06-Salty Coffee 咸咖啡

He met her at a party.She was outstanding;many guys were after her,but nobody paid any attendtion to him.After the party,he invited her for coffee.She was surprised,So as not to appear rude,she went alog.

As they sat in a nice coffee shop,he was too nervous to say anything and she felt uncomfortable.Suddenly,he asked the waiter,"Could you please give me some salt? I'd like to put it in my coffee."

They stared at him. He turned red, but when the salt came,he put it in his coffee and drank.Curious,she asked,"Why salt with coffee?" He explained, "When I was a little boy,I lived near the sea. I liked playing on the sea...I could feel its taste salty,like salty coffee.Now every time I drink it, I think of my childhood and my hometown. I miss it and my parents, who are still there."

She was deeply¹ touched. A man who can admit that he's homesick² must love his home and care about his family. He must be responsible³.

She talked too, about her faraway hometown, her childhood, her family. That was the start to their love story.

They continued to date. She found that he met all her requirements⁴.He was tolerant⁵ , kind, warm and careful. And to think she would have missed the catch if not for the salty coffee!

So they married and lived happily together. And every time she made coffee for him, she put in some salt, the way he liked it .

After 40 years, he passed away and left her a letter which said:

My dearest,please forgive my life-long lie.Remember the first time we dated? I was so nervous I asked for salt instead of sugar.

It was hard for me to ask for a change,so I just went ahead. I never thought that we would hit it off. Many times, I tried to tell you the truth, but I was afraid that it would ruin everything.

Sweetheart, I don't exactly like salty coffee. But as it mattered so much to you, I've learnt to enjoy it. Having you with me was my greatest happiness. If I could live a second time, I hope we can be together again, even if it means⁶ that I have to drink salty coffee for the reat of my life.

1 deeply   

adv.深刻地，在深处，深沉地

参考例句：

• I do feel deeply the strength of the collective.我确实深深地感到了集体的力量。
• We're deeply honoured that you should agree to join us.您能同意加入我们，我们感到很荣幸。

2 homesick   

adj.想家的；患思乡病的

参考例句：

• She's feeling a little homesick.她有点想家。
• He left his job largely because he was homesick.他辞职不干主要是因为他想家。

3 responsible   

adj.有责任的，应负责的；可靠的，可信赖的；责任重大的；vi.休息，睡；静止，停止

参考例句：

• He must be responsible to me for this matter.这件事他必须对我负责。
• The police are responsible for the preservation of law and order.警察负责维持法律与秩序。

4 Requirements   

n.所需的（或所要的）东西；必要条件，必备的条件；要求( requirement的名词复数 )；必要条件；需要；需要的东西

参考例句：

• the basic requirements of life 基本生活所需
• This company should be able to fulfill our requirements. 这家公司应该能够满足我们的要求。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 tolerant   

adj.容忍的，有耐力的

参考例句：

• She's tolerant toward those impudent colleagues.她对那些无礼的同事采取容忍的态度。
• A tolerant person usually has breadth of mind.有宽容精神的人通常胸襟开阔。

6 means   

n.方法，手段，折中点，物质财富

参考例句：

• That man used artful means to find out secrets.那人使用狡猾的手段获取机密。
• We must get it done by some means or other.我们总得想办法把它干完。