It old the woman who answered the phone at the local stable (马厩) that I only wanted to sit on a horse. I didn’t want to go anywhere—no need to sightsee. I just wanted the experience of sitting on a horse. My idea of exercise was turning a page in my favorite book. Therefore, for me, to sit on a horse was a very big deal.
She said I’d have to do it with an instructor alongside. Okay. It was going to be a celebration of my sixty-fifth birthday. I wanted to mark this special day by trying something new.
The next Saturday morning, along with a good friend, who would not laugh but would record the moment of my achievement, I arrived at the stable and went inside. I was nervous—I began to doubt if that was really a good idea.
Nancy, my instructor, teacher and caretaker, walked over to greet me. My adventure-for-the-hour cheerleader stood about five feet tall and nodded to me with a smile that wouldn’t quit. The horse, whose reins (缰绳) she held, was introduced as Lightning. He was gray and looked quite bored.
I thought I could stand on a box and get on the horse. However, I was told to put my left foot in the stirrup (马镫) directly, and I was doing the hop-and-jump step, holding on to the saddle (马鞍). Once, twice, no luck. I was still on the ground. I was wet from tiredness and anxiety. Once again, I was thinking of using a box or even leaving. But Nancy was urging me on. I quickly bargained with myself for another try, and that was going to be it. Later, I could only guess that I must have blacked out because, in a magic moment, I was sitting on the saddle on the third try.
注意: 1.续写词数应为150个左右；
2.请按如下格式在答题卡的相应位置作答。
However, I didn’t realize I’d be up so high!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Finally, I was told I could stop.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
