【明報專訊】It was a time when animals could talk to each other, and most strangely, pass on their strongest body parts to the next generation. Luna was a cow who always dreamt of going to the moon. She envied those who had wings. Surely you need wings before you can fly!
Her mother told her, ''Hey Luna, please stop daydreaming. We can't fly. We are mammals.''
''But Mr Bat can fly. And he's a mammal.''
Mom couldn't argue with that.
As Luna grew up, she started planning her career. ''I want to be an adventurer.'' She said.
''What do you mean? How does that differ from a gambler?'' Mom asked worriedly.
''I want freedom.
That's all.''
''Don't gamble with your future.''
Mr Hawk was a well-known, veteran pilot. Usually hawks only teach their kids how to fly. But Mr Hawk hoped to pass on not only his skills but also his brawny wings to the youngsters.
One day Luna came to visit Mr Hawk. ''Mr Hawk, I want to go to the moon. Would you please teach me how to fly?''
''But kid you have no wings! And going to the moon is impossible! I rescue people with my wings. I don't do silly things.''
''I won't! And don't you think it's promising to let another mammal have wings. Let's combine our powers and make the world a better place.''
Upon Luna's insistence, Mr Hawk finally agreed to take her on as his pupil. Luna knew that Mr Hawk hated people with ambitions. So she pretended to be humble.
Years passed. Mr Hawk suffered from a serious disease. He called upon Luna and told her that he was gonna give her his wings. ''Please use them for the common good. Forget your lunar dream!''
No sooner had Mr Hawk passed away than Luna started working on her moon landing. What was Luna gonna do with her wings?
(To be continued)
◆Food for thought
Should Mr Hawk pass on his wings to Luna? Is it better to teach someone to fish than to give them fish? Other than knowledge and wealth, what else should elderly people pass on to their offspring?
■Gear up
Refer to the story and circle the correct answer.
(1) Luna is born with wings. ( True / False / Not given )
(2) Luna wants to be a gambler. ( True / False / Not given )
(3) Mr Hawk gives his wings to Mr Bat. ( True / False / Not given )
(Answers on next text)
■Glossary
veteran (adj) 資深的
brawny (adj) 強壯的
insistence (n) 堅持
offspring (n) 後代
[Smarties' Power English 第270期]
;){kind=small}
;)
