I was shopping in the supermarket when I heard a loud voice boom from across the aisle. “Mom, come here! There’s a lady here my size!”
The mother rushed to the boy she called Mickey; then she turned to me to apologize.
I smiled and told her, “It’ s okay.” Then I talked to the boy, “Hi, Mickey, I’m Darryl Kramer. How are you?” He studied me from head to toe, and asked, “Are you a little mommy?”
“Yes, I have a son,” I answered.
“Why are you so little?” he asked.
“It’s the way I was born,” I said. “Some people are little. Some are tall. I’m just not going to grow any bigger.” After about five more minutes of answering questions, I shook Mickey’s hand, and he returned to his mother.
My life as a little person is filled with stories like that. I enjoy talking to children and explaining why I look different from their parents. It has taken many years to develop my confidence to be able to do that.
It takes only one glance to see my uniqueness. I stand three feet, nine inches tall. I was born an achondroplasia dwarf (患软骨发育不全症的侏儒). Despite this, my parents encouraged me to do all the things the kids around me did when I was growing up. When my neighbors got two-wheel bikes, I got a two-wheel bike. When they roller-skated, I roller-skated.
I didn’t realize how short I was until I started school. There, a few kids picked on me, calling me names. Then I knew. After that, I began to hate the first day of school each year.
As time went on, I just tried to smile and accept the fact that I was going to be noticed my whole life. I was determined to make my uniqueness an advantage rather than a disadvantage. What I lacked in height, I made up for in personality.
I’m 47 now, and the stares have not diminished as I’ve grown older. People look in disbelief when they see me get out of my car on the driver’s side. During those times, I try to keep a good attitude.
And it’s the children’s questions that make my life special. When I talk with children, they leave content that their questions have been answered. My hope is that in taking time with them, I will encourage them to accept their peers, whatever size and shape they come in, and treat them with respect.
4. The mother apologized to the author because she thought ______.
A.her son mistook the author for her |
B.her son was too noisy in the supermarket |
C.what her son said to the author was rude |
D.her son might have frightened the author |
5. How did the author’s parents bring her up when she was growing up?
A.They taught her at home by themselves. |
B.They inspired her to live as a normal kid. |
C.They encouraged her to be the best bicyclist. |
D.They often reminded her that she was different from other kids. |
6. The word “diminished” underlined in the second-to-last paragraph probably means ______.
A.decreased | B.spread |
C.occurred | D.focused |
7. Why does the author enjoy talking to children?
A.She thinks they are lovely and full of curiosity. |
B.She can get strength and encouragement from them. |
C.She feels safe and confident to communicate with them. |
D.She wants to teach them to accept people for who they are. |