A New Sister新来的妹妹

Lauren

John was sitting on his bed and reading his favorite book when his mommycame in and read to him. Then his dad came into his room. Today it had been agood day for John. His mommy had let him eat his favorite chocolate cake afterlunch， and his dad had taken him to a baseball game and bought him a hot dogwith a big soda1. Then， his mommy had taken him shopping at the store for anew bike.

John was very happy and in a good mood2. Now it was late at night， andJohn was just about to go to bed. He was sleepy， and ready to ask his parents totell him a story for bed. But when Mommy and Dad came into his room， they didnot look like they were going to tell him to go to bed. They looked as if they wereabout to tell him something important. John could tell because his mommy washolding her hands and his dad looked very serious3. That always meant that theywere nervous4.

John sat back on his bed and put the book away. He looked straight at hisparents， and waited for the news that they were going to tell him. His mommy satdown on the chair next to the door and pushed5 her long brown hair out of hereyes. His dad sat down next to her. They looked at John and smiled in a happyway. His dad spoke first.“John， we have something very important to tell you， andwe do not want you to be worried because it is the best news of all.”His mommylooked at him and said，“We hope6 you will be as happy as we are.”

約翰正坐在床上读他最喜欢的书，这时他妈妈进来读给他听。然后他爸爸走进了他的房间。今天对约翰来说是个开心的日子。午饭后，妈妈让他吃了最喜欢的巧克力蛋糕，爸爸带他去看了棒球比赛，给他买了一只热狗加一大杯汽水。然后，妈妈带他去商店买了一辆新自行车。

约翰非常高兴，心情很好。现在已经是深夜了，约翰正要上床睡觉。他很困，准备让父母讲一个睡前故事。但是妈妈和爸爸走进了他的房间后，他们看起来并没有打算叫他上床睡觉。他们看起来好像要告诉他某些重要的事情。约翰看得出来，因为他妈妈双手交握，而爸爸看起来很严肃，这就意味着他们很紧张。

约翰往床上一靠，把书收了起来。他直视着父母，等待着他们要告诉他的消息。妈妈坐在门旁边的椅子上，拨开遮住眼睛的棕色长发。爸爸坐在她旁边，他们看着约翰开心地笑了。爸爸先开口了，“约翰，我们有非常重要的事情要告诉你，我们不想让你担心，因为这是最好的消息。”妈妈看着他说：“我们希望你和我们一样开心。”

John couldnt wait any more. He wanted to know the news right now. Hethought about what would make him happier than he was right now. Were theygoing to the park tomorrow？ Had his parents bought him a dog？ He didnt have togo to school anymore？

At the end， his dad said，“We are very happy to tell you that you will begetting a little sister in a few days.”Johns mouth fell7 open. He was verysurprised to hear this news， because he had never thought that his parents wouldwant another child after him. As John thought about this news， he had a question.“When women have a child， I thought their stomachs8 became very big，”he saidto his mommy. His mommy laughed9 and said，“Yes， that is what happens10. Butyour new sister is already here. Another Mommy and Dad have her right now， butthey will be giving her to us very soon.”

John thought about this. “Why are they giving her away to another family？”

he asked. His dad told him that some parents were not able11 to care for theirchildren in the right way. So the children had to go to another family who wouldlove and care for them. Though12 John was surprised at this news， he couldnthelp feeling happy about getting a sister to play with and talk to.

Johns parents left and turned off the light. They were happythat their son was taking the news so well， and they looked forwardto13 meeting their new daughter. John closed his eyes and smiled. In afew days， he would have a new friend for life.

约翰等不及了，他想马上就知道这个消息。他在想有什么事能让他比此刻更开心。他们明天要去公园吗？父母给他买了一只狗吗？他不用再上学了吗？

终于，爸爸说：“我们很高兴地告诉你，几天后你会有一个小妹妹。”约翰张大了嘴。听到这个消息他非常惊讶，因为他从未想过父母在他之后会想要另一个孩子。当约翰想到这个消息时，他有一个问题。“当女性有了孩子，我認为她们的肚子会变得很大。”他对妈妈说。妈妈笑着说：“对，一般是这样。但你的新妹妹已经来到世界上了。另一个妈妈和爸爸现在有她了，不过他们很快就会把她送给我们。”

约翰想了想，问道：“他们为什么要把她送到另一个家庭？”爸爸告诉他，有些父母无法以恰当的方式照顾他们的孩子，所以孩子们不得不去另一个会爱护和照顾他们的家庭生活。虽然约翰对这个消息感到惊讶，但他还是忍不住为有一个妹妹和他一起玩和聊天而感到高兴。

约翰的父母离开了房间，并关了灯。他们很高兴儿子能很好地接受这个消息，也很期待能见到他们的新女儿。约翰闭上眼睛笑了。再过几天，他将有一个一生的新朋友。

Notes

1. soda 汽水

2. mood 心境；情绪

3. serious 认真的；严肃的

4. nervous 神经紧张的；担忧的

5. push 推；按

6. hope 希望

7. fall 进入……某状态；开始变成

8. stomach 胃；腹部；肚子

9. laugh 笑；发笑

10. happen 发生

11. able 能够；有能力的

12. though 虽然；尽管；可是；不过

13. look forword to 盼望；期待