温馨夜读II PART2 12.An Act of Kindness for a Broken Heart

 

[00:00.20]12.An Act of Kindness for a Broken Heart

[00:05.53]“Hi, Mommy, what are you doing?” asked Susie.

[00:10.00]“I’m making a casserole for Mrs. Smith next door,” said her mother.

[00:14.57]“Why?” asked Susie, who was only six years old.

[00:18.27]“Because Mrs. Smith is very sad; she lost her daughter and she has a broken heart. 

[00:23.61]We need to take care of her for a little while.”

[00:26.01]“Why, Mommy?”

[00:27.64]“You see, Susie, when someone is very, very sad, they have trouble doing the little things like making dinner or other chores. 

[00:36.24]Because we’re part of a community and Mrs. Smith is our neighbor, we need to do some things to help her. 

[00:42.34]Mrs. Smith won’t ever be able to talk with her daughter or hug her or do all those wonderful things that mommies and daughters do together. 

[00:50.62]You are a very smart girl, Susie; maybe you’ll think of some way to help take care of Mrs. Smith.”

[00:56.93]Susie thought seriously about this challenge and how she could do her part in caring for Mrs. Smith. 

[01:03.04]A few minutes later, Susie knocked on her door. 

[01:06.08]After a few moments, Mrs. Smith answered the knock with a “Hi, Susie.”

[01:11.41]Susie noticed that Mrs. Smith didn’t have that familiar musical quality about her voice when she greeted someone.

[01:18.17]Mrs. Smith also looked as though she might have been crying because her eyes were watery¹ and swollen². 

[01:23.39]“What can I do for you, Susie?” asked Mrs. Smith.

[01:27.32]“My mommy says that you lost your daughter and you’re very, very sad with a broken heart.” 

[01:33.53]Susie held her hand out shyly. 

[01:36.57]In it was a Band-Aid. “This is for your broken heart.” 

[01:40.38]Mrs. Smith gasped³, choking back her tears. 

[01:44.09]She knelt down and hugged Susie. 

[01:46.15]Through her tears she said, “Thank you, darling girl, this will help a lot.”

[01:51.49]Mrs. Smith accepted Susie’s act of kindness and took it one step further. 

[01:56.61]She purchased a small key ring with a plexiglass picture frame 

[02:00.77]— the ones designed to carry keys and proudly display a family portrait at the same time. 

[02:05.91]Mrs. Smith placed Susie’s Band-Aid in the frame to remind herself to heal a little every time she sees it. 

[02:12.80]She wisely knows that healing takes time and support. 

[02:16.52]It has become her symbol for healing, while not forgetting the joy and love she experienced with her daughter.

1 watery   

adj.有水的，水汪汪的；湿的，湿润的

参考例句：

• In his watery eyes there is an expression of distrust.他那含泪的眼睛流露出惊惶失措的神情。
• Her eyes became watery because of the smoke.因为烟熏，她的双眼变得泪汪汪的。

2 swollen   

adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀

参考例句：

• Her legs had got swollen from standing up all day.因为整天站着，她的双腿已经肿了。
• A mosquito had bitten her and her arm had swollen up.蚊子叮了她，她的手臂肿起来了。

3 gasped   

v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要

参考例句：

• She gasped at the wonderful view. 如此美景使她惊讶得屏住了呼吸。
• People gasped with admiration at the superb skill of the gymnasts. 体操运动员的高超技艺令人赞叹。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》