It was very cold and I had been watching a homeless man make himself comfortable in a “shelter” on the river bank. His “shelter” was a tarpaulin (油布) tied to rocks to keep the wind from blowing it away. He had been living there for over a month. I never saw him with warm clothing or food. I knew what I wanted to do.
When I told my parents what I wanted to do they were alarmed. They said I could be putting myself at risk, taking a box to a homeless person at night! But I knew, in my deep heart, that I would be safe.
I got a box. My parents watched as I added warm gloves, a heavy blanket ... into the box until it was full! Then, I put a Christmas card on top. It said, “Even though we hardly know each other, I want to wish you a Merry Christmas!” I put ten one-dollar bills inside it as well.
My father insisted he went there with me as it was 10 pm on Christmas Eve. I said he could drive me but he had to stay in the car. He agreed.
I took the box and walked towards his “house”. I called, “Sir, I have a Christmas box for you!”
“Go away!” he shouted.
“Sir,” I repeated.
“Go away!” he shouted.
“Why?” I asked him.
He walked over and I expected to see an angry face. Instead I saw two of the most beautiful, gentle, blue eyes I have ever seen.
“Merry Christmas!” I said.
“Why are you doing this?” he asked.
“Because you matter to me,” I said. With that I gave him the box.
Tears came to his eyes and he thanked me. I got back to the car and watched him carry the box like it was filled with gold. I didn’t want to embarrass (使困窘) him by watching him any more so Dad and I left.
The underlined word “alarmed” can best be replaced by _____.
A.pleased | B.worried |
C.disappointed | D.surprised |
Why did the author ask his father to stay in the car?
A.Because he wanted to prove he was brave. |
B.Because he believed the homeless man was bad. |
C.Because he wanted to protect his father from being hurt. |
D.Because he didn’t want the homeless man to feel bad. |
When the homeless man saw the author first, he was _____.
A.quite angry | B.very excited |
C.quite puzzled | D.very curious |
The author’s purpose in writing the text is to tell readers that _____.
A.it is easier said than done |
B.poverty is the mother of health |
C.where there is a will, there is a way |
D.a willing helper does not wait until he is asked |