-
(单词翻译:双击或拖选)
This is the third part in our mini-series about Theo the monkey. In the previous episode a boy called Neet and his kung fu teacher, Sifu, were waiting for Theo to turn up for a martial1 arts class. While they waited, Sifu related a chinese legend about a Monkey King who fought the armies of The Jade2 Emperor in Heaven. Eventually they learned that Theo was in the city causing trouble at a presentation by the Mayor. They began to think that perhaps Theo really was a criminal monkey, as the authorities claimed.
Story by Bertie.
Read by Richard.
The next morning, Theo sat on the fence of Neet’s garden waiting for breakfast as usual. Normally Neet threw the fruit from his bedroom window, but today he quickly put on his track suit, came downstairs, and cautiously crossed the back garden. Theo looked at him with trusting eyes.
“Hey monkey. I’m cross with you,” said Neet. “You didn’t show up for your kung fu lesson. It’s rude to keep people waiting.”
Theo replied: “Ooh, aah, ooh ooh,” which meant: “Sorry, I really did mean to come to the lesson, but I had to go to the big city.”
“I really shouldn’t be giving this to you. In fact, I ought really to call the police.”
“Police?” thought Theo. He sniffed5 the air for the leathery smell of police uniform and listened out for the sound of big feet stepping on twigs6. No danger signals hit his senses.
“In fact,” said Neet, “perhaps you should find a new hiding place because Sifu might change his mind and call the cops.”
Theo jumped down off the fence and took the fruit from Neet’s hand. It was the first time he had come so close as to be within touching7 distance. He knew that a fugitive8 should change his hiding place frequently but this place was starting to feel like home and he didn’t want to leave. He was certain that Neet would never break the bond of affection that had grown between them. But what about Sifu? He could not be so sure.
Theo really had meant to go to Sifu’s special kung fu class. If he had not heard the outrageous9 news on the radio he would have been there at 6pm sharp. At lunchtime, up in a tall tree of Burford Woods he had held his talking box close to his ear. The volume was low as the batteries were running down. The newsreader said:
“The city’s Mayor will present the police force’s latest recruits at a special ceremony later today. Six monkeys are transferring from the zoo to join the men and women in blue. Their first priority will be to quell10 the wave of monkey crime that has swept over the city. The Mayor said in a statement – We need monkey cops to fight monkey robbers.”
Theo had been trying to lead a quiet semi-retired life in the suburban11 woods. So far he had felt no desire to take the commuter12 train up to the city. But this news enraged13 him to an unusual degree.
“What kind of foolery is this? Can’t they see that these stooges in police uniforms are all working for Mr Grabber? The monkeys on the force are nothing better than common criminals!”
He lept through the trees propelled by an urge to set things right. He did not yet realise it but he was heading for the railway bridge and soon he jumped down onto the roof of a train heading for the city.
When he arrived at the big Victorian station, he clambered up a cast iron pillar and swung through the rafters of the roof. Railway officials and passengers craned their necks to look at him. Their reactions were varied15. Some people checked their pockets or their bags for their valuables in case he had snatched a phone or a wallet. Others clapped and cheered and called out: “Good on you monkey! You show the Mayor and the police what useless fools they are!”
He found a skylight which lead out on top of the roof and soon he was scampering16 over slopes and ledges17 and leaping across the chasms18 between buildings.
He was heading for the office – well it was more like a palace actually – where the Mayor lived and worked. As he approached he heard the marching beat of a brass19 band. The music meant that a ceremony was taking place.
From the top of a tree overlooking the Mayor’s garden, Theo could see that the city’s leading dignitaries were seated in rows waiting for the proceedings20 to begin. Here were the chiefs of police, education, sanitation21, and parking fines. The actors from a soap opera set in the West End of the city were signing autographs. And of course Mr Grabber the chief zoo keeper had come along and had brought three monkeys with him. Theo wondered if they were his personal bodyguards22.
The host of the proceedings came on stage. He was a peroxide blond weather man from the 24 hour news channel. He was wearing a summery short sleeve shirt and shivered slightly as the first drops of rain began to fall. He read from an autocue as he announced:
“My forecast for today is that this afternoon will be a landmark23 in the history of policing. And without further ado, it is my honour to give you His Worshipful Excellency The Mayor of our great city.”
The Mayor stepped up onto the platform. His skillfully tailored suit could not fully24 conceal25 the overweight proportions of his pudgy body. His personal stylist had not quite managed to tame his unruly shock of hair which still grew luxuriously26 for a middle aged14 man. It was these imperfections that endeared him to many citizens and made up for his obvious zest27 for power and the trappings of high office.
“Good afternoon,” he said as the press photographers trained their cameras on him. “In recent times, a plague has infected our glorious city. No street corner is safe from criminal gangs of monkeys. Every type of larceny28 – pick pocketing and purse snatching – smashing and grabbing – breaking and entering – carjacking and joy riding – is taking place before our eyes. Our fine police force has responded with courage, but little in the way of convictions. Our bobbies will pursue criminals to the ends of the earth but it is too much to expect them to leap over roof tops. Until today. Today I present to you a new breed of crime fighting cop.”
There was a drum roll as six uniformed monkeys skipped onto the stage. They briefly29 stood up on their hind30 legs and saluted31.
The Mayor continued: “From tomorrow our streets will be protected from monkey crime by those who are best suited to pursue monkeys – monkeys themselves. And I would like to send a message to the master monkey criminal known as Theo – if you are watching this, be afraid!”
The band began to play some action type music. This was the signal for the monkey cops to demonstrate what they could do. In perfect unison32 they performed a slick martial arts routine – with slices, punches and kicks. Theo had seen something like this before through the window of Burbington village hall when Sifu was holding his kung fu lesson.
“How cunning!” he thought. “Mr Grabber has persuaded the stupid Mayor and the police to train up his monkeys to be better criminals!” He could hold back his fury no more. From the top of the tree he screeched33: “Ah ah ah ooooh ah!” which meant: “You filthy34 infiltrators! You vipers35 in the nest! I will make sure that everyone understands just who you really are even if it’s the last thing I do!”
Not everyone heard his screeches36 over the sound of the music but Mr Grabber did. He would recognise that voice anywhere. The police monkeys also knew who he was. They had shared a cage in the zoo with Theo when they were all young and innocent. Two of them broke out of their martial arts routine and pointed37 to the tree where Theo was perched. Theo knew he should have run away but something inside him urged him to make a reckless demonstration38 in defiance39 of the corrupt40 powers in the city. He did not escape. On the contrary, he climbed down the tree and ran towards the podium. The police monkeys all struck threatening poses ready to deliver kicks and blows.
Theo flew at them with little skill but lots of determination. Despite his spirited and valiant41 fighting he would surely have been overwhelmed had it not been for the three monkeys who had come with Mr Grabber. They joined the fray42 on Theo’s side. The punching, biting, kicking, scratching and screaming was something awful.
The band struck up a jazzy tune43 and the stars from the West Enders rose to their feet and joined the fight though it was not clear on which side. The human cops stood back. This was no business of theirs. Had not the Mayor just said that it was a job for monkeys to fight monkeys? Well let him see with his own eyes how effective his new police policy was. Not very, judging by the damage to property and the chaos44 and disorder45 all round.
The audience were on their feet cheering on one side or the other as if they were gladiators in an arena46. It was the best bit of blood sport the city had seen since Roman times. Eventually, under the cover of chaos, Theo withdrew while the others continued the fight. He sneaked47 away behind the stage and the refreshment48 tents, across the lawn, into some bushes, over the fence, and into the surrounding streets.
Soon he was making his way to the railway station bounding over the roof tops and above the view of the city’s 10000 prying49 police cameras. He caught a train for Burbington, but by the time he reached his woodland home he had missed his martial arts lesson. Instead the weary monkey licked his war wounds and fell into a deep sleep inside a nest of leaves.
That was the story that Theo would have told to Neet had he been able to speak human, or had Neet been able to speak monkey. But as neither friend could fully communicate with the other they had to make do with a look of apology in Theo’s brown eyes.
It was all okay. There was no way a boy would be cross with a friendly monkey for long. Theo had brought his radio with him. He showed it to Neet who turned it on. All that sounded from the box was a faint hissing50 sound.
“It needs new batteries,” said Neet. “Wait there, I’ll get some from my parents’ shop.”
And Theo waited in the garden for his friend to return, thinking: “I wonder if Sifu will be so understanding?”
And that was the end of the third part of this mini series about Theo the monkey.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
martial
|
|
| adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
jade
|
|
| n.玉石；碧玉；翡翠 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
proofread
|
|
| vt.校正，校对 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
chatter
|
|
| vi.／n.喋喋不休；短促尖叫；(牙齿)打战 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
sniffed
|
|
| v.以鼻吸气，嗅，闻( sniff的过去式和过去分词 )；抽鼻子（尤指哭泣、患感冒等时出声地用鼻子吸气）；抱怨，不以为然地说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
twigs
|
|
| 细枝，嫩枝( twig的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
touching
|
|
| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
fugitive
|
|
| adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
outrageous
|
|
| adj.无理的，令人不能容忍的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
quell
|
|
| v.压制，平息，减轻 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
suburban
|
|
| adj.城郊的，在郊区的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
commuter
|
|
| n.(尤指市郊之间)乘公交车辆上下班者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
enraged
|
|
| 使暴怒( enrage的过去式和过去分词 )； 歜； 激愤 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
aged
|
|
| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
varied
|
|
| adj.多样的，多变化的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
scampering
|
|
| v.蹦蹦跳跳地跑，惊惶奔跑( scamper的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
ledges
|
|
| n.（墙壁，悬崖等）突出的狭长部分( ledge的名词复数 )；（平窄的）壁架；横档；（尤指）窗台 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
chasms
|
|
| 裂缝( chasm的名词复数 )； 裂口； 分歧； 差别 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
brass
|
|
| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
proceedings
|
|
| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
sanitation
|
|
| n.公共卫生，环境卫生，卫生设备 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
bodyguards
|
|
| n.保镖，卫士，警卫员( bodyguard的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
landmark
|
|
| n.陆标，划时代的事，地界标 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
fully
|
|
| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
conceal
|
|
| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
luxuriously
|
|
| adv.奢侈地，豪华地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
zest
|
|
| n.乐趣；滋味，风味；兴趣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
larceny
|
|
| n.盗窃（罪） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
briefly
|
|
| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
hind
|
|
| adj.后面的，后部的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
saluted
|
|
| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
unison
|
|
| n.步调一致，行动一致 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
screeched
|
|
| v.发出尖叫声( screech的过去式和过去分词 )；发出粗而刺耳的声音；高叫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
filthy
|
|
| adj.卑劣的；恶劣的，肮脏的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
vipers
|
|
| n.蝰蛇( viper的名词复数 )；毒蛇；阴险恶毒的人；奸诈者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
screeches
|
|
| n.尖锐的声音( screech的名词复数 )v.发出尖叫声( screech的第三人称单数 )；发出粗而刺耳的声音；高叫 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
pointed
|
|
| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
demonstration
|
|
| n.表明，示范，论证，示威 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
defiance
|
|
| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
corrupt
|
|
| v.贿赂，收买；adj.腐败的，贪污的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
valiant
|
|
| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
fray
|
|
| v.争吵；打斗；磨损，磨破；n.吵架；打斗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
tune
|
|
| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
chaos
|
|
| n.混乱，无秩序 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
disorder
|
|
| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
arena
|
|
| n.竞技场，运动场所；竞争场所，舞台 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
sneaked
|
|
| v.潜行( sneak的过去式和过去分词 )；偷偷溜走；（儿童向成人）打小报告；告状 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
refreshment
|
|
| n.恢复，精神爽快，提神之事物；（复数）refreshments:点心，茶点 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
prying
|
|
| adj.爱打听的v.打听，刺探（他人的私事）( pry的现在分词 )；撬开 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
hissing
|
|
| n. 发嘶嘶声, 蔑视 动词hiss的现在分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
购买
在百度中搜索