20090713 -- Bucket of Berries (1)

Bucket of Berries

Bring your bucket. We're going berry picking!
"Attention, all bears! Attention, all bears!"
called the activity chairbear for the annual picnic.
"The Bucket-of-Berries Contest is about to take place.
Those taking part should go to the berry patch immediately.
And don't forget to take along a bucket!"
Bears everywhere stopped what they were doing and rushed to the contest area.
After all, the Bucket-of-Berries Contest was the most exciting event of the day.
"Now gather around," the chairbear began.
"Let me take a moment to explain the rules. They're very simple.
When I say 'Go!' you may begin picking berries.
Fill your buckets as quickly as you can. But take care! Don't spill any.
Because as you know, the first bear to fill his bucket wins!


Now. is everybody ready? On your mark, get set. GO!
"Wait for me!" cried Scout.
"I'm coming too!"
"You?" laughed Old Grizzly.
"Why, you're just a cub, Scout. You're much too small,
and much too slow, to take us on!"
"I am smaller. And I am slower," agreed Scout.
"But I'll take my chances. Besides, gathering berries is fun.
If I do my best, it really doesn't matter if I win or lose."
"Good!" said Old Grizzly.
"Because you're not going to win. I am!"
"You?" growled Brown Bear.
"Don't take winning for granted. After all, I just might win instead!"
"That's ridiculous!" Grizzly hollered.
"Do you really think you can beat me? You're crazy!"



annual adj.
-> yearly
eg: Every summer our church has a big picnic. It's an annual event.

patch n. 一小塊田地
eg: The patch of land is very rocky.
eg: a vegetable patch 種青菜的田
eg: The tomato patch in our backyard was ruined by our neighbor's dog.

patch n. 補丁
eg: The patch on the little boy's pants is so obvious.

ridiculous adj. 荒謬的
-> foolish
eg: Elephants cannot ride bicycles! That's ridiculous!

take along 帶著/隨身攜帶
-> take it with you
eg: Don't forget to take along your belongs with you when you leave the bus.
eg: Terry took along his girlfriend to the company's banquet(宴會).

cub n. 幼獸
-> young bear

take palce
=> happen

take care
=> be careful
=> goodbye

spill v. 使溢出
eg: Don't cry over spilled milk. 覆水難收

take part
-> participate in

take someone on 挑戰/較量
=> challenge
=> compete with someone
eg: The bully(惡霸) at school always hits Sean, so today Sean finally took him on.
eg: Our basketball team will take on the state champion tonight.

take chances 冒險
=> take a risk in trying to do something

take something for granted 認為某事理所當然

holler v. 叫喊/發牢騷



//== Chat room ==//

bucket n. 水桶
a drop in the bucket 杯水車薪/數量很少
eg: The fund in the research is just a drop in the bucket.

kick the bucket 翹辮子(通俗的俚語)
=> die

basket case 無助/很窮的國家/虧錢即將要倒閉的企業
eg: After years of recession, a country is an economic basket case.