In September 1966, I faced my first class of kids in a primary school in Toronto. Mike was one of the street kids, who lived with his old grandmother, not knowing his mother or father.
I took him out for breakfast. I taught him sewing and mending. We shared our lunch. I taught him new skills like using a microscope properly, making a pinhole camera, and classifying rocks and minerals. Mike would then “help” teach the rest of the class these skills. A father-son relationship began to build up between us.
One day Mike secretly told me of his dream—to be a gangster(匪徒)! This was no joke.
Everyone has the same chance to be the best person. Mike had a great gift. I thought if he wanted to be a gangster, I’d do my best to help him become the very best “gangster”.
After making a special arrangement, I took him to the Osgoode Law Library. I said a good gangster must know criminal law, and reading upon law was the only way to learn. He was eager to study.
Each Saturday, I’d drop him off at the law library. Three hours later, I’d return, and we had lunch together. Then I’d take him home. I sure felt like a father. With a promise between us, I was not going to let him, or myself, down.
The following year I moved to another school, which prevented me from continuing to be physically with him. But I provided him with public transportation tickets so he’d continue his regular study at the law library. I still often visited him and took him out for lunch, so I’d keep up with his life.
Soon afterwards I married, and started a new life in London. I lost contact with Mike.
Then, one day in 1995, I was in Toronto on business. Looking up the telephone directory(电话簿), I saw Mike’s surname as “Barristers(大律师)!” How could it be? What are the odds?
Not knowing why, I rang the phone, telling a secretary my name, and was put on hold. A very long fifteen seconds later, a deep gentleman’s voice said, “Mr. Kowalchuk, I’ve really...missed you.” Then there was silence.
My eye swelled up with tears. “Mike, I’m really proud of you, proud of you.”
With an excited voice, Mike answered, “________”
23. Hearing Mike wanted to be a gangster, the writer ________.
A.got angry at once | B.remained calm |
C.had a talk with him | D.lost confidence in him |
24. The moment the writer found Mike in a telephone directory, he felt ________.
A.it was very certain | B.he was successful |
C.he should be proud | D.it was hard to believe |
25. Mike most possibly answered “________” over the phone at the end of the story.
A.Without you, I wouldn’t be here now. |
B.Is that you, sir? How could it be? |
C.In ever thought you still remembered me. |
D.It’s really surprising that you’re back. |
26. What does the writer mainly want to express through this passage?
A.What a great success he has been as a teacher. |
B.How a would-be gangster became a barrister. |
C.How much influence a teacher has on students. |
D.What a teacher must do with a boy without family love. |