As a child, there was nothing I liked better than Sunday afternoons at my grandfather’s farm in western Pennsylvania. Surrounded by miles of winding stone walls, the house and field provided endless hours of fun for a city kid like me.
Since my first visit to the farm, I had wanted more than anything to be allowed to climb the stone walls surrounding the houses. My parents would never agree because the walls were so old that some stones were loose and falling. However, my idea to climb across those walls grew so strong that finally I had all my courage to enter the living room, where the adults had gathered after Sunday dinner.
“I want to climb the stone walls.” I said. “Heavens, no! You’ll hurt yourself!” The response was just as I’d expected. But before I left the room, I was stopped by my grandfather’s loud voice. “Now hold on just a minute.”I heard him say. “Let the boy climb the stone walls. He has to learn to do things for himself.”
“Go,” he said to me, “and come and see me when you get back. ”For the next two and a half hours I climbed those old walls—and had the time of my life. Later I met with my grandfather to tell him about my adventures. I’ll never forget what he said. “Fred,” he said, smiling, “you made this day a special day just by being yourself. Always remember, there’s only one person in this whole world like you, and I like you exactly as you are.”
Many years have passed since then, and today I host the television program Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, seen by millions of children throughout America. There have been changes over the years, but one thing remains the same: my message to children at the end of almost every visit. ”There’s only one person in this whole world like you,“ the kids will hear me say, ”and people can like you exactly as you are.
【小题1】Why did the writer enjoy his visits to the farm?| A．There were old stone houses. | B．He could experience new fun there. |
| C．He missed his grandfather. | D．He was allowed to climb the stone walls. |
| A．The writer didn’t expect his parents’ disagreement with his climbing the walls. |
| B．The writer didn’t know the possible danger of the stone walls. |
| C．The writer’s grandfather backed him up to follow his own heart. |
| D．The writer became a TV program host due to his grandfather’s influence. |
| A．Adventurous. | B．Open-minded. |
| C．Tricky. | D．Stubborn. |
| A．Unforgettable Childhood. | B．Do Whatever You Like. |
| C．Just Be Yourself. | D．Like grandfather, like grandson. |
