Unit1Schoollife[导读]《母亲的礼物》是广大英语爱好者们津津乐道的一部图书。书中通过作者回忆儿时与母亲在一起的点点滴滴，真正明白了在一个人成长的不同时期，母亲的陪伴和鼓励才是人世间最美的礼物。阅读下面有关作者三年级参加演出时的一次经历的节选，对比中外文化中对母爱理解的异同。MyMother'sGiftSuzanneChazinIgrewupinasmalltownwheretheelementaryschoolwasatenminutewalkfrommyhouseandinanage，notsolongago，whenchildrencouldgohomeforlunchandfindtheirmotherwaiting.Atthetime，Ididnotconsiderthisaluxury，althoughtodayitcertainlywouldbe.Itookitforgranted①thatmotherswerethesandwichmakers，thefingerpaintingappreciationsandthehomeworkmonitors.Ineverquestionedthatthisambitious，intelligentwoman，whohadhadacareerbeforeIwasbornandwouldeventuallyreturntoacareer，wouldspendalmosteverylunchhourthroughoutmyelementaryschoolyearsjustwithme.Ionlyknewthatwhenthenoonbellrang，Iwouldracebreathlessly②home.Mymotherwouldbestandingatthetopofthestairs，smilingdownatmewithalookthatsuggestedIwastheonlyimportantthingshehadonhermind.Forthis，Iamforevergrateful.OnelunchtimewhenIwasinthethirdgradewillstaywithmealways.Ihadbeenpickedtobetheprincessintheschoolplay，andforweeksmymotherhadpainstakingly③rehearsed(排练，排演)mylineswithme.ButnomatterhoweasilyIdelivered④themathome，assoonasIsteppedonstage，everyworddisappearedfrommyhead.Finally，myteachertookmeaside.Sheexplainedthatshehadwrittenanarrator'sparttotheplay，andaskedmetoswitchroles.Herwords，kindlydelivered，stillstung，especiallywhenIsawmypartgotoanothergirl.Ididn'ttellmymotherwhathadhappenedwhenIwenthomeforlunchthatday.Butshesensedmyunease，andinsteadofsuggestingwepracticemylines，sheaskedifIwantedtowalkintheyard.Iwatchedmymothercasuallybenddownbyoneoftheclumps，“IthinkI'mgoingtodigupalltheseweeds，”shesaid，yanking(使劲拉)ablossom，upbyitsroots.“Fromnowon，we'llhaveonlyrosesinthisgarden.”“ButIlikedandelions，”Iprotested.“Allflowersarebeautiful—evendandelions.”Mymotherlookedatmeseriously.“Yes，everyflowergivespleasureinitsownway，doesn'tit？”sheaskedthoughtfully.Inodded，pleasethatIhadwonherover.“Andthatistrueofpeopletoo，”sheadded.“Noteveryonecanbeaprincess，butthereisnoshame⑤inthat.”Relievedthatshehadguessedmypain，IstartedtocryasItoldherwhathadhappened.Shelistenedandsmiledreassuringly(使人安心地)．“Butyouwillbeabeautifulnarrator，”shesaid，remindingmeofhowmuchIlovedtoreadstoriesaloudtoher.“Thenarrator'spartiseverybitasimportantasthepartoftheprincess.”Overthenextfewweeks，withherconstantencouragement，Ilearnedtotakeprideintherole.LunchtimeswerespentreadingovermylinesandtalkingaboutwhatIwouldwear.Backstagethenightoftheperformance，Ifeltnervous.Afewminutesbeforetheplay，myteachercameovertome.“Yourmotheraskedmetogivethistoyou，”shesaid，handingmeadandelion.Itsedgeswerealreadybeginningtocurlanditflopped(垂下)lazilyfromitsstem.Butjustlookingatit，knowingmymotherwasoutthereandthinkingofourlunchtimetalk，mademeproud.Aftertheplay，ItookhometheflowerIhadstuffed(塞)intheapronofmycostume.Mymotherpresseditbetweentwosheetsofpapertowelinginadictionary，laughingasshediditthatwewereperhapstheonlypeoplewhowouldpresssuchasorrylookingweed.Ioftenlookbackonourlunchtimestogether，bathedinthesoftmiddaylight.Theywerethecommasinmychildhood，thepausesthattoldmelifeisnotsavored(品味)inpremeasuredincrements(增长)，butinthesumofdailyrituals(惯例)andsmallpleasur...
