英语经典晨读美文5篇

千里之行，始于第2页/共2页精品文档推荐英语经典晨读美文5篇保持晨读的良好习惯，是提高英语阅读水平的方法，下面我就和大家共享英语经典晨读美文，盼望能够关心到大家，来观赏一下吧。

英语散文篇一

TheSongoftheRiver

河之歌

W.SMaugham

毛姆

Youhearitallalongtheriver.Youhearit,loudandstrong,fromtherowersastheyurgethejunkwithitshighstern,themastlashedalongside,downtheswiftrunningstream.Youhearitfromthetrackers,amorebreathlesschant,astheypulldesperatelyagainstthecurrent,halfadozenofthemperhapsiftheyaretakingupwupan,acoupleofhundrediftheyarehaulingasplendidjunk,itssquaresailset,overarapid.

沿河上下都可以听见那歌声。它洪亮而有力，那是船夫，他们划着木船顺流向下，船尾翘得很高，桅杆系在船边。它也可能是比较急促的号子，那是纤夫，他们拉纤逆流而上。假如拉的是小木船，或许就只五六个人;假如拉的是扬着横帆的大船过急滩，那就要200来人。

Onthejunk,amanstandsamidshipsbeatingadrumincessantlytoguidetheirefforts,andtheypullwithalltheirstrength,likemenpossessed,bentdouble;andsometimesintheextremityoftheirtravailtheycrawontheground,onallfours,likethebeastsofthefield.Theystrain,strainfiercely,againstthepitilessmightofthestream.

船中心站着一个汉子不停地击鼓助威，引导他们加劲。于是他们使出全部力气，像着了魔似的，腰弯成两折，有时力气用到极限就全身趴在地上匍匐前进，像田里的牲口。

Theleadergoesupanddownthelineandwhenheseesonewhoisnotputtingallhiswillintothetaskhebringsdownhissplitbambooonthenakedback.Eachonemustdohisutmostorthelabourofallisvain.Andstilltheysingavehement,eagerchant,thechantoftheturbulentwaters.

领头的在纤绳前后跑来跑去，见到有人没有全力以赴，竹板就打在他光着的背上。每个人都必需竭尽全力，否则就要前功尽弃。就这样他们还是唱着激扬而热切的号子，那汹涌澎湃的河水号子。

Idonotknowwordscandescribewhatthereisinitofeffort.Itservestoexpressthestrainingheart,thebreakingmuscles,andatthesametimetheindomitablespiritofmanwhichovercomesthepitilessforceofnature.Thoughtheropemaypartandthegreatjunkswingback,intheendtherapidwillbepassed;andatthecloseofthewearydaythereistheheartymeal...

我不知道词语怎样能描写出其中所包括的拼搏，它表现的是绷紧的心弦，几乎要断裂的筋肉，同时也表现了人类克服无情的自然力的坚韧精神。他们用劲，舍命用劲，对抗着水流无情的威力。虽然绳子可能扯断，大船可能倒退，但最终险滩必将通过，在筋疲力尽的一天结束时可以痛快地吃上一顿饱饭…..

Butthemostagonizingsongisthesongofthecoolieswhobringthegreatbalesfromthejunkupthesteepstepstothetownwall.Upanddowntheygo,endlessly,andendlessastheirtoilrisestheirrhythmiccry.He,aw--ah,oh.Theyarebarefootandnakedtothewaist.Thesweatpoursdowntheirfacesandtheirsongisagroanofpain.

然而最令人难过的却是苦力的歌，他们背负着船上卸下的大包，沿着陡坡爬上城墙。他们不停地上上下下，随着无尽的劳动响起有节奏的喊声：嗨，呦——嗬，嗨。他们赤着脚，光着背，汗水不断地从脸上流下。

Itisasighofdespair.Itisheart-rending.Itishardlyhuman.Itisthecryofsoulsininfinitedistress,onlyjustmusical,andthatlastnoteistheultimatesobofhumanity.Lifeistoohard,toocruel,andthisisthefinaldespairingprotest.Thatisthesongoftheriver.

他们的歌是苦痛的绝望的叹息，听来令人心碎，简直不像是人的声音。它是灵魂在无尽悲戚中的呼喊，只不过有着音乐的节奏而已。那终了的一声简直就是人性泯灭的低泣。生活太困难、太残酷，这喊声正是最终无望的这就是河之歌。

英语散文篇二

TheLivingSeas

Theoceancoversthreequartersoftheearthssurface,produces90percentofallitslife-supportingoxygen,andisthedrivingforcebehindtheentireweathersystem.Thereareover450millioncubicmilesofseawaterontheearth;andeachcubicmilecontainsover150milliontonsofminerals.

Sovastandsopervasiveistheseathatiftheearthscrustweremadelevel,oceanwaterwouldformablanketover8,000feetdeep.

Theoceanscontributeimmeasurablytotheearthslifesupportsystemaswellasprovideanuntappedstorehouseoffood,minerals,energy,andar-chaeologicaltreasureAdvancedatmosphericdivingsuitspermitresearcherstodescendtodepthsofl,500feet.Yettheoceansaveragedepthisgreaterthan12,000feet.Itisatthesedepthsthatremarkablediscoveriesarebeingmade,discoverieswhichonlyashorttimeagowouldhavebeenimpossible.

Inthatdepth,wheredarknessisabsoluteandpressureexceedseighttonspersquareinch,roboticsubmersibleshavediscoveredenormousgorges,fourtimesdeeperthantheGrandCanyonHere,too,arevolcanoesthatvastlyoutnumberthoseonland.LandslidesthesizeofRhodeIslandhavebeenrecorded,aswellasragingunderseastormsthatgocompletelyunnoticedoitthesurfacewhiledramaticallyrearrangingtheunderwaterlandscapes.

Andundertheseseasthelargestsinglegeologicalfeatureonearthhasbeenfound-amountainrangethatdwarfstheHimalayas.Itsarangethatcoversnearlyonequarteroftheearthssurface.

Allthesediscoverieshavecomefromtheexplorationoflessthanone-tenthofthisunderseamountainrange.

Theearthistheonlyplanetweknowthathasanocean.Theoceanistlielargestfeatureonearth.Yetitstheonefeatureweknowtheleastabout.Weknowmoreaboutthemoon240,000milesawaythanweknowaboutthethree-fourthsoftheearthcoveredwithwater.Manhassetfootonthemoon,butnotonthemostremotepartoftheearth,35,000feetunderthesea.

Technologyischangingallthat.Itsliterallypartingthewavesfortodaysunderseaexplorers.Anditsbringingabouttheopportunitytotransformvision,curiosityandwonderintopracticalknowledge.

Properlymanagedasatooltoservesociety,technologyisthebesthopeforovercomingeconomicandsocialproblemsfacingpeopleeverywhere.Italwayshasbeen.Theearliestrelicsofhumanlifearetools.Andourancientancestorsusedthesetoolstounderstandandchangetheworldaroundthemandmakeitbetter.Thesameistruetoday.

Thedeepseaisthelastfrontierlefttoexplore.

富有生命的海洋

海洋占地球表面四分之三。地球上维持生命的氧气，90%产生于海洋，整个天气体系变化的动力也是海洋。地球上的海水超过4亿5千万立方英里，每立方英里含有的矿物超过1亿5千万吨。

海洋如此广阔浩翰，如此分布宽阔，地球表层假如使之平整起来，那么海水可以形成深8，000多英尺的掩盖层。

海洋对地球上的维持生命系统做出了不行估量的贡献，同时又是一座尚未打开的宝库，储有食物、矿物、能源和具有很大考古价值的东西。

先进的常压潜水衣可以使讨论人员下沉到1，500英尺的深度。但海洋的平均深度超过12，000英尺。现在正是在这个深度才发觉了惊人的状况，这些发觉在不久以前是不行能办到的。

这个深度的海中完全是漆黑一片，每平方英寸的压力超过8吨，潜水机器人在这里发觉了巨大的峡谷，比美国科罗拉多大峡谷深3倍。这里火山之多，大大超过陆地上的火山，也曾有过规模大到和罗得岛一样的山崩，还有猛烈的海底风暴，这种风暴在海面上一点也觉察不到，却猛烈地转变着水下的景观。，就在这些海洋中发觉了地球上惟一的地质构成——一条使喜马拉雅相形见绌的大山脉，这条山脉掩盖了地球表面几乎四分之一。

上述那些发觉都是来自探究这条水下山脉不到非常之一的地区所见到的。

地球是我们所知有海洋存在的行星。海洋是地球构成的部分，而正是这部分我们知道得最少，这一掩盖地球四分之三的水域我们所知的状况还不如我们对远离地球24万英里的月球所知道的多。

人类已涉足月球，但对海面以下3万5千英尺地球最深邃的地方却从未涉足过。

技术正在转变这一切，它正在劈波斩浪为今日的水下探究者开路。它正在制造机会使幻想、求知欲和高深莫测的事情转化成实实在在的学问。

把技术当作服务于社会的工具适当地加以把握，它就是克服各地人民所面临的经济与社会问题的盼望所在。技术历来都是如此。

人类生活的最早遗物就是工具。我们远古的祖先使用那些工具来熟悉世界改造、世界使之日趋完善。今日的状况也还是如此。

深海是尚待探究的最终一个领域。

英语散文篇三

IthappenedinoneofthosepicturesqueDanishtavernsthatcatertotouristsandwhereEnglishisspoken.Iwaswithmyfatheronabusiness-and-pleasuretrip,andinourleisurehourswewerehavingawonderfultime.

“It’sapityyourmothercouldn’tcome,”saidFather.“Itwouldbewonderfultoshowheraround.”

HehadvisitedDenmarkwhenhewasayoungman.Iaskedhim,“Howlongisitsinceyouwerehere?”

“Oh,about30years.Irememberbeinginthisveryinn,bytheway.”Helookedaround,remembering.“Thoseweregraciousdays—”Hestoppedsuddenly,andIsawthathisfacewaspale.Ifollowedhiseyesandlookedacrosstheroomtoawomanwhowassettingatrayofdrinksbeforesomecustomers.Shemighthavebeenprettyonce,butnowshewasstoutandherhairwasuntidy.“Doyouknowher?”Iasked..

“Ididonce,”hesaid.

Thewomancametoourtable.“Drinks?”sheinquired.

“We’llhavebeer,”Isaid.Shenoddedandwentaway.

“Howshehaschanged!Thankheavenshedidn’trecognizeme,”mutteredFathermoppinghisfacewithahandkerchief.“IknewherbeforeIevermetyourmother,“hewenton.“Iwasastudent,onatour.Shewasalovelyyoungthing,verygraceful.Ifellmadlyinlivewithher,andshewithme.”

“DoesMotherknowabouther?”Iblurtedout,resentfully.

“Ofcourse,”Fathersaidgently.Helookedatmealittleanxiously.Ifeltembarrassedforhim.

Isaid,“Dad,youdon’thaveto-“

“Oh,yes,Iwanttotellyou.Idon’twantyouwonderingaboutthis.Herfatherobjectedtoourromance.Iwasaforeigner.Ihadnoprospects,andwasdependentonmyfather.WhenIwroteFatherthatIwantedtogetmarriedhecutoffmyallowance.AndIhadtogohome.ButImetthegirloncemore,andtoldherIwouldreturntoAmerica,borrowenoughmoneytogetmarriedon,andcomebackforherinafewmonths.”

“Weknow,”hecontinued,“thatherfathermightinterceptaletter,soweagreedthatIwouldsimplymailheraslipofpaperwithadateonit,thetimeshewastomeetmeatacertainplace;thenwe’dmarried.Well,Iwenthome,gottheloanandsentherthedate.Shereceivedthenote.Shewroteme:”I’llbethere.”Butshewasn’t.ThenIfoundthatshehadbeenmarriedabouttwoweeksbefore,toalocalinnkeeper.Shehadn’twaited.”

Thenmyfathersaid,”ThankGodshedidn’t.Iwenthome,metyourmother,andwe’vebeencompletelyhappy.Weoftenjokeaboutthatyouthfulloveromance.”

Thewomanappearedwithourbeer.

“YouarefromAmerica?”sheaskedme.

“Yes,”Isaid.

Shebeamed.“Awonderfulcountry,America.”

“Yes,alotofyourcountrymenhavegonethere.Didyoueverthinkofit?”

“Notme.Notnow,”shesaid.“Ithinksoonetime,alingtimeago.ButIstayhere.Itmuchbetterhere.”

Wedrankourbeerandleft.OutsideIsaid,”Father,justhowdidyouwritethatdateonwhichshewastomeetyou?”

Hestopped,tookoutanenvelopeandwroteonit.“Likethis,”hesaid.“12/11/73,whichwas,ofcourse,December11,1973.”

“No!”Iexclaimed.“Itisn’tinDenmarkoranyEuropeancountry.Overheretheywritethedayfirst,thenthemonth.Sothatdatewouldn’tbeDecember11butthe12thofNovember!”

Fatherpassedhishandoverhisface.“Soshewasthere!”heexclaimed.“AnditwasbecauseIdidn’tshowupthatshegotmarried.”Hewassilentawhile.“Well,”hesaid.,“Ihopeshe’shappy.Sheseemsbe.”

AsweresumedwalkingIblurtedout,“Itisaluckythingithappenedthatway.Youwouldn’thavemetMother.”

Heputhisarmaroundmyshoulders,lookedatmewithaheart-warmingsmile,andsaid,“Iwasdoublylucky,youngfellow,forotherwiseIwouldn’thavemetyou,either!”

【参考译文】

事情发生在丹麦的一个富有画意的客栈里。这种客栈专逢迎游客，通用英语。我和父亲这次旅行也是办事，也游乐，空闲的时候，玩得很痛快。

父亲说：“惋惜你妈不能来。假如能带她来逛逛，多好。”

父亲年轻时到过丹麦。我问他，“从你上次来，有多久了?”

“哦，差不多三十年了。我记得那时就住在这家小客栈里。”

父亲四下望望，回忆道：“那些日子真美……”他突然住口不言，脸色转白。我顺着他的眼光看去，只见房间那边有个女人正端着托盘在客人面前上酒。她从前可能很美，但是现在已经发胖，头发也很乱。我问父亲：“你熟悉她吗?”

他说：“从前熟悉。”

女人走到我们的桌前。问道“要酒吗?”

我说：“我们要啤酒。”她点点头，去了。

父亲掏出手巾擦额，低声说道：“她真变了!谢天谢地，幸而她没认出我来。我熟悉她在你的妈妈之前，那时候我是同学，假期旅行到这里。她年轻美丽，特别可爱。我爱她到了极点，她也爱我。”

我很不兴奋地冲口问道：“妈晓得她的事吗?”

“当然知道。”父亲略感担心地望着我。我都替他难为情。

我说：“爸爸，你用不着……”

“哦，我要告知你，我不要你乱猜。她的父亲反对我们相爱。我是外国人，又没有好前途，还要依靠父亲。我写信给父亲说要结婚，父亲就不寄钱来。我只好回家。但是我又和她见了一次面，告知她我要回美国去借结婚的钱，过几个月就来找她。”

“我们知道，”他接着说，“她父亲可能会拆看我们的信件，所以商议 好我只寄给她一张纸，上面写个日期，那是要她在某处和我见面的时间，然后我们就结婚。后来我回家去，借到钱把日期寄给她。”

“她收到了信，回信道，‘我准来。’但是她没来。后来我才知道她已在两个星期前嫁给一位当地客栈的老板了。她没有等我。”

父亲又说：“感谢上帝，她没有等我，我回家去，遇见了你妈妈，我们始终极为欢乐。常把这一段年轻时的恋爱作为笑谈。”

那个女人把啤酒送到我们面前。

她问我：“你们从美国来的吗?”

我说：“是的。”

她笑道：“美国是好地方。”

“是的。那边有很多你们的同胞。你有没有想过要去?”

她说：“我不想，现在不想。我想过一次，那是很久以前的事了，但是我留在了此地。此地好得多。”

我们喝完啤酒就出来。一出客栈，我就问父亲：“爸，你叫她等你的日期究竟是怎样写的?”

他停下来，拿出一个信封，在上面写了几个字。他说：“这样写的，12/11/13，这当然是1913年12月11日。”

我叫道：“不对!在丹麦和欧洲任何国家都不是这样写的!他们先写日子，后写月份。所以那个日期不是12月11日，而是11月12日!”

父亲抬起手摸了摸脸，叫道“那么她是去过了!由于我没有到，所以她嫁了别人!”他缄默了一会儿，说道：“也好。我盼望她欢乐，她好像很欢乐。”

我们再往前走时，我又冲口说：“幸而如此，不然你不会遇见妈妈。”

父亲伸手搂着我的肩膀，很暖和地向我笑道：“小伙子，我是锦上添花，要不然我也不会有你了。”

英语散文篇四

TheBlanket

ByFloydDell

Peteyhadn’treallybelievedthatDadwouldbedoingIt—sendingGranddadaway.“Away”waswhattheywerecallingit.Notuntilnowcouldhebelieveitofhisfather.

ButherewastheblanketthatDadhadboughtforGranddad,andinthemorninghe’dbegoingaway.Thiswasthelasteveningthey’dbehavingtogether.Dadwasoffseeingthatgirlhewastomarry.Hewouldnotbebacktilllate,soPeteyandGranddadcouldsitupandtalk.

ItwasafineSeptembernight,withasilvermoonridinghigh.Theywashedupthesupperdishesandthentooktheirchairsoutontotheporch.“I’llgetmyfiddle,”saidtheoldman,“andplayyousomeoftheoldtunes.”

Butinsteadofthefiddlehebroughtouttheblanket.Itwasabigdoubleblanket,redwithblackstripes.

“Now,isn’tthatafineblanket!”saidtheoldman,smoothingitoverhisknees.“Andisn’tyourfatherakindmantobegivingtheoldfellowablanketlikethattogoawaywith?Itcostsomething,itdid—lookatthewoolofit!There’llbefewblanketstheretheequalofthisone!”

ItwaslikeGranddadtobesayingthat.Hewastryingtomakeiteasier.Hehadpretendedallalongthathewantedtogoawaytothegreatbrickbuilding—thegovernmentplace.Therehe’dbewithsomanyotheroldfellows,havingthebestofeverything....ButPeteyhadn’tbelievedDadwouldreallydoit,notuntilthisnightwhenhebroughthometheblanket.

“Oh,yes,it’safineblanket,”saidPetey.Hegotupandwentintothehouse.Hewasn’tthekindtocryand,besides,hewastoooldforthat.He’djustgoneintofetchGranddad’sfiddle.

Theblanketslidtothefloorastheoldmantookthefiddleandstoodup.Hetunedupforaminute,andthensaid,“Thisisoneyou’llliketoremember.”

Peteysatandlookedoutoverthegully.Dadwouldmarrythatgirl.Yes,thatgirlwhohadkissedPeteyandfussedoverhim,sayingshe’dtrytobeagoodmothertohim,andall....

Thetunestoppedsuddenly.Granddadsaid,“It’safinegirlyourfather’sgoingtomarry.He’llbefeelingyoungagainwithaprettywifelikethat.Andwhatwouldanoldfellowlikemebedoingaroundtheirhouse,gettingintheway?Anoldnuisance,whatwithmytalksofachesandpains.It’sbestthatIgoaway,likeI’mdoing.Onemoretuneortwo,andthenwe’llbegoingtosleep.I’llpackupmyblanketinthemorning.”

Theydidn’thearthetwopeoplecomingdownthepath.Dadhadonearmaroundthegirl,whosebrightfacewaslikeadoll’s.Buttheyheardherwhenshelaughed,rightclosebytheporch.Daddidn’tsayanything,butthegirlcameforwardandspoketoGranddadprettily:“Iwon’tbeherewhenyouleaveinthemorning,soIcameovertosaygood-bye.”

“It’skindofyou,”saidGranddad,withhiseyescastdown.Then,seeingtheblanketathisfeet,hestoopedtopickitup.“Andwillyoulookatthis,”hesaid.“Thefineblanketmysonhasgivenmetogoawaywith.”

“Yes,”shesaid.“It’safineblanket.”Shefeltthewoolandrepeatedinsurprise,“Afineblanket—I’llsayitis!”SheturnedtoDadandsaidtohimcoldly,“Thatblanketreallycostsomething.”

Dadclearedhisthroatandsaid,“Iwantedhimtohavethebest....”

“It’sdouble,too,”shesaid,asifaccusingDad.

“Yes,”saidGranddad,“it’sdouble—afineblanketforanoldfellowtobegoingawaywith.”

17Theboywentsuddenlyintothehouse.Hewaslookingforsomething.HecouldhearthatgirlscoldingDad.SherealizedhowmuchofDad’smoney—hermoney,really—hadgonefortheblanket.Dadbecameangryinhisslowway.Andnowshewassuddenlygoingawayinahuff....

AsPeteycameout,sheturnedandcalledback,“Allthesame,hedoesn’tneedadoubleblanket!”Andsheranoffupthepath.

Dadwaslookingafterherasifhewasn’tsurewhatheoughttodo.

“Oh,she’sright,”Peteysaid.“Here,Dad”—andheheldoutapairofscissors.“Cuttheblanketintwo.”

Bothofthemstaredattheboy,startled.“Cutitintwo,Itellyou,Dad!”hecriedout.“Andkeeptheotherhalf.”

“That’snotabadidea,”saidGranddadgently.“Idon’tneedsomuchofablanket.”

“Yes,”theboysaidharshly,“asingleblanket’senoughforanoldmanwhenhe’ssentaway.We’llsavetheotherhalf,Dad.It’llcomeinhandylater.”

“Nowwhatdoyoumeanbythat?”askedDad.

“Imean,”saidtheboyslowly,“thatI’llgiveittoyou,Dad—whenyou’reoldandI’msendingyou—away.”

Therewasasilence.ThenDadwentovertoGranddadandstoodbeforehim,notspeaking.ButGranddadunderstood.HeputoutahandandlaiditonDad’sshoulder.AndheheardGranddadwhisper,“It’sallright,son.Iknewyoudidn’tmeanit....”AndthenPeteycried.

Butitdidn’tmatter—becausetheywereallcryingtogether.

【中文译文】：

一床双人毛毯

(美)弗罗伊德•戴尔

晴朗的九月的夜晚，银色的月光洒落在溪谷上。此时，十一岁的彼得没有欣赏月亮，也没感觉到微微的凉风吹进厨房。他的思绪全在厨房桌上那条红黑相间的毛毯上。那是爸爸送给爷爷的离别礼物。他们说爷爷要走。他们是这么说的。

彼得不信任爸爸真会把爷爷送走。可是现在离别礼物都买好了。爸爸今日晚上买的。今晚是他和爷爷在一起的最终一个晚上了。

吃完晚饭，爷孙俩一块洗碗碟，爸爸走了，和那个就要与他成亲的女人一起走的，不会立刻回来。洗完碗碟，爷孙走出屋子，坐在月光下。

“我去拿口琴来给你吹几支老曲子。”爷爷说。一会儿，爷爷从屋里出来了，拿来的不是口琴，而是那床毛毯。

那是条大大的双人毛毯。“这毛毯多好!”老人轻抚着膝头的毛毯说，“你爸真孝，给我这老家伙带这么床高级毛毯走。你看这毛，肯定很贵的。以后冬天晚上不会冷了。那里不会有这么好的毛毯的。”

爷爷总这么说，为了避开尴尬，他始终装着很想去政府办的养老院的样子，想象着，离开暖和的家和伴侣，去哪个地方与很多其他老人一起共度晚年。可彼得从没想到爸爸真会把爷爷送走，直到今晚看到爸爸带回这床毛毯。

“是床好毛毯，”彼得搭讪着走进小屋。他不是个好哭的孩子，况且，他已早过了好哭鼻子的年龄了。他是进屋给爷爷拿口琴的。

爷爷接琴时毛毯滑落到地上。最终一个晚上了，爷孙俩谁也没说话。爷爷吹了一会儿，然后说，“你会记住这支曲子。”

月儿高高挂在天涯，微风轻轻地吹过溪谷。最终一次了，彼得想，以后再也听不到爷爷吹口琴了，爸爸也要从这搬走，住进新居了。若把爷爷一个人撇下，美妙的夜晚自己独坐廊下，还有什么意思!

音乐停了，有那么一会儿工夫，爷孙俩谁也没说话。过了一会儿，爷爷说，“这只曲子欢快点。彼得坐在那怔怔地望着远方。爸爸要娶那个姑娘了。是的，那个姑娘亲过他了，还宣誓要对他好，做个好妈妈。

爷爷突然停下来，“这曲子不好，跳舞还凑合。“怔了一会儿，又说，”你爸要娶的姑娘不错。有个这么美丽的妻子他会变年轻的。我又何必在这碍事，我一会儿这病一会儿那疼，招人嫌呢。况且他们还会有孩子。我可不想整夜听孩子哭闹。不，不!还是走为上策呀!好，再吹两支曲子我们就觉，睡到明天早晨，带上毛毯走人。你看这支怎么样?调子有些悲，倒很合适这样的夜晚呢。“

他们没有听到爸爸和那个瓷美人正沿溪谷的小道走来，直到走近门廊，爷孙俩才听到她的笑声，琴声嘎然而止。爸爸一声没吭，姑娘走到爷爷跟前尊敬地说：“明天早晨不能来送您，我现在来跟您告辞的。“

“感谢了，“爷爷说。低头看着脚边的毛毯，爷爷弯腰捡起来，“你看，”爷爷局促地说，“这是儿子送我的离别礼物。多好的毛毯!”

“是不错。”她摸了一下毛毯，“好高级呀!”她转向爸爸，冷冷地说，“肯定花了不少钱吧。”

爸爸支吾着说，“我想给他一床的毛毯。”“哼，还是双人的呢。”姑娘没完地纠缠毛毯的事。

“是的，”老人说，“是床双人毛毯。一床一个老家伙即将带走的毛毯。”彼得转身跑进屋。他听到那姑娘还在唠叨毛毯的昂贵，爸爸开头渐渐动怒。姑娘走了，彼得出屋时她正回头冲爸爸喊“甭解释，他根本用不着双人毛毯。”爸爸看着她，脸上有种惊奇的表情。

“她说得对，爸爸，”彼得说，“爷爷用不着双人毛毯。爸爸，给!”彼得递给爸爸一把剪刀，“把毛毯剪成两块。”

“好办法，”爷爷温柔地说，“我用不着这么大的毛毯。”

“是的，”彼得说，“老人家送走时给床单人毛毯就不错了。我们还能留下一半，以后迟早总有用处。”

“你这是什么意思?”爸爸问。

“我是说，”彼得慢腾腾地说，“等你老了，我送你走时给你这一半。”

大家都缄默了。好半天，爸爸走到爷爷面前呆呆地，没有一句话。爷爷望着儿子喃喃地说：“没关系，孩子，我知道你不是这么想的……我知道……”这时，彼得哭了。

但没什么，由于爷爷，爸爸都哭了，哭成了一团……

英语散文篇五

PromiseofBluebirds

ThePennsylvania-landscapewasinseverewintrygarbasourcarspedwestovertheinterstateUlTheseasonwaswrong,butIcouldntgetbluebirdsoutofmyhead.

Onlythreeweeksbefore,atChristmas,Dadhadgivenmeanestingboxhedmade:Hehadaspecialfeelingforthebrilliantcreatures,andeachspringheeagerlyawaitedtheirreturn.NowIwondered,willheeverseeoneagain?

Itwasaheartattack.Dadsthird.

WhenIgottothehospitalat2a.m.,hewaslosingthefight.Asthefamilyhoveredathisbedside,hedriftedinandoutofconsciousness.

Oncehelookedupat.Momsittingbesidethebedholdinghishand.Theywantmetoletgo,hesaid,:butIcant.Idontwantto.Mompattedhisarm.Justholdontome,shemurmured.

Thenextmorningthecardiologistmetusinthewaitingroom.Hesstillfighting,thedoaorsaid.IveneverseensuchstrengthMyyoungestbrotherwasonlyfivewhenIlefthome30yearsago.Relation-shipsbetweenmybrothers-andsistershadbecome-frayedbecauseofdis-tanceandcommitmentstoourownfamilies.ButDadneededhischildrennow,sowestayedatthehospital.Duringthelongvigil,wereminiscedaboutouryearsathome.

Aminer,Dadhadnothadaneasylife.HeandMomraisedsixkidsatatimewhencoalminerseamedaslittleas25centsaton,andheloadedninetonsaday.Evennow,Imsurewedontknowmostofthesacrificestheymadeforus.

IrememberedDadshardhat,itscarbidelampshowingafinepallofcoaldust.Dadsgraygreeneyesseemedlargeandwiseasanowlsinhisblack-enedface.Theyoftensparkledwithdevilmentwhentheymetyoursinconversation..

Eacheveninghecamehome,eagertotakeuphiscrosscutsaworclawhammer.DadcouldchockapieceofwalnutonhislatheanddefflytumoutabeautifulsaladbowlforMom.Hecouldbuildacherryfold-topdeskwithfine,dovetaileddrawersaseasilyashecouldfashionafishing-linethreaderoutofanoldballpointpen.

Dadboughtourplain,two-storyhousefromthecoalcompanyandimmedi~atelybegantoremodelit.Ourhousewasthefirstonthehilltohaveanindoorbathroomandhotwater.Hespentonesummerdiggingouttheclay-filledfoundationtoinstallacoalfurnace.Wechildrennolongershiveredinourbed-roomsoncoldwintermornings.

Welovedtowatchhimwork.WhenDadneededsomething,werantogetit.Ifwecalleditathingamabobhewouldsay,Thatsanailset(thetoolforsinkingtheheadofanailbelowthesurfaceofthewood).Ithasaname.Useit.Dadcarriedaspiritofcraftsmanshipintoeveryjobandexpeaedthesamefromallsixchildren.Eachjobhaditsclaimonyourbestefforts.Andevertoolhaditsname.Thosewerehisprinciples,andwelivedbythemjustaSDaddid.

Hisplayfulspiritwouldsetustogiggling-likethetimehewasbuildingfireplaceinthebackyard.Hesentustolookforthestone-benderheneedetomakethecomerstonesfitmoreevenly.GuessIllhavetobendtheiamyself,hesaidwhenweretumedempty-handed.Wesawthesparklein.bijeyes,andknewwedbeenhad.

Sittinginthehospitalwaittingroom,IthoughtbacktoanafteoninDadsworkshopseveralyearsago..Hewasretiredbythen,buthekeptbusybuildingbeautifulfurniture,nowforhischildrenshomes.Avolunteernaturalist,Iwaseagertotellhimaboutthehelpbluebirdsneeded.

Whentheearlysettlershadclearedforestsforfarmland,Iexplained,blueLbirdsflourished,nestinginfence-postsandorchardtrees.Buttheirhabitatwasdisappearing,andnowthebirdsneedednestingboxesDadlistenedas-Ispoke,hishandsgentlymovingafinegrainedsand-paperoverapieceofoak.Iaskedhimifhewouldliketobuildabox.Hesaidhewouldthinkaboutit.

Severalweekslaterheinvitedmeintohisworkshop.There,onhisworkbench,satthreewell-craftedbluebirdnestingboxes.ThinkthebirdswilllikethemT

heasked.

AsmuchasIdo,Ireplied,hugginghim.Dadputuptheboxes,andthenextspringbluebirdsnestedinhisyard.Hewashooked.

Dadbecamequiteanexpertonthespecies.Bluebirds,hewouldsay,areharbingersofhopeandtriumph,renownedforfamilyloyalty.Apairwillhavetwoorthreebroodsayear,theearlieryoungsometimeshelpingtofeedthelaternestlings.

ThepresenceofhischildrenmusthaveboostedDadsspiritsafterhisattackbecausehegrewstrongerandleftthehospitalonValentinesDayWhenIvisitedmyparentsattheendofMarch,Dadwasconfinedtothedownstairs.

ButInoticedthathepausedlongerandlongeratthewindowsfacingthebackyard.Iknewwhathewashopingtosee.Andonedayabrightflashofcolorcircledthenestingboxclosesttoourhouse.

Well,itsabouttimetherascalsshowed,dontyouthink?Dadsaid.

Sportingaresplendentbluehead,back,wingsandtail,amalebluebirdsanghiscourtshipsongsopassionatelythatwedubbedhimCaruso,aftertheItaliantenor.Afemaleappeared,butrejectedthenestingbox.Carusofoundanotherinthefieldbelowtheyard.Hecircledthenewbox,singingfeverishly.

Sheremainedaloofonadistantperch.

Dadwaswalkingmoreandmoreeachdayasthelovestoryunfolded.Icouldseestrengthcomingbackintohiswiryframe.

OnedayCarusobattledarivalforthefemalesattentions.Thenshefoughtanevenmorevehementbattlewithanotherfemale.Afterwardsheresumedherhaughty.stancewhileheferventlycontinuedwithhisrapturousrepertoire.

Suddenlyoneexquisitemorning,whentheskymirroredCarusoscourtingraiment,sheflewbacktotheboxnearestthehouseandinspecteditthoroughly.Carusohoverednearbyandsangblissfullyasshefinallyacceptedhim.

Shortlythereaftersheproceededtolayoneeggadayuntilthereweresix.

Carusoflutteredoutside,defendingthenestwhilesheincubated.

Dadwasnowwellenoughtogooutside,buthestillcouldntreachtheback-yard.Heaskedustocheckinsidethenestingboxonceaday.Whenwedreturn,thequestionscame.Issheonthenest?heasked.Havetheeggshatched?Didyouseethatshowboatwhats-his-name?Caruso,Dad,Ireplied.Hehasaname,youknow.Dadsslygrinre:

flectedthedevilmentthathadreturnedtohiseyes.

Whentheeggshatched,wemarveledattheherculeaneffortsCarusoandhismateexpendedtocaptureinsectsfortheirbrood.Nestlingsmustbefedevery20minutes.

NeartheendofMay,thefledglingsleftthenest.BythenDadwasabletowalktothefieldsbeyondandseewhatotherbluebirdnews