Lauren

John was sitting on his bed and reading his favorite book when his mommycame in and read to him. Then his dad came into his room. Today it had been agood day for John. His mommy had let him eat his favorite chocolate cake afterlunch， and his dad had taken him to a baseball game and bought him a hot dogwith a big soda1. Then， his mommy had taken him shopping at the store for anew bike.

John was very happy and in a good mood2. Now it was late at night， andJohn was just about to go to bed. He was sleepy， and ready to ask his parents totell him a story for bed. But when Mommy and Dad came into his room， they didnot look like they were going to tell him to go to bed. They looked as if they wereabout to tell him something important. John could tell because his mommy washolding her hands and his dad looked very serious3. That always meant that theywere nervous4.

John sat back on his bed and put the book away. He looked straight at hisparents， and waited for the news that they were going to tell him. His mommy satdown on the chair next to the door and pushed5 her long brown hair out of hereyes. His dad sat down next to her. They looked at John and smiled in a happyway. His dad spoke first.“John， we have something very important to tell you， andwe do not want you to be worried because it is the best news of all.”His mommylooked at him and said，“We hope6 you will be as happy as we are.”

約翰正坐在床上讀他最喜歡的書，這時(shí)他媽媽進(jìn)來(lái)讀給他聽。然后他爸爸走進(jìn)了他的房間。今天對(duì)約翰來(lái)說(shuō)是個(gè)開心的日子。午飯后，媽媽讓他吃了最喜歡的巧克力蛋糕，爸爸帶他去看了棒球比賽，給他買了一只熱狗加一大杯汽水。然后，媽媽帶他去商店買了一輛新自行車。

約翰非常高興，心情很好。現(xiàn)在已經(jīng)是深夜了，約翰正要上床睡覺。他很困，準(zhǔn)備讓父母講一個(gè)睡前故事。但是媽媽和爸爸走進(jìn)了他的房間后，他們看起來(lái)并沒有打算叫他上床睡覺。他們看起來(lái)好像要告訴他某些重要的事情。約翰看得出來(lái)，因?yàn)樗麐寢岆p手交握，而爸爸看起來(lái)很嚴(yán)肅，這就意味著他們很緊張。

約翰往床上一靠，把書收了起來(lái)。他直視著父母，等待著他們要告訴他的消息。媽媽坐在門旁邊的椅子上，撥開遮住眼睛的棕色長(zhǎng)發(fā)。爸爸坐在她旁邊，他們看著約翰開心地笑了。爸爸先開口了，“約翰，我們有非常重要的事情要告訴你，我們不想讓你擔(dān)心，因?yàn)檫@是最好的消息?！眿寢尶粗f(shuō)：“我們希望你和我們一樣開心?！?/p>

John couldnt wait any more. He wanted to know the news right now. Hethought about what would make him happier than he was right now. Were theygoing to the park tomorrow？ Had his parents bought him a dog？ He didnt have togo to school anymore？

At the end， his dad said，“We are very happy to tell you that you will begetting a little sister in a few days.”Johns mouth fell7 open. He was verysurprised to hear this news， because he had never thought that his parents wouldwant another child after him. As John thought about this news， he had a question.“When women have a child， I thought their stomachs8 became very big，”he saidto his mommy. His mommy laughed9 and said，“Yes， that is what happens10. Butyour new sister is already here. Another Mommy and Dad have her right now， butthey will be giving her to us very soon.”

John thought about this. “Why are they giving her away to another family？”

he asked. His dad told him that some parents were not able11 to care for theirchildren in the right way. So the children had to go to another family who wouldlove and care for them. Though12 John was surprised at this news， he couldnthelp feeling happy about getting a sister to play with and talk to.

Johns parents left and turned off the light. They were happythat their son was taking the news so well， and they looked forwardto13 meeting their new daughter. John closed his eyes and smiled. In afew days， he would have a new friend for life.

約翰等不及了，他想馬上就知道這個(gè)消息。他在想有什么事能讓他比此刻更開心。他們明天要去公園嗎？父母給他買了一只狗嗎？他不用再上學(xué)了嗎？

終于，爸爸說(shuō)：“我們很高興地告訴你，幾天后你會(huì)有一個(gè)小妹妹?！奔s翰張大了嘴。聽到這個(gè)消息他非常驚訝，因?yàn)樗麖奈聪脒^父母在他之后會(huì)想要另一個(gè)孩子。當(dāng)約翰想到這個(gè)消息時(shí)，他有一個(gè)問題。“當(dāng)女性有了孩子，我認(rèn)為她們的肚子會(huì)變得很大?！彼麑?duì)媽媽說(shuō)。媽媽笑著說(shuō)：“對(duì)，一般是這樣。但你的新妹妹已經(jīng)來(lái)到世界上了。另一個(gè)媽媽和爸爸現(xiàn)在有她了，不過他們很快就會(huì)把她送給我們?！?/p>

約翰想了想，問道：“他們?yōu)槭裁匆阉偷搅硪粋€(gè)家庭？”爸爸告訴他，有些父母無(wú)法以恰當(dāng)?shù)姆绞秸疹櫵麄兊暮⒆?，所以孩子們不得不去另一個(gè)會(huì)愛護(hù)和照顧他們的家庭生活。雖然約翰對(duì)這個(gè)消息感到驚訝，但他還是忍不住為有一個(gè)妹妹和他一起玩和聊天而感到高興。

約翰的父母離開了房間，并關(guān)了燈。他們很高興兒子能很好地接受這個(gè)消息，也很期待能見到他們的新女兒。約翰閉上眼睛笑了。再過幾天，他將有一個(gè)一生的新朋友。

Notes

1. soda 汽水

2. mood 心境；情緒

3. serious 認(rèn)真的；嚴(yán)肅的

4. nervous 神經(jīng)緊張的；擔(dān)憂的

5. push 推；按

6. hope 希望

7. fall 進(jìn)入……某狀態(tài)；開始變成

8. stomach 胃；腹部；肚子

9. laugh 笑；發(fā)笑

10. happen 發(fā)生

11. able 能夠；有能力的

12. though 雖然；盡管；可是；不過

13. look forword to 盼望；期待