读故事

　　I used to hate it when people cut in line. I changed my mind recently, however, during one of our family vacations to visit the Grand Canyon. At one point during our driving we all decided that our butts were sore so we stopped for lunch at a cafeteria over a highway bypass. My family and I hustled and bustled into line like normal, buzzing about what we wanted to order for lunch other than calf meat, when we were surprised to see an elderly woman butt in right in front of me in line. Leaning on a cane and wearing an old tattered black cape, this woman reminded me of a witch. Held captive by a fear of some calamity that might happen to me, I stood silent behind this woman whose height only reached my mother's bust.

　　When she turned slowly towards me, I glanced away to look at a vehicle carrying a canoe.

　　"Are they going camping?”the old woman said.

　　"Maybe. But they won't get far with that canvas they're using to cover their canoe blowing around like that.” I replied.

　　"Neither will I with this old body of mine.” she continued as she pulled out a large capsule of some sort of medication. "But maybe they'll stop at the next bypass with the caravan they are in. The caption on the last road sign said there was a cannon monument from the Civil War out front. That's capitalism for you;the biggest sign wins. Not with me. I couldn't go any further. I need calcium for my bones and calories to keep moving. So please forgive me, young man, for my rude behavior.”

　　Now feeling more at ease, I responded, “No problem. You can butt in front of me any time.”

　　记单词

　　bust vt.打破，打碎vi.爆裂，坏掉

　　n.1.胸像，半身像2.胸部，胸围

　　bustle vi.闹哄哄地忙乱，奔忙n.1.忙乱，喧扰2.裙撑，衬垫

　　butt n.1.笑柄2.烟蒂3.枪托

　　4.大酒桶，大水桶5.臀部v.用头撞或顶

　　butt in插嘴，插手，干涉

　　buzz vi.1.发出嗡嗡声2.(around,about)忙乱，急行3.发出嘈杂的谈话声n.1.嗡嗡声2.嘈杂的谈话声

　　bypass n.1.(绕过市镇的)旁道，迂回道2.分流术，旁通道vt.1.绕过，绕…走2.越过，置…于不顾

　　cafeteria n.自助餐馆，自助食堂

　　calamity n.灾祸，大灾难

　　calcium n.钙

　　calf n.1.腿肚子2.牛犊，(鲸、象等大哺乳动物的)幼崽

　　calorie n.1.大卡(食物的热量单位)2.卡(路里)

　　cane n.1.手杖2.(藤、竹等的)茎

　　cannon n.大炮，火炮

　　canoe n.独木舟vi.乘独木舟，划独木舟

　　canvas n.1.帆布2.帆布画布，(帆布)油画

　　canyon n.峡谷

　　cape n.1.斗篷，披肩2.海角，岬

　　capitalism n.资本主义

　　capsule n.1.胶囊(剂)2.航天舱，密封舱

　　caption n.(图片)说明文字，(电影)字幕

　　captive a.被俘虏的，被捕获的

　　n.俘虏

　　caravan n.1.旅行拖车，大篷车2.(穿越沙漠之类地区的)旅行队

　　我以前很讨厌别人插队，但最近我改变了看法。我们一家有一次去大峡谷度假，开车到了一个地方。我们都觉得屁股坐痛了，便在高速公路旁道的一家自助餐馆停车吃午饭。像往常一样，我和家人急忙排起了队，嗡嗡地谈着除了不吃小牛肉外午餐想要点什么，这时我们吃惊地看到一位上了年纪的妇女插在了我的前面。她拄着一根手杖、披着一条破旧的黑披肩，这使我想起了巫婆。我感到一阵恐惧俘虏了我，某种灾难可能会降临到我的头上，我只好静静地站在这个女人后面。她的身高最多达到我母亲的胸部。

　　当她慢慢地朝我转过身来，我赶紧转移视线去看一辆载着独木舟的车。

　　“他们是去野营吗?”老妇人问道。

　　“也许吧，但是他们用来盖独木舟的帆布像那样被风吹来吹去的话，他们是不会走多远的。”我回答说。

　　“以我这把老骨头我也走不了多远了。”她说着拿出一个很大的某种药的胶囊塞进嘴里。“但是也许在下一个旁道他们会把他们的旅行拖车停下来。一个路标上的说明文字是，前面有内战留下来的大炮遗址。这对你们来说那是资本主义，谁的招牌大谁就会赢。对我来说就不是了。我不能再走远了。我的骨头需要补钙，要想活动就需要热量。所以年轻人请原谅我，原谅我的不良行为。”

　　我现在已经觉得更加心平气和了，我回答道：“没问题。你什么时候都可以在我前面插队。”