Martina Smith looked out of the window. A robin was singing a lively song in the tree. At this time, Grandpa, who had lived with the family since Grandma died, came in. He looked at the floor as if he was looking for something. He said, “When the robin sings…he stopped, trying to remember what he had started to say.”
“Spring is here,” Mum finished the sentence. “And I’m thinking of our spring cleaning.” Mum suggested. “Martina, you can help me, right?” Martina agreed unwillingly.
They cleaned the house. They cleaned upstairs, downstairs, inside, outside, until everything was clean. Then Mum pointed to Grandpa’s sofa and shouted. “That old sofa has got to go. We’ll buy Grandpa a new one.
It was true and Martina had to agree. The sofa was really old. As they tried to move the sofa. Grandpa stood in their way. “You can’t take my sofa,” he shouted.
“It’s old,” Mum said. Grandpa tried to push his sofa back into place. “We’ll buy you a new one,” Mum promised.
“I don’t want a new one,” Grandpa insisted. Mum let go of the sofa. “We’ll talk about it tonight when John gets home.” John, Martina’s dad, was still at work.
“Why don’t you let us take away the sofa? It’s too old!” Martina asked when the family were having supper. Grandpa shook his head and said, “I sat in this sofa with your grandma right here when I asked her to marry me. It was so long ago, but when I sit in this sofa and close my eyes, I feel she is near.”
“It’s amazing,” Martina thought, “how Grandpa can remember things from the past. These days he forgets almost everything.”
The old man smiled to Martina and went on. “Before the night your father was born, I didn’t sleep but sat in this sofa, feeling flustered till they placed the little baby into my arms.”
“I think I’m beginning to understand,” Martina said. “Many years later,” Grandpa continued, “I sat in this sofa when the doctor called and told me that your grandma was ill. I was lost without her, but the sofa gave me the comfort.”
“I do see now,” Martina looked at Grandpa. “This is not just an old sofa.”
【小题1】What was Grandpa like these days?| A．He was happy to live with the family. | B．He liked the robin’s singing. |
| C．He always looked for something on the floor. | D．He couldn’t remember things well. |
| A．nervous | B．bored | C．hopeful | D．happy |
| A．The Old Sofa | B．The Spring Cleaning |
| C．The Smiths’ Wish | D．The Unforgettable Experience |
Family rules help children learn what is and isn’t OK in the family. Following them can help children learn to follow rules in other places, so it’s not good for you to make rules too late.
As parents, when you make family rules, talk about them with your children. They will be happy. Good family rules are easy for children to understand(理解). For example, “Go to bed before nine o’clock!” is good. “It’s important to get to bed early!” isn’t. And good family rules tell children what to do NOT what not to do. For example, “Keep your room tidy!” is good. “Don’t put your things everywhere!” isn’t.
People forget things easily, so it’s good to write down the rules and put them up(张贴) somewhere everyone can see.
There are times when family rules need to change(改变). For example, when your child gets older, you can make rules about helping with housework. Just like making rules, it’s good to let your children help make changes to the rules with you.
Family rules are important. Following them can help learn to follow rules in other places. You should make rules |
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