Lesson24 Halloween
Halloween is a strange holiday． It started several centuries ago in Europe． It began as “Hallow Evening” meaning “holy night”． At that timeNovember 1st was called “All Saints' Day” and people honoured all thesaints who did not have their own special day． People believed that October31st was the time when all the evil spirits were supposed to be active． Sopeople would play all sorts of pranks on each other．Now Halloween has evolved to a children's holiday． Small children go“Trick-or-Treating”． They wear costumes， knock on doors， and yell，“Trick or Treat”． People almost always choose to give them candy as atreat， instead of opting to receive a trick from the children．The trick might be something like， “I'll spill all the trash out of yourtrash can if you don't give me a treat．”
Halloween is great fun for children today． They dress up as ghosts，witches，or frightening Dracula．Adults sometimes “trick or treat” their friendstoo． Usually that means the “treat” will be a glass of wine or cosmetics．
saint ? 圣人
evil ? 罪恶的，邪恶的
suppose ? 假设
prank 恶作剧，开玩笑
evolve ? 发展
trick 恶作剧
treat ? 请客，款待
opt ? 选择
spill 倒出
trash ? 垃圾
witch 巫婆
Dracula ? 吸血鬼
cosmetic ? 化妆品
万圣节
万圣节是一个奇异的节日，它起源于几个世纪前的欧洲。刚开始的时候，它叫做“神圣夜”，意思是“神圣的夜晚”。那时，十一月一日被称为“万圣日”，在那天人们纪念所有没有特定纪念日的圣人。人们相信十月三十一日所有邪恶的精灵都会出来活动，所以人们互相玩恶作剧。
现在万圣节已经演变成为一个儿童的节日。小孩子玩“不请客就捣乱”的游戏，他们穿着特殊的服装，敲门，然后大喊，“不请客就捣乱。”人们总是选择请他们吃糖果，而不是接受孩子们的恶作剧。
恶作剧有可能是这样玩的，“如果你不请客，我就把你的垃圾都从垃圾筒里倒出来。”
如今万圣节给孩子们带来很大的乐趣。他们装扮成鬼、巫婆或者可怕的吸血鬼。成年人有时也和他们的朋友玩“不请客就捣乱”的游戏。这时请客的东西经常是一杯酒或是化妆品。 |