读故事

　　As the chauffeur drove the chancellor of the University through the cemetery to the old ceramic tiled chapel, he knew with certainty that this would be the most unpleasant chore of the year. The death of the chancellor's private chef had come as a surprise to all,but the chef had been warned only a week earlier by his doctor to change his lifestyle. The doctors reported that the chef's cholesterol levels were too high and that he needed to eat more cereals to clear his arteries. Unfortunately,the warning came too late.

　　Now, as the chauffeur took a census of attendees, he realized that the chef was not only cherished for his cooking, but for his bravery as well. The chatter in the small chapel was subdued, but lively. Apparently the chef had left his whole inheritance to caring for a chimpanzee that he had once released from a charcoal stained cellar. Eventually certified as the legal owner of this newly freed chimpanzee, the chef paid all expenses to have the chimp-returned to Africa. Now his inheritance would guarantee protection for the chimpanzee from people who might try to steal him.

　　What had originally seemed to be a dreary event suddenly became a memorial to a hero. Champagne was passed out and brief toasts were made in honor of the man. And, as the choir sang the last chord of the funeral service, the Chancellor led the toast where everyone chanted quite respectfully,“Cheers to the chef!”

　　记单词

　　cellar n.1.地窖，地下室2.酒窖

　　cemetery n.墓地，公墓

　　census n.人口普查，统计

　　ceramic a.陶瓷的n.[pl.]陶瓷器

　　cereal n.1.加工而成的谷类食物

　　2.谷类植物，谷物

　　certainty n.1.必然的事，确定的事实2.确信，确实

　　certify vt.1.证明，证实2.发证书(或执照)给

　　champagne n.香槟酒

　　chancellor n.1.(英国某些大学的)名誉校长，(美国的)大学校长2.(德国等的)总理，首相

　　chant vt.1.反复有节奏地喊叫(或唱等)2.吟颂，咏唱n.1.反复有节奏的喊叫2.赞美诗，圣歌

　　chapel n.(学校、医院等处的)小教堂，祈祷室

　　charcoal n.木炭，炭笔

　　chatter vi./n.1.喋喋不休2.(鸟、猴子等发出)短促尖叫3.(牙齿)打战(的声音)

　　chauffeur n.(受雇于私人或公司的)司机v.为…开车

　　chef n.(餐馆等的)厨师长，厨师

　　cherish vt.1.珍爱，珍视2.爱护，抚育3.抱有，怀有(希望、想法、感情等)

　　chimpanzee n.黑猩猩

　　choir n.唱诗班，合唱队

　　cholesterol n.胆固醇

　　chord n.1.和弦，和音2.弦，心弦

　　chore n.1.家庭杂务，日常零星工作2.困难的工作，令人讨厌的工作

　　当司机驾车把大学校长从墓地送到镶有瓷砖的老教堂时，他确实知道这将是一年当中最令人讨厌的事情。校长私人厨师的死让大家很吃惊，但是一个星期前医生曾警告他要他改变生活方式。医生们报告说厨师的胆固醇太高，应多吃谷类植物清洁他的动脉。不幸的是，警告来得太晚了。

　　司机统计了一下参加葬礼的人数，他意识到厨师不仅因为高超的烹调技术而且还因为勇敢而颇被珍视。小教堂里喋喋不休的说话声低沉而热烈。很显然，厨师把他的全部遗产用来照顾一只从沾有木炭的地窖里放出来的黑猩猩。厨师最终得到了一份证书证明他是这只刚获得自由的黑猩猩的合法主人，是他出资让黑猩猩回到了非洲。现在他的遗产将确保黑猩猩不被人偷走。

　　原来看似悲伤的事件突然变成了对一位英雄的纪念。大家拿起香槟酒频频为他干杯。随着合唱团唱完葬礼的一个和音，校长举起杯，大家都充满敬意地喊道：“为厨师干杯!”