The Guest Ranch

The Guest Ranch. Written by Jessica Mallordi. Illustrated by Carol Heyer. Focus Question. How does the setting influence Zach?

《度假牧场》 作者：杰西卡·玛洛迪 绘者：卡罗尔·海尔 思考问题 环境对扎克产生了什么影响？

Zak tried to get a better look at Cottonwood Guest Ranch, squinting as his mom's car rumbled forward. Why are we on vacation in the middle of nowhere, he grumbled. He flicked his thumb across his smartphone screen. The map doesn't even get a signal. To take a break from all that, Zak's mom replied. She reached over, grabbed his phone from his hands, and lowered the window. Smell that? That's fresh air out there. That's nature.

扎克眯着眼睛，想看清前方的三角叶杨度假牧场，妈妈的车正轰隆轰隆往前开 他嘟囔着：我们为什么要来这种荒无人烟的地方度假呀 他的拇指滑过智能手机屏幕 连地图都搜不到一点信号 就是为了让你远离这些东西呀，扎克妈妈回答 她伸过手，从扎克手里拿过手机，降下了车窗 闻到了吗？ 外面全是新鲜空气 这就是大自然

To Zach, the air smelled like horses and cows. He could even see the horses tossing their manes. When they went inside the main building to check in, Zach looked through the guest packet, examining photos of the week's activities. There would be horseback riding and hiking, river rafting and rodeo skills, all leading up to a real cattle drive. He had to admit that the activities looked pretty cool, especially the riding. All day he had stared out the window, thinking how strange it was to cross the desert by car. It had to be different on horseback. Instead of just passing by the landscape, you'd be a part of it. Still, Zak felt a little uneasy as he followed his mom to their room. Mom, are you sure this place is for us? He asked. I mean, the people in the photos don't exactly look like us. Give it a chance, his mom urged gently, kicking off her shoes. Your Uncle Grant said they had a great time when they came here last summer.

在扎克闻起来，空气里全是马和牛的味道 他甚至能看见马儿晃着鬃毛 他们进主楼登记的时候，扎克翻了翻客用手册，查看本周活动的照片 这里有骑马、远足、漂流还有牛仔竞技技巧，最后还有一场真正的赶牛活动 他不得不说这些活动看起来超酷，尤其是骑马 一整天他都望着窗外，觉得开车穿过沙漠好神奇 骑马肯定会不一样吧 你不再是坐车路过风景，你自己就成了风景的一部分 可跟着妈妈回房间的时候，扎克还是有点不安 妈妈，你确定我们适合来这里吗？ 他问道 我是说，照片里的人看起来和我们不太一样呀 试试看嘛，妈妈边脱鞋边温柔劝道 你的格兰特叔叔说，他们去年夏天来这儿玩得可开心了

The next morning, Zach went to his first horseback riding lesson. As one of the beginners, he started by learning the parts of the horse and saddle. He also learned how not to get stomped or chomped on. The riding instructors made riding seem easy, but Zach's horse, Gizmo, had other ideas. He had huge teeth and muscles like marble. He would not obey Zak's commands. The afternoon hike was a relief, but even so, Zak felt disappointed. Walking around while Cacti stabbed you was nowhere near as fun as a real ride through the desert. Would he ever be able to do that?

第二天早上，扎克去上他的第一节骑马课 作为初学者，他从认识马匹和马鞍的各个部位开始学 他还学了怎么不被马踩、不被马咬 骑马教练说骑马看起来很简单，可扎克的马吉兹莫却不这么想 它长着大大的牙齿，肌肉结实得像大理石 它根本不听扎克的指令 下午的远足让扎克松了口气，可即便如此，他还是很失望 被仙人掌扎着走路，哪比得上真骑马穿越沙漠有意思 他到底能不能学会骑马呀？

The next day, Zak was dragging his feet back toward the stables when a tall African -American man walked by. All right, where are my beginners? he boomed. Zak blinked. A black cowboy? Working as a ranch hand in New Mexico? The name's Mitch, the man said, giving Zak a wink. Saddle up. Zack leapt into action, but by the end of class it was clear he was not keeping up. The other beginners were trotting while Zack could barely direct Gizmo's wanderings.

第二天，扎克磨磨蹭蹭往马厩走，这时一个高高的非裔美国人从他身边走过 好了，我的初学者们都在哪儿呢？ 他大声问道 扎克眨了眨眼 黑人牛仔？ 在新墨西哥当牧场工人？ 我叫米奇，男人边说边冲扎克眨了眨眼 备马吧 扎克立刻动了起来，可到下课的时候，他明显跟不上大家 其他初学者都能小跑了，扎克连控制吉兹莫闲逛都做不到

Why don't we spend a little time with Gizmo one -on -one? Mitch suggested. Zack blushed. That's okay, he mumbled. Horseback riding isn't really my thing. That's a load of manure, Mitch replied and slipped a sugar cube into Zack's hand. Sugar's the first secret to cowboying, he joked. Keep your palm flat now. Gizmo gobbled up the sugar cube as fast as a jackrabbit. Zack grinned. Mitch smiled back, then fixed Zack's posture, moved his knees, and told him to loosen his grip on the reins. You're in charge of the horse, he said. Always remember that.

要不我们花点时间，一对一和吉兹莫相处看看？ 米奇提议道 扎克脸红了 没关系的，他嘟囔着 骑马本来就不是我擅长的 胡说八道，米奇边说边把一块方糖塞进扎克手里 糖就是当牛仔的第一个秘诀哦，他开玩笑说 现在把你的手掌放平 吉兹莫像长耳大野兔一样，一口就把方糖吞掉了 扎克笑了起来 米奇也笑了，接着帮扎克调整姿势，挪了挪他的膝盖，让他放松握缰绳的手 你才是马的主人，他说 永远记住这一点