Story：The fearsome sight
【明報專訊】Betty was a great dancer. She always performed outstandingly at dancing lessons. But that didn't mean she felt no pressure. A territory-wide dancing championship was about to be held. Betty's mom, a veteran star dancer, warned that if she didn't come first in the competition, she wouldn't be allowed to hang out with friends anymore. Betty still remembered her mom's fearsome sight.
Betty didn't want to come second or even lose the championship. She feared that her idleness would cost her the entire social life. However, not only should she focus on dancing lessons, but she also had to spend time on schoolwork. ''Bad Betty, don't you dare slack off! Without winning the dancing championship, don't expect to get into an elite school!'' Mom roared.
Betty woke up in a cold sweat. ''Just a nightmare,'' she wouldn't dare fall asleep again.
She practised every single day and worked very hard to improve every single ballet move, yet she skipped the crucial steps. Inevitably all this drove her to exhaustion. Her couch warned her not to cut corners, but she didn't listen. Of course she didn't! She couldn't resist thinking about her mom's fearsome sight.
The day came and she came on stage. ''Bannnnnnnng!'' Just after a few dance moves, Betty felt faint and collapsed.
Knowing that her daughter had collapsed, Betty's mom rushed to hospital only to see Betty in bad shape. ''Betty broke one of her legs and had to put a plaster cast on it,'' the nurse said. Betty's mom felt so guilty that her tears ran down her face. Not expecting her mom's sensitive side, Betty cried too.
''Sorry mom I lost. Did I fail you?'' Betty was still nervous.
''Stupid kid. I've done it all wrong.'' Mom hugged Betty to her.
(by Ian Lam)
■Gear up
Refer to the story and circle the correct answer.
1. Betty is a lazy girl. (True / False / Not given)
2. Betty's father is also a dancer. (True / False / Not given)
3. Betty's mom is a very strict person. (True / False / Not given)
(Answers on next text)
■Food for thought
Don't push yourself too hard. More importantly, don't cut corners just to meet others' expectations. Everything takes real efforts and fear won't make you a better person in any area.
■Glossary
outstandingly (adv) 優異地
veteran (adj) 資深的
fearsome (adj) 可怕的
cut corners (idiom) 走捷徑
[Smarties' Power English 第286期]
