Lesson One
TEXT A
Half a Day ——Naguib Mahfous
Pre-class Work
I. Read the text once for the main idea.
Do not refer to the notes, dictionaries or the glossary yet.
I walked alongside my father, clutching his right hand. All my clothes were new: the black shoes,
the green school uniform, and the red cap.
They did not make me happy, however, as this was the day I was to be thrown into school for the first time.
My mother stood at the window watching our progress, and I turned towards her from time to time,
hoping she would help.
We walked along a street lined with gardens,
and fields planted with crops: pears, and date palms. "Why school?" I asked my father. "What have I done?" "I'm not punishing you," he said, laughing.
"School's not a punishment.
It's a place that makes useful men out of boys.
Don't you want to be useful like your brothers?"
I was not convinced.
I did not believe there was really any good to be had in tearing me away from my home and
throwing me into the huge, high-walled building.
When we arrived at the gate
we could see the courtyard, vast and full of boys and girls. "Go in by yourself," said my father, "and join them.
Put a smile on your face and be a good example to others." I hesitated and clung to his hand,
but he gently pushed me from him.
"Be a man," he said. "Today you truly begin life.
You will find me waiting for you when it's time to leave." I took a few steps.
Then the faces of the boys and girls came into view. I did not know a single one of them,
and none of them knew me.
I felt I was a stranger who had lost his way.
But then some boys began to glance at me in curiosity,
and one of them came over and asked, "Who brought you?" "My father," I whispered.
"My father's dead," he said simply.
I did not know what to say. The gate was now closed.
Some of the children burst into tears. The bell rang.
A lady came along, followed by a group of men.
The men began sorting us into ranks.
We were formed into an intricate pattern
in the great courtyard surrounded by high buildings; from each floor we were overlooked
by a long balcony roofed in wood.
"This is your new home, "said the woman.
"There are mothers and fathers here, too.
Everything that is enjoyable and beneficial is here. So dry your tears and face life joyfully."
Well, it seemed that my misgivings had had no basis. From the first moments
I made many friends and fell in love with many girls. I had never imagined
school would have this rich variety of experiences. We played all sorts of games.
In the music room we sang our first songs.
We also had our first introduction to language.
We saw a globe of the Earth, which revolved
and showed the various continents and countries. We started learning numbers,
and we were told the story of the Creator of the universe. We ate delicious food, took a little nap,
and woke up to go on with friendship and love,
playing and learning.
Our path, however, was not totally sweet and unclouded. We had to be observant and patient.
It was not all a matter of playing and fooling around. Rivalries could bring about pain and hatred
or give rise to fighting.
And while the lady would sometimes smile,
she would often yell and scold.
Even more frequently
she would resort to physical punishment.
In addition,
the time for changing one's mind was over and gone and there was no question of ever
returning to the paradise of home.
Nothing lay ahead of us
but exertion, struggle, and perseverance.
Those who were able
took advantage of the opportunities
for success and happiness that presented themselves.
The bell rang,
announcing the passing of the day and the end of work. The children rushed toward the gate,
which was opened again.
I said goodbye to friends and sweethearts
and passed through the gate.
I looked around but found no trace of my father,
who had promised to be there.
I stepped aside to wait.
When I had waited for a long time in vain,
I decided to return home on my own.
I walked a few steps, then came to a startled halt.
Good Lord! Where was the street lined with gardens? Where had it disappeared to?
When did all these cars invade it?
And when did all these people come to rest on its surface? How did these hills of rubbish
find their way to cover its sides?
And where were the fields that bordered it?
High buildings had taken over,
the street was full of children,
and disturbing noises shook the air.
Here and there stood conjurers showing off their tricks or making snakes appear from baskets.
Then there was a band announcing the opening of a circus, with clowns and weight lifters walking in front.
Good God! I was in a daze. My head spun.
I almost went crazy.
How could all this have happened in half a day,
between early morning and sunset?
I would find the answer at home with my father.
But where was my home?
I hurried towards the crossroads,
because I remembered that
I had to cross the street to reach our house,
but the stream of cars would not let up.
Extremely irritated,
I wondered when I would be able to cross.
I stood there a long time, until
the young boy employed at the ironing shop on the corner came up to me.
He stretched out his arm and said,
"Grandpa, let me take you across."
Lesson One第一课
TEXT A
Half a Day 半日——Naguib Mahfous
Pre-class Work I
Read the text once for the main idea.
Do not refer to the notes, dictionaries or the glossary yet.
I walked alongside my father, clutching his right hand. 我走在父亲的一侧，牢牢地抓着他的右手。
All my clothes were new: the black shoes,
我身上穿的，戴的全是新的：黑鞋子，
the green school uniform, and the red cap. 绿校服，红帽子。
They did not make me happy, however, as this was the day 然儿，我一点儿也高兴不起来，因为今天
I was to be thrown into school for the first time.
我将第一次被扔到学校里去。
My mother stood at the window watching our progress, 母亲站在窗前望着我们缓缓前行，
and I turned towards her from time to time,
我也不时地回头看她，
hoping she would help. 希望她会救我。
We walked along a street lined with gardens,
我们沿着街道走着，街道两旁是花园
and fields planted with crops: pears, and date palms. 和田野，田野里栽满了梨树和椰枣树。
"Why school?" I asked my father.
“我为什么要去上学？”我问父亲。
"What have I done?" “是我做错了什么了吗？”
"I'm not punishing you," he said, laughing.
“我不是在惩罚你，”父亲笑着说道。
"School is not a punishment. “上学不是一种惩罚。
It's a place that makes useful men out of boys.
学校是把孩子培养成才的地方。
Don't you want to be useful like your brothers?"
难道你不想象你哥哥们那样，成为一个有用的人吗？”
I was not convinced. 我不相信他的话。
I did not believe there was really any good to be had 我才不相信对我有什么真正的好处呢
in tearing me away from my home and把我从家里拽出来
throwing me into the huge, high-walled building. 扔进那个大大的，高墙围绕的建筑里
When we arrived at the gate到了学校门口
we could see the courtyard, vast and full of boys and girls. 我们看到了宽阔的庭院，站满了孩子。
"Go in by yourself," said my father, "and join them.
“自己进去吧，”我父亲说，“加入他们。
Put a smile on your face and be a good example to others. " 笑一笑，给其他的孩子做个好榜样。”
I hesitated and clung to his hand,
我紧抓着父亲的手，犹豫不决。
but he gently pushed me from him.
但是父亲却把我轻轻地推开了。
"Be a man," he said. “拿出点男子气概来，”他说。
"Today you truly begin life.
“从今天起你就要真正开始自己的生活了。
You will find me waiting for you when it's time to leave." 放学时我会在这等你的。”
I took a few steps. 我走了几步
Then the faces of the boys and girls came into view.
便看见了一些孩子的面孔。
I did not know a single one of them, 他们中我一个也不认识
and none of them knew me. 他们也没有一个认识我的。
I felt I was a stranger who had lost his way.
我感觉自己像是一个迷了路的陌生人。
But then some boys began to glance at me in curiosity, 而这时有些男孩开始好奇地打量我，
and one of them came over and asked,
其中一个走过来问到，
"Who brought you?" “谁带你来的？”
"My father, " I whispered. 我爸爸”我小声说道。
"My father's dead," he said simply.
“我爸爸死了，”他简短地说。
I did not know what to say. 我不知道该说些什么。
The gate was now closed. 这时学校的门已经关上了。
Some of the children burst into tears. 有些孩子哭了起来。
The bell rang. 接着，铃响了。
A lady came along, followed by a group of men.
一位女士走了过来，后面跟着一群男人。
The men began sorting us into ranks.
那些人把我们排成几行。
We were formed into an intricate pattern
使我们形成一个错综复杂的队行，
in the great courtyard surrounded by high buildings; 站在那四周高楼耸立的院子里；
from each floor we were overlooked
从每层楼的阳台上可以俯视到我们
by a long balcony roofed in wood.
长长的阳台上带有木制顶棚
"This is your new home, "said the woman.
“这是你们的新家，”那位女士说道。
"There are mothers and fathers here, too.
“这儿有你们的父母。
Everything that is enjoyable and beneficial is here.
一切能带给你们快乐，对你们有益的事物，这儿都有。
So dry your tears and face life joyfully. "
因此擦干你们的眼泪，快快乐乐地面对生活。”
Well, it seemed that my misgivings had had no basis. 这样看来我之前的顾虑都是毫无根据的了。
From the first moments I made many friends
从一开始我就结交了许多朋友，
and fell in love with many girls. 并且爱上了许多女孩。
I had never imagined我从未想过
school would have this rich variety of experiences. 学校的生活是如此丰富多彩。
We played all sorts of games. 我们玩着各种各样的游戏。
In the music room we sang our first songs.
在音乐室里我们唱着第一次学会的歌。
We also had our first introduction to language.
我们第一次接触到了语言的学习。
We saw a globe of the Earth, 我们看见了一个地球仪，
which revolved and旋转它，
showed the various continents and countries.
便能看见世界上的各个大洲和国家的名称。
We started learning numbers, 我们还开始学习数字，
and we were told the story of the Creator of the universe. 听老师将造物主的故事。
We ate delicious food, took a little nap,
吃过美味的食物，小睡之后，
and woke up to go on with friendship and love,
我们醒来又继续在友谊和爱之中
playing and learning. 嬉戏，学习。
Our path, however, was not totally sweet and unclouded. 然而，校园生活并不是完全甜蜜和阳光普照的。
We had to be observant and patient.
我们还必须遵守纪律，耐心听讲。
It was not all a matter of playing and fooling around. 学校生活也不光是嬉戏和无所事事。
Rivalries could bring about pain and hatred
同学间的竞争还可能引起痛苦，仇恨，
or give rise to fighting. 甚至打斗。
And while the lady would sometimes smile,
虽然那位女士有时面带微笑，
she would often yell and scold.
但也经常会对我们大声吼叫并责骂我们。
Even more frequently甚至更常见的是
she would resort to physical punishment.
她会常去体罚我们。
In addition, 另外，
the time for changing one's mind was over and gone 我们再也不能改变主意，
and there was no question of ever再也不能（不可能再有）
returning to the paradise of home. 回到天堂般的家里了。
Nothing lay ahead of us but摆在我们面前的只有
exertion, struggle, and perseverance. 努力奋斗和坚持不懈。
Those who were able那些有能力的人
took advantage of the opportunities
一旦机会来了就会抓住它们
for success and happiness that presented themselves. 去获取摆在他们面前的成功和幸福。
The bell rang, 铃响了，
announcing the passing of the day and the end of work. 宣告一天学校生活的结束。
The children rushed toward the gate, 孩子们匆匆奔向大门，
which was opened again. 这时大门被打开了。
I said goodbye to friends and sweet hearts
我向我的朋友和“女友们”告别完，
and passed through the gate. 走出了校门。
I looked around but found no trace of my father,
我四处张望却没发现父亲的踪影。
who had promised to be there.他答应我会在校门外等我的。
I stepped aside to wait. 于是我走到一边去等他。
When I had waited for a long time in vain,
当我等了好久，他也没来的时候，
I decided to return home on my own. 我决定自己回家。
I walked a few steps, then came to a startled halt.
我走了几步，却惊奇地站住了。
Good Lord! Where was the street lined with gardens? 我的天哪! 那条两边是花园的街道怎么不见了？
Where had it disappeared to? 消失到哪里去了？
When did all these cars invade it?
是什么时候这些车辆闯到马路上的？
And when did all these people come to rest on its surface? 又是什么时候这些人来到街道上歇憩的？
How did these hills of rubbish find their way to cover 这一座座垃圾堆又是怎样堆到
its sides? 街道两旁的？
And where were the fields that bordered it?
街道旁的田野又到哪里去了？
High buildings had taken over, 取而代之的是林立的高楼。
the street was full of children, 街道上挤满了孩子。
and disturbing noises shook the air. 嘈杂声震荡着空气。
Here and there stood conjurers showing off their tricks 街头巷尾站着的杂耍艺人们或玩着戏法，
or making snakes appear from baskets.
或是让蛇从篮子里出现。
Then there was a band announcing the opening of a circus, 接着，一个乐队奏起了音乐，宣布马戏表演的开始，
with clowns and weight lifters walking in front.
小丑和举重大力士走在前面。
Good God! I was in a daze. My head spun.
我的天！我感觉一片茫然，头晕目眩，
I almost went crazy. 我几乎快要疯了。
How could all this have happened in half a day,
这一切怎么可能就在这半天时间里发生？
between early morning and sunset? 从清晨到日落的
I would find the answer at home with my father.
或许回到家，父亲会告诉我答案的。
But where was my home? 但是，我的家又在哪里？
I hurried towards the crossroads, 我赶紧奔向十字路口，
because I remembered因为我记得
that I had to cross the street to reach our house,
要穿过那条街道才能到家，
but the stream of cars would not let up. 但车流不息。
Extremely irritated, 我极为恼怒，
I wondered when I would be able to cross.
我知何时才可以过去。
I stood there a long time, until我久久的站在那里，直到
the young boy employed at the ironing shop on the corner 在街角熨衣店里工作的小男孩
came up to me. 向我走来。
He stretched out his arm and said, 他伸出手臂来说道：
"Grandpa, let me take you across."
“爷爷，我扶您过马路吧。”
[***********][***********][**************] 第一课 半日
我走在父亲的一侧，牢牢地抓着他的右手。我身上穿的，戴的全是新的：黑鞋子，绿校服，红帽子。然儿我一点儿也高兴不起来，因为今天我将第一次被扔到学校里去。
母亲站在窗前望着我们缓缓前行，我也不时的回头看她，希望她会救我。我们沿着街道走着，街道两旁是花园和田野，田野里栽满了梨树和椰枣树。
“我为什么要去上学？”我问父亲，
“是我做错了什么了吗？”
“我不是在惩罚你，”父亲笑着说道，“上学不是一种惩罚。学校是把孩子培养成才的地方。难道你不想象你哥哥们那样，成为一个有用的人吗？”
我不相信他的话。我才不相信把我从家里拽出来，扔进那个大大的，高墙围绕的建筑里对我有什么真正的好处呢。 到了学校门口，我们看到了宽阔的庭院，站满了孩子。“自己进去吧，”我父亲说，“加入他们。笑一笑，给其他的孩子做个好榜样。”
我紧抓着父亲的手，犹豫不决。但是父亲却把我轻轻地推开了。“拿出点男子气概来，”他说，“从今天起你就要真正开始自己的生活了。放学时我会在这等你的。”
我走了几步，便看见了一些孩子的面孔。他们中我一个也不认识。他们也没有一个认识我的。我感觉自己像是一个迷了路的陌生人。然而这时有些男孩开始好奇的打量我，其中一个走过来问到，“谁带你来的？”
“我爸爸”我小声说道。
“我爸爸死了，”他简短地说。
我不知道该说些什么。这时学校的门已经关上了，有些孩子哭了起来。接着，铃响了，一位女士走了过来，后面跟着一群男人。那些人把我们排成几行。使我们形成一个错综复杂的队行，站在那四周高楼耸立的院子里。每层楼都有长长的阳台，阳台上带有木制顶棚，从阳台上可以俯视到我们。
“这是你们的新家，”那位女士说道，“这儿有你们的父母。一切能带给你们快乐，对你们有益的事物，这儿都有。因此擦干你们的眼泪，快快乐乐地面对生活。”
这样看来我之前的顾虑都是毫无根据的了。从一开始我就结交了许多朋友，并且爱上了许多女孩。我从未想过学校的生活是如此丰富多彩。
我们玩着各种各样的游戏，在音乐室里我们唱着第一次学会的歌。我们第一次接触到了语言的学习。我们看见了一个地球仪，旋转它，便能看见世界上的各个大洲和国家的名称。我们还开始学习数字，听老师将造物主的故事。吃过美味的食物，小睡之后，我们醒来又继续在友谊和爱之中嬉戏，学习。
然而，校园生活并不是完全甜蜜和阳光普照的。我们还必须遵守纪律，耐心听讲。学校生活也不光是嬉戏和无所事事。同学间的竞争还可能引起痛苦，仇恨，甚至打斗。虽然那位女士有时面带微笑，但也经常会对我们大声吼叫并责骂我们，甚至，更常见的是体罚我们。
另外，我们再也不能改变主意，再也不能回到天堂般的家里了。摆在我们面前的只有努力奋斗和坚持不懈。一旦机会来了那些有能力的人就会抓住它们去获取成功和幸福。
铃响了，宣告一天学校生活的结束。孩子们匆匆奔向大门，这时大门被打开了。我向我的朋友和“女友们”告完别，走
出了校门。我四处张望却没发现父亲的踪影。他答应我会在校门外等我的。于是我走到一边去等他。当我等了好久，他也没来的时候，我决定自己回家。我走了几步，却惊奇地站住了。我的天哪! 那条两边是花园的街道怎么不见了？消失到哪里去了？是什么时候这些车辆闯到马路上的？又是什么时候这些人来到街道上歇憩的？这一座座垃圾堆又是怎样堆到街道两旁的？街道旁的田野又到哪里去了？取而代之的是林立的高楼。街道上挤满了孩子。嘈杂声震荡着空气。街头巷尾站着杂耍艺人，他们或玩着戏法，或是让蛇从篮子里出现。接着，一个乐队奏起了音乐，宣布马戏表演的开始，小丑和举重大力士走在前面。
我的天! 我感觉一片茫然，头晕目眩，几乎快要疯了。这一切怎么可能就在从清晨到日落的这半天时间里发生？或许回到家，父亲会告诉我答案的。但是，我的家又在哪里？我赶紧奔向十字路口，因为我记得要穿过那条街道才能到家，但车流不息，我极为恼怒，我知何时才可以过去。
我久久的站在那里，直到在街道熨衣店里工作的小男孩向我走来。
他伸出手臂来说道：“爷爷，我扶您过马路吧。”
Read the text a second time.
Learn the new words and expressions listed below.
Glossary
across adv. take sb. ～: take sb. to the other side alongside adv. side by side; next to
balcony n. 阳台
band n. a group of musicians,
especially a group that plays popular music 乐队
beneficial adj. useful
border v. 与……接界；与……相邻
circus n. 马戏团
cling to v. to hold closely; refuse to let go
clown n. a person who dresses funnily and
tries to make people laugh by his jokes or actions 小丑 conjurer n. a magician 魔术师
convince v. to make sb. believe; to persuade 说服
creator n. one who makes sth. for the first time 创造者
the Creator（宗教）造物主
crossroads n. a place where two or more roads cross
交叉路口
curiosity n. the desire to learn and know 好奇心 daze
n. a condition of being unable to think or feel clearly 晕眩 exertion n. effort 努力；尽力
glance n. a quick look at sth.
globe n. 地球；地球仪
halt n. a stop or pause
hatred n. strong feelings of dislike
hesitate v. to pause 犹豫不决
intricate adj. very complicated
introduction n. present for the first time 介绍
irritated adj. annoyed
joyfully adv. very happily
lift v. 抬；举；
weight lifters: those
who compete in contests of strength by lifting heavy objects misgiving n.(常用复数)feelings of doubt and fear 顾虑 nap n. a short sleep during the day
observant adj. careful to observe (rules) 遵守规则的 opportunity n. a chance
overlook v. to see a place from a building or window 俯视 palm n. 棕榈树；date ～ : 椰枣树
paradise n. heaven 天堂
perseverance 顽强拼搏
n. to keep trying to do sth. in spite of the difficulties physical 肉体的；身体的
adj. of material substance; often refers to human body rank n. a line (of people)
revolve v. to move or turn in a circle around a central point rivalry n. 竞争
scold v. to angrily criticize sb. , especially a child single adj. only one
sort n. & v. The noun means a kind or a type;
the verb means to put things in a particular order. spin v. to turn round and round
startled adj. surprised and often slightly frightened stream n. a natural flow of water;
anything that moves on continuously; a ～ of: 一连串的 stretch v. 伸展；～ out: 伸出
sunset 日落
n. the time when the sun is seen to disappear as night begins surface n. 表面
sweetheart n. a person one loves
trace n. a sign that sth. is there 迹象；痕迹
trick n. （魔术）戏法
unclouded adj. without any cloud, clear, untroubled uniform n. a special set of clothes which all members
of a group wear, especially in a school, the army or the police
universe n. 宇宙
vain n. in ～ : without result
variety 丰富多彩；品种多样
n. different kinds of the same thing
various adj. several of a variety
vast adj. very large
whisper v. to say something very quietly
so that other people cannot hear what you are saying yell v. to shout loudly because you are very excited,
angry, or in pain
TEXT B
The Edge——Kathleen Louise Smiley
The night before I left for Israel
was spent in the same kind of conversations
that had filled the previous week.
"But why Israel?" my father would ask,
in the same tone he used when he asked
"Why China?" or "Why Russia?" or
"why" any other country I had announced I wanted to visit. "There's war over there, you know," he would add. "Yes, Dad, I know.
There are wars everywhere," I would answer.
He would ask
why I insisted on going to such dangerous places. Finally, I would hear the words I've heard all my life: "Well, you've never listened to me before.
Why should I think you'd listen now?"
In typical fashion, he would close his eyes,
heave a long sigh and shake his head.
When these "discussions" took place,
my sister, Kristy, would always try to diffuse the tension. Although she realized long ago that it would never work, she'd try just the same.
"Kath," she'd suggest,
"why don't you go to England for summer school. It's not dangerous there."
But as always, she didn't understand.
None of my family has ever really understood me. I've never fit my family's idea of the way
I should live my life.
England was not exciting enough. I wanted
to go somewhere and experience something different. My soul has always been restless
to venture into unknown places.
My mother has always said that I have "gypsy" in my blood. My sister and I are three and a half years apart in age, but a world apart in the way we live our lives.
She is conservative and quiet. I take too many risks, and the only time I'm really quiet is when I'm asleep. I've spent most of my adult life
apologizing to my sister and the rest of my family for being different,
for embarrassing them by something I wear,
something I do or something I say.
Since my sister is so different from me —
or since I' m so different from her — we aren't very close. The older we get, the busier we become,
and the less we see of each other,
even though we live only half a mile apart.
When we do get together, I feel that she's holding her breath and waiting for me to do or say something "wrong" while I'm walking on eggshells and praying that I don't. But inevitably, I do.
Because my sister seemed the least upset
with my summer plans,
I humbly asked her for a ride to the airport.
"No problem," she said casually, "but don't tell Dad!" I smiled and agreed.
It's not that our father is some kind of tyrant.
We know that he loves us very much;
that's evident from all the sacrifices he has made for us. I would not have gone to law school if it weren't for him. He's just worried and has a hard time
separating his worry from his love.
On the way to the airport the next day,
my sister was quiet as usual.
But for the first time since I'd decided to go,
she started asking questions about my trip:
where I was planning to travel,
where I was going to stay. She seemed truly interested. My family is not big on emotional goodbyes,
so with a "have a good time"
and a quick "love you too," my sister was gone.
I was sad because I felt she just couldn't understand. I wished at that moment that she could come with me, but I knew she wouldn't.
I checked in, took my seat and started to get organized. I glanced inside my bag
which my sister had loaded in the trunk
before we left for the airport.
There, along with my passport, traveler's checks
and other important items,
was a small white envelope with "Kath"
written on it in my sister's handwriting.
I opened the envelope and found a bon voyage card.
It was alight hearted, funny card with a cartoon on the front. Most cards my family members give are funny cards, and this was no different — or so I thought.
When I opened the card and read what was inside, I realized that my sister —
who I had decided just couldn't understand —
actually did understand.
It seemed there was a small part of her
that wished she were me,
maybe a small part of her
that always had wished she were me.
The card was blank except for what my sister had written: I really admire you for experiencing life in such a full way. I love you.
Your sister, Kristy
[***********][***********][**************]
TEXT B
The Edge ——Kathleen Louise Smiley 锋芒 ---凯瑟琳. 路易丝 史密里
The night before I left for Israel
在我去以色列的前一天晚上，
was spent in the same kind of conversations
that had filled the previous week.
我与父亲进行了一场对话，同样的对话贯穿了整个上周。
"But why Israel?" my father would ask,
“但是，为什么去以色列呢？”我父亲问。
in the same tone he used when he asked这种口吻，就像问 "Why China?" or "Why Russia?" or
“为什么去中国？”、“为什么去俄罗斯” 或者
"why" any other country I had announced I wanted to visit. “为什么”去其他任何我宣布要去的国家时一样。
"There's war over there, you know," he would add. “你知道的，那里有战争。”他补充说。
"Yes, Dad, I know. There are wars everywhere,"
“是的，爸爸，我知道。但是到处都有战争。”
I would answer. 我回答说。
He would ask他会问我
why I insisted on going to such dangerous places.
为什么坚持去这么危险的地方。
Finally, I would hear the words I've heard all my life: 最后，我会听到我一辈子都能听到的话：
"Well, you've never listened to me before.
“好吧，你从来都没听过我的话，
Why should I think you'd listen now?"
我怎么能相信你这次会听呢？”
In typical fashion, he would close his eyes,
像往常那样，他会闭上眼睛，
heave a long sigh and shake his head.长叹一口气，摇摇头。
When these "discussions" took place, 每次遇到这种“谈话”，
my sister, Kristy, would always try to diffuse the tension. 我的妹妹克里斯蒂总想试图缓和这种紧张气氛。
Although she realized long ago that it would never work, 然而，很早以前她就意识到这根本没用。
she'd try just the same. 她总是试图这样劝解。
"Kath," she'd suggest, 她建议道：
"why don't you go to England for summer school. “凯思，为什么不去英格兰上暑期班呢？
It's not dangerous there." 那里没有危险。”
But as always, she didn't understand.
但是像往常那样，她是不理解的。
None of my family has ever really understood me. 我的家人中没有人真正理解我。
I've never fit我从来没有按照
my family's idea of the way I should live my life.
我的家人想象的那样生活。
England was not exciting enough. 英格兰不够很精彩
I wanted to go somewhere我想去一些地方
and experience something different. 体验不同的东西。
My soul has always been restless我的内心总是不安分
to venture into unknown places. 渴望去未知的地方冒险。
My mother has always said that I have "gypsy" in my blood. 我的母亲总是说我的血管里流淌着吉普赛人的血。
My sister and I are three and a half years apart in age, 妹妹和我相差三岁半，
but a world apart in the way we live our lives.
但是生活方式的不同将我们隔离开来。
She is conservative and quiet. 她保守、安静。
I take too many risks, 而我总是在冒险，
and the only time I'm really quiet is when I'm asleep. 我唯一真正安静的时候就是睡觉时。
I've spent most of my adult life我成年后的大多数时间，
apologizing to my sister and the rest of my family 总是在向妹妹和其他家人道歉，
for being different, 因为我的另类，
for embarrassing them by something I wear,
因为我的穿着让他们尴尬，
something I do or something I say.
有时候是因为做事不当，有时候是因为说错话。
Since my sister is so different from me —
因为妹妹和我不一样——
or since I' m so different from her — we aren't very close. 或者说因为我跟她不一样——我们并不是很亲密。
The older we get, the busier we become,
年龄越大，人就越忙，
and the less we see of each other, 我们见面的机会也越少，
even though we live only half a mile apart.
尽管我们的住处只有半里远。
When we do get together, 每次我们在一起时，
I feel that she's holding her breath and
我总能感到她屏住呼吸，
waiting for me to do or say something "wrong" 等着我做错事或说错话，
while I'm walking on eggshells and praying that I don't. 这时候我总是如履薄冰，祈祷自己没错。
But inevitably, I do. 但是不可避免的是，我总是错了。
Because my sister seemed因为我妹妹看起来
the least upset with my summer plans,
最不担心我的暑期计划，
I humbly asked her for a ride to the airport.
我谦恭地请她开车送我去机场。
"No problem," she said casually,
“没问题，”她轻描淡写地说，
"but don't tell Dad!" I smiled and agreed.
“但是别告诉爸爸！”我微笑地答应了她。
It's not that our father is some kind of tyrant.
并不是因为父亲有些专政。
We know that he loves us very much; 我知道他很爱我们；
that's evident from all the sacrifices he has made for us. 从他为我们所做的一切牺牲就可以看得出来。
I would not have gone to law school if it weren't for him. 如果不是因为他，我是不会去法学院学习的。
He's just worried他只是担心，
and has a hard time separating his worry from his love. 并且难以将担心和爱区分开来。
On the way to the airport the next day,
第二天去机场的路上，
my sister was quiet as usual. 妹妹很安静，像往常那样。
But for the first time since I'd decided to go,
这是第一次，在我决定离开后
she started asking questions about my trip:
她开始问我有关旅行的问题：
where I was planning to travel, 准备去哪旅行？
where I was going to stay. 住在哪？
She seemed truly interested. 她看起来真的很感兴趣。
My family is not big on emotional goodbyes,
我的家人不太擅长煽情式的离别，
so with a "have a good time" 说了句“玩的开心”
and a quick "love you too," my sister was gone.
及很快的一句“我也爱你”后，妹妹就回去了。
I was sad because I felt she just couldn't understand.
我感到伤心，因为我感到她就是不能理解我。
I wished at that moment that she could come with me, 我希望那时她能和我一起去，
but I knew she wouldn't. 但我知道，她不会的。
I checked in, took my seat and started to get organized. 办理登机手续，找到座位，开始整理东西。
I glanced inside my bag我匆匆看了我的袋子的里面，
which my sister had loaded in the trunk
妹妹把它放入了旅行箱
before we left for the airport. 在出发去机场前
There, along with my passport, traveler's checks
那里，和我的护照、旅行支票
and other important items, 和其他重要物品在一起的，
was a small white envelope with "Kath"
是一封小小的白色信封，上面写着“凯思”，
written on it in my sister's handwriting. 是我妹妹的笔迹。
I opened the envelope and found a bon voyage card. 我打开信封，是一张送行卡。
It was alight hearted, funny card with a cartoon on the front. 这是一张让人心情愉快、有趣的卡片，前面是一幅卡通画。
Most cards my family members give are funny cards, 我家人送出的卡片都是趣味性的，
and this was no different — or so I thought.
这个或者也没什么不同——我是这么想着。
When I opened the card and read what was inside, 当我打开这张卡片，读里面的文字，
I realized that my sister — 我才意识到我的妹妹——
who I had decided just couldn't understand —
我刚刚认定并不理解我的人——
actually did understand. 事实上是理解的。
It seemed there was a small part of her
看起来她身上的一小部分
that wished she were me, 希望她就是我，
maybe a small part of her 或者她身上的一小部分
that always had wished she were me. 一直都希望她就是我。
The card was blank except for what my sister had written: 这张卡片上什么都没有，除了我妹妹写的这句话：
I really admire you for experiencing life in such a full way. 我真的很羡慕你，可以以这样圆满的方式体验生活！
I love you. 我爱你
Your sister, Kristy你的妹妹，克里斯蒂
1. tone n. 音调, 语气, 品质 v. 调和, 以特殊腔调说, 配合 Her friendly opening speech set the tone for the whole conference. 她友好的开幕词确定了整个会议的基调。
2. diffuse vt. 散布; 传播；扩散
Schools and libraries and many television programs diffuse knowledge. 学校、图书馆和很多电视节目都传播知识。
3. gypsy n. 吉布赛人, 吉布赛语, 像吉布赛的人
She has pure gypsy blood in her veins.
她血管里流的是纯吉普赛人的血液。
4. conservative adj. 保守的 n. 保守的人
His views lack consistency: 他的观点缺乏一贯性: one day he's a conservative, 时而保守,
the next he's a liberal. 时而开明.
5. on eggshells 小心翼翼，如履薄冰
6. bon voyage card 送别卡
锋芒 ——凯瑟琳. 路易丝 史密里
在我去以色列的前一天晚上，我与父亲进行了一场对话，同样的对话贯穿了整个上周。
“但是，为什么去以色列呢？”我父亲问。这种口吻，就像问“问什么去中国？”、“为什么去俄罗斯”或“为什么”去其他任何我宣布要去的国家时一样。
“你知道的，那里有战争。”他补充说。
“是的，爸爸，我知道。但是到处都有战争。”我回答说。 他会问我为什么坚持去这么危险的地方。
最后，我会听到我一辈子都能听到的话：
“好吧，你从来都没听过我的话，我怎么能相信你这次会听呢？”像往常那样，他闭上眼，长叹一口气，摇了摇头。 每次遇到这种“谈话”，我的妹妹克里斯蒂总想试图缓和这种紧张气氛。然而，很早以前她就意识到这根本没用。她总是这样建议道：“凯思，为什么不去英格兰上暑期班呢？那里没有危险。”但是像往常那样，她是不理解的。我的家人中没有人真正理解我。我从来没有按照我家人想的那样生活，英格兰不是很精彩，我想去一些地方体验不同的东西，我的内心总是不安分，渴望去未知的地方冒险。我的母亲总说我的血管里流淌着吉普赛人的血。
妹妹和我相差三岁半，但是生活方式的不同将我们隔离开来。她保守、安静，而我总是在冒险，我唯一真正安静的时候就是睡觉时。我成年后的大多数时间，总是在向妹妹和其他家人道歉，为我的另类，为我的穿着让他们尴尬，有时候是因为做事不当，有时候是因为说错话。
因为妹妹和我不一样---或者说因为我跟她不一样---我们并不是很亲密。年龄越大，人就越忙，我们见面的机会也越少，尽管我们的住处只有半里远。每次我们在一起时，我总能感到她屏住呼吸，等着我做错事或说错话，这时候我总是如履薄冰，祈祷自己没错。但是不可避免的是，我总是错了。 因为看起来，妹妹最不担心我的暑期计划，我谦恭地请她开车送我去机场。“没问题，”她轻描淡写地说，“但是别告诉爸爸！”我微笑地答应了她。并不是因为父亲有些专政，我知道他很爱我们，从他为我们所做的牺牲就可以看得出来。如果不是因为他，我是不会去法学院学习的。他只是担心，并且难以将担心和爱区分开来。
第二天去机场的路上，妹妹很安静，像往常那样。在我决定离开后，这是她第一次问我有关旅行的问题：准备去哪旅行？住在哪？她看起来很感兴趣。
我的家人不太擅长煽情式的离别，说了“玩的开心”及很快的一句“我也爱你”后，妹妹就回去了。我感到伤心，因为我感到她并不理解我。我希望那时她能和我一起去，但我知道，她不会的。
办理登机手续，找到座位，开始整理东西。我匆匆看了我的袋子的里面，出发去机场前，妹妹把它放入了旅行箱。那里，和我的护照、旅行支票和其他重要物品在一起的，是一封小小的白色信封，上面写着“凯思”，是我妹妹的笔迹。我打开
信封，是一张送行卡。这是一张让人心情愉快、有趣的卡片，前面是一幅卡通画。我家人送出的卡片都是趣味性的，这个也没什么不同--或者我是这么想的。
当我打开这张卡片，读里面的文字，我才意识到我的妹妹--我刚刚认定并不理解我的人--事实上是理解的。看起来她身上的一小部分希望她就是我，或者她身上的一小部分一直都希望她就是我。这张卡片上什么都没有，除了我妹妹写的这句话：
我真的很羡慕你，可以以这样圆满的方式体验生活！ 我爱你
你的妹妹，克里斯蒂
Lesson One
TEXT A
Half a Day ——Naguib Mahfous
Pre-class Work
I. Read the text once for the main idea.
Do not refer to the notes, dictionaries or the glossary yet.
I walked alongside my father, clutching his right hand. All my clothes were new: the black shoes,
the green school uniform, and the red cap.
They did not make me happy, however, as this was the day I was to be thrown into school for the first time.
My mother stood at the window watching our progress, and I turned towards her from time to time,
hoping she would help.
We walked along a street lined with gardens,
and fields planted with crops: pears, and date palms. "Why school?" I asked my father. "What have I done?" "I'm not punishing you," he said, laughing.
"School's not a punishment.
It's a place that makes useful men out of boys.
Don't you want to be useful like your brothers?"
I was not convinced.
I did not believe there was really any good to be had in tearing me away from my home and
throwing me into the huge, high-walled building.
When we arrived at the gate
we could see the courtyard, vast and full of boys and girls. "Go in by yourself," said my father, "and join them.
Put a smile on your face and be a good example to others." I hesitated and clung to his hand,
but he gently pushed me from him.
"Be a man," he said. "Today you truly begin life.
You will find me waiting for you when it's time to leave." I took a few steps.
Then the faces of the boys and girls came into view. I did not know a single one of them,
and none of them knew me.
I felt I was a stranger who had lost his way.
But then some boys began to glance at me in curiosity,
and one of them came over and asked, "Who brought you?" "My father," I whispered.
"My father's dead," he said simply.
I did not know what to say. The gate was now closed.
Some of the children burst into tears. The bell rang.
A lady came along, followed by a group of men.
The men began sorting us into ranks.
We were formed into an intricate pattern
in the great courtyard surrounded by high buildings; from each floor we were overlooked
by a long balcony roofed in wood.
"This is your new home, "said the woman.
"There are mothers and fathers here, too.
Everything that is enjoyable and beneficial is here. So dry your tears and face life joyfully."
Well, it seemed that my misgivings had had no basis. From the first moments
I made many friends and fell in love with many girls. I had never imagined
school would have this rich variety of experiences. We played all sorts of games.
In the music room we sang our first songs.
We also had our first introduction to language.
We saw a globe of the Earth, which revolved
and showed the various continents and countries. We started learning numbers,
and we were told the story of the Creator of the universe. We ate delicious food, took a little nap,
and woke up to go on with friendship and love,
playing and learning.
Our path, however, was not totally sweet and unclouded. We had to be observant and patient.
It was not all a matter of playing and fooling around. Rivalries could bring about pain and hatred
or give rise to fighting.
And while the lady would sometimes smile,
she would often yell and scold.
Even more frequently
she would resort to physical punishment.
In addition,
the time for changing one's mind was over and gone and there was no question of ever
returning to the paradise of home.
Nothing lay ahead of us
but exertion, struggle, and perseverance.
Those who were able
took advantage of the opportunities
for success and happiness that presented themselves.
The bell rang,
announcing the passing of the day and the end of work. The children rushed toward the gate,
which was opened again.
I said goodbye to friends and sweethearts
and passed through the gate.
I looked around but found no trace of my father,
who had promised to be there.
I stepped aside to wait.
When I had waited for a long time in vain,
I decided to return home on my own.
I walked a few steps, then came to a startled halt.
Good Lord! Where was the street lined with gardens? Where had it disappeared to?
When did all these cars invade it?
And when did all these people come to rest on its surface? How did these hills of rubbish
find their way to cover its sides?
And where were the fields that bordered it?
High buildings had taken over,
the street was full of children,
and disturbing noises shook the air.
Here and there stood conjurers showing off their tricks or making snakes appear from baskets.
Then there was a band announcing the opening of a circus, with clowns and weight lifters walking in front.
Good God! I was in a daze. My head spun.
I almost went crazy.
How could all this have happened in half a day,
between early morning and sunset?
I would find the answer at home with my father.
But where was my home?
I hurried towards the crossroads,
because I remembered that
I had to cross the street to reach our house,
but the stream of cars would not let up.
Extremely irritated,
I wondered when I would be able to cross.
I stood there a long time, until
the young boy employed at the ironing shop on the corner came up to me.
He stretched out his arm and said,
"Grandpa, let me take you across."
Lesson One第一课
TEXT A
Half a Day 半日——Naguib Mahfous
Pre-class Work I
Read the text once for the main idea.
Do not refer to the notes, dictionaries or the glossary yet.
I walked alongside my father, clutching his right hand. 我走在父亲的一侧，牢牢地抓着他的右手。
All my clothes were new: the black shoes,
我身上穿的，戴的全是新的：黑鞋子，
the green school uniform, and the red cap. 绿校服，红帽子。
They did not make me happy, however, as this was the day 然儿，我一点儿也高兴不起来，因为今天
I was to be thrown into school for the first time.
我将第一次被扔到学校里去。
My mother stood at the window watching our progress, 母亲站在窗前望着我们缓缓前行，
and I turned towards her from time to time,
我也不时地回头看她，
hoping she would help. 希望她会救我。
We walked along a street lined with gardens,
我们沿着街道走着，街道两旁是花园
and fields planted with crops: pears, and date palms. 和田野，田野里栽满了梨树和椰枣树。
"Why school?" I asked my father.
“我为什么要去上学？”我问父亲。
"What have I done?" “是我做错了什么了吗？”
"I'm not punishing you," he said, laughing.
“我不是在惩罚你，”父亲笑着说道。
"School is not a punishment. “上学不是一种惩罚。
It's a place that makes useful men out of boys.
学校是把孩子培养成才的地方。
Don't you want to be useful like your brothers?"
难道你不想象你哥哥们那样，成为一个有用的人吗？”
I was not convinced. 我不相信他的话。
I did not believe there was really any good to be had 我才不相信对我有什么真正的好处呢
in tearing me away from my home and把我从家里拽出来
throwing me into the huge, high-walled building. 扔进那个大大的，高墙围绕的建筑里
When we arrived at the gate到了学校门口
we could see the courtyard, vast and full of boys and girls. 我们看到了宽阔的庭院，站满了孩子。
"Go in by yourself," said my father, "and join them.
“自己进去吧，”我父亲说，“加入他们。
Put a smile on your face and be a good example to others. " 笑一笑，给其他的孩子做个好榜样。”
I hesitated and clung to his hand,
我紧抓着父亲的手，犹豫不决。
but he gently pushed me from him.
但是父亲却把我轻轻地推开了。
"Be a man," he said. “拿出点男子气概来，”他说。
"Today you truly begin life.
“从今天起你就要真正开始自己的生活了。
You will find me waiting for you when it's time to leave." 放学时我会在这等你的。”
I took a few steps. 我走了几步
Then the faces of the boys and girls came into view.
便看见了一些孩子的面孔。
I did not know a single one of them, 他们中我一个也不认识
and none of them knew me. 他们也没有一个认识我的。
I felt I was a stranger who had lost his way.
我感觉自己像是一个迷了路的陌生人。
But then some boys began to glance at me in curiosity, 而这时有些男孩开始好奇地打量我，
and one of them came over and asked,
其中一个走过来问到，
"Who brought you?" “谁带你来的？”
"My father, " I whispered. 我爸爸”我小声说道。
"My father's dead," he said simply.
“我爸爸死了，”他简短地说。
I did not know what to say. 我不知道该说些什么。
The gate was now closed. 这时学校的门已经关上了。
Some of the children burst into tears. 有些孩子哭了起来。
The bell rang. 接着，铃响了。
A lady came along, followed by a group of men.
一位女士走了过来，后面跟着一群男人。
The men began sorting us into ranks.
那些人把我们排成几行。
We were formed into an intricate pattern
使我们形成一个错综复杂的队行，
in the great courtyard surrounded by high buildings; 站在那四周高楼耸立的院子里；
from each floor we were overlooked
从每层楼的阳台上可以俯视到我们
by a long balcony roofed in wood.
长长的阳台上带有木制顶棚
"This is your new home, "said the woman.
“这是你们的新家，”那位女士说道。
"There are mothers and fathers here, too.
“这儿有你们的父母。
Everything that is enjoyable and beneficial is here.
一切能带给你们快乐，对你们有益的事物，这儿都有。
So dry your tears and face life joyfully. "
因此擦干你们的眼泪，快快乐乐地面对生活。”
Well, it seemed that my misgivings had had no basis. 这样看来我之前的顾虑都是毫无根据的了。
From the first moments I made many friends
从一开始我就结交了许多朋友，
and fell in love with many girls. 并且爱上了许多女孩。
I had never imagined我从未想过
school would have this rich variety of experiences. 学校的生活是如此丰富多彩。
We played all sorts of games. 我们玩着各种各样的游戏。
In the music room we sang our first songs.
在音乐室里我们唱着第一次学会的歌。
We also had our first introduction to language.
我们第一次接触到了语言的学习。
We saw a globe of the Earth, 我们看见了一个地球仪，
which revolved and旋转它，
showed the various continents and countries.
便能看见世界上的各个大洲和国家的名称。
We started learning numbers, 我们还开始学习数字，
and we were told the story of the Creator of the universe. 听老师将造物主的故事。
We ate delicious food, took a little nap,
吃过美味的食物，小睡之后，
and woke up to go on with friendship and love,
我们醒来又继续在友谊和爱之中
playing and learning. 嬉戏，学习。
Our path, however, was not totally sweet and unclouded. 然而，校园生活并不是完全甜蜜和阳光普照的。
We had to be observant and patient.
我们还必须遵守纪律，耐心听讲。
It was not all a matter of playing and fooling around. 学校生活也不光是嬉戏和无所事事。
Rivalries could bring about pain and hatred
同学间的竞争还可能引起痛苦，仇恨，
or give rise to fighting. 甚至打斗。
And while the lady would sometimes smile,
虽然那位女士有时面带微笑，
she would often yell and scold.
但也经常会对我们大声吼叫并责骂我们。
Even more frequently甚至更常见的是
she would resort to physical punishment.
她会常去体罚我们。
In addition, 另外，
the time for changing one's mind was over and gone 我们再也不能改变主意，
and there was no question of ever再也不能（不可能再有）
returning to the paradise of home. 回到天堂般的家里了。
Nothing lay ahead of us but摆在我们面前的只有
exertion, struggle, and perseverance. 努力奋斗和坚持不懈。
Those who were able那些有能力的人
took advantage of the opportunities
一旦机会来了就会抓住它们
for success and happiness that presented themselves. 去获取摆在他们面前的成功和幸福。
The bell rang, 铃响了，
announcing the passing of the day and the end of work. 宣告一天学校生活的结束。
The children rushed toward the gate, 孩子们匆匆奔向大门，
which was opened again. 这时大门被打开了。
I said goodbye to friends and sweet hearts
我向我的朋友和“女友们”告别完，
and passed through the gate. 走出了校门。
I looked around but found no trace of my father,
我四处张望却没发现父亲的踪影。
who had promised to be there.他答应我会在校门外等我的。
I stepped aside to wait. 于是我走到一边去等他。
When I had waited for a long time in vain,
当我等了好久，他也没来的时候，
I decided to return home on my own. 我决定自己回家。
I walked a few steps, then came to a startled halt.
我走了几步，却惊奇地站住了。
Good Lord! Where was the street lined with gardens? 我的天哪! 那条两边是花园的街道怎么不见了？
Where had it disappeared to? 消失到哪里去了？
When did all these cars invade it?
是什么时候这些车辆闯到马路上的？
And when did all these people come to rest on its surface? 又是什么时候这些人来到街道上歇憩的？
How did these hills of rubbish find their way to cover 这一座座垃圾堆又是怎样堆到
its sides? 街道两旁的？
And where were the fields that bordered it?
街道旁的田野又到哪里去了？
High buildings had taken over, 取而代之的是林立的高楼。
the street was full of children, 街道上挤满了孩子。
and disturbing noises shook the air. 嘈杂声震荡着空气。
Here and there stood conjurers showing off their tricks 街头巷尾站着的杂耍艺人们或玩着戏法，
or making snakes appear from baskets.
或是让蛇从篮子里出现。
Then there was a band announcing the opening of a circus, 接着，一个乐队奏起了音乐，宣布马戏表演的开始，
with clowns and weight lifters walking in front.
小丑和举重大力士走在前面。
Good God! I was in a daze. My head spun.
我的天！我感觉一片茫然，头晕目眩，
I almost went crazy. 我几乎快要疯了。
How could all this have happened in half a day,
这一切怎么可能就在这半天时间里发生？
between early morning and sunset? 从清晨到日落的
I would find the answer at home with my father.
或许回到家，父亲会告诉我答案的。
But where was my home? 但是，我的家又在哪里？
I hurried towards the crossroads, 我赶紧奔向十字路口，
because I remembered因为我记得
that I had to cross the street to reach our house,
要穿过那条街道才能到家，
but the stream of cars would not let up. 但车流不息。
Extremely irritated, 我极为恼怒，
I wondered when I would be able to cross.
我知何时才可以过去。
I stood there a long time, until我久久的站在那里，直到
the young boy employed at the ironing shop on the corner 在街角熨衣店里工作的小男孩
came up to me. 向我走来。
He stretched out his arm and said, 他伸出手臂来说道：
"Grandpa, let me take you across."
“爷爷，我扶您过马路吧。”
[***********][***********][**************] 第一课 半日
我走在父亲的一侧，牢牢地抓着他的右手。我身上穿的，戴的全是新的：黑鞋子，绿校服，红帽子。然儿我一点儿也高兴不起来，因为今天我将第一次被扔到学校里去。
母亲站在窗前望着我们缓缓前行，我也不时的回头看她，希望她会救我。我们沿着街道走着，街道两旁是花园和田野，田野里栽满了梨树和椰枣树。
“我为什么要去上学？”我问父亲，
“是我做错了什么了吗？”
“我不是在惩罚你，”父亲笑着说道，“上学不是一种惩罚。学校是把孩子培养成才的地方。难道你不想象你哥哥们那样，成为一个有用的人吗？”
我不相信他的话。我才不相信把我从家里拽出来，扔进那个大大的，高墙围绕的建筑里对我有什么真正的好处呢。 到了学校门口，我们看到了宽阔的庭院，站满了孩子。“自己进去吧，”我父亲说，“加入他们。笑一笑，给其他的孩子做个好榜样。”
我紧抓着父亲的手，犹豫不决。但是父亲却把我轻轻地推开了。“拿出点男子气概来，”他说，“从今天起你就要真正开始自己的生活了。放学时我会在这等你的。”
我走了几步，便看见了一些孩子的面孔。他们中我一个也不认识。他们也没有一个认识我的。我感觉自己像是一个迷了路的陌生人。然而这时有些男孩开始好奇的打量我，其中一个走过来问到，“谁带你来的？”
“我爸爸”我小声说道。
“我爸爸死了，”他简短地说。
我不知道该说些什么。这时学校的门已经关上了，有些孩子哭了起来。接着，铃响了，一位女士走了过来，后面跟着一群男人。那些人把我们排成几行。使我们形成一个错综复杂的队行，站在那四周高楼耸立的院子里。每层楼都有长长的阳台，阳台上带有木制顶棚，从阳台上可以俯视到我们。
“这是你们的新家，”那位女士说道，“这儿有你们的父母。一切能带给你们快乐，对你们有益的事物，这儿都有。因此擦干你们的眼泪，快快乐乐地面对生活。”
这样看来我之前的顾虑都是毫无根据的了。从一开始我就结交了许多朋友，并且爱上了许多女孩。我从未想过学校的生活是如此丰富多彩。
我们玩着各种各样的游戏，在音乐室里我们唱着第一次学会的歌。我们第一次接触到了语言的学习。我们看见了一个地球仪，旋转它，便能看见世界上的各个大洲和国家的名称。我们还开始学习数字，听老师将造物主的故事。吃过美味的食物，小睡之后，我们醒来又继续在友谊和爱之中嬉戏，学习。
然而，校园生活并不是完全甜蜜和阳光普照的。我们还必须遵守纪律，耐心听讲。学校生活也不光是嬉戏和无所事事。同学间的竞争还可能引起痛苦，仇恨，甚至打斗。虽然那位女士有时面带微笑，但也经常会对我们大声吼叫并责骂我们，甚至，更常见的是体罚我们。
另外，我们再也不能改变主意，再也不能回到天堂般的家里了。摆在我们面前的只有努力奋斗和坚持不懈。一旦机会来了那些有能力的人就会抓住它们去获取成功和幸福。
铃响了，宣告一天学校生活的结束。孩子们匆匆奔向大门，这时大门被打开了。我向我的朋友和“女友们”告完别，走
出了校门。我四处张望却没发现父亲的踪影。他答应我会在校门外等我的。于是我走到一边去等他。当我等了好久，他也没来的时候，我决定自己回家。我走了几步，却惊奇地站住了。我的天哪! 那条两边是花园的街道怎么不见了？消失到哪里去了？是什么时候这些车辆闯到马路上的？又是什么时候这些人来到街道上歇憩的？这一座座垃圾堆又是怎样堆到街道两旁的？街道旁的田野又到哪里去了？取而代之的是林立的高楼。街道上挤满了孩子。嘈杂声震荡着空气。街头巷尾站着杂耍艺人，他们或玩着戏法，或是让蛇从篮子里出现。接着，一个乐队奏起了音乐，宣布马戏表演的开始，小丑和举重大力士走在前面。
我的天! 我感觉一片茫然，头晕目眩，几乎快要疯了。这一切怎么可能就在从清晨到日落的这半天时间里发生？或许回到家，父亲会告诉我答案的。但是，我的家又在哪里？我赶紧奔向十字路口，因为我记得要穿过那条街道才能到家，但车流不息，我极为恼怒，我知何时才可以过去。
我久久的站在那里，直到在街道熨衣店里工作的小男孩向我走来。
他伸出手臂来说道：“爷爷，我扶您过马路吧。”
Read the text a second time.
Learn the new words and expressions listed below.
Glossary
across adv. take sb. ～: take sb. to the other side alongside adv. side by side; next to
balcony n. 阳台
band n. a group of musicians,
especially a group that plays popular music 乐队
beneficial adj. useful
border v. 与……接界；与……相邻
circus n. 马戏团
cling to v. to hold closely; refuse to let go
clown n. a person who dresses funnily and
tries to make people laugh by his jokes or actions 小丑 conjurer n. a magician 魔术师
convince v. to make sb. believe; to persuade 说服
creator n. one who makes sth. for the first time 创造者
the Creator（宗教）造物主
crossroads n. a place where two or more roads cross
交叉路口
curiosity n. the desire to learn and know 好奇心 daze
n. a condition of being unable to think or feel clearly 晕眩 exertion n. effort 努力；尽力
glance n. a quick look at sth.
globe n. 地球；地球仪
halt n. a stop or pause
hatred n. strong feelings of dislike
hesitate v. to pause 犹豫不决
intricate adj. very complicated
introduction n. present for the first time 介绍
irritated adj. annoyed
joyfully adv. very happily
lift v. 抬；举；
weight lifters: those
who compete in contests of strength by lifting heavy objects misgiving n.(常用复数)feelings of doubt and fear 顾虑 nap n. a short sleep during the day
observant adj. careful to observe (rules) 遵守规则的 opportunity n. a chance
overlook v. to see a place from a building or window 俯视 palm n. 棕榈树；date ～ : 椰枣树
paradise n. heaven 天堂
perseverance 顽强拼搏
n. to keep trying to do sth. in spite of the difficulties physical 肉体的；身体的
adj. of material substance; often refers to human body rank n. a line (of people)
revolve v. to move or turn in a circle around a central point rivalry n. 竞争
scold v. to angrily criticize sb. , especially a child single adj. only one
sort n. & v. The noun means a kind or a type;
the verb means to put things in a particular order. spin v. to turn round and round
startled adj. surprised and often slightly frightened stream n. a natural flow of water;
anything that moves on continuously; a ～ of: 一连串的 stretch v. 伸展；～ out: 伸出
sunset 日落
n. the time when the sun is seen to disappear as night begins surface n. 表面
sweetheart n. a person one loves
trace n. a sign that sth. is there 迹象；痕迹
trick n. （魔术）戏法
unclouded adj. without any cloud, clear, untroubled uniform n. a special set of clothes which all members
of a group wear, especially in a school, the army or the police
universe n. 宇宙
vain n. in ～ : without result
variety 丰富多彩；品种多样
n. different kinds of the same thing
various adj. several of a variety
vast adj. very large
whisper v. to say something very quietly
so that other people cannot hear what you are saying yell v. to shout loudly because you are very excited,
angry, or in pain
TEXT B
The Edge——Kathleen Louise Smiley
The night before I left for Israel
was spent in the same kind of conversations
that had filled the previous week.
"But why Israel?" my father would ask,
in the same tone he used when he asked
"Why China?" or "Why Russia?" or
"why" any other country I had announced I wanted to visit. "There's war over there, you know," he would add. "Yes, Dad, I know.
There are wars everywhere," I would answer.
He would ask
why I insisted on going to such dangerous places. Finally, I would hear the words I've heard all my life: "Well, you've never listened to me before.
Why should I think you'd listen now?"
In typical fashion, he would close his eyes,
heave a long sigh and shake his head.
When these "discussions" took place,
my sister, Kristy, would always try to diffuse the tension. Although she realized long ago that it would never work, she'd try just the same.
"Kath," she'd suggest,
"why don't you go to England for summer school. It's not dangerous there."
But as always, she didn't understand.
None of my family has ever really understood me. I've never fit my family's idea of the way
I should live my life.
England was not exciting enough. I wanted
to go somewhere and experience something different. My soul has always been restless
to venture into unknown places.
My mother has always said that I have "gypsy" in my blood. My sister and I are three and a half years apart in age, but a world apart in the way we live our lives.
She is conservative and quiet. I take too many risks, and the only time I'm really quiet is when I'm asleep. I've spent most of my adult life
apologizing to my sister and the rest of my family for being different,
for embarrassing them by something I wear,
something I do or something I say.
Since my sister is so different from me —
or since I' m so different from her — we aren't very close. The older we get, the busier we become,
and the less we see of each other,
even though we live only half a mile apart.
When we do get together, I feel that she's holding her breath and waiting for me to do or say something "wrong" while I'm walking on eggshells and praying that I don't. But inevitably, I do.
Because my sister seemed the least upset
with my summer plans,
I humbly asked her for a ride to the airport.
"No problem," she said casually, "but don't tell Dad!" I smiled and agreed.
It's not that our father is some kind of tyrant.
We know that he loves us very much;
that's evident from all the sacrifices he has made for us. I would not have gone to law school if it weren't for him. He's just worried and has a hard time
separating his worry from his love.
On the way to the airport the next day,
my sister was quiet as usual.
But for the first time since I'd decided to go,
she started asking questions about my trip:
where I was planning to travel,
where I was going to stay. She seemed truly interested. My family is not big on emotional goodbyes,
so with a "have a good time"
and a quick "love you too," my sister was gone.
I was sad because I felt she just couldn't understand. I wished at that moment that she could come with me, but I knew she wouldn't.
I checked in, took my seat and started to get organized. I glanced inside my bag
which my sister had loaded in the trunk
before we left for the airport.
There, along with my passport, traveler's checks
and other important items,
was a small white envelope with "Kath"
written on it in my sister's handwriting.
I opened the envelope and found a bon voyage card.
It was alight hearted, funny card with a cartoon on the front. Most cards my family members give are funny cards, and this was no different — or so I thought.
When I opened the card and read what was inside, I realized that my sister —
who I had decided just couldn't understand —
actually did understand.
It seemed there was a small part of her
that wished she were me,
maybe a small part of her
that always had wished she were me.
The card was blank except for what my sister had written: I really admire you for experiencing life in such a full way. I love you.
Your sister, Kristy
[***********][***********][**************]
TEXT B
The Edge ——Kathleen Louise Smiley 锋芒 ---凯瑟琳. 路易丝 史密里
The night before I left for Israel
在我去以色列的前一天晚上，
was spent in the same kind of conversations
that had filled the previous week.
我与父亲进行了一场对话，同样的对话贯穿了整个上周。
"But why Israel?" my father would ask,
“但是，为什么去以色列呢？”我父亲问。
in the same tone he used when he asked这种口吻，就像问 "Why China?" or "Why Russia?" or
“为什么去中国？”、“为什么去俄罗斯” 或者
"why" any other country I had announced I wanted to visit. “为什么”去其他任何我宣布要去的国家时一样。
"There's war over there, you know," he would add. “你知道的，那里有战争。”他补充说。
"Yes, Dad, I know. There are wars everywhere,"
“是的，爸爸，我知道。但是到处都有战争。”
I would answer. 我回答说。
He would ask他会问我
why I insisted on going to such dangerous places.
为什么坚持去这么危险的地方。
Finally, I would hear the words I've heard all my life: 最后，我会听到我一辈子都能听到的话：
"Well, you've never listened to me before.
“好吧，你从来都没听过我的话，
Why should I think you'd listen now?"
我怎么能相信你这次会听呢？”
In typical fashion, he would close his eyes,
像往常那样，他会闭上眼睛，
heave a long sigh and shake his head.长叹一口气，摇摇头。
When these "discussions" took place, 每次遇到这种“谈话”，
my sister, Kristy, would always try to diffuse the tension. 我的妹妹克里斯蒂总想试图缓和这种紧张气氛。
Although she realized long ago that it would never work, 然而，很早以前她就意识到这根本没用。
she'd try just the same. 她总是试图这样劝解。
"Kath," she'd suggest, 她建议道：
"why don't you go to England for summer school. “凯思，为什么不去英格兰上暑期班呢？
It's not dangerous there." 那里没有危险。”
But as always, she didn't understand.
但是像往常那样，她是不理解的。
None of my family has ever really understood me. 我的家人中没有人真正理解我。
I've never fit我从来没有按照
my family's idea of the way I should live my life.
我的家人想象的那样生活。
England was not exciting enough. 英格兰不够很精彩
I wanted to go somewhere我想去一些地方
and experience something different. 体验不同的东西。
My soul has always been restless我的内心总是不安分
to venture into unknown places. 渴望去未知的地方冒险。
My mother has always said that I have "gypsy" in my blood. 我的母亲总是说我的血管里流淌着吉普赛人的血。
My sister and I are three and a half years apart in age, 妹妹和我相差三岁半，
but a world apart in the way we live our lives.
但是生活方式的不同将我们隔离开来。
She is conservative and quiet. 她保守、安静。
I take too many risks, 而我总是在冒险，
and the only time I'm really quiet is when I'm asleep. 我唯一真正安静的时候就是睡觉时。
I've spent most of my adult life我成年后的大多数时间，
apologizing to my sister and the rest of my family 总是在向妹妹和其他家人道歉，
for being different, 因为我的另类，
for embarrassing them by something I wear,
因为我的穿着让他们尴尬，
something I do or something I say.
有时候是因为做事不当，有时候是因为说错话。
Since my sister is so different from me —
因为妹妹和我不一样——
or since I' m so different from her — we aren't very close. 或者说因为我跟她不一样——我们并不是很亲密。
The older we get, the busier we become,
年龄越大，人就越忙，
and the less we see of each other, 我们见面的机会也越少，
even though we live only half a mile apart.
尽管我们的住处只有半里远。
When we do get together, 每次我们在一起时，
I feel that she's holding her breath and
我总能感到她屏住呼吸，
waiting for me to do or say something "wrong" 等着我做错事或说错话，
while I'm walking on eggshells and praying that I don't. 这时候我总是如履薄冰，祈祷自己没错。
But inevitably, I do. 但是不可避免的是，我总是错了。
Because my sister seemed因为我妹妹看起来
the least upset with my summer plans,
最不担心我的暑期计划，
I humbly asked her for a ride to the airport.
我谦恭地请她开车送我去机场。
"No problem," she said casually,
“没问题，”她轻描淡写地说，
"but don't tell Dad!" I smiled and agreed.
“但是别告诉爸爸！”我微笑地答应了她。
It's not that our father is some kind of tyrant.
并不是因为父亲有些专政。
We know that he loves us very much; 我知道他很爱我们；
that's evident from all the sacrifices he has made for us. 从他为我们所做的一切牺牲就可以看得出来。
I would not have gone to law school if it weren't for him. 如果不是因为他，我是不会去法学院学习的。
He's just worried他只是担心，
and has a hard time separating his worry from his love. 并且难以将担心和爱区分开来。
On the way to the airport the next day,
第二天去机场的路上，
my sister was quiet as usual. 妹妹很安静，像往常那样。
But for the first time since I'd decided to go,
这是第一次，在我决定离开后
she started asking questions about my trip:
她开始问我有关旅行的问题：
where I was planning to travel, 准备去哪旅行？
where I was going to stay. 住在哪？
She seemed truly interested. 她看起来真的很感兴趣。
My family is not big on emotional goodbyes,
我的家人不太擅长煽情式的离别，
so with a "have a good time" 说了句“玩的开心”
and a quick "love you too," my sister was gone.
及很快的一句“我也爱你”后，妹妹就回去了。
I was sad because I felt she just couldn't understand.
我感到伤心，因为我感到她就是不能理解我。
I wished at that moment that she could come with me, 我希望那时她能和我一起去，
but I knew she wouldn't. 但我知道，她不会的。
I checked in, took my seat and started to get organized. 办理登机手续，找到座位，开始整理东西。
I glanced inside my bag我匆匆看了我的袋子的里面，
which my sister had loaded in the trunk
妹妹把它放入了旅行箱
before we left for the airport. 在出发去机场前
There, along with my passport, traveler's checks
那里，和我的护照、旅行支票
and other important items, 和其他重要物品在一起的，
was a small white envelope with "Kath"
是一封小小的白色信封，上面写着“凯思”，
written on it in my sister's handwriting. 是我妹妹的笔迹。
I opened the envelope and found a bon voyage card. 我打开信封，是一张送行卡。
It was alight hearted, funny card with a cartoon on the front. 这是一张让人心情愉快、有趣的卡片，前面是一幅卡通画。
Most cards my family members give are funny cards, 我家人送出的卡片都是趣味性的，
and this was no different — or so I thought.
这个或者也没什么不同——我是这么想着。
When I opened the card and read what was inside, 当我打开这张卡片，读里面的文字，
I realized that my sister — 我才意识到我的妹妹——
who I had decided just couldn't understand —
我刚刚认定并不理解我的人——
actually did understand. 事实上是理解的。
It seemed there was a small part of her
看起来她身上的一小部分
that wished she were me, 希望她就是我，
maybe a small part of her 或者她身上的一小部分
that always had wished she were me. 一直都希望她就是我。
The card was blank except for what my sister had written: 这张卡片上什么都没有，除了我妹妹写的这句话：
I really admire you for experiencing life in such a full way. 我真的很羡慕你，可以以这样圆满的方式体验生活！
I love you. 我爱你
Your sister, Kristy你的妹妹，克里斯蒂
1. tone n. 音调, 语气, 品质 v. 调和, 以特殊腔调说, 配合 Her friendly opening speech set the tone for the whole conference. 她友好的开幕词确定了整个会议的基调。
2. diffuse vt. 散布; 传播；扩散
Schools and libraries and many television programs diffuse knowledge. 学校、图书馆和很多电视节目都传播知识。
3. gypsy n. 吉布赛人, 吉布赛语, 像吉布赛的人
She has pure gypsy blood in her veins.
她血管里流的是纯吉普赛人的血液。
4. conservative adj. 保守的 n. 保守的人
His views lack consistency: 他的观点缺乏一贯性: one day he's a conservative, 时而保守,
the next he's a liberal. 时而开明.
5. on eggshells 小心翼翼，如履薄冰
6. bon voyage card 送别卡
锋芒 ——凯瑟琳. 路易丝 史密里
在我去以色列的前一天晚上，我与父亲进行了一场对话，同样的对话贯穿了整个上周。
“但是，为什么去以色列呢？”我父亲问。这种口吻，就像问“问什么去中国？”、“为什么去俄罗斯”或“为什么”去其他任何我宣布要去的国家时一样。
“你知道的，那里有战争。”他补充说。
“是的，爸爸，我知道。但是到处都有战争。”我回答说。 他会问我为什么坚持去这么危险的地方。
最后，我会听到我一辈子都能听到的话：
“好吧，你从来都没听过我的话，我怎么能相信你这次会听呢？”像往常那样，他闭上眼，长叹一口气，摇了摇头。 每次遇到这种“谈话”，我的妹妹克里斯蒂总想试图缓和这种紧张气氛。然而，很早以前她就意识到这根本没用。她总是这样建议道：“凯思，为什么不去英格兰上暑期班呢？那里没有危险。”但是像往常那样，她是不理解的。我的家人中没有人真正理解我。我从来没有按照我家人想的那样生活，英格兰不是很精彩，我想去一些地方体验不同的东西，我的内心总是不安分，渴望去未知的地方冒险。我的母亲总说我的血管里流淌着吉普赛人的血。
妹妹和我相差三岁半，但是生活方式的不同将我们隔离开来。她保守、安静，而我总是在冒险，我唯一真正安静的时候就是睡觉时。我成年后的大多数时间，总是在向妹妹和其他家人道歉，为我的另类，为我的穿着让他们尴尬，有时候是因为做事不当，有时候是因为说错话。
因为妹妹和我不一样---或者说因为我跟她不一样---我们并不是很亲密。年龄越大，人就越忙，我们见面的机会也越少，尽管我们的住处只有半里远。每次我们在一起时，我总能感到她屏住呼吸，等着我做错事或说错话，这时候我总是如履薄冰，祈祷自己没错。但是不可避免的是，我总是错了。 因为看起来，妹妹最不担心我的暑期计划，我谦恭地请她开车送我去机场。“没问题，”她轻描淡写地说，“但是别告诉爸爸！”我微笑地答应了她。并不是因为父亲有些专政，我知道他很爱我们，从他为我们所做的牺牲就可以看得出来。如果不是因为他，我是不会去法学院学习的。他只是担心，并且难以将担心和爱区分开来。
第二天去机场的路上，妹妹很安静，像往常那样。在我决定离开后，这是她第一次问我有关旅行的问题：准备去哪旅行？住在哪？她看起来很感兴趣。
我的家人不太擅长煽情式的离别，说了“玩的开心”及很快的一句“我也爱你”后，妹妹就回去了。我感到伤心，因为我感到她并不理解我。我希望那时她能和我一起去，但我知道，她不会的。
办理登机手续，找到座位，开始整理东西。我匆匆看了我的袋子的里面，出发去机场前，妹妹把它放入了旅行箱。那里，和我的护照、旅行支票和其他重要物品在一起的，是一封小小的白色信封，上面写着“凯思”，是我妹妹的笔迹。我打开
信封，是一张送行卡。这是一张让人心情愉快、有趣的卡片，前面是一幅卡通画。我家人送出的卡片都是趣味性的，这个也没什么不同--或者我是这么想的。
当我打开这张卡片，读里面的文字，我才意识到我的妹妹--我刚刚认定并不理解我的人--事实上是理解的。看起来她身上的一小部分希望她就是我，或者她身上的一小部分一直都希望她就是我。这张卡片上什么都没有，除了我妹妹写的这句话：
我真的很羡慕你，可以以这样圆满的方式体验生活！ 我爱你
你的妹妹，克里斯蒂