小学英语阅读练兵：Buying a miracle[1]

告别了寒假的放纵与自由,新学期将我们领进知识的殿堂.一切将要展开新的一页，我们一起来阅读小学英语阅读练兵：Buying a miracle[1]，忘了痛苦，忘了喜悦，冲吧!

Tess was a precocious eight-year-old girl when she heard her mom and dad talking about her little brother, Andrew. All she knew was that he was very sick and they were completely out of money. Only a very costly surgery (外科手术) could save him at that moment. She heard Daddy say to her tearful mother, Only a miracle can save him now.

Tess went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly (果冻) jar from its hiding place. She poured all the change out on the floor and counted carefully. Then after carefully placing the coins back in the jar, she made her way six blocks to a chemists.

She waited patiently for the pharmacist (药剂师) to give her some attention, but he was too busy at this moment. Well, I want to talk to you about my brother, Tess said to the man at last. Hes really, really sick ... and I want to buy a miracle.

We dont sell miracles here, little girl. Im sorry, but I cant help you, the pharmacist said.

There was a well dressed man there who was the pharmacists brother. He bent down and asked the little girl, What kind of miracle does your brother need?

I dont know, Tess replied with tears in her eyes. I just know hes really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my daddy cant pay for it, so I want to use my money.

How much do you have? asked the man. One dollar and eleven cents, Tess answered.

A dollar and eleven cents the exact price of a miracle for your little brother, smiled the man.

He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped hers and said,Take me to where you live. Lets see if I have the kind of miracle you need.

That well dressed man was Dr. Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon. The operation was completely without charge and it wasnt long before Andrew was home again and did well.

Help:

precocious adj. (of a child) having developed particular abilities and ways of behaving at a much younger age than us

sual 早熟的, 智慧超前的