Sohrab's gaze bounced from the kite to me. Back to the sky.
I took off running, my sneakers splashing rainwater from puddles, the hand clutching the kite end of the string held high above my head. It had been so long, so many years since I'd done this, and I wondered if I'd make a spectacle of myself. I let the spool roll in my left hand as I ran, felt the string cut my right hand again as it fed through. The kite was lifting behind my shoulder now, lifting, wheeling, and I ran harder. The spool spun faster and the glass string tore another gash in my right palm. I hadn't flown a kite in a quarter of a century, but suddenly I was twelve again and all the old instincts came rushing back.
I felt a presence next to me and looked down. It was Sohrab. Hands dug deep in the pockets of his raincoat. He had followed me.My heart quickened as I spun the spool to gather the loose string.
Then I saw we had company. A green kite was closing in.
His gaze flitted between our kite and the green one. His face was a little flushed, his eyes suddenly alert. Awake. Alive. I wondered when I had forgotten that, despite everything, he was still just a child.The green kite drew closer yet, now rising a little above us, unaware of the trap I'd set for it. "Watch, Sohrab. I'm going to show you one of your father's favorite tricks, the old lift-and-dive.The park shimmered with snow so fresh, so dazzling white, it burned my eyes. It sprinkled soundlessly from the branches of white-clad trees.
The green kite hovered directly above us now. "He's going for it. Anytime now,?I said, my eyes flicking from Sohrab to our kite.The green kite hesitated. Held position. Then shot down. "Here he comes!?I said.
I did it perfectly. After all these years. The old lift-and-dive trap. I'd already slipped him Hassan's trick. I pulled hard and our kite plummeted. I could almost feel our string sawing his. Almost heard the snap.
Behind us, people cheered. Whistles and applause broke out. I was panting. The last time I had felt a rush like this was that day in the winter of 1975, just after I had cut the last kite, when I spotted Baba on our rooftop, clapping, beaming.
I looked down at Sohrab. One corner of his mouth had curled up just so.
A smile. Lopsided. Hardly there. But there.
"Do you want me to run that kite for you??
His Adam's apple rose and fell as he swallowed. The wind lifted his hair. I thought I saw him nod.
"For you, a thousand times over,?I heard myself say.
Then I turned and ran.
It was only a smile, nothing more. It didn't make everything all right. It didn't make anything all right. Only a smile. A tiny thing. A leaf in the woods, shaking in the wake of a startled bird's flight.
But I'll take it. With open arms. Because when spring comes, it melts the snow one flake at a time, and maybe I just witnessed the first flake melting.
I ran. A grown man running with a swarm of screaming children. But I didn't care. I ran with the wind blowing in my face, and a smile as wide as the Valley of Panjsher on my lips.
I ran.
12. What can we infer from Para2 ?
A.The protagonist longed for freedom of getting rid of religious barriers |
B.The protagonist couldn’t bear the physical or mental pain |
C.What struck the protagonist was the attempts to pursue perfect |
D.What was really cherished may be more than just flying kites |
13. Which of the following is true about Sohrab?
A.His personalities and being reminded the protagonist of something emotional |
B.He approved to trick the green kite off after inner conflicts |
C.His father used to fly kites with the company the protagonist’s Papa |
D.He rejected the protagonist’s request due to inferiority |
14. What mainly accounted for the protagonist’s changing feelings of the environment?
A.Sohrab’s innocent smile of appreciation and respect |
B.People’s sincere praises and cheers |
C.The re-finding process of his previous childhood |
D.The promise of thousands of times made by Hassan |
15. What can you learn from the part where the protagonist flew kites for Sohrab?
A.Putting off prejudices always serves as the healing medicine of heart |
B.Collision between hearts can eliminate misunderstandings |
C.The poem of love and salvation is as warm as the sunshine |
D.Compassion from the harmonious world helps melt the snow |