I am Mei Ling (1) (Chapter 4)

08年3月12日新版本

 

Chapter 4 Baby And Baby Language

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It was my very second day

In Canada, with Mom and Dad.

When I woke up in the basement,

I felt terribly bad.

(80)

The single window was so small

That only a few sunrays came through.

Was it morning or afternoon?

Actually, I had no clue.

(81)

From the top bunk, cautiously,

I came down onto the ground.

Where are my mom and dad?

I opened the door and frowned.

(82)

A strange hum roared at me

So I stopped at the door.

The sound was familiar.

I knew I’d heard it before.

(83)

I heard it in my dream

Last night when I was asleep.

I was very scared of it.

It almost made me weep.

(84)

I’m a curious young girl.

What was it? I wanted to know.

I even wanted to be

A detective quite long ago.

(85)

Like a brave detective,

I followed the strange sound.

I tiptoed with caution,

My eyes looking around.

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I drew a deep breath and

Then entered a dark room.

A very big machine

Was standing in the gloom.

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It was a tall grey cylinder,

Even taller than my dad.

It kept singing in a loud tone

That seemed rude and a bit mad.

(88)

The sound was horribly loud,

I felt a lot of fear.

“Mom, where are you?” I shouted.

“An ‘angry machine’ is here!”

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I didn’t know what to do.

Then, I saw Mom coming my way.

I’m glad to say when I need her,

She always appears right away.

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“Good morning. What a loud sound!”

My mom loudly said to me.

“You found an angry machine?

Mei Ling, that’s so funny.”

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Mom turned to the big machine.

Up and down, she looked at it.

“It does look like it’s angry,

I have to admit.”

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“It is called a furnace,

My little girl, Mei Ling.

It keeps the house warm.

It’s an important thing.”

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Suddenly, I shivered

Because I felt a bit cold.

With a frown, I pouted,

“The furnace is bad and old.”

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My mom didn’t say anything.

She just slightly cleared her throat.

She stepped forward and buttoned

The unbuttoned button on my coat.

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I felt warmer at once.

“Mom, where did my dad go?”

“He left to see a new home,

Just a few minutes ago.”

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We quickly walked out of the dark room.

I saw a baby girl, with delight.

I knew there was a baby here.

I heard a baby’s crying last night.

(97)

The basement had another room.

The baby’s family lived inside.

They were new immigrants like us.

Canada accepts newcomers worldwide.

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I saw the cute little girl,

Who staggered towards me,

Quickly, I greeted her,

“Hello, little baby.”

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Unexpectedly, she fell down.

Mom and I were worried but stood.

The baby slowly got up and

Came to me as fast as she could.

(100)

I thought of what Dad had said

Last night when I was upset.

“Tomorrow, you’ll feel better.

Mei Ling, I surely bet.”

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“Do you feel better today?”

I asked the little baby,

She nodded very firmly.

She understood, maybe.

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The baby nodded too hard

And almost fell down again.

“Such a nice little baby,”

Mom talked with her mom, then.

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Mom and the baby’s mom

Had a nice, quiet chat.

The cute little baby,

My mom always looked at.

(104)

After a while, thoughtfully,

Mom started to talk to me,

“She looks a lot like you

When you were a baby.”

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“Mei Ling, when you were little,

You were very lovely.

So many good memories,

You gave your dad and me.”

(106)

Then Mom squatted down and

Opened her arms wide to me,

“Mei Ling, come here,” she said.

I moved towards her quickly.

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“You’re a baby again now,

Mei Ling, do you understand?

You have to learn a new language

And many new things in this land.”

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Mom’s hands held each of my hands.

Then, she asked me with concern,

“Are you scared to be a baby again,

With so many new things to learn?”

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I couldn’t help giggling and

Confidently said, “Never.

Mom, I want to learn new things.

I can learn them. I’m clever.”

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Her question was very funny.

I, Mei Ling, cunningly smiled.

“Mom, you’re a baby again, too,”

I was a mischievous child.

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“Mom, you have to learn new things

And a new language, maybe.”

Then, I asked, “Be honest, Mom,

Are you scared to be a baby?”

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“No, definitely not,”

Mom replied and smiled too.

“Mei Ling, in Canada,

I will grow up with you.”

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“Our Baby Language is English,”

I mischievously said.

Excitedly, I shook Mom’s hands.

Happily, she nodded her head.

(114)

Mom secretly whispered to me,

“Mei Ling, don’t tell Dad about it.”

I nodded and was happy

That Mom and I had a secret.

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