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原版英文故事与诗歌:April Fool's Day

时间:2013-09-10 03:49来源:互联网 提供网友:mapleleaf   字体: [ ]
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   Read the story

  April Fool's Day
  by Pete Humphreys
  Danny Applewhite was developing into a rather arrogant1 young man. True, he was among the top five achievers at his school, but he was the only one of them who would regularly remind the other 150 students at St. Cuthbert’s of this fact. Yes, he was a keen mountaineer, probably the best for his age in the county, but he sometimes forgot to thank those people who guided, supported or dragged him up towards his latest peak. Danny’s artwork was proudly displayed along school corridors but the minute anyone stopped him to say ‘well done’ he would tell the viewer not to get too close to his designs, in case they damaged them somehow.
  It was late March and Danny was studying the flowers on the route between his parents’ house and school. Rollo lived next door and because their parents were friends Danny was forced to walk in with him. Rollo was not like Danny at all. That morning Danny had been forced to wait while his classmate found the correct books, clothes and sportswear from those littering the messy bedroom floor. In comparison, Danny always packed his briefcase2 the night before, carefully arranging his pocket computer, homework and the sandwiches made by his mum to strict organic specifications3.
  ‘What are these ones Danny?’ asked Rollo, pointing to some tall plants with yellow, shell-like heads.
  ‘Ah,’ said Danny, pausing, as if extracting the name from a locked box deep inside his brain, ‘they’re Vanillius Seasidicus.’
  ‘Really,’ said Rollo, impressed, as usual, by his friend.
  Danny swung his briefcase happily, deflecting4 some Spring sunshine into Rollo’s wide eyes, and thought how easy it was to fool people who didn’t read books. Poor Rollo, perhaps one day he Stories - April Fool's Day Page 2 of 4 The United Kingdom’s international organisation5 for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.
  would catch up. Until he did Danny would make sure his parents always told Rollo he was out if he called for Danny in the evening.
  When they arrived at the sandstone wall that marked the edge of the school grounds, Rollo adjusted his glasses in that nervous way of his, and Danny, anticipating the question, had time to prepare his excuse.
  ‘Meet you for lunch?’
  ‘I can’t Rollo,’ and while speaking Danny touched his nose to suggest some kind of mystery, ‘things to do. I’m booked into the technology lab.’
  They parted at the elaborate school gates. Made of iron, the ornamental6 spikes7 that topped the gates had already punctured8 some unfortunate footballs that now sat there like cartoon heads. Danny shook his own, baffled by the silly games his schoolmates played. Maybe some serious lab work was exactly what he needed to stimulate9 that busy brain of his.
  The day was drawing to a close at St. Cuthbert’s and in his small office Mr Samson was squinting10 at the year eleven course-work he had to grade by the start of next month. Even when he shielded his eyes from the late afternoon sun, a confused look often remained on his face. His students certainly had a strange idea of History. When the deputy-headmaster saw Applewhite at his door, smiling in that slightly superior way of his, he was more than willing to be distracted.
  ‘Sir?’
  ‘Yes, Applewhite, can I help?’
  Danny took a deep breath.
  ‘It’s something of immediate11 importance, Mr Samson, that will affect the whole school for the next few days.’
  ‘You better tell me what’s happening.’
  Danny went on to explain the results of his lunchtime research. He had received advanced warning, the bewildered Samson was told, that the internet was to be shut down from midnight on the 31st of March until midday on the 1st of April. Why? Because of essential cleaning work. Apparently12 all those emails he had been sending concerning school discipline, all those catch-ups with relatives in Australia, had in some small way contributed to a global cyberspace13 that was now completely full up with invisible junk.
  ‘But who’ll do this job?’ asked the deeply confused, heavily bearded teacher, ‘You, Applewhite?’
  Danny gave a brief laugh.
  ‘No sir, not me. An international team of scientists has developed five very special, highly efficient internet robots. They’ll be smuggled14 onto the net inside special data packages.’
  Sometimes Mr Samson would like to have been smuggled back into the past, a place he knew and taught so well. He often imagined living as a medieval knight15 or simple farmer somewhere. Now was such an occasion. He thought for a moment then said:
  ‘I better send an email to warn -‘
  But Danny interrupted.
  ‘Best not to sir, more for the robots to clean up. You leave it to me, I’ll tell everyone to shut down the school computers straight away.’
  When Danny and Rollo walked to school two days later only one of them was smiling.
  ‘It’s not fair,’ said Rollo, ‘Without computers I can’t play Drag Racer on-line anymore. I miss my racing16 friends in China. The boys all make me play football now and my glasses have been broken three times.’
  Rollo pointed17 to the tape that secured the muddy lenses of his glasses in place.
  ‘Why don’t you do something useful, Rollo - read a book. I’ve read six since the computers were off.’
  April the first, how Danny loved this date. This time last year he had spread a rumour18 around the school that it was a non-uniform day at St Cuthbert’s. All his foolish schoolmates had been punished for their appearance. And some of the fashions! Rollo had dressed in a ripped black T-shirt and worn an earring19! Why couldn’t they all Stories - April Fool's Day accept that the best way to dress was in a well-ironed shirt and tie, like him?
  Danny’s first surprise of the day came at the school gates when Lucy Lang, captain of the girls’ football team, deflected20 a ball towards them.
  ‘Hey, kick it back then. We’ve got a game to finish here,’ she yelled.
  Despite his damaged glasses and the innocent expression on Lucy’s face, Rollo sensed that something wasn’t right. Turning to his friend he quickly warned him not to touch the ball.
  ‘Don’t be daft, Rollo, it’s a stupid game but I still know how to play it. Watch this - I’m aiming for the roof of the arts block.’
  Although Danny’s technique matched his ambition and his shoelaces struck the ball dead centre, what happened next is rarely seen in the professional game. As foot met leather an explosion occurred that left Danny’s entire right side covered in a sticky yellow substance - a thick and gloopy custard fresh (but not very) from the school’s infamous21 canteen.
  ‘April fool!’ shouted Lucy at the top of her voice.
  Danny didn’t mind the custard but he’d never been called a fool before. Somehow he had also lost his watch. It was only a cheap one but it wasn’t like him to lose things so easily. He glared up at the school clock - 9am. Three hours to go. Danny regained22 his cool. After all, he would have the last laugh minutes before the midday deadline when, according to the rules, any person still fooling others became the fool.
  By the 11 o’clock break Danny was feeling much better. Mr Samson was walking towards him across the yard, and he suspected he was about to learn his excellent History grade.
  ‘Dreadful work, Applewhite, really amateurish23, I’m going to have to give you extra assignments.’
  Like Lucy’s, these were words Danny had not heard before and he was surprised to find his cheeks were burning red.
  ‘But sir,’ he protested.
  Mr Samson winked24 at Danny as he turned away.
  ‘April fool’s - you make sure you’re as sharp in person as you are on the page,’ he advised.
  In seconds Danny proved his sharpness - quickly seeing that Samson was walking directly towards an open drainage hole in the yard. The juniors had been fishing again.
  ‘Mr Samson! Look out!’
  The teacher smiled.
  ‘You can’t fool me that easily Applewhyyyyyyyyyyy!‘
  And he was gone. When Samson opened his eyes he found he was in an underground tunnel, dark and damp. Surprisingly, he felt remarkably25 content. It would be a simpler life down here, he thought, watching a rat watching him, compared to dealing26 with those strange creatures up above.
  Danny asked Rollo for the time. There were ten minutes before midday - it was time for his cunning trick to be revealed. A famous writer was speaking to the entire population of St. Cuthbert’s today and everyone was moving into the main hall to hear him read. Knowing a quick route backstage, Danny positioned himself behind a thick velvet27 curtain and peeped out at the rows of uniformed children. The writer looked nervous and Danny sympathized - this crowd could turn nasty at any time. Just as the middle-aged28 man was getting ready to read, Danny jumped out on stage.
  ‘Ladies and gentleman!’ he announced. ‘More bad news I’m afraid!’
  Some of the younger kids looked scared. At the back the teachers raised their eyebrows29. Danny continued:
  ‘Due to a terrible robot malfunction30 the internet is closed for another week!’
  Danny was laughing so much to himself that he struggled to hear a thin voice addressing him from the third row.
  ‘No it isn’t Danny. You’re making it up.’
  It was Rollo.
  ‘What?’ Danny turned to the writer, hoping that he might share his exasperated31 expression.
  ‘I got a text from my friend Yang in China. They’ve been on the web all week. You’re a liar32.’
  ‘Rollo, my old friend -‘
  ‘And another thing,’ Rollo was holding something up. It was Danny’s watch.
  ‘It’s ten past twelve and you are the fool!’
  ‘Rubbish,’ said Danny, determined33 to win, ‘what about the school clock? It says five-to-twelve.’
  Mr Samson stood up, still wiping away mud from his trip below ground.
  ‘That was my work Applewhite, I’m afraid - I arranged for the clock to be running 20 minutes slow. Sorry old potato, all part of the fun.’ Stories - April Fool's Day Page 4 of 4 The United Kingdom’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We are registered in England as a charity.
  The whole school was now laughing at Danny. The students who knew about the trick beforehand laughed as long and hard as those who had just found out about it from their friends. Even the famous writer was laughing with the horrible kids and old, bald teachers. Danny decided34 that when he became an incredibly wealthy businessman he would buy the internet and close it down. But then, looking at Rollo’s infectious smile, he thought he might like to get to know his neighbours, far and wide, first of all.
  Activity 3: 1. a; 2. f; 3. b; 4. h; 5. d; 6. i; 7. e; 8. c; 9. g; 10. j

点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 arrogant Jvwz5     
adj.傲慢的,自大的
参考例句:
  • You've got to get rid of your arrogant ways.你这骄傲劲儿得好好改改。
  • People are waking up that he is arrogant.人们开始认识到他很傲慢。
2 briefcase lxdz6A     
n.手提箱,公事皮包
参考例句:
  • He packed a briefcase with what might be required.他把所有可能需要的东西都装进公文包。
  • He requested the old man to look after the briefcase.他请求那位老人照看这个公事包。
3 specifications f3453ce44685398a83b7fe3902d2b90c     
n.规格;载明;详述;(产品等的)说明书;说明书( specification的名词复数 );详细的计划书;载明;详述
参考例句:
  • Our work must answer the specifications laid down. 我们的工作应符合所定的规范。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • This sketch does not conform with the specifications. 图文不符。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
4 deflecting 53909b980ea168975caea537d27c6cb4     
(使)偏斜, (使)偏离, (使)转向( deflect的现在分词 )
参考例句:
  • A variety of mechanical surfaces have been employed for deflecting the exhaust jets of solid-propellant rockets. 人们已经用过各种类型的机械控制面来偏转固体推进剂火箭的排气流。
  • If she made a leading statement, he was expert deflecting her into more impersonal channels. 只要她一开口,他就会巧妙地把她的话题转到与个人无关的问题上去。
5 organisation organisation     
n.组织,安排,团体,有机休
参考例句:
  • The method of his organisation work is worth commending.他的组织工作的方法值得称道。
  • His application for membership of the organisation was rejected.他想要加入该组织的申请遭到了拒绝。
6 ornamental B43zn     
adj.装饰的;作装饰用的;n.装饰品;观赏植物
参考例句:
  • The stream was dammed up to form ornamental lakes.溪流用水坝拦挡起来,形成了装饰性的湖泊。
  • The ornamental ironwork lends a touch of elegance to the house.铁艺饰件为房子略添雅致。
7 spikes jhXzrc     
n.穗( spike的名词复数 );跑鞋;(防滑)鞋钉;尖状物v.加烈酒于( spike的第三人称单数 );偷偷地给某人的饮料加入(更多)酒精( 或药物);把尖状物钉入;打乱某人的计划
参考例句:
  • a row of iron spikes on a wall 墙头的一排尖铁
  • There is a row of spikes on top of the prison wall to prevent the prisoners escaping. 监狱墙头装有一排尖钉,以防犯人逃跑。 来自《简明英汉词典》
8 punctured 921f9ed30229127d0004d394b2c18311     
v.在(某物)上穿孔( puncture的过去式和过去分词 );刺穿(某物);削弱(某人的傲气、信心等);泄某人的气
参考例句:
  • Some glass on the road punctured my new tyre. 路上的玻璃刺破了我的新轮胎。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • A nail on the road punctured the tyre. 路上的钉子把车胎戳穿了。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
9 stimulate wuSwL     
vt.刺激,使兴奋;激励,使…振奋
参考例句:
  • Your encouragement will stimulate me to further efforts.你的鼓励会激发我进一步努力。
  • Success will stimulate the people for fresh efforts.成功能鼓舞人们去作新的努力。
10 squinting e26a97f9ad01e6beee241ce6dd6633a2     
斜视( squint的现在分词 ); 眯着眼睛; 瞟; 从小孔或缝隙里看
参考例句:
  • "More company," he said, squinting in the sun. "那边来人了,"他在阳光中眨巴着眼睛说。
  • Squinting against the morning sun, Faulcon examined the boy carefully. 对着早晨的太阳斜起眼睛,富尔康仔细地打量着那个年轻人。
11 immediate aapxh     
adj.立即的;直接的,最接近的;紧靠的
参考例句:
  • His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
  • We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。
12 apparently tMmyQ     
adv.显然地;表面上,似乎
参考例句:
  • An apparently blind alley leads suddenly into an open space.山穷水尽,豁然开朗。
  • He was apparently much surprised at the news.他对那个消息显然感到十分惊异。
13 cyberspace YvfzLi     
n.虚拟信息空间,网络空间,计算机化世界
参考例句:
  • She travels in cyberspace by sending messages to friends around the world.她利用电子空间给世界各地的朋友们发送信件。
  • The teens spend more time in cyberspace than in the real world of friends and family.青少年花费在电脑上的时间比他们和真正的朋友及家人在一起的时间要多。
14 smuggled 3cb7c6ce5d6ead3b1e56eeccdabf595b     
水货
参考例句:
  • The customs officer confiscated the smuggled goods. 海关官员没收了走私品。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
  • Those smuggled goods have been detained by the port office. 那些走私货物被港务局扣押了。 来自互联网
15 knight W2Hxk     
n.骑士,武士;爵士
参考例句:
  • He was made an honourary knight.他被授予荣誉爵士称号。
  • A knight rode on his richly caparisoned steed.一个骑士骑在装饰华丽的马上。
16 racing 1ksz3w     
n.竞赛,赛马;adj.竞赛用的,赛马用的
参考例句:
  • I was watching the racing on television last night.昨晚我在电视上看赛马。
  • The two racing drivers fenced for a chance to gain the lead.两个赛车手伺机竞相领先。
17 pointed Il8zB4     
adj.尖的,直截了当的
参考例句:
  • He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
  • She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。
18 rumour 1SYzZ     
n.谣言,谣传,传闻
参考例句:
  • I should like to know who put that rumour about.我想知道是谁散布了那谣言。
  • There has been a rumour mill on him for years.几年来,一直有谣言产生,对他进行中伤。
19 earring xrOxK     
n.耳环,耳饰
参考例句:
  • How long have you worn that earring?你戴那个耳环多久了?
  • I have an earring but can't find its companion.我现在只有一只耳环,找不到另一只了。
20 deflected 3ff217d1b7afea5ab74330437461da11     
偏离的
参考例句:
  • The ball deflected off Reid's body into the goal. 球打在里德身上反弹进球门。
  • Most of its particles are deflected. 此物质的料子大多是偏斜的。
21 infamous K7ax3     
adj.声名狼藉的,臭名昭著的,邪恶的
参考例句:
  • He was infamous for his anti-feminist attitudes.他因反对女性主义而声名狼藉。
  • I was shocked by her infamous behaviour.她的无耻行径令我震惊。
22 regained 51ada49e953b830c8bd8fddd6bcd03aa     
复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 ); 赢回; 重回; 复至某地
参考例句:
  • The majority of the people in the world have regained their liberty. 世界上大多数人已重获自由。
  • She hesitated briefly but quickly regained her poise. 她犹豫片刻,但很快恢复了镇静。
23 amateurish AoSy6     
n.业余爱好的,不熟练的
参考例句:
  • The concert was rather an amateurish affair.这场音乐会颇有些外行客串的味道。
  • The paintings looked amateurish.这些画作看起来只具备业余水准。
24 winked af6ada503978fa80fce7e5d109333278     
v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 );递眼色(表示友好或高兴等);(指光)闪烁;闪亮
参考例句:
  • He winked at her and she knew he was thinking the same thing that she was. 他冲她眨了眨眼,她便知道他的想法和她一样。
  • He winked his eyes at her and left the classroom. 他向她眨巴一下眼睛走出了教室。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
25 remarkably EkPzTW     
ad.不同寻常地,相当地
参考例句:
  • I thought she was remarkably restrained in the circumstances. 我认为她在那种情况下非常克制。
  • He made a remarkably swift recovery. 他康复得相当快。
26 dealing NvjzWP     
n.经商方法,待人态度
参考例句:
  • This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
  • His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。
27 velvet 5gqyO     
n.丝绒,天鹅绒;adj.丝绒制的,柔软的
参考例句:
  • This material feels like velvet.这料子摸起来像丝绒。
  • The new settlers wore the finest silk and velvet clothing.新来的移民穿着最华丽的丝绸和天鹅绒衣服。
28 middle-aged UopzSS     
adj.中年的
参考例句:
  • I noticed two middle-aged passengers.我注意到两个中年乘客。
  • The new skin balm was welcome by middle-aged women.这种新护肤香膏受到了中年妇女的欢迎。
29 eyebrows a0e6fb1330e9cfecfd1c7a4d00030ed5     
眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • Eyebrows stop sweat from coming down into the eyes. 眉毛挡住汗水使其不能流进眼睛。
  • His eyebrows project noticeably. 他的眉毛特别突出。
30 malfunction 1ASxT     
vi.发生功能故障,发生故障,显示机能失常
参考例句:
  • There must have been a computer malfunction.一定是出了电脑故障。
  • Results have been delayed owing to a malfunction in the computer.由于电脑发生故障,计算结果推迟了。
31 exasperated ltAz6H     
adj.恼怒的
参考例句:
  • We were exasperated at his ill behaviour. 我们对他的恶劣行为感到非常恼怒。
  • Constant interruption of his work exasperated him. 对他工作不断的干扰使他恼怒。
32 liar V1ixD     
n.说谎的人
参考例句:
  • I know you for a thief and a liar!我算认识你了,一个又偷又骗的家伙!
  • She was wrongly labelled a liar.她被错误地扣上说谎者的帽子。
33 determined duszmP     
adj.坚定的;有决心的
参考例句:
  • I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
  • He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。
34 decided lvqzZd     
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的
参考例句:
  • This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
  • There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。
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