Walter has left office. His wife is dead, and he has no children. He lives a quiet life. But he has a job for a few days during Christmas every year.
He is a Santa in a big department store. Walter goes to the toy department and changes into his red Santa clothes, a red hat and big black boots (靴子). All day he sits in the toy department. Children come with their parents. They tell Santa what they want for Christmas. Most children want toys like video games, bikes, robots and fairy dolls.
Walter remembers one Christmas. It was 9:00 p.m. and the store was closing when there came a small boy and his mother. They were walking quickly towards him. “I know it is late, but please let my son talk to you,” said the woman. The woman and the boy looked tired. Their clothes were old and cheap.
Walter was tired too, but he is a kind man. “Of course,” he said in his Santa voice. “Come here and tell me what you want for Christmas.” The little boy spoke very quietly. Walter couldn’t hear him. “Santa is getting old. He doesn’t hear so well. Come closer and tell me again,” he said happily. The little boy came very close and said, “Santa, please bring me a grandfather for Christmas.”
Walter was surprised. He looked at the little boy’s mother. “Yes,” she said. “Timmy wants a grandfather for Christmas.”
“Why do you want a grandfather for Christmas, Timmy?” asked Walter.
“My Dad is dead. I don’t want a new dad. But it’s only Mom and me. It’s quiet. So I would like a grandfather.”
Walter was worried. Of course children don’t get everything they ask for. But this little boy was so serious, and his mother looked so sad.
注意：
1. 续写词数应为150左右；
2. 开头已给出。
Then Walter had an idea.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The next morning Timmy and his mother were eating breakfast when the doorbell rang.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
1. What was John’s childhood dream?
| A．To be a pilot. | B．To be an actor. | C．To be an office worker. |
| A．To go abroad alone. | B．To become a translator. | C．To get her work done better. |
| A．John never achieved anything. |
| B．He retired from the job. |
| C．He lost his pet dog. |
