects; she loved to read; she liked to bike, play softball and go swimming; she loved her family and was a kind, caring girl. None of that seemed to matter so long as Laila was still fat. Laila hated herself, and hated her body. And so did everyone else, apparently!

failed – v.失败 fail的过去式

failure – n.失败

myriad – adj.无数的；种种的

go out to eat – exp.出去吃饭

excluded –v.排除 exclude的过去式

resisted – v.反抗

bike – n.脚踏车

softball – n.垒球

swimming – n.游泳

apparently – adv.显而易见地

As Laila grew older, her body started to change. She stopped craving foods with lots of sugar and she stopped wanting many foods with too much grease. She grew taller and her body became less fat. The clothes in the store started to fit her, and her family stopped making comments about her size and about her food choices, but Laila still felt bad when she looked in the mirror. She found other things about herself that she did not like. Now that her body was the right size, it was the wrong shape, her skin was too blotchy, her arms were too short, her forehead was too big, or her hair was too frizzy. No matter what anyone said, Laila could always find something wrong with herself!

“Laila, you look so pretty,” her mother said, but Laila did not feel pretty. Laila felt the same as she always had, even though she was no longer fat.

“Do you have a boyfriend yet?” her dad asked.

“No,” Laila said miserably, “boys hate me because I'm ugly.”

“You are not ugly! You are beautiful now. Boys should be throwing themselves at you!”

But the boys did not throw themselves at Laila, because she still disliked herself and people could tell.

craving –v.渴望 crave的现在分词

grease – n.油脂

blotchy – adj.有疤的

forehead – n.前额

frizzy – adj.卷曲的

No matter what –exp.不管什么

miserably – adv.可悲地

throwing themselves –exp.拼命讨好

tell – v.看出来

“I’ll bet you are the most popular girl in school,” Laila's grandmother said, but Laila had fewer friends now than ever because her self-esteem was so low. She felt ugly. She felt worthless. In fact, she felt worse than she did when she was fat! Because, now that she was not fat people treated her differently, but losing weight did not fix her heart.

self-esteem – n.自尊

worthless –adj.无价值的

losing (lose) weight –exp.减肥

One day, Laila was walking her dog. It was one of her favorite things to do. It was a beautiful spring day. The sky was the perfect shade of blue, studded with soft white clouds here and there. The temperature was perfect too, warm enough to wear a tee shirt, but not hot, with a slight, refreshing breeze. The spring rain had brought a flush of bright green growth to all the plants and trees, but today it was sunny, and everything looked so vibrant. Flowers were blooming everywhere, and she caught the soft scents of honeysuckle and roses. As she walked, Laila saw butterflies and chubby little bumblebees. The breeze stirred the grass. Her dog walked happily ahead of her with his cute little ears bobbing up and down and his pink tongue hanging out. In that moment, Laila was so happy just to be alive, that she forgot for a minute that she didn't like herself.

walking her dog – exp.遛狗

studded –v.镶嵌 stud的过去分词

here and there – exp.处处；到处

slight –adj.轻微的

refreshing breeze – 清新的微风

flush – n.旺盛

growth – n.生长

vibrant – adj.充满生气的

blooming – adj.盛开的

scents – n.气味

honeysuckle – n.金银花；忍冬

roses –n.玫瑰

butterflies – n.蝴蝶butterfly的复数

bumblebees – n.大黄蜂 bumblebee的复数

stirred – v搅动;搅拌stir的过去分词

bobbing – v.上下（或来回）摆动 bob的现在分词

hanging –v.悬挂 hang的现在分词

When the walk was over, Laila realized what had happened. As she filled her dog's water bowl, Laila felt grateful that she could take her dog for walks. She felt good that she could fill his water bowl, give him a biscuit and tell him he was a good boy, and he would wag his tail and nuzzle her hand. And her dog didn't care how she looked! Her dog didn't mind what her skin or hair looked like. Laila's dog loved her no matter what. Since her dog loved her, Laila began to wonder if it was possible for her to love herself.

realized – v.意识到

grateful – adj.感激的；感到愉快的

biscuit – n.饼干

wag – v.摇摆

nuzzle –v.用鼻紧挨

didn't mind –exp.不介意

no matter what –exp.无论如何

possible – adj.可能的

With new determination, Laila decided that she would love herself, no matter what, just like her dog. If a dog could do it, surely she could! Even though she still had to buy the biggest size on the rack at the store. Even though her skin was not perfect. Even though her hair was wild and disobedient. But she did not know how to get started! All her life, people had told her she was not lovable, and she did not know how to change it.

determination – n.决心

disobedient – adj.不服从的；不听话的

lovable – adj.讨人喜欢的

First, she tried buying new clothes. She went with her friend to the store and looked at all of the pretty, sparkly clothes that never fit her when she was younger and fatter. She tried on low-cut shirts, short skirts, and skinny jeans. Some of the clothes were uncomfortable and made Laila feel very silly, but some of the clothes looked good! Laila bought herself a couple new outfits. She felt better with her new, stylish clothes, but she wasn't sure she loved herself yet.

low-cut – 低胸设计的

skinny jeans – 紧身牛仔裤

uncomfortable – adj.不舒服的

Next, Laila went swimming without a t-shirt. All her life, she had worn a baggy t-shirt in the pool because she was so embarrassed about her body. So, she decided to go swimming without the cover-up. It was scary because Laila was afraid that people would make fun of her, or stare at her, even though she was much smaller than before. She walked out of the ladies' locker room in nothing but a bathing suit and flip-flops, and no one stared! No one looked at her twice. She hunched over at first to appear smaller, but soon Laila stood up straight and tall, and she had a nice, long swim. Once her swim was over, she felt better, but she still wasn't sure she loved herself yet.

baggy – adj.宽松而下垂的；袋状的

bathing suit – n.泳装

flip-flops – n.平底人字拖

looked at her twice –exp.多看某人一眼

hunched – v.弯腰驼背

Next, Laila decided to dance. Her friends went to a dance club every couple of weeks and Laila had never been, because she was afraid that people would stare at her and tease her because of how she looked or how she danced. Laila called up one of her friends and asked if they were going out that night. They said they were, so Laila asked to come with them. Laila wore a short skirt and a cute top, and she took the time to put on makeup and do her hair. She was very, very nervous. She was shaking a little when she went into the club because she was so scared. But her friends clustered around her, giggling and chatting, and soon they were all out on the dance floor in a big group. Laila forgot how nervous she was and danced with her friends until very late at night. Laila had a great time, but she still wasn't sure she loved herself yet.

dance club – 夜店；舞蹈俱乐部

tease – v.取笑

called up – exp.打电话给

shaking – v.颤动 shake的现在分词

clustered – v.簇拥cluster的过去分词

giggling – v.咯咯地笑 giggle的现在分词

chatting – v.闲聊 chat的现在分词

had a great time – exp.玩得高兴

Last, as part of her quest to love herself, Laila started looking in the mirror. She used to look in the mirror for just a second, just long enough to check her hair and outfit and then she would look away in shame. She started looking in the mirror for longer periods of time. Laila made eye contact with herself, and at first, it was unnerving. She felt awkward and uncomfortable, but she made herself stay, until she could stand in front of the mirror for minutes at a time. Then she practiced smiling at herself. It felt stupid at first to fake-smile at herself in the mirror but, after she practiced it a few times, Laila found that she actually enjoyed smiling at herself! It felt good to see someone smile at her! And when she looked in the mirror and felt bad, Laila started telling herself, “It's okay. I love you. You're a good person.” She did this every single day. Sometimes it felt stupid and sometimes it felt nice, but she still wasn't sure she loved.

second –n.秒

shame – n.羞耻

periods – n.周期 period的复数

unnerving –adj.使人紧张不安的

awkward – adj.尴尬的

stupid – adj.愚蠢的

fake –adj.假的

After many months of practice, Laila woke up one day and realized that she loved herself, unequivocally: as much as she loved her parents, as much as she loved her grandma, and as much as she loved her dog. She realized that self-hate and self-love did not come from a dress size or a number on the scale. She had been fat and hated herself, and she had been thin and hated herself. It had nothing to do with size! Self-worth, Laila realized, was something that she had to cultivate within herself. It was a hard lesson to learn, but it was also the most valuable lesson Laila had ever learned. Once she had her self-worth and self-love, nothing and no one could ever take it from her again.

unequivocally –adv.明确地

dress size – 衣服尺寸

scale – 数值范围

cultivate –v.培养

valuable – adj.有价值的；贵重的

Summary

Laila's story is the story of many—she feels bad about herself. From the time that she is six years old, people have been telling her that she should change one thing or another about herself in order to fit in, the chronic theme being that she's overweight.

Laila goes through life struggling with trying to change herself in order to be more likable to others, and therefore more likable to herself, but one day she reaches an epiphany while walking her dog. She realizes the power of unconditional love—the dog loved her no matter how many pounds she weighed or how her hair was done!

From that moment on, Laila becomes a new person, searching in desperation for self-love. Laila treats herself to beautiful, flattering clothing that she would have never bought before, she went swimming without inhibitions and danced with her friends...but she still wasn't sure that she loved herself.

Finally, Laila starts to look at herself in the mirror, smiling, without judgment, shame, or blame; and the rest is history.

Laila finally finds herself.

And she loves who she is!

词汇表

prom - n.毕业舞会

sigh– v.叹气

champagne-colored –adj.香槟色的

gauzy – adj.薄纱的

poofy – adj.脂粉气的

turquoise-colored –adj.绿松石色的；蓝绿色的

crystals – n.晶体；水晶

bust – n.胸部

admired – v.欣赏；羡慕

plus size–exp.加大尺码

sparkly –adj.耀眼的

honey – n.宝贝；甜心

business – n.商务；商业

blazer –n.西装

groaned –v.叹息；呻吟

protested –v.抗拒

peruse – v.详细考察

church – n.教堂

olive green – adj.茶青色；橄榄绿

embroidered –v.刺绣

neckline – n.领口

sleeves – n.袖子

It's okay – exp.还可以

I guess –exp.我想；我认为

grumbled – v.抱怨；嘟囔

embarrassed – adj.尴尬的；困窘的

compromise – v.妥协；让步

chore – n.讨厌的或累人的工作

exhausted –adj.疲惫的

depressed – adj.沮丧的

deserve – v.应受；应得

stylish – adj.时髦的

exclusively – adv.排外地

expensive – adj.昂贵的

middle-aged divorcee – exp.中年离异妇女

made fun of her – exp.取笑她

forced – adj.被迫的

meant well –exp.本意是好的

counter – v.反驳；反击

starving –adj.挨饿的

dizzy – adj.晕眩的

faint –v.昏厥

had a crush on –exp.迷上某人

Little did Laila (sb.) know –exp.某人不知道的是

liked her（sb.） –exp.喜欢某人

going on diets –exp.节食

spinach – n.菠菜

Raw – adj.生的

cooked – adj.煮熟的

steamed – adj.蒸熟的

roasted – adj.烤的

stick with it – exp.坚持下去；忍耐

queasy – adj.呕吐的

strange – adj.奇怪的

specific – adj.特定的

cabbage – n.卷心菜

grapefruit – n.西柚

forbidden – adj.被禁止的

prohibited – adj.被禁止的

grains – n.谷物

energy – n.能量

failed – v.失败 fail的过去式

failure – n.失败

myriad – adj.无数的；种种的

go out to eat –exp.出去吃饭

excluded –v.排除 exclude的过去式

resisted – v.反抗

bike – n.脚踏车

softball – n.垒球

swimming – n.游泳

apparently – adv.显而易见地

craving –v.渴望 crave的现在分词

grease – n.油脂

blotchy – adj.有疤的

forehead – n.前额

frizzy – adj.卷曲的

No matter what –exp.不管什么

miserably – adv.可悲地

throwing themselves –exp.拼命讨好

tell – v.看出来

self-esteem – n.自尊

worthless –adj.无价值的

losing (lose) weight –exp.减肥

walking her dog –exp.遛狗

studded –v.镶嵌 stud的过去分词

here and there –exp.处处；到处

slight –adj.轻微的

refreshing breeze – 清新的微风

flush – n.旺盛

growth – n.生长

vibrant – adj.充满生气的

blooming – adj.盛开的

scents – n.气味

honeysuckle – n.金银花；忍冬

roses –n.玫瑰

butterflies – n.蝴蝶butterfly的复数

bumblebees – n.大黄蜂 bumblebee的复数

stirred – v搅动;搅拌stir的过去分词

bobbing – v.上下（或来回）摆动 bob的现在分词

hanging –v.悬挂 hang的现在分词

realized – v.意识到

grateful – adj.感激的；感到愉快的

biscuit – n.饼干

wag – v.摇摆

nuzzle –v.用鼻紧挨

didn't mind – exp.不介意

no matter what –exp.无论如何

possible – adj.可能的

determination – n.决心

disobedient – adj.不服从的；不听话的

lovable – adj.讨人喜欢的

low-cut – 低胸设计的

skinny jeans – 紧身牛仔裤

uncomfortable – adj.不舒服的

baggy – adj.宽松而下垂的；袋状的

bathing suit – n.泳装

flip-flops – n.平底人字拖

looked at her（sb.）twice –exp.多看某人一眼

hunched – v.弯腰驼背

dance club – 夜店；舞蹈俱乐部

tease – v.取笑

called up –exp.打电话给

shaking – v.颤动 shake的现在分词

clustered – v.簇拥cluster的过去分词

giggling – v.咯咯地笑 giggle的现在分词

chatting – v.闲聊 chat的现在分词

had a great time –exp.玩得高兴

second –n.秒

shame – n.羞耻

periods – n.周期 period的复数

unnerving –adj.使人紧张不安的

awkward – adj.尴尬的

stupid – adj.愚蠢的

fake –adj.假的

unequivocally –adv.明确地

dress size – 衣服尺寸

scale – 数值范围

cultivate –v.培养

valuable – adj.有价值的；贵重的

中文译文

爱你自己

“下周是毕业舞会,我必须找到一条完美的裙子！”莱拉从挂着漂亮裙子的衣架走过，叹了口气。这条裙子是香槟色的，长长的纱质裙摆一直垂到地上。另一条是亮粉色的，裙摆比较短，非常秀气。还有一条是蓝绿色的，胸部点缀着水钻组成的图案。莱拉每条都喜欢，但她哪条也不会买，因为根本就没有她能穿的尺码。

莱拉很胖。

她跟着妈妈走到店里的大码区，而这些莱拉能穿上的衣服，都是为一些比她年长许多的人设计的。莱拉才16岁，她想跟其他女孩一样穿上耀眼闪亮的裙子，但根本找不到合适的，这让她很伤心。

“这个怎么样，亲爱的？”妈妈拿起一身套装——一身商务套装。浅桃红色的西装上衣配着及膝短裙。

莱拉哼唧着反对：“这会让我看上去像个老女人！”她继续挑选着大码区的其他裙子，它们看上去都像老祖母周日去教堂穿的衣服。莱拉停在一条橄榄绿的裙子前面，领口、袖子和裙摆部分都绣着深粉色的玫瑰花。

“你穿上它肯定很漂亮。”莱拉的妈妈鼓励道。

“大概还凑合吧。”莱拉嘟囔着回答。她知道不论穿什么都会很丢人，因为她胖，而且每个人都能看到这点。

这些年来，对莱拉而言，挑选合适的衣服一直是个难题。无论是毕业舞会的裙子还是新仔裤，对她来说都一样困难。她每次都要在自己喜欢的衣服和能穿的衣服之间做出妥协，而这种漫长又痛苦的抉择让她一直感到心力交瘁，沮丧万分。

很多服装店都不出售有她尺码的衣服。莱拉觉得之所以店里不卖她能穿的衣服，是因为这个世界认为胖人不配穿漂亮时髦的衣服。有些店虽然专卖大码服装，可是这些衣服价格高昂却粗制滥造，穿上去不像少女，更像是死板的中年离异妇女。莱拉因为肥胖被学校的同学嘲笑，也因为难看的衣服被嘲笑——但她不得不穿那些衣服，根本没有既适合她年龄又符合她体型的漂亮服装。每一天，莱拉看着镜子里的自己都伤心不已，当一个胖子真的很不容易。

关心莱拉的人却总会说一些伤她感情的话。虽然他们本意是好的，但实际上，他们的话只会让莱拉对自己的感觉越来越糟！

“你现在不需要食物。”即使莱拉饥肠辘辘，妈妈也会这么讲。

“可是我饿。”莱拉反对。

“饥饿确实难熬，但挨饿才有用。”妈妈有时这么告诉她，所以莱拉继续忍受饥饿的折磨。她有时会很久不吃东西，饿到头晕，有时还会昏倒，但没有人相信她是饿晕的。然后孩子们就不仅嘲笑莱拉胖了，还会嘲笑她的晕倒。

“如果你瘦了，男孩子们就会喜欢你的。”爸爸告诉莱拉，这让她感觉除非自己瘦下来，否则没人会喜欢她。学校里有个让莱拉暗生情愫的男孩，但她几乎没有跟他说过话，因为莱拉知道他根本不会正眼看她这样的女孩一眼。莱拉不知道的是，那个男孩也喜欢莱拉，但是因为莱拉从不跟他讲话，他以为莱拉讨厌他！

虽然莱拉有很多不在乎她的体重、单纯喜欢她的朋友，外祖母却总是告诉她“瘦点儿你就会有更多朋友了”。难道外祖母的意思是，因为她是个胖子，她的朋友私底下并不喜欢她？

从很小的时候开始，莱拉就不喜欢自己。才六岁的时候，莱拉就常常看着镜子里的自己伤心。是因为自己的体重，还是因为人们对待自己的态度？六岁的莱拉问自己。一定是因为自己的体重，因为所有人都在指责自己太胖——莱拉得出结论。胖是不好的，自己是个胖子，所以自己也不好。

长大一些之后，莱拉开始节食。第一次节食是在10岁，她只被允许吃菠菜——生菠菜、煮菠菜、蒸菠菜、烤菠菜……这种节食法让莱拉胃痛，所以她只坚持了一个星期。莱拉想吃多少菠菜都可以，但除此之外什么都不能吃。这种节食法让莱拉胃痛，所以她只坚持了一个星期。从此以后莱拉只要一看到菠菜就反胃。有一种节食法要求一天中的两顿饭只能吃卷心菜汤和西柚，另一餐则毫无限制；还有一种只许她吃肉、蛋和奶制品，不许吃水果、谷物和大部分的蔬菜！这让莱拉觉得很奇怪，自己可以放开肚皮吃奶酪，却不能碰苹果和胡萝卜。另外一种节食法禁止一切糖类和谷物。莱拉觉得不吃糖还挺有道理的，但她也不能吃谷物，甚至连米饭和全麦面包都不行，这让莱拉无法获得充足的能量。每次尝试一种新的节食，莱拉都满怀希望，可能这次会适合自己呢。也许这次节食会让别人喜欢自己，让男孩子们跟自己搭讪，让她变苗条，让她的生活变美好，让她能穿上亮眼的裙子参加毕业晚会！

但每次节食都以失败告终！而失败的原因则各种各样。大多数的节食法都让莱拉时刻处于饥肠辘辘的状态，她没有足够的精力上课，也没有体力陪自己的狗狗玩耍。有些节食法太难实现，莱拉不能与朋友出去聚餐或在学校买午饭。有些节食法不允许莱拉吃她最爱的食物，即使她一开始忍住了诱惑，但几周后还是放弃了。这些节食法并没有让莱拉受欢迎，也没有让她变苗条。莱拉感觉自己更失败了。她在学校的成绩很好，很多科目都表现优异。

莱拉热爱阅读，喜欢骑车，喜欢垒球和游泳；她热爱家庭，为人和善而富有爱心。可是只要莱拉还是个胖子，这些优点似乎就都不值一提了。莱拉痛恨自己，也憎恶自己的身体。其他人也讨厌自己，很明显！

随着年龄的增长，莱拉的身体开始发生变化。对甜食的渴望不再强烈，她也不再爱吃油脂含量高的食物。个子慢慢长高，身材也苗条了一些。她开始能穿下店里的衣服，家人也不再对她的体重和饮食喋喋不休，但莱拉照镜子的时候依然感觉很不好。她又找到了自己身上的其他缺点。虽然体重正常了，但体型不好。皮肤上有太多斑点，胳膊太短，额头太大，头发太卷……不管别人怎么说，莱拉总是对自己不满意。

“莱拉，你看上去漂亮极了。”妈妈称赞道，但是莱拉并不感觉自己漂亮。虽然不再是个胖子，但她对自己的感觉和从前一样差劲。

“找男朋友没有？”爸爸问道。

“没有，”莱拉惨兮兮地回答，“我很丑，男孩子讨厌我。”

“你才不丑！你现在很漂亮，男孩子们都会拼命讨好你！”

但并没有男孩子讨好莱拉，因为人们能感觉到，她仍然在自我嫌弃。

“我敢打赌，你是学校里最受欢迎的女孩。”莱拉的祖母说。但因为自卑，莱拉现在的朋友反而比之前少了。她感觉自己很丑、很没用。实际上，她比胖的时候自我感觉更糟糕！因为，虽然现在不胖了，人们对她不一样了，但减掉体重并没有修补好她受伤的心。

一天，莱拉出去遛狗，这是她最喜欢做的事之一。春光明媚，晴空蔚蓝，白云朵朵。气温也正合适，暖和到可以穿短袖，而阵阵怡人的微风又让人并不觉得热。前几日春雨润物，滋生了万物葱茏。阳光下，一切都是那么生机勃勃。处处繁花似锦，空气中弥漫着些许忍冬和玫瑰的香气。走在路上，莱拉看到飞舞的蝴蝶和胖乎乎的大黄蜂，嗡嗡的声音搅乱了草地的安宁。狗狗在前面兴高采烈地走着，小耳朵一上一下地跳动着，粉色的舌头伸在外面。此时此刻，莱拉感觉到生活的美好，她暂时放下了对自己的嫌恶。

遛完狗，莱拉意识到自己的改变。给狗狗的水盆添着水，莱拉对能带它散步充满感激。给它的水盆添水、给它饼干、夸奖他都让莱拉感觉很好，而狗狗则会摇着尾巴用鼻子蹭蹭她的手。狗狗才不在乎她看起来怎么样！它不会在意她的皮肤、头发怎么样，无论如何它都爱着主人。莱拉不禁好奇，狗狗都能爱她，那自己是不是也有可能试着爱自己呢？

带着全新的决心，莱拉决定无论如何都要去爱自己，就像她的狗狗那样。

如果一只狗能做到，她也能！虽然她依旧要买下店里衣架上最大号的衣服，虽然她的皮肤并不完美，虽然她的头发仍然不听话。但她不知道怎么去开始爱自己！

从小到大，人们只是指出她不讨人喜欢，可她并不知道怎样去改变这一切。

首先，莱拉尝试买些新衣服。她和朋友来到服装店，看着那些年少肥胖时穿不上的漂亮衣服。低胸衬衫、短裙、紧身牛仔裤……莱拉一一试穿。有些衣服穿着不舒服，让莱拉感觉很蠢；而有些则很好看！莱拉买了几件新衣服。拿着全新又时髦的衣服，她感觉好些了，但还是不确定自己是否学会了爱自己。

接下来，莱拉尝试不穿大T恤去游泳。从小到大，莱拉在泳池中都穿着宽松的大T恤，因为她对自己的身体难为情。所以，她决定现在不加掩盖地去游泳。这对莱拉来说很可怕，虽然自己已经比以前小了好几号，她还是害怕人们嘲笑或者盯着她看。走出女更衣室，莱拉只穿了泳衣和人字拖，发现并没有人盯着她看！没有人多看她一眼。一开始莱拉还抱着身体，努力让自己看起来尺码小一些。但很快她直起身，挺直了腰板，愉快地游了很久。从泳池出来，莱拉感觉好多了，但还是不确定自己是否学会了爱自己。

接着，莱拉决定去跳舞。她的朋友们每隔几周就会去舞蹈俱乐部。莱拉从未去过，因为她担心人们会盯着她、嘲弄她的外表和舞姿。莱拉打电话给一个朋友，问她们当晚去不去跳舞。回复是肯定的，莱拉让她们带上自己一起。她穿了件短裙，配了件可爱的上衣，还花时间化了妆、做了头发。莱拉太紧张了，走进俱乐部的时候，她害怕得有些发抖。好在朋友们都簇拥在她身旁，咯咯笑着，叽叽喳喳聊着天，很快她们就融入到舞池中。莱拉忘记了紧张，与朋友们尽情地跳到了深夜。莱拉玩得很开心，但她还是不确定是否学会了爱自己。

追寻爱自己道路上的最后一关来了。莱拉开始审视镜中的自己。她习惯迅速地扫一眼镜子，只是检查一下发型和着装，就立刻羞耻地移开视线。现在，她开始试着久久盯着镜子。她和镜中的自己眼神交流，起初这让她很紧张。她感到尴尬而不适应，但她强迫自己留在镜子前，直到能每次都能在镜前待几分钟。然后开始练习对镜微笑。一开始莱拉感觉对着镜中的自己假笑很蠢，但练习几次之后，她感觉自己实际上很享受对自己微笑的感觉！看到有人对自己微笑的感觉很美好！

当对着镜子感到伤心时，莱拉开始告诉自己：“没关系，我爱你，你很好。”每一天莱拉都坚持这么做，有时候感觉很蠢，有时候感觉很好。但莱拉还是不确定是否学会了爱自己。

就这样，莱拉经过了数月的练习。某天早上醒来，莱拉清晰地意识到自己爱上了自己。这份爱不比对父母、祖母和自己狗狗的爱意少。她领悟到自爱与自弃并不是因为衣服的尺寸，也不是因为体重计上显示的数字。胖的时候她厌恶自己，可瘦的时候她也嫌恶自己。这些与尺码无关！莱拉意识到自我价值感才是她需要从内培养的品质。莱拉经历了痛苦的一课才学到这一点，然而这也是她人生中最宝贵的一课。一旦她拥有了自我价值感和自爱之心，那么任何事情、任何人都无法再将它们夺走。

小结

莱拉的故事是很多人故事的缩影——她不喜欢自己。从六岁起，人们就不断告诉她用各种各样的方法减肥，肥胖是她生活的主题。

莱拉不断尝试改变自己，让自己变得受别人喜欢，只有这样她才能喜欢自己，但是有一天她在遛狗的时候突然醒悟了。她意识到了无条件的爱的力量——不管她有多重、不管她是什么发型，她的狗一直都爱她！

从那一刻起，莱拉仿佛变了一个人，她开始不断寻找对自己的爱。莱拉给自己买了漂亮耀眼的衣服——那些她之前绝不可能买的衣服，她去游泳的时候不再遮遮掩掩，她还去跟朋友一起跳舞……但她俺不能确定是不是爱自己。

终于，莱拉开始审视镜子中的自己，面带微笑，不再挑剔，不再羞愧，也不再自责，一切都过去了。

莱拉终于找到了自己。

她爱真正的自己！

Muffin the Cat

Sometimes we take for granted the presence of animals in our lives, never stopping to think how they shape us as people. Have you ever had a pet that you loved very much? What happened to that pet? What is your fondest memory of that pet? Did you have other pets? What other meaningful encounters with animals can you think of?

take for granted – exp.认为……理所应当

shape – v.塑造

fond – adj.喜欢的

meaningful – adj.有意义的

encounters – n.遭遇

Cats were Katie's favorite animal.She drew pictures of cats, read books about cats, and recited facts about cats at the dinner table.

“The scientific name for a cat is Felis catus,” she said.

“That's nice,” said Katie's mom.

“Cats have a variable number of bones in their tail,” said Katie.

“Interesting,” said Katie's dad.

recite – v.出声背诵

scientific – n.科学的

variable – adj.可变的

bones – n.可变的

tail – n.尾巴

Katie had never had a pet before. On her fifth birthday, Katie's parents took her to the county animal shelter, because Katie wanted nothing in the entire world more than a pet kitten. Rescuing animals was important to Katie's family because, in many animal shelters, the animals were eventually put to sleep if they did not get adopted.

had a pet – exp.养宠物

county – n.乡下的

animal shelter –动物收容所

Rescue – v.拯救

put to sleep – exp.杀死；使安息

adopt – v.领养

The shelter had a strange smell to it, because the animals were kept indoors and then the shelter staff had to clean up after them. Everything looked gray to Katie as she walked behind her mother. A lady who worked at the shelter led them through the shelter to the place where the cats were kept. Katie's mouth hung open as she stared at the metal cages that went from the floor to the ceiling. They had solid stainless steel bottoms and were built in to the wall, and perhaps two dozen cats occupied the cages. Katie wandered in front of the ones on the floor because they were closest to eye level, and she admired the beautiful cats inside. There was a big, striped orange cat napping on its bed. There was a small, chubby, white cat sitting in the corner. There was a brown cat making chirping noises as another visitor poked a feathered toy through the cage to play with it.

Strange - adj.奇怪的

indoors – av.在室内地

staff – n.员工

cage – n.笼子

ceiling – n.天花板

stainless steel –不锈钢

dozen – n.十二个；一打

admire – v.欣赏

striped - adj.条纹的

nap– v.小憩

chubby – adj.圆嘟嘟的，丰满的

chirp – v.(鸟或昆虫)叽叽喳喳叫；发出啁啾声

feathered –adj.带羽毛的

All of the cats and kittens were so cute and friendly that Katie didn't know how she would ever choose. Then she looked up, and in one of the cages at the very top, sat a tiny black and white kitten with gold-green eyes. Katie and the kitten locked eyes, and a ray of sun coming through the window made the kitten's eyes sparkle.

Lock– v.使……锁住

ray – n.射线，光

sparkle – v.闪闪放光

“That one!” Katie cried, pointing to the kitten. “Let's take her home!”

“You have to meet her first,” Katie's mother said.

The lady who worked for the shelter opened the kitten's cage and carried the kitten to a small room where people could meet the animals they wanted to adopt. Katie could hardly contain her excitement as the shelter worker placed the little black and white kitten on the floor. Katie approached the kitten and squatted down beside to pet her very carefully.

“She's so soft,” Katie observed, “she's perfect! I want her!”

“Okay,” said Katie's mother, “we'll take her!”

Muffin (that was the kitten's name) was quiet for the whole ride home. She rode in a cardboard box with air holes in the side, sitting on Katie's lap.

cry – v.大声喊叫；哭

hardly – av.几乎不

excitement – n.兴奋

approach – v.接近，靠近

squat – v.蹲坐

pet – v.抚摸

we'll take her – exp.我们就要她

cardboard – n.纸板箱

When they got back to the house, Muffin came out of the box and started exploring immediately. Katie fed her some treats and wanted to pet her some more, but Muffin had other ideas! She ran around with all the energy of a small kitten, diving under furniture, sticking her head in cabinets, and jumping up on counter tops. She even climbed on top of the refrigerator! Katie was disappointed that Muffin did not want to play, so she went to her room to play by herself. She sat down to play with her dolls, but a few minutes later, Muffin came running into the room and attacked the doll's hair! Katie giggled and shrieked as Muffin clamped down on the doll's head with her paws, and they became best friends.

Explore – v.探索

immediately – av. 立即地，马上的

treat – v.对待

energy – n.力气

dive – v.潜水，俯冲

furniture – n.家具

cabinet – n.贮藏柜；陈列柜

refrigerator – n.冰箱

disappointed – adj.失望的

attack – v.袭击；攻击

shriek – v.尖叫

clamp – v.加紧；固定

paw – n.爪子

Katie played dolls with Muffin every day after that, and her dolls took a beating, but Katie did not mind. She was happy to share them with her friend. Katie loved to read, and whenever she sat down to read, Muffin would find her and sit in her lap. Muffin was there when she watched cartoons, and Muffin begged for food at mealtimes. Katie sneaked bits of meat to Muffin under the table. Katie wrote songs and poems and stories about Muffin because she loved her so much.

take a beating – exp.挨打；挨揍

cartoons – n.卡通；动画

mealtimes – n.吃饭时间

sneak – v.偷偷地给

Sometimes Muffin misbehaved, because she was a small kitten. She knocked over cups full of water or milk, she clawed the furniture, and she attacked the feet of sleeping parents in the middle of the night. Katie's dad would get mad and yell at the kitten, and Katie thought it was funny, even though she did not like it that her dad was yelling at her friend.

misbehave – v.行为不当

claw – v.用爪子抓

Katie and Muffin lived together for a few months before Katie's parents started fighting a lot. Her dad stopped yelling at Muffin because he was angry with her mom, and Katie's mom was angry at her dad. Katie did not understand what was going on! Why was everyone so angry all the time? No one bothered to explain it to Katie, and she was frightened. Muffin stayed with her through those scary nights, laying beside Katie in bed and purring to help put her to sleep.

fight – v.打架

bother – v.费心；麻烦

frightened – adj.害怕的

purr – v.咕噜咕噜叫

Soon after that, Katie's dad moved out. Katie did not understand why. She felt very sad, and her mom explained that Katie's dad had to live somewhere else because they were getting a divorce.

“What is a divorce?” Katie asked Muffin, because Katie's mom was angry these days and Katie was afraid to ask her. Muffin only looked at Katie.

“Is a divorce very big? Is that why Daddy has to leave, to make room for it?” Muffin did not have the answer to this question, either.

“Is a divorce a different type of dad?” Katie asked. Muffin blinked, just once, very slowly.

“Maybe it's a different kind of house where Daddy will go live now.” This thought made Katie very sad. She did not want her dad to leave. She cried a little bit, and Muffin sat in her lap, licking Katie's hand.

Katie cried a lot more when she realized her dad truly was not going to live there anymore. She learned that she would only get to see her dad once or twice a week, and she cried even more. Katie still didn't understand what a divorce was, but she knew that she really, really hated it.

move out – exp.搬出去

get a divorce – exp.离婚

divorce – n.离婚

lick – v.舔

hate – v.恨

Eventually, she got used to her dad not being around, although she still missed him, and his absence made her heart hurt. Having Muffin there to cuddle with her helped Katie feel a tiny bit better, though.

Katie got older and started school. She did not have as much time for Muffin, but Muffin did not seem to mind. They were still best friends, and Muffin still slept on Katie's bed every night. Katie still drew pictures of Muffin, and she still wrote stories and poems about her. Katie made friends at school, and she was no longer sure that Muffin was her best friend, but Muffin did not seem to mind that either.

get used to – exp.习惯于做某事

absence – n.缺席，不在场

cuddle – v.(犹指表示喜爱而)拥抱

get older – exp.长大

do not seem to mind – exp.似乎并不介意

When Katie entered high school, Muffin was pretty old, for a cat. Some of the black fur on her face had turned white. She did not scamper and play as much as she used to. She slept a lot more. Katie knew that her friend was getting older, and it was hard to watch. Eventually, Muffin got very sick, and was in a lot of pain, and could hardly move. Katie hated to see her friend like this. Soon, Muffin was put to sleep to end her suffering.

high school – 高中

scamper – v.蹦蹦跳跳地跑

sick – adj.生病的

suffering – n.痛苦

Katie cried and cried, because Muffin was her best friend for such a long time. Muffin helped her through so many hard things in life. Who would sleep on her feet and keep them warm in the winter time, Katie wondered? Who would sit on her lap while she did her homework? Who would lick her face to wake her up in the mornings? Who would be there to cuddle when Katie was having a bad day? Katie was going to miss Muffin very, very much. She hung a picture of Muffin on her bedroom wall so that she would remember her friend forever.

Time went by. She never forgot Muffin, but Katie felt less and less sad every time she looked at Muffin's picture on the wall. In time, Katie smiled when she looked at Muffin's picture, because she had so many fond memories of Muffin the cat.

winter time – 冬日

miss – v.怀念；纪念

forever –av.永远地

fond memories – 美好的记忆

A few months after Muffin passed on, Katie and her mom got a dog. The dog was adopted from the shelter too. He was not a young puppy but a three-year-old adult dog. His name was Sargent, but everyone called him Sarge for short. He was a big, brown and black dog, with floppy ears and beady brown eyes. His favorite game in the world was fetch, and he loved to go on long, long walks with Katie when she came home from school. Katie had never had a dog before, so it was hard at first to get to know Sarge.

pass on – exp.去世

adult – n.成年

floppy – adj.弯曲的，先下耷拉的

beady – adj.(眼睛)珠子般又圆又亮的

fetch – v.抓

to get to know – exp.开始了解

One day, Katie's boyfriend broke up with her. Katie was heartbroken. She cried all day at school, then came home and cried some more. She laid down on her bed and curled up tight, hugging her knees to her chest. Katie cried even harder when she realized that Muffin would not come sit with her this time! Katie felt very alone.

boyfriend – n.男朋友

break up with her – exp.与她分手

heartbroken – adj.心碎的

curl up – exp.蜷缩起来

hug – v.拥抱

knees – n.膝盖

chest – n.胸

realize – v.发觉

alone – adj.孤独的

But just a few minutes after she lay down, Katie heard a sound in her room. Then something cold and wet pressed into the back of her neck! She sat up, startled, and there was Sarge, sitting by her bed, staring up at her with his beady brown eyes, and Katie could not be sure but she thought the dog looked worried about her, with his dog eyebrows raised. Even though Sarge was a grown dog, he was very cute. Katie had to smile. Sarge nuzzled her knee, and Katie petted his head, then she invited him to sit on the bed with her. Sarge happily obliged, and Katie hugged his neck and she sniffled and cried a little more into Sarge's fur.

press – v.压

neck – n.脖子

startled – adj.惊恐的

worried – adj.担心的

eyebrows –n.眉毛

nuzzle – v.（为表示喜爱）用鼻子触碰

invite – v.邀请

oblige - v.答应某人的请求

sniffled – v.(尤指哭泣或感冒时) 不停地抽鼻子

fur – n.皮毛

“Why did Bobby break up with me?” Katie asked Sarge. Sarge grunted in response.

“He said he loved me!” she added, “Why does it have to be this way?” But Sarge did not have an answer for her.

“When will it stop hurting? When will I meet another boy like him? Will anyone else ever want me to be their girlfriend? Will I stop missing him?” Sarge couldn't answer those questions either, so he patiently licked Katie's elbow. Katie missed Muffin and she was sad about her boyfriend, but Sarge helped her feel a whole lot better.

grunt – v.作呼噜声；发哼声

girlfriend – v.女朋友

patiently - n.耐心地

elbow – n.手肘

Ten years later, Katie graduated college with a degree in fine art. She had a good career as a photographer, and now she had her very own photography business. Her specialties were wedding photos and pet portraits. Katie loved photographing people's pets, so that they would have a nice photo to remember them by forever. Katie was also engaged to be married to a good, handsome man named Ali. Ali was training to be a nurse at the hospital. Katie visited her mom every week. Sarge still lived with Katie's mom, and Katie lived with her fiancé. Even though she did not see Sarge as often, Katie still took him on walks. Sometimes, she still told him her troubles, and Sarge still listened to her and patiently licked her elbow. But Katie could see that Sarge was getting older.

graduat college – 大学毕业

degree in fine art – 艺术学士学位

career – n.职业，事业

photographer – n.摄影师

very own – exp.自己的

business – n.公司，业务

wedding –n.婚礼

portraits – n.肖像

engaged – adj.订婚的

handsome – adj.英俊的

nurse – n.护士

troubles – n.困扰

One day, Katie's mom called and said that Sarge had passed away in his sleep, and Katie was very sad. She was going to miss Sarge, maybe even more than she missed Muffin!

Katie and her fiancé did not get another pet after Sarge died for a long, long time. They got married and went on a honeymoon to the Caribbean, then came back. Katie was running her own business as a photographer, and she was very busy; her husband was now working as a nurse, and he was very busy. Neither of them felt that they had the time to take good care of a pet.

Eight years later, Katie had a four-year-old daughter. When she asked her daughter, Nina, what she wanted for her fifth birthday, Nina surprised Katie by saying that she wanted a pet kitten! Nina did not have the same fascination for cats that Katie did at that age, but it was natural for a young kid to want a pet.

Pass away – exp.去世，过世

go on a honeymoon – exp.度蜜月

run her own business – exp.经营自己的生意

daughter – n.女儿

surprise – v.令某人吃惊

fascination – n.着迷，迷恋

natural –adj.自然的，出于天性的

Katie fondly remembered her fifth birthday, when her mother took her to the shelter and she met Muffin. She remembered how much it hurt when Muffin was put to sleep, but she also remembered how many long years of happiness and friendship she and Muffin shared. Muffin was such a good companion while she was growing up. Katie and her husband were still very busy, but they agreed that Nina could have a kitten of her very own.

Katie took her daughter to the animal shelter on her fifth birthday, and she was gobsmacked to see, sitting placidly in one of the cages on top, a tiny black and white kitten with gold-green eyes. He looked just like Muffin! Katie didn't say anything, she wanted Nina to make the decision, but she had to smile when Nina saw the black-and-white kitten and pointed at it excitedly.

friendship – n.友谊

companion – n.陪伴；伙伴

gobsmacked –adj.目瞪口呆的；大吃一惊的

decision – n.决定

excitedly – av.兴奋地

“That one! I want him! He's so cute, Mommy!” Nina cried.

“You have to meet him first,” Katie laughed.

“Okay!” Nina said, as the shelter worker opened the cage and lifted the little black-and-white kitten out of the cage. They went to the visiting room and Nina played with the kitten for a few minutes. “He's perfect!”

“What will you name him?” the shelter worker asked.

Nina considered, then said proudly, “His name is Muffin.”

consider – v.考虑

proudly – adv.自豪地

Summary

This is a story about companionship, friendship, love, grief, and loss; and ultimately how powerful the human-animal bond can be.

The story begins with Katie as a young girl who has a fascination with cats, and at five years old, is allowed to adopt a little black and white one, who she names Muffin. Muffin is her friend and companion throughout Katie's elementary school years, through the divorce of her parents, and even into her teenage years. Muffin becomes old and frail and is eventually euthanized, leaving a hole in Katie's heart, but also years of fond memories to keep forever.

Katie and her mother end up adopting a dog, Sarge, and he is there for Katie when her heart is broken for the first time by a boy, and Katie grows up as the story goes on, and eventually starts a family of her own.

When her daughter is five years old, Katie takes her to a shelter, and, lo and behold, there is a little black and white kitten there who is chosen by Katie's daughter and named......Muffin!

词汇表

take for granted – exp.认为……理所应当

shape – v.塑造

fond – adj.喜欢的

meaningful – adj.有意义的

encounters – n.遭遇

recite – v.出声背诵

scientific – n.科学的

variable – adj.可变的

bones – n.可变的

tail – n.尾巴

had a pet – exp.养宠物

county – n.乡下的

animal shelter –动物收容所

Rescue – v.拯救

put to sleep – exp.杀死；使安息

adopt – v.领养

Strange - adj.奇怪的

indoors – av.在室内地

staff – n.员工

cage – n.笼子

ceiling – n.天花板

stainless steel –不锈钢

dozen – n.十二个；一打

admire – v.欣赏

striped - adj.条纹的

nap– v.小憩

chubby – adj.圆嘟嘟的，丰满的

chirp – v.(鸟或昆虫)叽叽喳喳叫；发出啁啾声

feathered –adj.带羽毛的

Lock– v.使……锁住

ray – n.射线，光

sparkle – v.闪闪放光

cry – v.大声喊叫；哭

hardly – av.几乎不

excitement – n.兴奋

approach – v.接近，靠近

squat – v.蹲坐

pet – v.抚摸

we'll take her – exp.我们就要她

cardboard – n.纸板箱

Explore – v.探索

immediately – av.立即地，马上的

treat – v.对待

energy – n.力气

dive – v.潜水，俯冲

furniture – n.家具

cabinet – n.贮藏柜；陈列柜

refrigerator – n.冰箱

disappointed – adj.失望的

attack – v.袭击；攻击

shriek – v.尖叫

clamp – v.加紧；固定

paw – n.爪子

take a beating – exp.挨打；挨揍

cartoons – n.卡通；动画

mealtimes – n.吃饭时间

sneak – v.偷偷地给

misbehave – v.行为不当

claw – v.用爪子抓

fight – v.打架

bother – v.费心；麻烦

frightened – adj.害怕的

purr – v.咕噜咕噜叫

move out – exp.搬出去

get a divorce – exp.离婚

divorce – n.离婚

lick – v.舔

hate – v.恨

get used to – exp.习惯于做某事

absence – n.缺席，不在场

cuddle – v.(犹指表示喜爱而)拥抱

get older – exp.长大

do not seem to mind – exp.似乎并不介意

high school – 高中

scamper – v.蹦蹦跳跳地跑

sick – adj.生病的

suffering – n.痛苦

winter time – 冬日

miss – v.怀念；纪念

forever –av.永远地

fond memories – 美好的记忆

pass on – exp.去世

adult – n.成年

floppy – adj.弯曲的，先下耷拉的

beady – adj.(眼睛)珠子般又圆又亮的

fetch – v.抓

to get to know – exp.开始了解

boyfriend – n.男朋友

break up with her – exp.与她分手

heartbroken – adj.心碎的

curl up – exp.蜷缩起来

hug – v.拥抱

knees – n.膝盖

chest – n.胸

realize – v.发觉

alone – adj.孤独的

press – v.压

neck – n.脖子

startled – adj.惊恐的

worried – adj.担心的

eyebrows –n.眉毛

nuzzle – v.（为表示喜爱）用鼻子触碰

invite – v.邀请

oblige - v.答应某人的请求

sniffled – v.(尤指哭泣或感冒时) 不停地抽鼻子

fur – n.皮毛

grunt – v.作呼噜声；发哼声

girlfriend – v.女朋友

patiently - n.耐心地

elbow – n.手肘

graduat college – 大学毕业

degree in fine art – 艺术学士学位

career – n.职业，事业

photographer – n.摄影师

very own – exp.自己的

business – n.公司，业务

wedding –n.婚礼

portraits – n.肖像

engaged – adj.订婚的

handsome – adj.英俊的

nurse – n.护士

troubles – n.困扰

Pass away – exp.去世，过世

go on a honeymoon – exp.度蜜月

run her own business – exp.经营自己的生意

daughter – n.女儿

surprise – v.令某人吃惊

fascination – n.着迷，迷恋

natural –adj.自然的，出于天性的

friendship – n.友谊

companion – n.陪伴；伙伴

gobsmacked –adj.目瞪口呆的；大吃一惊的

decision – n.决定

excitedly – av.兴奋地

consider – v.考虑

proudly – adv.自豪地

中文翻译

松饼猫

有时候我们把生活中存在的动物视为理所应当的事情，决不会停下来思考动物是如何塑造我们人类的。 你有没有过喜爱备至的宠物？ 那只宠物最后怎么了？ 对于那只宠物，你最珍爱的记忆是什么？你曾有过其他宠物吗？那些有意义宠物故事，你还能想到哪些？

猫是凯蒂最喜欢的动物。她画关于猫的画，读关于猫的书，还会在餐桌上讲一些关于猫的知识。

“猫的科学名称是Felis catus。”她说。

“真的嘛。”凯蒂的妈妈说。

“不同猫尾巴里骨头的数量是不同的。”凯蒂说。

“很有趣。”凯蒂的爸爸说。

凯蒂从未养过宠物。在她五岁生日的时候，因为凯蒂除了想要一只宠物小猫咪，其他什么都不要，所以凯蒂的父母带她去了乡下动物收容所。对凯蒂的家庭而言，救助动物很重要，因为在许多动物收容所中，人们会对没有人领养的动物最终会实施安乐死。

收容所里的动物都是圈养在室内的，也在笼内排泄，再由工作人员清理，所味道不太好闻。凯蒂走在母亲身后，周围的一切在她眼里都好像灰蒙蒙得看不真切。这里的一名女员工带着他们穿过收容所，走到收容猫咪的地方。看到从地面一直垒高到天花板的一个个金属笼子，凯蒂惊讶得目瞪口呆。这些笼子有坚实的不锈钢底部，嵌在了墙上，里面大概有二十几只猫。凯蒂在地板上那层笼子前徘徊——因为它们正好和她的视线平齐，欣赏着笼子里的漂亮猫咪。有一只橙色带条纹的大猫正在它的床上打盹。角落里有一只小小的、胖乎乎的白色小猫。另有一个访客把羽毛玩具伸进笼子里，逗弄一只棕色的猫咪，小猫喵喵地叫着。

不管是成年猫还是幼猫，所有的猫咪都那么可爱亲人，凯蒂不知道该如何选择。然后她抬头起头来，看到在特别高的一个笼子里，蹲坐着一只长着金绿色眼睛的黑白花小猫。凯蒂和小猫相互对视着，一缕阳光从窗户里射进来，小猫的眼睛闪闪发光。

“那一只！”凯蒂指着小猫叫了起来，“我们带她回家！”

凯蒂的母亲说：“你必须先跟她接触一下。”

收容所的女员工打开了小猫的笼子，把小猫带到一个小房间里，人们可以在这儿跟他们想要领养的动物互动。工作人员把黑白小猫放在地板上的时候，凯蒂简直无法抑制她的兴奋。凯蒂走近小猫，蹲在旁边，非常小心地抚摸小猫。

“她真柔软，”凯蒂说，“她真是完美！我就想要她！”

“那好，”凯蒂的母亲说，“那就决定是她啦！”

松饼（这是小猫的名字）在回家的整个途中都很安静。她待在一个纸板箱中，侧面有气孔，放在凯蒂的大腿上。

他们一回到家，松饼就立刻从箱子里跳出来，开始探索世界。凯蒂给他喂了点儿零食，想要再摸摸她，但松饼却另有想法！松饼竭尽的所有力量奔跑，俯冲到家具下面，把头塞在柜子里，跳上台面，甚至爬到了冰箱上面！松饼并不想陪凯蒂玩，这让凯蒂很失望，于是凯蒂回到房间自己玩。凯蒂坐下来玩她的娃娃。但是，几分钟后，松饼就冲了进来，开始抓挠娃娃的头发！看到松饼把娃娃的脑袋按在爪子下，凯蒂又是尖叫又是咯咯傻笑，然后她们就成了最好的朋友。

之后凯蒂每天都跟松饼一起玩娃娃，虽然娃娃遭到痛打，但凯蒂并不介意。相反，凯蒂很高兴与她的朋友松饼分享娃娃。凯蒂喜欢读书，每当她坐下来读书时，松饼都会找到她坐在她的腿上。凯蒂看动画片时，松饼也会找到凯蒂坐在她的腿上。就餐时间，松饼总是会乞求食物。凯蒂会偷偷地把小块的肉喂给桌子下的松饼。凯蒂对松饼喜爱备至，甚至还写了关于松饼的歌曲、诗歌和故事。

松饼毕竟还是只小猫，有时候她也会闯祸惹麻烦。她会打翻装满水或牛奶的杯子、抓坏家具，或者趁她爸妈半夜睡得正香时挠他们的双脚。凯蒂的爸爸会生气，朝松饼大叫，虽然凯蒂不喜欢爸爸冲她的朋友大吼，但她还是觉得这场面挺好玩儿的。

凯蒂和松饼就这样住在一起。几个月后，凯蒂的父母就开始不断争吵。凯蒂的爸爸倒是不再冲松饼大喊大叫了，因为他开始对着妈妈发怒，妈妈也对着爸爸发火。凯蒂不明白这到底是怎么回事！为什么每个人都这么生气？没有人费心向凯蒂解释，凯蒂很害怕。是松饼陪凯蒂度过了那些令人害怕的夜晚，躺在凯蒂旁边，陪她一起睡在床上，发出咕噜咕噜的叫声，帮助凯蒂入睡。

不久之后，凯蒂的爸爸就搬出去了。凯蒂不知道这是为什么。她感到很伤心，她的母亲向她解释说，因为他们要离婚了，所以凯蒂的父亲要搬到其他地方住。

凯蒂的妈妈近来很生气，凯蒂不敢问妈妈，只能问松饼：“什么是离婚？”松饼只是看着凯蒂，没有回答。

“‘离婚’是不是个很大的东西呀？所以爸爸才要搬走，因为要给‘离婚’腾出地方来？”松饼也没有回答。

“‘离婚’是不是另一个不同的爸爸？”凯蒂问道。松饼慢慢地眨了一下眼睛。

“也许爸爸现在要去住的那种不同的房子叫做‘离婚’。”这个想法让凯蒂很伤心。她不想让爸爸离开。她哭了一会儿，松饼坐在她腿上，舔着凯蒂的手。

凯蒂意识到爸爸真的不会再住在家里时，她哭得很厉害。她得知自己每周只能见到爸爸一两次时，哭得更厉害了。凯蒂仍然不明白离婚是什么，但她知道她真的很讨厌离婚。

最后，她习惯了爸爸不在身边，虽然她仍然想念他，而且爸爸的缺席令她心痛。还好有松饼依偎在凯蒂身边，这让她感觉好一点。

凯蒂长大些，开始上学了。她不像以前那样有那么多时间跟松饼玩了，但是松饼似乎并不介意。她们还是最好的朋友，每天晚上松饼还是睡在凯蒂的床上。凯蒂仍然画了松饼的画，还写了关于松饼的故事和诗歌。后来凯蒂在学校交了朋友，凯蒂不再确定松饼是否是她最好的朋友了，但松饼似乎也不介意。

当凯蒂升入高中的时候，松饼已经很老了——对于一只猫而言。松饼脸上的一些黑色绒毛变白了，也没有昔日那样活蹦乱跳地嬉戏玩耍，睡得也比以前多了。凯蒂知道，她的朋友变老了，变得很难入目。最后，松饼病得很严重，非常痛苦，几乎不能动弹。 凯蒂没办法看着她的朋友这么受罪。不久之后，松饼受了安乐死，结束了所受的痛苦。

很久以来松饼一直是她最好的朋友，松饼的离开让凯蒂痛苦不已，因为。松饼曾帮助她度过生命中的许多困难。凯蒂想知道，在冬天，还有谁会睡在她的脚上，让脚丫子保持温暖？她做功课时，谁会坐在她的腿上？在清晨，谁会舔她的脸来叫醒她？凯蒂的一天很糟糕时，谁会在那里拥抱她？ 凯蒂非常非常想念松饼。她在卧室的墙上挂了一幅松饼的画，这样，凯蒂就会永远记得她的朋友。

时光流逝，凯蒂从来没有忘记过松饼，但是，凯蒂每次看到墙上松饼的画像，她的痛苦便减少。随着时间的流逝，凯蒂看着松饼的画，会露出微笑，因为她与松饼猫咪有着如此美好的回忆。

松饼去世几个月之后，凯蒂和她的妈妈从同一个动物收容所领养了一只狗。这只狗已不是一只幼犬，而是一只三岁的成年狗。他的名字是萨金特，但是所有人都叫萨兹。萨兹是一只棕色黑色相间的大狗，有一对耷拉着的大耳朵和一双亮晶晶的棕色眼睛。萨兹最喜欢的游戏是寻回。凯蒂放学之后，萨兹喜欢陪凯蒂走很长的路。在此之前凯蒂从来没有养过狗，所以在最初了解萨兹的时候，凯蒂觉得有点困难。

有一天，凯蒂的男朋友跟她分手了。凯蒂心碎了，在学校哭了一整天，回到家后继续哭泣。凯蒂躺在床上，蜷缩起来，抱着膝盖贴在胸前。当凯蒂意识到松饼不会再和她坐在一起的时候，她哭得撕心裂肺！凯蒂感到非常孤独。

但是躺下才几分钟，凯蒂就听到屋子里有窸窸窣窣的动静。然后一个湿润的、凉凉的东西就凑到了她的后脖子上！凯蒂吓了一跳，马上坐了起来，看到萨兹正蹲坐在床边，抬着头用那双亮晶晶的棕褐色眼睛盯着凯蒂，眉毛都挑了起来，凯蒂不敢肯定，但是她觉得萨兹看起来很担心她。尽管萨兹是一只成年狗，然而还是很可爱。凯蒂忍俊不禁。 萨兹用鼻子蹭着凯蒂的膝盖，凯蒂则抚摸着萨兹的头，然后示意萨兹到跟她一起坐在床上。萨兹高兴地照办了，凯蒂搂着萨兹的脖子，把头埋在萨兹的皮毛里，又抽泣了一会儿。

“鲍比为什么要和我分手？”凯蒂问萨兹。萨兹“哼”了一声响应她。

“他说过他爱我！”她补充道，“怎么会变成这样？”但是萨兹没有回答。

“我什么时候才能不伤心呢？什么时候才会遇到另一个像他一样的男孩？会有人想当我的男朋友么？我会不会忘掉他？”萨兹也没法回答这些问题，所以他耐心地舔着凯蒂的手肘。 凯蒂想念松饼，对男友感到很伤心，但是萨兹的抚慰让她感觉好多了。

十年后，凯蒂大学毕业，获得了艺术学士学位。她成了一名摄影师，发展不错，现在拥有了属于她自己的摄影公司。 她的专长是拍婚纱照和宠物肖像。凯蒂喜欢为人们拍宠物照，这样人们会有一张宠物的漂亮照片，永远记住宠物。凯蒂还与一位名叫阿里的英俊善良的男子订婚了。阿里正在接受培训，要在医院担任护士。凯蒂每周都会去看望她妈妈。萨兹仍然和凯蒂的妈妈住在一起，而凯蒂现在和未婚夫住在一起。虽然凯蒂不那么经常见到萨兹了，但她还是会带着萨兹散步。有时凯蒂仍然向萨兹倾诉她的烦恼，萨兹仍然会倾听，耐心地舔她的手肘。 但凯蒂可以看到，萨兹正在慢慢变老。

有一天，凯蒂的妈妈打来电话，告诉凯蒂萨兹在睡梦中去世了。凯蒂很伤心。她肯定会想念萨兹的，也许比对松饼的想念更深！

在萨兹去世之后的很长一段时间里，凯蒂和她的未婚夫都没有再领养宠物。他们结婚了，去加勒比度完蜜月，就回来了。凯蒂作为摄影师经营着自己的事业，她很忙碌; 她的丈夫现在当上了护士，也很忙。他们都觉得他们没有时间去好好照顾宠物。

八年后，凯蒂的女儿四岁了。当凯蒂问女儿妮娜想要什么作为她五岁生日礼物时，令凯蒂惊讶的是，妮娜说她想要一只宠物小猫！虽然，妮娜对猫咪的迷恋，不及凯蒂当年，但是一个小孩子想要一只宠物是很自然的事情。

凯蒂深情地回忆着，她五岁生日时妈妈带她去那间动物收容所，然后遇见了松饼。她还记得松饼接受了安乐死时她有多痛苦，但她也记得她和松饼共享了多少年的幸福和友谊。松饼是凯蒂成长过程中一个很好的伴侣。凯蒂和她的丈夫工作依旧很忙，但他们还是同意妮娜可以有一只自己的小猫。

在女儿五岁生日的时候，凯蒂带女儿去了同一间动物收容所，大吃一惊地看到，有长着一双金绿色眼睛的黑白色小猫就坐在上面的一个笼子里。看起来跟松饼一模一样！凯蒂没有说什么，她希望妮娜自己做出决定。当妮娜看见那只黑白的小猫，并兴奋地指向小猫时，凯蒂不由得笑了。

“那个！我要他！他很可爱，妈咪！”妮娜大声喊道。

“你先要见他。”凯蒂笑了起来。

“好吧！”妮娜说着，收容所员工打开笼子，把黑白色的小猫从笼子里抱了出来。她们去了接待室，妮娜和小猫玩了几分钟。“他是太棒了！”

“你给他起什么名字？”员工问道。

妮娜想了想，然后自豪地说：“他的名字是松饼。”

小结

这是一个关于陪伴、友谊、爱、悲伤和失去的故事，但最终，它想表达的是人类和动物之间的纽带可以多么强大。

在故事的开头，凯蒂是一个对猫咪着迷的五岁小姑娘，领养了一只叫做“松饼”的黑白小猫。松饼一直是凯蒂的好朋友，陪伴她度过了小学时光，经历了父母离婚，看着她长成一个大姑娘。松饼很老了，而且身体状况变得非常差，最终不得不接受安乐死，这好像在凯蒂的心里留下了一个空洞，但也给凯蒂留下了永远不会忘记的美好回忆。

凯蒂和她的妈妈后来又收养了一只狗——萨兹，他陪伴凯蒂经历了她人生中第一次的感情伤痛。随着故事的展开，凯蒂也在不断成长，最后有了自己的家庭。

当凯蒂的女儿五岁时，凯蒂带她去了动物收容所。天呐！那里有一只黑白色的小猫，被小姑娘一眼就选中了，而且给他起名叫“松饼”！

Someday a Chef

Tucker's mom did not like to cook when he was growing up. Even at a young age, Tucker accepted this fact. Some people like to cook, some people do not, he reasoned. Tucker's mom liked to do other things, like sewing, writing, and watching sci-fi, but she did not like to cook!

grow up – exp.成长

accept – v.接受

reason – v.推论

sew – v.缝纫

write – v.写作

sci-fi – n.科幻小说

Consequently, Tucker's family did not eat very well, or very adventurously. A “fancy” meal in Tucker's family consisted of spaghetti and a jar of sauce, and sometimes, if they were having company, a fresh baguette or bag of salad. Many nights, dinner came from a can, a box, or a jar. Frozen pizza was a household staple. Rarely did they eat vegetables. Many other nights, dinner came through the window of a fast food drive-through. Tucker's favorite was hamburgers. He liked to eat, he appreciated the taste of food, but deep down inside, he knew that something was missing.

consequently – adv.因此；结果；所以

adventurously – adv.冒险地

fancy – adj.花哨的

spaghetti – n.意大利面

sauce – n.酱油；沙司；调味汁

baguette - n.法国棍子面包；

salad –n.沙拉

having company – exp.有陪伴

can – n.罐头

box – n.盒子

jar – n.罐子

Frozen pizza – 冷冻的披萨

household staple – 家常菜

Rarely – adv.几乎不

vegetables – n.蔬菜

window –n.窗户

fast food –n.快餐

drive-through –n.乘车穿过；驱车穿越

hamburgers – n.汉堡包

appreciate – v.欣赏

missing – adj.丢失的

It was in this culinary wasteland that Tucker was born and raised. He really enjoyed eating, but was never exposed to different types of cooking until he made friends with a Korean boy, David, in the sixth grade. David invited Tucker to his house for sleepovers. During those sleepovers, David's mom ordered pizza, because she wanted Tucker to feel at home, and was worried that Tucker would not like Korean food.

culinary wasteland – exp.烹饪(美食)荒原

born and raised – exp.出生和成长

expose – v.暴露

sixth grade – 6年级

sleepovers – n.过夜

pizza – n.披萨

worried – adj.担心的

“Do you guys always eat pizza?” Tucker asked, because he had seen different kinds of food when passing through David's kitchen, and when David opened the refrigerator to get a soda.

“No! Mom only gets pizza when you're here,” David admitted. “She thinks you won't like Korean food.”

“I would love to try it!” Tucker exclaimed. “How else will I know if I like it or not?”

After that conversation with David, Tucker got to try new and exciting foods like home-made ramen with boiled eggs, ddukbokki, bibimbap, jajangmyeon, and fried rice with kimchi. His favorite Korean meal was jajangmyeon for dinner with gyeongju bread for dessert. Tucker loved every new food he tried, and because of these meals shared with David, he would one day embark on a magical culinary journey.

refrigerator – n.电冰箱

soda – n.苏打水;汽水

admit – v.承认

exclaim - v.呼喊，惊叫；大声叫嚷

How else – exp.不然

conversation – n.对话；交谈

ramen –n.拉面；面条

boiled eggs –水煮鸡蛋

ddukbokki –n.辣炒年糕

bibimbap – n.石锅拌饭

jajangmyeon –韩国炸酱面

fried rice – 炒饭

kimchi –n.朝鲜泡菜

gyeongju –庆州（韩国地名）

dessert – n.甜点

embark - v.从事，着手；上船或飞机

magical culinary journey –神奇的美食之旅

Tucker did not realize that he could have made these foods at home for himself. He had never seen anyone devote time and energy to making food, so it never entered his mind that he could make and enjoy different types of food. In his mind, David's family was just different, and there was no way that Tucker could ever be like them and make delicious food like that. At home, Tucker and his family still ate packaged food and hamburgers, but Tucker had started watching cooking shows, longing for a better food life. At first, he only watched reality shows where people competed to build the tallest sugar sculpture or the craziest looking cake or make a five course meal the fastest.

But soon he became interested in other types of shows. Tucker started watching normal cooking shows, where the host demonstrates how to prepare a dish or meal. He was absolutely fascinated. Tucker had never seen someone carefully slicing carrots like that, making sure they were just the right thickness so they would have just the right texture when cooked. His eyes went wide as he watched an American chef lovingly dice an onion and then caramelize it in a skillet full of hot oil. He grinned until his face hurt as he watched an Italian chef mix dough for fresh pasta with her bare hands - he thought pasta could only come out of a box! He sighed with longing as he watched a French chef make a perfect roux with as much grace and ease as breathing. These people treated their food with such tender care, there were so many colors, and it all looked so delicious!

Devote – v.贡献

energy – n.能量

enter – v.进入

packaged – adj.包装过的

cooking shows –烹饪节目

longing – adj.盼望的

reality – n.事实

compete – v.竞争

build – v.建立

tall – adj.高

sugar sculpture – 糖雕

crazy – adj.疯狂的

cake – n.蛋糕

course – n.一道菜

fast – adj.快的

demonstrate – v.展示

prepare – v.准备

absolutely fascinated – 完全着迷

slice carrots – 给胡萝卜切片

thickness – n.厚度

texture – n.纹理

lovingly dice – 细致地切丁

onion – n.洋葱

caramelize - vt.使成焦糖，加熔（糖）使焦

skillet - n.煮锅；长柄平底煎锅

oil – n.油

dough - n.生面团

fresh pasta – 新鲜的意大利面

bare hands – 徒手；赤裸的双手

longing – adj.期待的

roux – n.乳酪面粉糊

grace - n.优雅；恩惠；魅力；慈悲

ease – v.减轻，缓和；使安心

breathing –n.呼吸；

tender - adj.温柔的；

color – n.颜色

delicious – adj.美味的

Tucker was in love. For a long time, he just watched the cooking shows, but he watched them voraciously. Every spare hour he devoted to watching these masters of the kitchen practice their craft. He longed to do what they did, but he was afraid. What if he started an oil fire while trying to fry onions? What if he mixed the pasta dough wrong and wasted all that flour? What if he burnt the roux? Better to leave the cooking to the people who knew what they were doing and just watch from a safe distance. If he tried to cook and messed it up, his mom might get angry with him.

be in love – exp.爱上

voraciously – adv.贪得无厌地; 非常渴望地；难满足地；

spare – n.空闲的

master – n.大师

practice – v.练习

craft - n.工艺；手艺；

afraid – adj.害怕的

fire – n.火

waste – v.浪费

burn –v.燃烧；烧毁，灼伤；

distance – n.距离

mess it up – exp.弄乱；搞砸

Finally, when Tucker went away to college, he got his very own apartment near campus. It was a small place but comfortable enough for one person, and the best part - it had a kitchen! The kitchen was equipped with all brand-new appliances: it had a big metal sink with deep sides; a refrigerator with a spacious freezer; and a stove with a flat, ceramic glass electric cooktop. Finally, it was Tucker's turn to make choices about what happened in the kitchen! When he went shopping, he had a choice between a box of dry pasta or some flour and eggs to make fresh pasta. He had a choice between a frozen pizza or fresh meat and vegetables. He had a choice between buying a loaf of sad, white bread packed full of preservatives and trying to bake his own bread.

college –n.大学

apartment – n.公寓

campus – n.校园

comfortable – adj.舒服的

kitchen – n.厨房

equip – v.配备

brand-new appliances – n.器具；电器

sink – n.水槽

spacious freezer – n.宽敞的冰箱

stove – n.炉子

ceramic glass electric cook top –微晶玻璃灶面的电磁炉

Finally – adv.最后地；最终地

pack – v.打包；包装

preservatives – n.添加剂

The first dish Tucker tried to make was his very own jajangmyeon. He went to the store and carefully selected all the ingredients, choosing the very best-looking vegetables, and the freshest mincedpork. He found a packet of fresh noodles, and they even had mirin! The only ingredient missing now was the black bean paste, which David had called chunjang. That was the key to jajangmyeon: it just wouldn't be jajangmyeon without it! Tucker had to find a special grocery store that carried Asian foods. Then he spent a long time walking around, with his mouth hanging open in awe of all the interesting and new foods he saw. They had vegetables here that Tucker had never seen. They had different types of bread, different noodles, and some things that Tucker did not even recognize - nor could he read the package because Tucker did not know Korean! It took a long time to find the chunjang, but soon Tucker was on the way home with all the ingredients for jajangmyeon. It was going to be the best jajangmyeon ever!

dish - n.盘；餐具；一盘食物

carefully – adv.小心地；仔细地

ingredients – n.材料；佐料； 主要成分

minced pork – 猪肉丁

packet – n.小包，小捆

noodles – n.面条

mirin – n.味醂(来自日本，是一种类似米酒的调味料)

black bean paste – 黑豆酱

chunjang – n.春酱（一种韩式拌酱）

carry – v.容纳；携带；

in awe – 敬畏地

recognize – v.认出

Tucker read the recipe and got started. He chopped the vegetables carefully, making sure they were all the right size pieces. He heated the oil before adding the meat, but the oil started to smoke! It smelled awful! Tucker turned down the heat and the oil stopped smoking. He added the meat to the pan, but now the oil was not hot enough, it took a long time for it to cook all the way through, and it was not crispy like the recipe said. Then he added the vegetables, but he did not read the recipe closely, and he accidentally added all the vegetables at the same time! The onion and the zucchini burned while the potato and the radish stayed too hard. He forgot to fry the bean paste in oil in the middle of the pan, so he just stirred it in and added some water.

While the sauce was cooking, he cooked the noodles too. When the noodles were done, he drained them, piled them in a big bowl and poured lots of sauce on top. He took a bite, and... yuck! It tasted terrible! Tucker felt discouraged, because he had worked so hard to make a great jajangmyeon, and he had failed. He sat down to watch one of his favorite cooking shows, and the chef on television said, “If there are any beginner chefs out there, just remember, it takes a long time to learn to cook well. Start simple, and work your way up.” So Tucker wondered if he had not started simply enough. By the time the show ended, Tucker's resolve was renewed, and he was determined to learn how to cook really, really well.

recipe – n.食谱；烹饪法

meat – n.肉

smoke – n.烟

awful - adj.可怕的；极坏的；使人敬畏的

turn down – exp.调小；降低

crispy – adj.酥脆的

closely – adv.紧密地；接近地；

accidentally - adv.意外地；偶然地

onion – n.洋葱

zucchini - n.绿皮西葫芦

potato –n.土豆

radish –n.萝卜，小萝卜

stay – v.保持

hard – adj.坚硬的

bean paste – 豆瓣酱

stir – v.搅动

bite – n.一口

yuck –int.啐（表示反感等，等于yuk）

terrible – adj.糟糕的

discouraged - adj.气馁的

beginner – n.初学者

work your way up – exp.从底层员工做起，步步升高

simply – adv.仅仅地

resolve – v.决心要做……

renew - v.使更新；复兴

determined - adj.决定了的；坚决的

Tucker started over again with simple stir-fries. It was hard to mess up a stir-fry and there were as many ways to make a stir-fry as one could imagine! Tucker could use chicken, or shrimp, or tofu; he could use snap peas, or broccoli, or a mix of bell peppers; he could make it dry, he could make a sauce, or he could mix in an egg. For weeks, all Tucker did was make stir-fries and teach himself how to chop vegetables, how to cook meat, and how to make the perfect pot of rice. Then, slowly, Tucker started experimenting with other types of cooking. He learned how to sauté, and how to roast.

He had a friend who owned a charcoal grill, so he learned how to grill food, too! He was cautious, because Tucker felt like if he made a mistake, he would be disrespecting all the masters on television who had shown him the way. He made many mistakes, as everyone does when they are learning a new skill, but he learned from every mistake and ate a lot more of his own bad cooking: stir-fries with sauce so thick it resembled jelly, pans of burnt onions, and dishes so salty that it made his eyes water.

stir-fry –n.用旺火炒的菜

chicken – n.小鸡；鸡肉

shrimp – n.虾

tofu – n.豆腐

snap peas –甜荷兰豆；豌豆

broccoli – n.西蓝花

bell peppers – n.灯笼椒；狮头辣椒

dry – adj.干燥的；干的

sauce –n.酱油；沙司；调味汁

weeks – n.周

experiment- v.实验

sauté- v.它来源于法语,是烧菜的一种方法，即煎

roast – v.烤，焙；烘，烘烤

charcoal grill –炭火烤架

grill – v.(在烤架上)烤

cautious – adj.谨慎的；十分小心的

disrespecting – v.不尊重；藐视；对……无礼，粗鲁地对待：

mistakes - n.错误

skill – n.技巧

thick – adj.厚的

resemble jelly –像果冻

salty – adj.咸的

water –n.水

But Tucker got better and better. He even started to dabble in baking. He had always admired the people he saw baking on television. He was amazed by the amount of time, effort, and detail that the pastry chefs put into their desserts, which would be destroyed and eaten in a matter of minutes. Tucker calculated that some desserts involved hours and hours' worth of work per portion! Tucker never reached the level of patience required to pipe an intricate pattern with royal icing on four dozen sugar cookies, but he did teach himself how to make an excellent chocolate cake, and he did learn how to make flower-shaped decorations out of butter cream frosting.

Dabble- vi. 涉猎；涉足；玩水

bake – v.烘烤

admire – v.欣赏

amazed – adj.惊奇的，吃惊的

effort – n.努力

detail – n.细节

pastry chefs – n.糕点师

desserts – n.甜点

destroy – v.摧毁；破坏

calculate – v.计算

hours – n.小时

portion – n.部分；一份

level – n.水平

patience –n.耐心

pipe –v.为(衣服等)拷边，为……滚边；为(糕饼等)浇饰花边：

intricate pattern – 复杂的形状，样式

royal icing –（糕点表层的）糖霜酥皮

sugar cookies –撒糖屑曲奇饼干

excellent chocolate cake –极好的巧克力蛋糕

decorations – n.装饰

buttercream frosting –奶油糖霜

Tucker became known among his friends at college for his skills in cooking and baking. He threw dinner parties, he baked for friends' birthdays, and he became famous at potlucks. He even learned how to make a really delicious jajangmyeon (although it never tasted as good as David's).

dinner parties –n.晚宴

famous – adj.著名的；出名的

potlucks – n.自带餐饮的聚会；百乐餐

Cooking and baking became Tucker's obsession. He got a job at a restaurant as a prep cook, and for months, all they would let him do was cut vegetables, meat and sometimes fruit. Eight, ten, twelve hours a day, Tucker sliced and chopped and crushed, until his feet were sore and his hands were tired, but he loved it. He loved everything to do with food, even if all he did was chop carrots. Tucker was a happy camper.

obsession - n.痴迷；困扰；

restaurant –n.酒店

prep cook –见习厨师

slice – v.切片

chop- v.剁碎

crush - vt.压碎；变形

was a happy camper – exp.是一个乐天派

One day, the sous-chef of the restaurant called out. His wife was having a baby! It was very exciting, but that meant that there was no sous-chef that day. The chef appointed Tucker as the sous-chef's replacement, just for the day, until they could find someone else to pitch in. The restaurant was very busy that night, but Tucker had spent the last year absorbing every detail about the operation of the kitchen, and although he was nervous, he knew he could do it.

sous-chef –见习厨师

called out – exp.大叫

wife – n.妻子

baby – n.宝贝；婴儿

chef appoint – 厨师任命

replacement –n.更换；复位；代替者；补充兵员

to pitch in – exp.投入；作出贡献

absorb – v.吸收；吸引；承受；理解；使……全神贯注

detail –n.细节

operation – n.操作；经营

although – conj.尽管；虽然；但是；然而

nervous – adj.紧张的

Orders came in left and right, the chef barked orders, everyone was working hard, and it was hot in the kitchen! It was especially hot where Tucker stood, right in front of the stove, instructing his prep cooks in a confident voice. He told them what they needed to do, what ingredients to prepare, and what tools were needed. Tucker fried, sauteed, mixed, chopped, seasoned, and tasted, and the night flew by in a whirl. He started working at three that afternoon, and they sent out the last order around midnight. Tucker could have sworn it had only been a few minutes, he had had such a good time!

orders – n.订单；命令

left and right – exp.不断；到处

bark – v.尖叫；狗叫；

instruct – v.指导；命令

confident – adj.自信的

tools – n.工具

fry – v.炸

saute –v.炒；嫩煎

mix – v.配制；使混和

chop – v.剁碎

season – v.给……调味；使适应

taste – v.品尝

fly by – exp.飞逝；

afternoon – n.下午

midnight – n.午夜

swear – v.发誓

had such a good time – exp.过得很愉快

“You did a very good job tonight, Tucker,” said the chef.

“Thank you, chef,” Tucker said shyly. He really looked up to the chef and admired his work. It felt good to be praised by someone he respected so much.

“Thank you for stepping in for us. You did such a good job tonight, I'd like to offer you a more permanent position as sous-chef.”

“Really?” Tucker grinned at the chef. “That would be awesome! I would love to! But what about the old sous-chef?”

“He's looking to transfer to a different restaurant to spend more time with his wife and the new baby,” the chef explained. “Starting tomorrow, you're our new sous-chef!”

“Wow!”

“Congratulations, Tucker.”

“Thank you, chef.”

look up to – exp.敬仰

praise- v.表扬

respect – v.尊敬

step in –介入；插手干预；作短时间的非正式访问

permanent position – 固定职位

awesome - adj.令人敬畏的；极好的

transfer - v.使转移；调任

For the next four years, Tucker worked tirelessly as a sous-chef. He stayed in school but changed his major to business. He knew with every fiber of his being that he wanted to be in the food industry for the rest of his life, and he wanted one day to open his own restaurant. He adored food; he loved the bustle and noise of the kitchen on a busy night; and every night was a busy night.

tirelessly – adv.不知疲倦地

business – n.商学；商业

with every fiber of his being – exp.全心全意地

industry – n.工业；产业

adore - v.崇拜；爱慕；喜爱；极喜欢

bustle – v.喧闹；忙乱；充满

Eventually, the day came when Tucker got tired of being sous-chef. He wanted to design his own menus and make his own food, and while the chef at his current job was supportive of Tucker, he did not like to let others make the calls in his kitchen. Tucker looked and looked for an opening somewhere as head chef, but the industry was extremely competitive. Tucker was still so young, he had very little experience by comparison, and he did not know the right people to get his foot in the door somewhere else. So he stayed sous-chef. He still loved the work, he still loved food, but now he spent all day writing menus in his head, imagining what fantastic and inventive food he would serve to people and how much they would love his cooking!

menus – n.菜单

current job – 当前的工作

supportive – adj.支持的

make the calls – exp.做决定

opening – n.空缺的职位

extremely competitive –极具竞争力的

young – adj.年轻的

experience – n.经验

by comparison – exp.经比较

get his foot in the door – exp.进入……领域

imagine- v.想象

fantastic - adj.奇异的；空想的；极好的，极出色的；

inventive - adj.发明的；有发明才能的；独出心裁的

Tucker started saving money, bit by bit, to open his own restaurant. He knew he would never get hired as a chef somewhere else. The only way to do it was to open his own place. He scrimped and saved every little bit he could, but at the rate he was going, it would take his whole life to save up enough to open a restaurant! Sous-chefs did not make very much money, after all.

money – n.钱

scrimp – v.省吃俭用

One day, the head chef brought Tucker into his office. They sat down together, and the chef took off his hat.

“Tucker, I have some news for you.”

Tucker held his breath, fearing, for a moment, that he was about to get fired for no good reason.

“In a couple of months, I'll be leaving the restaurant.”

“What!” Tucker exclaimed. “Why? Is everything okay?”

“Yes, I'm fine. Actually, I'm switching careers. I'm tired of food service. I majored in nutrition in college, did you know that? I want to be a nutritionist. I'm going to get my certification and quit. I want you to take over for me.”

Tucker was speechless. He stared at the chef in amazement.

“Are you okay? You don't have to take the job, I just thought I would ask you first, since I thought you wanted it.”

“Yes!” Tucker said at last. “I would love to! Thank you chef, thank you so much! It's literally a dream come true.” Tucker sighed with happiness.

“Hey, kid, I'm happy for you,” the chef chuckled. “Have you thought about what kind of changes you'll make to the menu?”

“I have!” Tucker exclaimed. “I've thought about it a lot.”

“What's the first thing you want to do?” chef asked.

“Well,” said Tucker with a smile, “I'm going to make jajangmyeon the house specialty!”

fear – v.害怕

fire – v.解雇

for no good reason – exp.无缘无故地；毫无缘由地

months – n.月份

exclaim - v.呼喊，惊叫；大声叫嚷

fine –adj.好的

nutrition –n.营养

nutritionist –n.营养师

certification – n.执照

quit – v.放弃；辞职；停止

speechless – adj.说不出话来的

stare – v.盯着

amazement - n.惊异；惊愕

Are you okay – exp.你还好吗?

literally –adv.实际地，实在地，确实地，准确地，不加夸张地

dream come true – exp.梦想成真；梦想实现

chuckled –v.咯咯的笑，轻声地笑

changes –n.变化

specialty - n.招牌菜；特产；特性

Summary

Tucker is a boy who is a born chef. He has a fascination with food, and a passion for cooking. Unfortunately, he doesn't get any experience in his home cooking while growing up, because his mother does not like to cook.

One day, Tucker befriends a Korean boy named David, who introduces him to many different foods, and Tucker is elated to learn and taste all of them. His favorite dish that is served at David's house is jajangmyeon.

Tucker eventually grows up, leaves home, and goes to college; where he can finally realize his dreams and passion for food and cooking. He makes many mistakes, but learns a lot from each one and goes from making stir-fry's to eventually even baking for others.

Tucker then gets a job at a restaurant and moves his way up from prep cook, to sous-chef, and then—a dream come true—he gets to be the chef at his very own restaurant! Tucker's story is engaging and heartwarming, and guess what his specialty dish is—jajangmyon!

词汇表

grow up – exp.成长

accept – v.接受

reason – v.推论

sew – v.缝纫

write – v.写作

sci-fi – n.科幻小说

consequently – adv.因此；结果；所以

adventurously – adv.冒险地

fancy – adj.花哨的

spaghetti – n.意大利面

sauce – n.酱油；沙司；调味汁

baguette - n.法国棍子面包；

salad –n.沙拉

having company – exp.有陪伴

can – n.罐头

box – n.盒子

jar – n.罐子

Frozen pizza – 冷冻的披萨

household staple – 家常菜

Rarely – adv.几乎不

vegetables – n.蔬菜

window –n.窗户

fast food –n.快餐

drive-through –n.乘车穿过；驱车穿越

hamburgers – n.汉堡包

appreciate – v.欣赏

missing – adj.丢失的

culinary wasteland – exp.烹饪(美食)荒原

born and raised – exp.出生和成长

expose – v.暴露

sixth grade – 6年级

sleepovers – n.过夜

pizza – n.披萨

worried – adj.担心的

refrigerator – n.电冰箱

soda – n.苏打水;汽水

admit – v.承认

exclaim - v.呼喊，惊叫；大声叫嚷

How else – exp.不然

conversation – n.对话；交谈

ramen –n.拉面；面条

boiled eggs –水煮鸡蛋

ddukbokki –n.辣炒年糕

bibimbap – n.石锅拌饭

jajangmyeon –韩国炸酱面

fried rice – 炒饭

kimchi –n.朝鲜泡菜

gyeongju –庆州（韩国地名）

dessert – n.甜点

embark - v.从事，着手；上船或飞机

magical culinary journey –神奇的美食之旅

Devote – v.贡献

energy – n.能量

enter – v.进入

packaged – adj.包装过的

cooking shows –烹饪节目

longing – adj.盼望的

reality – n.事实

compete – v.竞争

build – v.建立

tall – adj.高

sugar sculpture – 糖雕

crazy – adj.疯狂的

cake – n.蛋糕

course – n.一道菜

fast – adj.快的

demonstrate – v.展示

prepare – v.准备

absolutely fascinated – 完全着迷

slice carrots – 给胡萝卜切片

thickness – n.厚度

texture – n.纹理

lovingly dice – 细致地切丁

onion – n.洋葱

caramelize - vt.使成焦糖，加熔（糖）使焦

skillet - n.煮锅；长柄平底煎锅

oil – n.油

dough - n.生面团

fresh pasta – 新鲜的意大利面

bare hands – 徒手；赤裸的双手

longing – adj.期待的

roux – n.乳酪面粉糊

grace - n.优雅；恩惠；魅力；慈悲

ease – v.减轻，缓和；使安心

breathing –n.呼吸；

tender - adj.温柔的；

color – n.颜色

delicious – adj.美味的

be in love – exp.爱上

voraciously – adv.贪得无厌地; 非常渴望地；难满足地；

spare – n.空闲的

master – n.大师

practice – v.练习

craft - n.工艺；手艺；

afraid – adj.害怕的

fire – n.火

waste – v.浪费

burn –v.燃烧；烧毁，灼伤；

distance – n.距离

mess it up – exp.弄乱；搞砸

college –n.大学

apartment – n.公寓

campus – n.校园

comfortable – adj.舒服的

kitchen – n.厨房

equip – v.配备

brand-new appliances – n.器具；电器

sink – n.水槽

spacious freezer – n.宽敞的冰箱

stove – n.炉子

ceramic glass electric cook top –微晶玻璃灶面的电磁炉

Finally – adv.最后地；最终地

pack – v.打包；包装

preservatives – n.添加剂

dish - n.盘；餐具；一盘食物

carefully – adv.小心地；仔细地

ingredients – n.材料；佐料； 主要成分

minced pork – 猪肉丁

packet – n.小包，小捆

noodles – n.面条

mirin – n.味醂(来自日本，是一种类似米酒的调味料)

black bean paste – 黑豆酱

chunjang – n.春酱（一种韩式拌酱）

carry – v.容纳；携带；

in awe – 敬畏地

recognize – v.认出

recipe – n.食谱；烹饪法

meat – n.肉

smoke – n.烟

awful - adj.可怕的；极坏的；使人敬畏的

turn down – exp.调小；降低

crispy – adj.酥脆的

closely – adv.紧密地；接近地；

accidentally - adv.意外地；偶然地

onion – n.洋葱

zucchini - n.绿皮西葫芦

potato –n.土豆

radish –n.萝卜，小萝卜

stay – v.保持

hard – adj.坚硬的

bean paste – 豆瓣酱

stir – v.搅动

bite – n.一口

yuck –int.啐（表示反感等，等于yuk）

terrible – adj.糟糕的

discouraged - adj.气馁的

beginner – n.初学者

work your way up – exp.从底层员工做起，步步升高

simply – adv.仅仅地

resolve – v.决心要做……

renew - v.使更新；复兴

determined - adj.决定了的；坚决的

stir-fry –n.用旺火炒的菜

chicken – n.小鸡；鸡肉

shrimp – n.虾

tofu – n.豆腐

snap peas –甜荷兰豆；豌豆

broccoli – n.西蓝花

bell peppers – n.灯笼椒；狮头辣椒

dry – adj.干燥的；干的

sauce –n.酱油；沙司；调味汁

weeks – n.周

experiment- v.实验

sauté- v.它来源于法语,是烧菜的一种方法，即煎

roast – v.烤，焙；烘，烘烤

charcoal grill –炭火烤架

grill – v.(在烤架上)烤

cautious – adj.谨慎的；十分小心的

disrespecting – v.不尊重；藐视；对……无礼，粗鲁地对待：

mistakes - n.错误

skill – n.技巧

thick – adj.厚的

resemble jelly –像果冻

salty – adj.咸的

water –n.水

Dabble- vi.涉猎；涉足；玩水

bake – v.烘烤

admire – v.欣赏

amazed – adj.惊奇的，吃惊的

effort – n.努力

detail – n.细节

pastry chefs – n.糕点师

desserts – n.甜点

destroy – v.摧毁；破坏

calculate – v.计算

hours – n.小时

portion – n.部分；一份

level – n.水平

patience –n.耐心

pipe –v.为(衣服等)拷边，为……滚边；为(糕饼等)浇饰花边：

intricate pattern – 复杂的形状，样式

royal icing –（糕点表层的）糖霜酥皮

sugar cookies –撒糖屑曲奇饼干

excellent chocolate cake –极好的巧克力蛋糕

decorations – n.装饰

buttercream frosting –奶油糖霜

dinner parties –n.晚宴

famous – adj.著名的；出名的

potlucks – n.自带餐饮的聚会；百乐餐

obsession - n.痴迷；困扰；

restaurant –n.酒店

prep cook –见习厨师

slice – v.切片

chop- v.剁碎

crush - vt.压碎；变形

was a happy camper – exp.是一个乐天派

sous-chef –见习厨师

called out – exp.大叫

wife – n.妻子

baby – n.宝贝；婴儿

chef appoint – 厨师任命

replacement –n.更换；复位；代替者；补充兵员

to pitch in – exp.投入；作出贡献

absorb – v.吸收；吸引；承受；理解；使……全神贯注

detail –n.细节

operation – n.操作；经营

although – conj.尽管；虽然；但是；然而

nervous – adj.紧张的

orders – n.订单；命令

left and right – exp.不断；到处

bark – v.尖叫；狗叫；

instruct – v.指导；命令

confident – adj.自信的

tools – n.工具

fry – v.炸

saute –v.炒；嫩煎

mix – v.配制；使混和

chop – v.剁碎

season – v.给……调味；使适应

taste – v.品尝

fly by – exp.飞逝；

afternoon – n.下午

midnight – n.午夜

swear – v.发誓

had such a good time – exp.过得很愉快

look up to – exp.敬仰

praise- v.表扬

respect – v.尊敬

step in –介入；插手干预；作短时间的非正式访问

permanent position – 固定职位

awesome - adj.令人敬畏的；极好的

transfer - v.使转移；调任

tirelessly – adv.不知疲倦地

business – n.商学；商业

with every fiber of his being – exp.全心全意地

industry – n.工业；产业

adore - v.崇拜；爱慕；喜爱；极喜欢

bustle – v.喧闹；忙乱；充满

menus – n.菜单

current job – 当前的工作

supportive – adj.支持的

make the calls – exp.做决定

opening – n.空缺的职位

extremely competitive –极具竞争力的

young – adj.年轻的

experience – n.经验

by comparison – exp.经比较

get his foot in the door – exp.进入……领域

imagine- v.想象

fantastic - adj.奇异的；空想的；极好的，极出色的；

inventive - adj.发明的；有发明才能的；独出心裁的

money – n.钱

scrimp – v.省吃俭用

fear – v.害怕

fire – v.解雇

for no good reason – exp.无缘无故地；毫无缘由地

months – n.月份

exclaim - v.呼喊，惊叫；大声叫嚷

fine –adj.好的

nutrition –n.营养

nutritionist –n.营养师

certification – n.执照

quit – v.放弃；辞职；停止

speechless – adj.说不出话来的

stare – v.盯着

amazement - n.惊异；惊愕

Are you okay – exp.你还好吗?

literally –adv.实际地，实在地，确实地，准确地，不加夸张地

dream come true – exp.梦想成真；梦想实现

chuckled –v.咯咯的笑，轻声地笑

changes –n.变化

specialty - n.招牌菜；特产；特性

中文翻译

有朝一日，成为厨师

在塔克成长过程中，他的妈妈不喜欢做饭。塔克很小的时候就接受了这个事实。他推测，有些人喜欢做饭，有些人不喜欢做饭。塔克的妈妈喜欢做其他的事情，比如缝纫、写作、看科幻，但她不喜欢做饭！

因此，塔克一家并没有美食相伴，或者说经常吃到“惊喜”。在塔克家，意大利面和一罐酱汁就算是“大餐”了，有时候家里来客人，则会再配上新鲜法棍面包或一包沙拉。许多时候，晚餐都只是来自罐头或者盒装、罐装的速食。冷冻比萨饼是他们家的“主打菜”。他们很少吃蔬菜。还有许多时候，晚餐是从免下车的快餐店窗口买的。塔克最喜欢的是汉堡。他喜欢吃这些，觉得味道也不差，但内心深处，他知道有些东西是缺失的。

在这片美食荒原中，塔克出生、成长。他真的很喜欢美食，但是在六年级与韩国男孩大卫交朋友前，他从未接触过不同类型的烹饪。大卫邀请塔克到他家去过夜睡觉。在那些夜晚，大卫的妈妈总会点些比萨，因为她担心塔克不喜欢韩国食物，想让塔克有家的感觉。

当大卫打开冰箱拿苏打水或者塔克经过他们家厨房的时候, 塔克总能看到不同的食物，便问，“你们总是吃披萨吗？”

“没有！只有你在这儿的时候，妈妈才买披萨。”大卫坦白地说，“她怕你不喜欢韩国食物。”

“我很乐意尝试一下！”塔克惊呼道，“不然我怎么知道会不会喜欢？”

经过这次与大卫的谈话之后，塔克开始尝试很多令人激动的新食物，如自制拉面加水煮蛋、辣炒年糕、石锅拌饭、韩国炸酱面和泡菜炒饭。他最喜欢的韩国食物就是韩国炸酱面做正餐，配着庆州面包当甜点。塔克喜欢他所尝试的每一种新食物，也正是由于与大卫共享的这些食物，他才可能有一天会开始一个神奇的烹饪之旅。

塔克当时并没有意识到自己也可以在家里做这些食物。他从来没有见过有人投入时间和精力来制作食物，所以也从来没有想过他可以自己烹饪和享受不同的食物。在塔克的认知中，大卫的家庭才是特别的那个，而他自己是没有办法可以像大卫家一样制作美食的。在塔克家，他们家人仍然吃包装好的食物和汉堡，但塔克已经开始观看烹饪节目，渴望拥有美食相伴的更好生活。最开始他看的是一些真人秀节目，人们比赛制作最高的糖雕或样子最异想天开的蛋糕，或者看谁能最快做出五道菜。

很快塔克就开始对其他类型的节目感兴趣了。他开始观看正常的烹饪节目，主持人会演示如何烹饪一道菜肴或整整一桌菜。他完全被迷住了。塔克从没见过有人那样仔细地切胡萝卜片，确保每一片都有合适的厚度，这样烹饪时才会有合适的口感。他睁大眼睛，看着一位美国厨师全神贯注地切洋葱丁，然后放进热油里炸成洋葱酥。他看到一位意大利厨师徒手和面团制作新鲜意大利面时，不自觉地咧嘴微笑到脸都快僵住了——他认为意大利面都是超市里的盒装货！当塔克看着一位法国厨师极其优雅地做出一锅完美的乳酪面粉糊1，看起来像呼吸一样轻松，塔克很是羡慕，叹了口气。这些人如此温柔地对待他们的食物，让食物色泽丰富，都看起来很美味！

塔克爱上了烹饪。很长一段时间里，他只是观看烹饪节目并没有动手去做，但他百看不厌。每个闲暇时刻，他都致力于看这些厨师练习厨艺。塔克也想像他们一样，但他心里害怕。如果他炸洋葱的时候油锅着火了怎么办？如果他做意大利面的时候和面失败了、浪费了所有的面粉怎么办？如果他把乳酪面粉糊炒糊了怎么办？所以最好还是让真心会烹饪的人去做饭吧，自己只是从安全距离看看就好了。如果他尝试去做饭结果却弄得一团糟，妈妈可能会生气的。

最后，当塔克离开家去上大学时，他独自住在学校附近的一间公寓里。公寓虽小，但对一个人来说足够舒适。最好一点是，公寓带有一个厨房！还配备了整套的全新厨房用品：一个很大的金属深水槽；一个有很大冷冻空间的冰箱；一个微晶玻璃灶面的电磁炉。最后，就轮到塔克做出选择，要在厨房里做些什么了。去购物时，他可以买一盒做好的意大利面，也可以选择买些面粉和鸡蛋回家做新鲜意面。他可以买冷冻的比萨饼，也可以买鲜肉和蔬菜自己做比萨馅。他可以买一条充满防腐剂的冷冰冰的白面包，也可以尝试给自己烤。

塔克尝试做的第一道菜是自己改良的炸酱面。他去商店精心挑选所有的食材，选择最漂亮的蔬菜和最新鲜的猪肉馅。他发现一包鲜面条，店里居然连味醂2都有！现在唯一缺少的是黑豆酱——大卫管它叫春酱。这是炸酱面的核心原料，没有黑豆酱就做不成炸酱面！塔克不得去找一家卖亚洲食品的店铺。于是他花了很长时间在店里逛来逛去，看到无数新鲜有趣的食物，惊讶地长大了嘴。店里有塔克从未见过蔬菜，有不同类型的面包、不同的面条，还要塔克根本都不认识的一些东西——因为塔克不会韩语，他也不认识包装上的字！他花了很长时间才找到春酱，不过很快塔克就带着做炸酱面的所有食材回家了。世界上最好吃的炸酱面马上就能做出来了！

塔克读过食谱之后就开动了。他仔细地切碎蔬菜，确保切的大小都正合适。在放肉之前他先要把油加热，但是油锅开始冒烟了，而且味道很难闻！塔克关小了火，油停止冒烟。他把肉加到锅里，但是现在油又不够热了，整个煎肉过程花了很长的时间，而且做好的肉并不像食谱里说的那样酥脆的。然后他在里面加进了蔬菜，但他没有仔细阅读食谱，不小心一下子加进了所有的蔬菜！马铃薯和萝卜还太硬的时候，洋葱和西葫芦都已经炒焦了。他还忘了应该在炒锅中间油炸黑豆酱，而是将酱搅进去，还加了一些水。

他还在做酱汁的同时煮了面条。面条煮好后，他把水沥干，把面盛在一个大碗里，然后浇上了很多酱汁。他尝了一口……呸！太难吃了！塔克备受打击，他如此努力地想要做好炸酱面，却还是失败了。他坐下来观看最喜欢的一档烹饪节目，电视里的厨师说：“如果电视机前有厨艺初学者，那请你们记住，学好烹饪需要很长时间。先从简单的做起，然后努力慢慢提升。”于是塔克想是不是他的第一餐太难了。节目结束的时候，塔克重新打起了精神，决心真正学好如何烹饪。

这次塔克选择了简单的炒菜开始。炒菜很难会出错，同时还能做出无数种新花样！塔克可以炒鸡肉、虾或豆腐;他可以用豌豆、西兰花或各色甜椒；他可以直接爆炒，也可以加入酱汁，还可以加个鸡蛋。有好几个星期塔克都在做些基本功：炒菜、练习如何切菜、煮肉，以及如何做出完美的米饭。然后塔克开始慢慢尝试其他类型的烹饪。他学会了油煎以及烘烤。

塔克的一个朋友有个食物碳烤架，所以他也学会了做烧烤！塔克做饭时十分小心，因为他觉得，如果犯了错误，那就是对电视里所有展示厨艺的大师的不尊重。就像每个人学习新技能时一样，塔克也犯了很多错误，但是他从每一个错误中学到了很多，而且还吃掉了很多自己的失败作品：炒菜的汁太稠了，变得像果冻一样；一锅锅炒糊了的洋葱；咸到让他想哭的各种烹饪。

但是塔克做得越来越好。他甚至开始涉足烘焙。他一直羡慕那些在电视节目里做烘焙的人。他对糕点师在甜点上投入的时间、精力和细节感到惊讶，而甜点在几分钟后就会被摧毁和吃掉。塔克注意到，有些甜点每一份都需要花费数小时的时间和努力！塔克暂时还没有足够的耐心用糖霜给几十个曲奇饼干画上图案，但他的确自学会如何制作出一个很棒的巧克力蛋糕，还学会了如何用奶油糖霜做花形装饰。

塔克在烹饪和烘焙方面的好手艺很快就在大学朋友间口口相传。他开始负责晚宴、为朋友的生日做蛋糕，在自带餐饮的聚会上他的菜总是最受欢迎。他也终于学会了如何做非常美味的炸酱面（虽然从来没有像大卫家的一样好吃）。

塔克开始痴迷于烹饪和烘焙。他在餐厅找了一份见习厨师的工作，最开始的几个月，塔克只能做一些初级的准备工作，比如切蔬菜和肉，有时候切切水果。塔克就这么切片、切丁、剁馅儿，每天工作8个小时、10个小时、甚至12个小时，直到双脚酸痛、手也毫无力气，但是他乐在其中。他喜欢与食物有关的一切工作，哪怕一天到晚切胡萝卜也无所谓。塔克是一个乐天派。

有一天，餐厅的副主厨被紧急叫走了，因为他的妻子马上就要生了！ 这可是件大喜事，但也意味着当天没有副主厨了。主厨任命塔克暂时接替副主厨的工作，直到他们可以找到别人来填补空缺。那天晚上餐厅生意特别忙，但是塔克已经花了一年的时间学习厨房操作的每一个细节，虽然他很紧张，但他知道自己可以胜任。

订单频繁地进来，主厨发号施令，大家都在热火朝天地努力工作，而且厨房里温度还很高！塔克正好站在炉子前面——正是最热的地方——用自信的声音指挥他的见习厨师。塔克告诉他们需要做什么，需要准备什么食材，以及需要什么工具。塔克自己也很忙：油炸、煎炒、搅拌、剁食材、调味和品尝，时间在一片混中过得飞快。那天下午三点开始工作，晚上零点左右，他们做完了最后一道菜。塔克却觉得他只工作了几分钟，因为他实在是太享受这个过程了！

“你今晚做得很好，塔克。”主厨说。

“谢谢你，主厨。”塔克害羞地说。他非常敬佩主厨，很欣赏他的工作。被自己尊重的人赞赏，这让他感觉很好。

“谢谢你能在紧急时刻站出来。你今晚做得很好，我想给你正式副主厨的职位。”

“真的吗？”塔克对着主厨笑的合不拢嘴，“那真是太棒了！我当然愿意！但是原来的副主厨怎么办？

“他已经申请调去其他的餐厅了，他想有更多时间陪伴他的妻子和孩子。”主厨解释道，“从明天开始，你就是我们的新任副主厨了！”

“哇！”

“恭喜，塔克。”

“谢谢你，主厨。”

在接下来的四年里，塔克作为副主厨不知疲倦地工作着。他仍然继续着自己的学业，但是将专业换成了商学。他非常清楚地知道自己毕生都想在餐饮行业发展，并且希望有一天能开一间自己的餐厅。他热爱食物；他喜欢忙碌的夜晚里厨房熙熙攘攘的声音；每一夜都是忙碌的。

终于，塔克不再满足于做副主厨了。他想要设计自己的菜单，制作自己的食物。尽管目前工作的主厨对塔克很支持，然而主厨不愿意让其他人在自己的厨房里做主。所以塔克在努力寻找主厨的职位，但是这个行业竞争十分激烈。塔克仍然很年轻，相比之下经验太少，而且他也不认识合适的人可以帮他引荐工作。所以他还是继续做副主厨。他仍然爱他的工作、热爱食物，不同的是他现在会整天整天地在脑海里构思菜谱，想象着他能给人们制作的奇异的又有创造性的食物，也想象着人们会多么喜欢他的烹饪！

为了开设自己的餐厅，塔克开始一点一点地存钱。他知道自己不太可能在其他餐厅找到主厨的工作了，所以当上主厨的唯一办法就是开设自己的餐厅。塔克省吃俭用，尽可能地节省每一分钱，但是按照这个速度，他得花一辈子的时间才能攒够开餐厅的钱！毕竟副主厨的工资不是非常高。

有一天，主厨把塔克叫进了办公室。他们一起坐下来，主厨摘下了他的帽子。

“塔克，我有一个消息要告诉你。”

塔克屏住了呼吸，害怕自己将被无故解雇。

“两个月后我就要离职了。”

“什么？”塔克惊呼。“为什么？是出了什么事情吗？”

“没有，我很好。事实上，我要换职业了。我厌倦了餐饮服务。你知道吗，我在大学主修的是营养学。我想成为一名营养师。我打算拿到营养师执照，放弃这份工作。我希望由你来接替我的位子。”

塔克惊讶地看着主厨，说不出话来。

“你还好吗？我不会强迫你接受这份工作的，我只是想先问问你，因为我觉得你想要这个位子。”

“是的，我想！”塔克终于回答到，“我愿意！谢谢你主厨，万分感谢！ 这简直就是梦想成真了。”塔克幸福地叹了口气。

“嗨，孩子，我为你感到高兴。”主厨轻声笑，“你想过要怎么改菜单吗？”

“我想过了！”塔克惊呼道，“我想过很多了。”

“第一件事你想做什么？”主厨问。

“这个嘛，”塔克面带微笑说，“我想把炸酱面作为餐厅的特色菜！”

1 乳酪面粉糊：用面粉和油脂混合炒制而成，是法餐中常有的增稠剂，也是法餐中三种常用酱汁的主料。

2 味醂：一种含有酒精的甜味调味汁，味道类似美酒，来自日本。

小结

塔克是一个天生的厨师。他热爱美食，也热爱烹饪。但是他妈妈不喜欢做饭，所以在小塔克没能从家里学到什么关于烹饪的经验。

有一天，塔克的朋友大卫——一个韩国小男孩——带他尝试了很多不同的食物，塔克对此感到非常兴奋！在大卫家的众多食物中，他最爱的是炸酱面。

塔克长大后离开家去上大学，这时他终于有机会可以实现自己关于食物和烹饪的梦想。他犯过很多错，但是每次都能学到经验教训。他最开始只会做炒菜，最后已经可以做烘焙招待客人了。

后来塔克在一家餐厅找到了工作，从见习厨师做起，做到了副主厨，最后终于梦想成真，他当上了主厨！塔克的故事温暖又让人着迷。对了，猜猜他的特色菜是什么？炸酱面！

The Rose Gardener

Thomas was a gardener; not just any old gardener, but a Master Gardener.He had studied hard and learned a lot about plants so that he could take the test and earn the official title of Master Gardener. He volunteered at events all over the state of Texas, educating children about different areas of gardening like trees and shrubs, flower beds, and vegetable and herb gardens. He gave lectures about the water table, about native plants and conservation efforts, about pollinators like bees and butterflies, and anything else someone needed a lecture about! He was invited as a guest speaker to classrooms in elementary school and all the way up through college.

Gardener – n.园艺家；园丁；花匠

any old – exp.任何一个；随便一个

study –v.学习

plants –n.植物

official title – 官方头衔

volunteer –v.志愿；自愿

state – n.州；国家

educate – v.教育；培训

shrub – n.灌木

flower bed – 花坛；花圃

herb – n.香草；药草

give lectures – exp.进行演讲；举办讲座

water table – 地下水位

native plants – 本土植物；原生植物

conservation – n.保存；保护

pollinator – n.传粉者

bee – n.蜜蜂

butterfly – n.蝴蝶

guest speaker – 客座演讲人；特邀发言人

Outside of his volunteer work, Thomas spent a lot of time in his garden.As much time as he could: one could say that Thomas was obsessed with his garden! He thought about his garden all the time, even when he was away from home. He had been gardening for over forty years, so his garden was very full. He rarely got to add new plants, but he liked to daydream about new plants all the time. He also like to think about the existing plants: how healthy and beautiful they were, what different insects he had found around them, the animals he saw in the yard, and how pretty his lawn looked when he mowed it. Thomas did not care much about the grass. He let clover and Bermuda grass grow in between the Fescue because having a perfect lawn required lots of harsh chemicals, seeding and re-seeding. Thomas preferred to keep his yard as natural as he possibly could, so he spent a little extra money for organic soil, organic fertilizers, organic seeds, and organically grown plants (especially annuals).

spend a lot of time – exp.花费大量时间

one could say – exp.可以说

obsess – v.着迷

rarely – adv.很少地

daydream – v.做白日梦

existing – adj.目前的；现有的

healthy – adj.健康的

insect – n.昆虫

animal – n.动物

yard – n.院子

lawn – n.草坪

mow – v.割草；收割庄稼

clover – n.三叶草

Bermuda grass – n.狗牙根

Fescue – n.羊茅草

harsh chemical – 刺激性化学物质

seeding – n.播种

prefer – v.更喜欢；宁愿

natural – adj.自然的

organic – adj.有机的

fertilizer – n.肥料

seed – n.种子

annual – n.一年生植物

Annuals were Thomas's weakness. He knew that most Master Gardeners, especially ones interested in conservation, did not like annuals because they were usually not native plants and they died very shortly after the season ended - but they were so beautiful! They came in so many colors! Deep purple verbena, bright magenta petunias, and vibrant yellow pansies; different flowers for every season, which Thomas planted in great big stone pots in his front yard. Then, he changed them out every few months.

Annual – n.一年生植物

weakness – n.嗜好；弱点

shortly – adv.不久；立刻

verbena – n.马鞭草

magenta petunia – 酒红色牵牛花

vibrant – adj.有活力的；响亮的

pansy – n.三色堇

stone pot – 石头花盆

He had many different types of plants in his yard besides annuals: perennial flowers, herbs, trees, and shrubs. Thomas's pride and joy were his rosebushes. He had over a dozen rosebushes all over his yard, each one a very special variety, each one unique and dear to his heart. There were big roses and small roses, climbing roses and shrub roses. There were brilliant white roses, some in a vivid coral pink color; classic red roses; and sweet yellow roses with a nice fragrance. Thomas even had a “tree rose,” which was not exactly a tree but a shrub rose that had been pruned to resemble a tree. The tree rose was in his front yard, near the front porch, so that all the neighbors could see it and compliment him on it.

perennial – n.多年生植物

pride and joy – exp.心肝宝贝；最引以为傲的

rosebush – n.玫瑰丛

variety – n.多样；种类

unique – adj.独一无二的

dear – adj.宝贵的；亲爱的

climbing – adj.攀爬的；上升的

vivid coral – 亮珊瑚色

prune – v.修剪

compliment – n.恭维；称赞

The neighbors always commented on Thomas's beautiful garden.Sometimes Thomas felt lonely, because he did not have any children and his wife died a long time ago. He did not have family in the area, but his neighbors were friendly to him, and he met lots of friends through volunteering as a Master Gardener. Whenever Thomas started to feel lonely, all he had to do was go outside and work in the yard for a while. Eventually, a neighbor would stop by and chat or call to him as they walked by, and even if no one did speak to him while he was outside, Thomas also considered the plants his friends. They spoke to him too, in their own special ways. The roses spoke to him most of all.

comment on – 对……进行评论

lonely – adj.孤独的；寂寞的

area – n.区域

while – n.一段时间

Eventually – adv.最后

chat – v.聊天；闲谈

consider – v.考虑；认为

Thomas loved the roses almost like children.He tended to them every day: he weeded; he watered; he pruned; he fertilized; and as he gave them the proper care, they became more and more beautiful. Which was exactly what Thomas had hoped for, because this year, he was entering his roses in a competition at the county fair, and Thomas wanted to win very badly. He'd never won anything in his life, but he thought if he could win, it would be at gardening.

almost – adv.几乎；差不多

tend – v.照料；倾向

weed – v.除草

water – v.浇水

fertilize – v.施肥

proper – adj.适当的

competition – n.比赛

One morning, Thomas anxiously watched the sky, hoping that the puffy white clouds he saw in the distance might come a little closer and bring some rain with them. Logically, he knew that they probably would not, because rain clouds looked different. Rain clouds were heavy, thick, and dark. When it rained, the clouds covered the whole entire sky as far as the eye could see. These clouds were beautiful, bright white, and spaced far apart so that the blue sky showed through between them. The weather today was warm and mild, because it was early summer, and Thomas was getting ready for the competition. He took his morning stroll around the garden at a leisurely pace, pausing to admire each specimen in his yard, inhaling their fragrances and inspecting their foliage.

puffy – adj.膨大的

cloud – n.云

rain – n.雨

Logically – adv.逻辑上

probably – adv.也许

entire – adj.整个的

admire – v.赞美；钦佩

specimen – n.样本；样品

fragrance – n.气味；芬芳

foliage – n.植物；叶子

But then, Thomas came upon one of his prized roses, the one with coral-colored flowers, and his heart skipped a beat when he saw one of the flower buds covered in tiny little green bugs.

Aphids. The gardener's enemy. Thomas had fought aphids before but never right before a competition! Now, he could lose all of his hard work tending to this rose, and if he was not careful, the aphids could spread to other plants. They could even take over the whole garden! Thomas began to panic, because he did not know what to do. It felt almost irresponsible to leave his precious rosebush alone with the aphids attacking it, but standing there watching the infestation would not help, either! So Thomas made himself leave to go inside and begin consulting his vast library of gardening books for help with the aphid situation.

prized – adj.被看做最有价值的

skip – v.跳过

bug – n.虫子

aphid – n.蚜虫

enemy – n.敌人

fight – v.战斗

spread – v.扩散；传播

panic – adj.恐慌的

irresponsible – adj.不负责任的

attack – v.攻击

infestation – n.感染

vast – adj.大量的；广阔的

situation – n.情况

“Physical removal of the insects may cure a small infestation.” said one book.

“Aphids' natural predators, such as ladybugs and nesting birds, may be encouraged or introduced to the garden.” advised another.

Concoct a tea made from tobacco products (finally your uncle's filthy smoking habit comes in handy!) and water. Mix this with dish soap and vinegar and apply liberally to the affected plants.” instructed a third.

removal – n.移动；排除

cure – v.治愈；治疗

predator – n.捕食者

ladybug – n.瓢虫

nest – v.筑巢

encourag – v.鼓励

introduce – v.引进；介绍

concoct – v.混合；捏造

tobacco – n.烟草

filthy smoking habit – 吸烟陋习

vinegar – n.醋

liberally – adv.大方地；自由地

affect – v.感染；影响

instruct – v.指示；教育

By the time he had finished reading over all of his gardening references, Thomas's head ached.How was he supposed to know which remedy would work? He didn't have time to try them all! He had to know which one was the best. The tobacco and dish soap spray sounded disgusting but probably effective, only Thomas didn't know any smokers. He was too afraid of the bugs coming back to just pinch them off the plants. He had read about some insecticides, too, but Thomas did not like to use harsh chemicals in his garden.

reference – n.参考文献

ache – v.疼痛

How was he supposed to know – exp.他不知道

remedy – n.补救

disgusting – adj.令人厌恶的

smoker – n.吸烟者

afraid – adj.害怕的

pinch – v.捏

insecticide – n.杀虫剂

Ultimately, he decided to go buy some ladybugs. He got into his car and drove to the garden center. Although he was distressed about the aphids attacking his precious roses, he felt happy, because he loved going to the garden center. He always walked around for at least half an hour to look at all the exciting new flowers and trees and to browse the gardening tools. Even if he didn't need a tool or intend to buy one, it was fun to look. Today, however, he only looked for a few minutes, before he approached the information desk.

ultimately – adv.最后

distress – v.使痛苦

exciting – adj.令人激动的

tool – n.工具

intend – v.打算

look - v.看

information desk – 服务台；问讯处

Uh-oh. Thomas stopped about ten feet away from the info desk. Thomas recognized the person behind the counter from his gardening club. The old lady (much older, even, than him) did not like Thomas, and she too was going to be in the rose competition! While he knew he might be acting silly, Thomas did not trust the lady. What if she told him the wrong thing on purpose so that his roses would be ruined?

Uh-oh – int.糟糕

feet – n.英尺

recognize – v.认出；确认

behind – prep.在……后面

counter – n.柜台

act silly – 表现得很傻

on purpose – 故意地

ruin – v.毁灭

“Thomas!” the lady called to him. “What a pleasant surprise.”

Thomas knew he could not walk away now without being rude, so he went over to the information desk and greeted her. “Hello, Eugenia. I didn't know you worked here!”

“Yes, you know how much I love gardening. I work here a couple days a week, just helping people with my Master Gardener knowledge.”

Thomas squirmed a little bit. “Yes. Good for you, Eugenia. That's very nice.”

“So! What brings you to the information desk today?” Eugenia looked a little smug. She felt good being the one giving the information, while Thomas was the one who needed help.

Thomas did not want to tell her what his problem was, but he was also not a very good liar. He struggled to think of something else to say, but then blurted out, “One of my roses has aphids, and I want to know the best way to get rid of them in time for the county fair.”

“Aphids!” Eugenia cried. “Now that is one garden pest I have never been able to lick without a lot of insecticide, you know.”

pleasant – adj.令人愉快的

rude – adj.粗鲁的

greet – v.问候

knowledge – n.知识

squirm – v.局促不安；扭动

Good for you – exp.好样的

smug – adj.自鸣得意的

liar – n.说谎的人

struggle – v.挣扎；努力

blurt out – 开始说话；脱口而出

pest – n.害虫

lick – v.战胜；舔

“I don't want to use insecticide,” Thomas protested, “that will kill a lot of other insects. I only want to kill the aphids. One of my gardening books said I should buy ladybugs.”

“You can certainly try that,” Eugenia sniffed, “but it has never worked for me.” Clearly, Eugenia thought that if it hadn't worked for her, it would not work for anyone.

“I want to try it,” Thomas said firmly. “Where are the ladybugs?”

“We keep them in a special holding area in the back. I'll go get them for you.” Eugenia disappeared through a door behind the desk. Thomas waited, watching the other patrons of the garden center. He almost forgot why he was there as he watched a young mother help her tiny son pick out his very own hand trowel. Thomas was smiling when Eugenia came back. She set a round container on the counter. It was made of hard, clear plastic, so Thomas could see hundreds of tiny little red-and-black ladybugs inside. He smiled again, because he thought ladybugs were pretty cute. Eugenia sniffed again, because she thought bugs were pretty gross.

sniff – v.嗤之以鼻；闻

firmly – adv.坚定地

holding – n.保存；举办；支持

disappear – v.消失

patron – n.顾客；赞助人

forget – v.忘记；忽略

hand trowel – n.（园艺用的）手持小泥铲

container – n.容器；集装箱

pretty cute – 非常可爱

gross – adj.令人恶心的；粗俗的；不雅的

“Here you go. Take them to the register and pay, they will give you a paper bag and an instruction booklet.” Eugenia pushed the container toward Thomas.

“Thanks, Eugenia. Have a great day,” said Thomas. He picked up the container and went to the register, where his favorite cashier was working. The cashier wished him luck with the aphid problem and tucked the ladybugs into a paper bag, which Thomas clutched eagerly as he left, feeling optimistic about his purchase.

register – n.收银台；登记簿

booklet – n.小册子

clutch eagerly – 急切地抓住

optimistic – adj.乐观的

When he got back home, Thomas consulted the instruction booklet. “Spray lady beetles with a fine mist of water, as they are usually dehydrated when purchased in a garden center.” Thomas felt bad for the dehydrated beetles, so he immediately opened the container, careful not to let any of them out, and sprayed a little water inside.

“The lady beetles need to be refrigerated until immediately before use.” This seemed like a very strange suggestion to Thomas. He felt a little bit guilty putting all of those ladybugs in the refrigerator, but he wanted them to eat the aphids, so he followed instructions.

“Sorry, little guys,” he apologized, before closing the refrigerator door.

“Release the lady beetles in early evening. If released during the heat of the day, the lady beetles will likely fly away and will not eat the aphids in the desired area.” This made sense to Thomas, he supposed. Although, he was eager to let the ladybugs out on the rosebush, so it was very hard to wait. He went for a walk, talked to his neighbors, and invited his friend Jim over for dinner. Thomas started preparing a nice meal and, for a while, forgot all about the aphids. He made a tasty salad with spinach and chopped strawberries. Then he cooked potatoes and steaks on the grill in the back yard. He and Jim sat together on the patio to eat, admiring the garden and enjoying the food. By the time dinner was over, it was dusk.

mist – n.薄雾

dehydrated – adj.脱水的

refrigerate – v.冷藏

apologize – v.道歉

suppose – v.假定

tasty – adj.美味的

strawberry – n.草莓

potato – n.土豆

steaks – n.牛排

grill – n.烧烤架

patio – n.庭院

dusk – n.黄昏

“Time to release the ladybugs!” Thomas announced.

“Exciting,” said Jim. “I hope they do the trick.”

“Me too,” Thomas agreed. He went inside and took the plastic container out of the refrigerator with butterflies in his stomach. He felt nervous as he took the precious ladybugs outside and stood before his beloved rosebush.

“Release the lady beetles towards the bottom of the plant. They will crawl upwards in search of aphids.” Thomas crouched down beside the rosebush, tipped the container over one of the bottom branches, and dozens of ladybugs fell out clinging to the branches and leaves. Some of them stuck to the inside of the container, so Thomas reached in and gently pushed them out with his fingertip.

announce – v.宣布

do the trick – exp.获得成功

butterflies in his stomach – exp.忐忑不安

nervous – adj.紧张的

upwards – adv.向上

“Now it's just a waiting game,” he said, standing with arms akimbo.

“Sometimes waiting is the hardest thing to do!” Jim said.

“Yes, but patience pays off in gardening.” Thomas smiled, then turned around to go back to the patio and begin clearing away the dinner dishes.

Three weeks later, the county fair was in full swing, and the day of the rose competition had arrived. The ladybugs took care of the aphids the same day Thomas put them down, but the blooms never recovered from the aphid damage. Thomas had to choose a different rose to enter into the competition, so he chose a shrub with much smaller flowers. The color of the petals was yellow at the base with a bright pink at the edges. It was a very unique-looking flower.

waiting game – exp.等待策略

akimbo – adj.两手叉腰的

patience – n.耐心

in full swing – exp.全力进行；热火朝天

arrive – v.到来；抵达

recover – v.恢复

Thomas chose three of the very biggest, brightest, most perfect blooms, and cut them off. Cutting the blooms was always nerve-wracking, because once they were cut there was nothing else to be done. He put them in a vase of cold water and sheltered the blossoms with little plastic bags, securing them to the stems with rubber bands. He drove to the fairgrounds where he saw: booths set up as far as the eye could see; a Ferris wheel and some other carnival rides; and the parking area, which stretched over a dozen acres and was packed with hundreds, or maybe even thousands, of cars.

brightest – adj.最亮的

nerve-wracking – exp.令人紧张的；令人伤脑筋的

vase – n.花瓶

fairground – n.露天集市；游乐场

ferris wheel – 摩天轮

carnival rides – 游乐设施

acre – n.英亩

As he wandered through the fair with his prized roses clutched to his chest, Thomas grinned hugely. Children screamed with delight on the roller coaster. Funnel cakes frying smelled so delicious, and the cotton candy smelled so sweet. Young boys played games of skill to try to win a prize for their girlfriends. Away from the games and rides, people sold handicrafts and artwork. There was even a booth where kids could get their faces painted to look like a tiger, a shark or any other animal imaginable. Thomas had not been to the county fair in so many years that he had forgotten what fun it was! He was so delighted by the sights, sounds, and smells, that by the time he reached the exhibition tent, his nerves were gone.

wander – v.漫步；徘徊

grin hugely – 灿烂的笑容

scream – v.尖叫

delight – n.高兴

roller coaster – 过山车

funnel cake – 漏斗蛋糕

frying – n.油炸

delicious – adj.美味的

cotton candy – 棉花糖

skill – n.技巧

prize – n.奖品

handicraft – n.手工艺品

artwork – n.艺术品

tiger – n.老虎

shark – n.鲨鱼

imaginable – adj.可想像的

delighted – adj.高兴的

sight – n.景象

sound – n.声音

smell – n.气味

exhibition – n.展览；展示

A dozen tables sat in rows inside the tent.Most of them were empty right now because Thomas was a little bit early. He looked at his registration number, then he started wandering among the tables looking for his designated spot.

“Hello, Thomas!” Eugenia said. She was already set up and standing proudly beside her classic red long-stem rose.

“Hi, Eugenia,” Thomas said. He saw his number on the table right beside her. He sighed a little, then went over and started setting up his blooms.

empty – adj.空的

early – adj.早的

registration – n.登记；注册

designated spot – 指定位置

proudly – adv.骄傲地

classic – adj.经典的

stem – n.茎

beside – prep.在……旁边

sigh – v.叹息

People gradually began filling the tent. Thomas watched them, in awe of the sheer variety of roses that came through the tent. Every size and color imaginable, and so many different shapes! Some of them had a single layer of petals, some of them were double layered, and some of them were practically bursting with petals! It was amazing! But Thomas did not see any other blooms like his own. He was the only person with a two-color rose, and his tender care of the roses had resulted in the most perfect blooms in the tent.

A while later, the judging commenced and when it was over, they pinned the first-place medal on Thomas's aphid-free rose.

gradually – adv.逐步地

awe – n.敬畏

sheer – adj.绝对的

single layer – 单层

double – adj.双重的

practically bursting – 几乎充满

amazing – adj.令人惊异的

tender – adj.温柔的

judging commence – 评审开始

first-place medal – 第一名奖章

Summary

Thomas is an official Master Gardener. He has studied gardening for decades, and is an expert at almost every facet of gardening. He is asked to speak at events about gardening from grade school to college students. Thomas loves everything about gardening.

Thomas' specialty is roses, though. His roses are his pride and joy, and he cultivates, prunes, loves, and nurtures them until they are just perfect. One year Thomas decides to enter his roses in the county fair, but disaster strikes! His prized roses are infested with aphids. Thomas panics, but eventually researches what to do, and decides to get some ladybugs, a natural predator of aphids, from the local garden center to deal with the infestation without the use of pesticides.

The ladybugs did the trick, but unfortunately, the roses were too damaged to enter in the fair, so Thomas choooses a multi-colored rose from his garden instead.

After much inner turmoil (and outer toil), all of Thomas' tender loving care and hard work pays off, and to end the story, he wins the first place medal for his perfect, beautiful blooms.

词汇表

Gardener – n.园艺家；园丁；花匠

any old – exp.任何一个；随便一个

study –v.学习

plants –n.植物

official title – 官方头衔

volunteer –v.志愿；自愿

state – n.州；国家

educate – v.教育；培训

shrub – n.灌木

flower bed – 花坛；花圃

herb – n.香草；药草

give lectures – exp.进行演讲；举办讲座

water table – 地下水位

native plants – 本土植物；原生植物

conservation – n.保存；保护

pollinator – n.传粉者

bee – n.蜜蜂

butterfly – n.蝴蝶

guest speaker – 客座演讲人；特邀发言人

spend a lot of time – exp.花费大量时间

one could say – exp.可以说

obsess – v.着迷

rarely – adv.很少地

daydream – v.做白日梦

existing – adj.目前的；现有的

healthy – adj.健康的

insect – n.昆虫

animal – n.动物

yard – n.院子

lawn – n.草坪

mow – v.割草；收割庄稼

clover – n.三叶草

Bermuda grass – n.狗牙根

Fescue – n.羊茅草

harsh chemical – 刺激性化学物质

seeding – n.播种

prefer – v.更喜欢；宁愿

natural – adj.自然的

organic – adj.有机的

fertilizer – n.肥料

seed – n.种子

annual – n.一年生植物

Annual – n.一年生植物

weakness – n.嗜好；弱点

shortly – adv.不久；立刻

verbena – n.马鞭草

magenta petunia – 酒红色牵牛花

vibrant – adj.有活力的；响亮的

pansy – n.三色堇

stone pot – 石头花盆

perennial – n.多年生植物

pride and joy – exp.心肝宝贝；最引以为傲的

rosebush – n.玫瑰丛

variety – n.多样；种类

unique – adj.独一无二的

dear – adj.宝贵的；亲爱的

climbing – adj.攀爬的；上升的

vivid coral – 亮珊瑚色

prune – v.修剪

compliment – n.恭维；称赞

comment on – 对……进行评论

lonely – adj.孤独的；寂寞的

area – n.区域

while – n.一段时间

Eventually – adv.最后

chat – v.聊天；闲谈

consider – v.考虑；认为

almost – adv.几乎；差不多

tend – v.照料；倾向

weed – v.除草

water – v.浇水

fertilize – v.施肥

proper – adj.适当的

competition – n.比赛

puffy – adj.膨大的

cloud – n.云

rain – n.雨

Logically – adv.逻辑上

probably – adv.也许

entire – adj.整个的

admire – v.赞美；钦佩

specimen – n.样本；样品

fragrance – n.气味；芬芳

foliage – n.植物；叶子

prized – adj.被看做最有价值的

skip – v.跳过

bug – n.虫子

aphid – n.蚜虫

enemy – n.敌人

fight – v.战斗

spread – v.扩散；传播

panic – adj.恐慌的

irresponsible – adj.不负责任的

attack – v.攻击

infestation – n.感染

vast – adj.大量的；广阔的

situation – n.情况

removal – n.移动；排除

cure – v.治愈；治疗

predator – n.捕食者

ladybug – n.瓢虫

nest – v.筑巢

encourag – v.鼓励

introduce – v.引进；介绍

concoct – v.混合；捏造

tobacco – n.烟草

filthy smoking habit – 吸烟陋习

vinegar – n.醋

liberally – adv.大方地；自由地

affect – v.感染；影响

instruct – v.指示；教育

reference – n.参考文献

ache – v.疼痛

How was he supposed to know – exp.他不知道

remedy – n.补救

disgusting – adj.令人厌恶的

smoker – n.吸烟者

afraid – adj.害怕的

pinch – v.捏

insecticide – n.杀虫剂

ultimately – adv.最后

distress – v.使痛苦

exciting – adj.令人激动的

tool – n.工具

intend – v.打算

look - v.看

information desk – 服务台；问讯处

Uh-oh – int.糟糕

feet – n.英尺

recognize – v.认出；确认

behind – prep.在……后面

counter – n.柜台

act silly – 表现得很傻

on purpose – 故意地

ruin – v.毁灭

pleasant – adj.令人愉快的

rude – adj.粗鲁的

greet – v.问候

knowledge – n.知识

squirm – v.局促不安；扭动

Good for you – exp.好样的

smug – adj.自鸣得意的

liar – n.说谎的人

struggle – v.挣扎；努力

blurt out – 开始说话；脱口而出

pest – n.害虫

lick – v.战胜；舔

sniff – v.嗤之以鼻；闻

firmly – adv.坚定地

holding – n.保存；举办；支持

disappear – v.消失

patron – n.顾客；赞助人

forget – v.忘记；忽略

hand trowel – n.（园艺用的）手持小泥铲

container – n.容器；集装箱

pretty cute – 非常可爱

gross – adj.令人恶心的；粗俗的；不雅的

register – n.收银台；登记簿

booklet – n.小册子

clutch eagerly – 急切地抓住

optimistic – adj.乐观的

mist – n.薄雾

dehydrated – adj.脱水的

refrigerate – v.冷藏

apologize – v.道歉

suppose – v.假定

tasty – adj.美味的

strawberry – n.草莓

potato – n.土豆

steaks – n.牛排

grill – n.烧烤架

patio – n.庭院

dusk – n.黄昏

announce – v.宣布

do the trick – exp.获得成功

butterflies in his stomach – exp.忐忑不安

nervous – adj.紧张的

upwards – adv.向上

waiting game – exp.等待策略

akimbo – adj.两手叉腰的

patience – n.耐心

in full swing – exp.全力进行；热火朝天

arrive – v.到来；抵达

recover – v.恢复

brightest – adj.最亮的

nerve-wracking – exp.令人紧张的；令人伤脑筋的

vase – n.花瓶

fairground – n.露天集市；游乐场

ferris wheel – 摩天轮

carnival rides – 游乐设施

acre – n.英亩

wander – v.漫步；徘徊

grin hugely – 灿烂的笑容

scream – v.尖叫

delight – n.高兴

roller coaster – 过山车

funnel cake – 漏斗蛋糕

frying – n.油炸

delicious – adj.美味的

cotton candy – 棉花糖

skill – n.技巧

prize – n.奖品

handicraft – n.手工艺品

artwork – n.艺术品

tiger – n.老虎

shark – n.鲨鱼

imaginable – adj.可想像的

delighted – adj.高兴的

sight – n.景象

sound – n. 声音

smell – n.气味

exhibition – n.展览；展示

empty – adj.空的

early – adj.早的

registration – n.登记；注册

designated spot – 指定位置

proudly – adv.骄傲地

classic – adj.经典的

stem – n.茎

beside – prep.在……旁边

sigh – v.叹息

gradually – adv.逐步地

awe – n.敬畏

sheer – adj.绝对的

single layer – 单层

double – adj.双重的

practically bursting – 几乎充满

amazing – adj.令人惊异的

tender – adj.温柔的

judging commence – 评审开始

first-place medal – 第一名奖章

中文翻译

玫瑰园艺师

托马斯是一位园艺师。并不是那种普普通通的园丁，而是真正的园艺专家。他刻苦学习，掌握了很多关于植物的知识，所以才能通过测试并获得“园艺专家”的官方头衔。他在整个德克萨斯州来回奔波，作为志愿者参加各种活动，给孩子们讲授不同方面的园艺知识，比如乔木和灌木、花坛、蔬菜和香草花园等等。他会举办很多讲座，有的关于地下水位，有的关于本土植物的保护工作，还有的关于传粉生物——比如蜜蜂和蝴蝶，只要是有需求的主题他都讲！从小学到大学的各种学校都邀请他当演讲嘉宾。

托马斯除了志愿工作以外，会把大量时间花在他的花园里。实际上，他尽可能多地把时间花在花园里，甚至可以说，托马斯已经痴迷于他的花园了！他无时无刻不在想着自己的花园，连不在家的时候也是如此。他干园丁这行已经超过四十年了，所以他的花园早就满满当当，很少有机会再添加什么新植物了，但他仍然会幻想栽上更多植物。当然他也会想着已经有的植物：它们如此健康漂亮、他在植物间发现的不同昆虫、在院子里看到的动物，以及修剪后的草坪多么美丽。托马斯并不太在意草地，他放任三叶草和狗牙根1长在羊茅草2中间，因为想要养护完美的草坪需要使用很多刺激性化学制品，还需要不断播种又补播。托马斯更希望自己的院子尽可能保持自然状态，所以他只会额外花一点钱去买有机土壤、有机肥料、有机种子和有机植物（特别是那些一年生植物）。

一年生植物可是托马斯的心头好。他知道大部分园艺专家——特别是那些热衷于植物保护的园艺专家——并不喜欢一年生植物，因为它们大多不是本土植物，而且季节过去之后很快就会死掉，但这些植物实在是太美了！有各种各样的颜色！深紫色的马鞭草3，亮酒红色的牵牛花，明黄色的三色堇。托马斯的前院有几个巨大的石头花盆，他每个季节都会在里面种不同的花，隔几个月就更换一次。

除了一年生植物之外，他还有很多不同的植物：多年生的花卉、香草、乔木还有灌木。托马斯心肝宝贝则是他的玫瑰丛。他的整个院子里分布着十多丛玫瑰，每一丛都是一个特别的种类，每一丛在他心里都是独一无二且异常珍贵的。既有大朵的玫瑰，也有小朵的玫瑰；既有攀爬玫瑰，也有灌木玫瑰。有些玫瑰是亮白色，有些则是鲜艳的珊瑚粉。有经典的红玫瑰，也有带着美妙香味的漂亮黄玫瑰。托马斯甚至还有一棵“玫瑰树”——其实并不是真正的树木，而是一棵修剪成树木样子的灌木玫瑰。玫瑰树就种在前院靠近门廊的地方，这样所有的邻居都能看见，并且会对此恭维一番。

邻居们总会评论托马斯那漂亮的花园。有时候托马斯觉得很孤独，因为他没有孩子，妻子也在很多年前就去世了，其他家人也都住得很远。但是他的邻居们都对他很友善，此外他作为园艺专家参加志愿活动的时候也总能遇到很多朋友。只要他觉得孤单了，就会走到院子里忙活一会儿，因为总会有邻居路过跟他打个招呼或者聊聊天，而且就算没人跟他说话，他也会觉得院子里的植物都是他的朋友。植物也会跟他说话——以它们自己独特的方式。其中要数玫瑰跟他说得最多。

托马斯几乎像爱自己的孩子一样爱着他的玫瑰。他每天都照料这些花：为它们除草、浇水、剪枝、施肥。在他妥当的照料下，玫瑰们长得愈发漂亮了。这也正是托马斯所期望的，因为今年他将带着自己的玫瑰参加乡村集市的比赛，托马斯十分渴望能够获胜。他这辈子还没赢过什么呢，如果能赢一次，那一定是在园艺方面了。

一天早晨，托马斯急切地观察着天空，希望他看到的远方那一大片白云能飘近些，再下点儿雨。其实他自己也知道这几乎是不可能的，因为雨云不是那个样子。雨云非常厚重，颜色也更深。下雨的时候，云层会遮盖住视线所及的整个天空。而现在的云很漂亮，亮白色，而且分散得很开，能在云间看到蓝天。今天的天气温暖又温和，正是初夏时节，托马斯已经为比赛做好准备了。他在院子里慢悠悠地散了散步，在每一株植物面前都驻足欣赏一番，闻一闻它们的芳香，再检查一下枝叶的状态。

然后，托马斯来到了他最珍视的玫瑰前——那是一株有珊瑚色花朵的玫瑰。他突然发现一颗花蕾上面布满了小小的绿色虫子，这简直让他心跳都停了一拍。

这是蚜虫——所有园艺师的宿敌。托马斯的植物以前也遭受过蚜虫虫害，但从来没有发生在比赛在即的时候！现在，对植物的所有付出可能都要付诸东流了，而且一个不小心，这些蚜虫就会扩散到其他植物上。它们甚至可能会破坏整个花园！托马斯开始心慌了，因为他不知道怎么办才好。如果就这么走开，放任蚜虫侵害他的宝贝玫瑰，他会觉得很不负责任，但是就这么站在这里看着虫害发生也于事无补啊！最后托马斯决定回屋去翻阅他卷帙浩繁的园艺藏书，希望能找到对抗这种蚜虫虫害的方法。

一本书中说，“用物理方法移除这些蚜虫可能会解决一小部分的虫害”。

另一本书建议，“可以吸引或者人工引进蚜虫在自然界中的天敌——比如瓢虫和筑巢的鸟类——到你的花园里”。

“取一些烟草制品碾碎（你舅舅的吸烟陋习终于有用武之地啦！），加水混合，再加入洗涤剂和醋，然后大胆地喷向感染了蚜虫的植物吧。”这是第三种方案。

读完了所有园艺参考书之后，托马斯头痛不已。他怎么能知道哪种补救方法是有效的呢？他可没有时间通通试一遍！必须找出来哪个方法是最好的。烟草、洗涤剂喷雾的办法听起来挺恶心的，但是大概很有效，只是托马斯认识的人都不吸烟。如果人工捉虫，他又害怕蚜虫很快就会卷土重来。托马斯也了解了一些杀虫剂，但他不想在自家花园里使用刺激性化学制品。

最后，他决定去买一些瓢虫。他开车来到了园艺市场。虽然他仍然被“蚜虫正在攻击我的宝贝玫瑰”这一想法困扰着，但他仍感觉挺开心的，因为他特别爱逛园艺市场。每次来这里他都至少要逛半个小时，看看那些让人兴奋的新鲜花卉、树木，也看看那些园艺工具。哪怕他根本不需要新工具，也没打算买东西，只是逛逛就很有趣。但是今天他只花了几分钟，就直奔服务台而去了。

糟糕！托马斯在离服务台大概十英尺4的地方停住了脚步。托马斯认出了站在服务台后面的人和他来自同一家园艺俱乐部。那个老太太（甚至比他还老）不喜欢托马斯，而且她也要参加这次的玫瑰比赛！虽然托马斯知道自己这样可能很幼稚，但他就是觉得没法信任这个老太太。万一老太太就是希望他的玫瑰遭殃，故意告诉他错误信息怎么办？

“托马斯！”那位女士朝他招呼道，“真是稀客呀。”

托马斯知道要是现在再走开就太失礼了，所以他走向服务台跟那位太太寒暄起来：“你好啊，尤金妮亚。之前不知道你在这儿工作呢！”

“你知道我有多喜欢园艺。我每周都来这里工作几天，正好可以利用我的园艺专家知识帮助别人。”

托马斯有点儿局促不安：“这样啊。不错啊尤金妮亚，这挺好的。”

“话说回来，你来服务台是有什么事儿么？”尤金妮亚看起来有点儿自鸣得意。现在托马斯需要帮助，而尤金妮亚是提供信息的一方，这让尤金妮亚感觉良好。

托马斯不想告诉她虫害的事儿，但托马斯从来不擅撒谎，试图扯点儿别的理由，但最后还是吐露了实情：“我的一棵玫瑰长了蚜虫，我想找到最好的办法尽快消灭它们，好赶上参加乡村集市。”

“蚜虫！”尤金妮亚喊道，“这种花园害虫不用杀虫剂是消灭不掉的，你知道的。”

“我不想用杀虫剂，”托马斯抗拒地说，“那会杀死很多其他昆虫的，而我只想杀死蚜虫。一本园艺书上说应该买些瓢虫。”

“那你就试试看呗，”尤金妮亚对此嗤之以鼻，“反正在我家里从来没起过作用。”很明显，尤金妮亚觉得既然在她身上不管用，那在哪儿都不管用。

“我想试试再说。”托马斯坚定地回答，“在哪里能买到瓢虫？”

“我们把瓢虫放在后面的特殊保存区。我去帮你拿。”尤金妮亚穿过柜台后面的一扇门离开了。托马斯在原地等着，看着园艺市场里的其他顾客。他看到一个年轻的母亲在帮她年幼的儿子挑选属于他的小铲子，这时候托马斯几乎忘了自己的烦心事儿，尤金妮亚回来的时候他脸上仍然挂着微笑。尤金妮亚把一个圆形的盒子放在柜台上，盒子是透明的硬塑料制成的，所以托马斯能看到里面有几百只小小的红黑色瓢虫。他又笑了起来，因为他觉得瓢虫特别可爱。而尤金妮亚再次嗤之以鼻，因为她觉得虫子都特别恶心。

“给你。到收银台付款，他们会给你一个纸袋子，还有说明手册。”尤金妮亚把盒子推到托马斯面前。

“谢谢你，尤金妮亚。祝你今天愉快。”托马斯说。他拿起盒子走向收银台，他最喜欢的一个收银员正在那儿工作。收银员祝愿托马斯能够顺利解决蚜虫问题，并且把装瓢虫的盒子塞进了一个纸袋子里。托马斯走的时候紧紧攥住袋子，对买到的瓢虫感到很乐观。

到家之后，托马斯打开了指导手册。“要向瓢虫喷洒细细的水雾，在园艺市场购买时，瓢虫通常会有些脱水。”托马斯挺心疼这些脱水的小虫子们，所以他立刻打开了盒子，小心地不让一只瓢虫跑出来，然后喷了一点儿水。

“瓢虫在使用之前请一直冷藏存放。”托马斯觉得这条提示非常奇怪。对于要把它们放进冰箱这事儿他觉得有点儿内疚，但他希望它们能起作用，所以还是遵照了说明。

“那就对不起了，小家伙们。”关上冰箱门之前他向瓢虫道了歉。

“请在傍晚时分释放瓢虫。如果在白天放出，瓢虫很可能会直接飞走，无法在您希望的地方消灭蚜虫。”托马斯觉得这一条很有道理。不过他非常急切地想把瓢虫放到玫瑰上，所以等待是很难熬的。他去散了散步，跟邻居们聊了聊天，又邀请了他的朋友吉姆来家里吃晚餐。托马斯开始准备大餐，并且把蚜虫忘在了脑后——暂时如此。他用菠菜和切碎的草莓做了一道美味的沙拉。然后在后院的烧烤架上烹制土豆和牛排。他和吉姆坐在庭院里共进晚餐，一边欣赏花园美景，一边品味盘中美餐。晚餐结束的时候正好是黄昏时分。

“是时候放瓢虫了！”托马斯宣布。

“太棒了。”吉姆说，“希望它们大获成功。”

“希望如此。”托马斯表示赞同。他忐忑不安地走进屋里把塑料盒从冰箱里拿出来。他带着宝贵的瓢虫走到了心爱的玫瑰前，心里紧张无比。

“朝向植物底部释放瓢虫，它们会顺着植物向上爬并寻找蚜虫。”托马斯在玫瑰旁蹲下，把盒子倒扣在最底部的玫瑰枝上，几十只瓢虫掉了下来，爬到了玫瑰的枝条和叶子上。有些瓢虫仍然挂在盒子的内壁上，然后托马斯把手指伸进去，轻轻地把它们赶了出来。

“现在就只能等了。”他双手叉腰地站着说。

“有时候最难做的事就是等待！”吉姆说。

“没错，但是在园艺中耐心总会有回报的。”托马斯笑了，转身走回庭院开始收拾餐具。

三周之后，乡村集市达到高潮，玫瑰竞赛的日子也到了。托马斯放出瓢虫的当天它们就开始捕食蚜虫了，但是蚜虫给花朵造成的伤害已经无法逆转了。托马斯只得另选玫瑰参加比赛，这次他挑了花朵小得多的一株灌木玫瑰，它的花瓣底部是黄色的，但顶部边缘是亮粉色的。这是一株样子很独特的花。

托马斯挑了三朵最大、最鲜艳、最完美的花，把它们剪了下来。剪花总是让人神经紧张，因为一旦剪下来之后就没法回头了。他把花插在装了冷水的花瓶里，然后用小小的塑料袋把花罩住保护起来，再用皮筋把袋子扎在花茎上。他开车前往露天集市，那里展台一眼看不到头，有摩天轮和其他各种游乐设施，停车场——绵延数十英亩5——停了成百上千辆车。

托马斯把他引以为傲的玫瑰紧紧抱在怀里，脸上挂着大大的笑容，漫步在集市上。坐在过山车上的孩子们发出阵阵愉快的叫声。油炸漏斗煎饼6散发出美妙的香味，棉花糖闻着就很甜蜜。男孩子们在玩各种竞技游戏，想为他们的女朋友们赢些奖品。除了游戏和娱乐设施，还有人在售卖手工艺品和艺术作品。甚至还有一个摊位是给孩子们的脸上涂鸦的，可以把脸化成老虎、鲨鱼或是其他任何动物形象。托马斯已经很多年没来过乡村集市了，都快忘了这里有多好玩儿！周围的景象、声音和气味都让他愉悦，当他抵达展览帐篷的时候，紧张的心情已经一扫而空了。

帐篷里整齐排列着十几张桌子。托马斯来得有点早，所以大部分桌子都还是空着的。他看了一下自己的注册编号，然后开始顺着桌子找自己的指定位置。

“你好啊，托马斯！”尤金妮亚说。尤金妮亚已经全都准备好了，正骄傲地站在她的经典长柄红玫瑰旁。

“嗨，尤金妮亚。”托马斯说。托马斯发现标有自己号码的桌子正好在尤金妮亚旁边，便叹了口气，走过去开始准备他的花朵。

人们陆陆续续走进帐篷。托马斯看着他们，同时震惊于居然有如此多种多样的玫瑰。你能想象到的各种大小和颜色都有，还有那么多不同的形状！有些花朵是单层花瓣的，有些是双层的，还有一些层层叠叠数不清有多少层花瓣！真是让人大开眼界！但是托马斯没看到谁的花能比得上自己的玫瑰。他是唯一一个带来双色玫瑰的人，而且在他的精心照料下，花朵的状况是帐篷里所有人里面最完美的！

过了一会儿评审开始了，结果出来后，他们把第一名的奖章别在了托马斯那没有蚜虫的玫瑰上。

1 狗牙根：一种低矮的草本植物，根茎蔓延能力很强，很好的固土植物，但是作为杂草则难以去除。

2 羊茅草：多年生草本植物，直立，叶细，多为优秀的草坪、高尔夫球场用草，也是优良牧草。

3 马鞭草：直立草本植物，开蓝紫色的小花。

4 英尺：1英尺≈30.5厘米

5 英亩：1英亩≈4046.8平方米

6 漏斗煎饼：用漏斗将面糊滴入热油中炸成的甜点，经常在游乐园售卖。

小结

托马斯是官方认证的园艺大师。他学习园艺有几十年了，而且在有关园艺的各个方面都堪称专家。各个学校——有小学也有大学——都请他开展关于园艺的讲座。托马斯也热爱关于园艺的一切。

不过托马斯最擅长的还是种植玫瑰。玫瑰是他的骄傲和快乐之源，他栽培、剪枝，带着爱意照看它们，直到状态完美无瑕。有一年托马斯决定带着他的玫瑰参加乡村集市的玫瑰比赛，但是灾难降临了！他最爱的玫瑰生了蚜虫。托马斯很慌张，但还是研究了对策，决定去当地的园艺市场买些瓢虫——蚜虫在自然界的天敌，他不想用杀虫剂来解决虫害。

瓢虫很见效，但蚜虫造成的伤害已经没法逆转了，这株玫瑰不能参赛了，所以托马斯又从自己的花园里挑了一株双色玫瑰。

在经过了那么多的内心波澜（当然外部也不平静），托马斯那些带着爱意的照看和那么多的辛苦劳作都有了回报，在故事的结尾处，他那些完美无瑕的漂亮花儿赢得了第一名的奖章。

结语

一种语言可以为人生开启一条走廊。两种语言则这会为你的人生，处处开启大门。

——弗兰克·史密斯

第二语言能为你打开大门，这些大门可能你从未想到会存在，或者甚至从未考虑去试着推开的。我希望这本书能够帮助你打开大门。在在这本书的制作和出版中，我倾注了很多心血。而我知道，我能帮助您在学习另一种语言中铺平道路，并确保您在此过程中收获乐趣，我感到所有的努力是值得的。

阅读完本书的七个故事后，您应该已经能够在英语方面取得进展。您应该已经学到了数百个有用的新单词和新表达，来充实你您的词汇量，您会发现这也增强了您在阅读和写作方面的信心。除了这些，本书还附加了音频，给您提供的发音和听力练习。

如果您发现这本书很有用，请留下宝贵的中肯评论来给与支持。对您的反馈，我们表示十分感激，并给与足够的重视。

杰克

音频下载说明

将下面的链接复制粘贴到您的浏览器地址栏：

http://myenglishroutine.com/download-learn-english-stories/

点击图书封面。你会看到一个Dropbox文件夹，其内包含各个单独的文件。（如果您不熟悉Dropbox是什么或它的工作原理，不用担心，它只是一个存储工具。）

点击Dropbox文件夹中的DOWNLOAD按钮，该按钮位于屏幕右上角。这时可能会弹出一个对话框，要求您登录到Dropbox，你只需点击登录框下的“No thanks, continue to download（不要，谢谢，继续下载）”就可以。（如果您有一个Dropbox帐户，您可以选择将其保存到您自己的Dropbox，以便您可以随时通过互联网获取资源。

您所下载的文件将以压缩文件的形式被保存。注意：这个文件很大。在您的浏览器告诉已成功完成下载前，请不要打开文件。（如果您使用宽带连接，该下载通常只需要几分钟，但如果网络链接不稳定，可能需要10到20分钟）。

通常文件将保存在您的“下载”文件夹中，除非您更改了设置。从文件夹中将其解压，并保存到计算机或复制其他你常用的设备中，瞧！您现在可以随时随地聆听音频了。

对于iOS用户的其他说明

我的英语程序产品与所有iOS设备完全兼容，但由于苹果设备上的文件系统限制，您首先需要将文件下载到您的计算机。在按照上述说明进行操作后，您还需要：

将文件导入iTunes中。（要确保将文件复制到你手机自带的library文件夹，进入iTunes>编辑>选项，然后点击高级选项卡上，请通过检查“iTunes Media文件夹位置”框中的目标地址，确保文件转移到正确的iTunes文件夹中。）然后，在iTunes中，选择文件>将目标文件夹添加到library文件夹中。回到你储存音频文件的文件夹。然后选中文件夹，单击“选择文件夹”。文件将被复制到iTunes媒体文库，并会出现在你的音乐播放器中，可以在艺术家选项中的“我的英语程序”找到它。

将iPad / iPhone与iTunes / iCloud同步。您现在可以使用iTunes或iCloud同步您的设备

有其他问题？如果您在把本书下载到iOS设备的过程中有任何问题，我建议您使用这个YouTube视频：https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_1VDD9KJhc （您可以跳过前1分20秒的内容。）