【明報專訊】Pat is anxious to get little cousins Pam and Po ready for primary school next year. With a profound hatred of schooling and an ambition to conquer the world by recruiting new members, Eason is going to set them "free" from Pat.

“ Pat: Finish all these supplementary exercises by noon. Stop making those faces, the purpose of education is to free your mind! ”

“ Eason: Hey little ones, join me for free chocolates! ”

“ Dr Panda: Aren't you trying to "free" them? Eason did liberate them! Education doesn't take place only in your classroom, Pat. ”

“ Pat: Instead of wasting your time lecturing me, hurry to save the piggies from Eason's trap! ”

■Culture tips

Liberation Day in Italy

25 April is a national holiday in Italy, on which the Italians celebrate the end of Mussolini (墨索里尼)'s puppet regime (傀儡政權) led by the notorious Nazi Germany. The Italians hold historical re-enactments (重演) and parades to commemorate the day. Many towns also hold fairs, food festivals or special events. If you want to travel around the date, be reminded that many shops and services including restaurants and public transport are likely to be closed or operating limited service.

■English highway﹕free, liberate

"Free" can also be used as a verb. It has a similar meaning to "liberate" while the latter emphasises more on getting rid of an institution.

e.g. Maggie wants to free herself of daily chores.

e.g. Intellectuals of the late Qing dynasty (晚清) urged that women should be liberated from foot-binding (纏足).

■Glossary

profound (adj) 強烈的

notorious (adj) 惡名昭彰

institution (n) 制度；習俗

chore (n) 例行工作；家務

[Smarties' Power English 第215期]