Rent a Llama

Rent a Llama. Written by Susan Lennox. Illustrated by David Miles. Focus Question. How do Marcos' feelings about his new home change during the story? Why?

租一只羊驼。 苏珊·伦诺克斯 撰文 戴维·迈尔斯 绘图 思考问题 故事里马科斯对新家的感受发生了什么变化？ 为什么会有这样的变化呢？

When Marcos slept, he dreamed. His dreams were always the same. He was back in Ecuador, on horseback, tucked in behind his abuelo as they rode among herds of sheep and llamas. The animals clambered up rocky slopes beneath a dome of violet sky. In his dream, Marcos and his grandfather guided the animals toward the grassy fields where they would eat their fill.

马科斯睡着的时候，做了个梦。 他的梦总是一模一样。 他回到了厄瓜多尔，骑在马背上，依偎在爷爷身后，跟着羊群和羊驼群赶路。 紫罗兰色的天穹下，牲畜们沿着岩石坡向上攀爬。 梦里，马科斯和爷爷领着牲畜往草地走去，那里有吃不完的青草。

Then morning would come and Marcos would wake from his dreams and worry. His worries these days always seemed the same. Life was so different now. How would he ever fit in here in America? Were there any friends to be had in a classroom of new faces? Would he ever master this strange language called English?

接着天亮了，马科斯从梦中醒来，满心忧虑。 这些天，他的烦恼也总是一模一样。 现在的生活太不一样了。 他到底能不能在美国这里适应下来呢？ 满教室都是新面孔，能交到朋友吗？ 他能学好英语这门陌生的语言吗？

Marcos's mother worried too. She wanted her son to be happy in his new home. Every morning she made him a delicious breakfast and offered kind words of encouragement before sending him off to school. One Monday she reminded him that it was a special day for him. Marcos, today you are taking a trip with your class, remember? She said gently. You are going to a ranch.

马科斯的妈妈也很担心。 她想让儿子在新家里开心起来。 每天早上，她都会给马科斯做美味的早餐，送他上学前总说些暖心鼓励的话。 一个周一，她提醒马科斯今天是他的特殊日子。 马科斯，你今天要跟全班去出游，还记得吗？ 她温柔地说。 你们要去一个牧场。

Marcos nodded. He had remembered. He just didn't believe it was anything to get excited about. "'We used to live on a ranch, Mama,' he said sadly. "'That was in Ecuador, Marcos.' "'I am sure an American ranch will be a bit different,' she said. Yes, Marcos sighed, just like everything else here.

马科斯点点头。 他当然记得。 他只是觉得这件事没什么好兴奋的。 “我们以前就住在牧场，妈妈。”他难过地说。 “那是在厄瓜多尔呀，马科斯。” “我敢说美国的牧场会有点不一样哦。”她说。 没错，马科斯叹了口气，就跟这儿的其他一切一样。

At school the other students were very excited. They lived in the city and knew little about farm animals. To them the trip would be a great adventure. Marcos felt lost in the hubbub as his classmates chose seat partners for the bus ride to the ranch. Mr. Perkins noticed Marcos standing quietly by himself. I think Marcos needs a seat partner, he announced. A small boy named Ben stepped forward and flashed Marcos a smile. He can sit with me, Ben said.

在学校，其他同学都兴奋极了。 他们都住在城市，对农场动物几乎一无所知。 对他们来说，这次出游就是一场大冒险。 同学们选巴士座位搭档时，马科斯在喧闹里茫然无措。 珀金斯老师注意到马科斯静静站在一旁。 “我觉得马科斯还缺一个座位搭档。”他大声说。 一个叫本的小男孩走出来，对马科斯露出了笑容。 “他可以坐我旁边。”本说。