【明報專訊】HUGO just turned nine. And he had a bad habit.

When someone asked him, "What's your hobby?" Like many students, he would answer, "Sleeping!" Sleeping might be fun, but normally you only enjoy the few seconds before falling asleep! What happens after is at most a beautiful dream, if not a nightmare.

The lessons began at 8am. He always arrived late in class around 8:30am.

His naughty brother Hugh did all kinds of tricks. One evening, Hugo's mum told him that she wouldn't wake him up the following morning, and he should set the alarm clock himself.

"Don't lie in!"

His mum warned him.

Before Hugo went to sleep, Hugh spread Hugo's bed with superglue. That was very rude! As you know, superglue dries and joins things quickly.

Hugo finished the last piece of homework with his pen flying over the paper. Feeling drowsy, he jumped on his bed without setting the alarm clock, falling into a gentle slumber.

Hugo woke up. It was already 8:30am. Though he lived near the school, it was way too late. Then he found himself stuck to the mattress.

"Help! Mum!" He shouted loudly. Of course no one answered.

He would like to strip the bed sheet off the mattress but failed — his hands and feet were all glued to the bed!

Running out of ideas, he could only stand up — the mattress was rather light — and made his way through the living room, the door, the elevator...

Eventually he arrived at school around 9am.

"Oh mattress monster! Run... Run!" What his classmates saw was a little boy "dressed" in a big mattress! Dozens of pens, books, rubbers, etc. were thrown at Hugo.

Fortunately the class teacher arrived, "Stop the farce (鬧劇)! I think you all recognise he's Hugo!"

"Thanks, Miss Cheung..." Hugo was wiping away all his tears.

"You've made your bed, and you must lie in it!" (自作自受)

◆Food for thought

Lying in is a bad habit because it takes over your daily life and makes you lazier. If you find it hard to get up on time, try to set the alarm clock. But don't hit the snooze button and slumber on!

■Gear up

Find words from the story which could be replaced by the following:

(1) a bad dream __________

(2) sleepy __________

(3) yelled __________

(4) replied __________

(Answers on next text)

■Glossary

lie in (phr v) 睡懶覺

spread (v) 塗

drowsy (adj) 睡意朦朧的

slumber (n) 睡眠

[Smarties' Power English 第253期]