Special Birthday Gifts特殊的生日礼物

Beverly L. Jenkins

Belmond Schwartz is not your average kid. Most kids look forward to celebratingtheir birthday because they get lots of presents， cake， and maybe even a birthdayparty， but Belmonds goals are a bit different. Instead of asking for a traditionalbirthday celebration， the 9-year-old only wants to feed the hungry.

贝尔蒙德·施瓦茨可不是一般的孩子。大多数孩子都期待着庆祝自己的生日，因为他们会收到很多礼物、蛋糕，甚至可能会有一个生日派对，但贝尔蒙德的目标有点不同。这位9 岁的孩子并没有要求举行传统的生日庆祝活动，而是只想帮助饥民。

A few years ago， Belmond and his family took a trip， and seeing the largehomeless population there left a lasting mark on his heart.“I saw tents on the streetsand I had never seen them before in my life，”Belmond explained“. So I asked myparents what it was and they told me that these people couldnt afford to live， sothey had to live in tents and they didnt have very much money.”

几年前，贝尔蒙德和他的家人去旅行，在那里看到大量流离失所的人给他心中留下了不可磨灭的印象。“我在街上看到了帐篷，我这辈子从未见过。”贝尔蒙德解释道，“所以我问父母这是什么，而他们告诉我，那些人住不起房子，所以他们只能住在帐篷里，也没有多少钱。”

When he learned that there are hungry and unhoused1 people right in his ownhometown， he decided to do what he can to help. Last year， instead of birthdaygifts， he asked for donations2 of food and cash3 to donate4 to those people. Hisidea was supported， and he decided to make it“bigger and better”this year！

当他得知自己的家乡就有忍饥挨饿和无家可归的人时，他决定要尽自己所能帮助他们。去年，他要求捐赠食物和现金给那些人们来代替生日礼物。他的主意得到了支持，而他决定今年把这件事做得“更大更好”！

Dad Steven said the special gifts their son asked for was perfect. Mom Lilyagreed，“He believes if he can give up a little， then you can give a little. And if weall give a little， then itll be a lot.”

父亲史蒂文说，他们儿子要求的特别礼物非常棒。母亲莉莉赞同道：“他相信，如果他能放弃一点，那么你可以付出一点。而如果我们都付出一点，那就会相当可观。”

Notes

1. unhouse 使无家可归

2. donation 捐赠物；捐赠

3. cash  现款；现金

4. donate  捐赠；赠送

Discussion 议一议

1. Whatsyour favorite birthday gift？ Why？ 你最喜欢的生日礼物是什么？为什么？

2. What do you think of Belmond爷sidea？ 你对贝尔蒙德的主意有什么看法？

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