Lesson 30

                      Who Did It?

                          Text A

  Inspector Chester of Scotland Yard soon arrived on the scene of the crime. When the newspapermen saw him getting out of the car they immediately realised that matters were serious. Inspector Chester had a fine reputation. He had solved many difficult and complicated crimes during the last few years. Most of them were robberies. This one concerned the theft of jewels belonging to a famous film actress. She was reputed to be a millionairess. So it was not surprising that the missing jewels were valued at a quarter of a million pounds.

  The newspapermen were eager to question the detective. He stood on the pavement outside the house and smiled at the photographers. "Have you a statement to make?" somebody asked. The detective - tall, thick-set, middle-aged, clean-shaven pushed his way through the crowd, climbed a few steps to the front door, turned round and said in a cool, clear voice: "I have no statement to make.

As soon as there is anything fresh to tell you, I'll let you know. " He beckoned to a policeman, whispered a few words in his ear and went into the house. After a "Move along, please" from the policeman, the crowd gradually dispersed.


  Upstairs , Inspector Chester walked over to the French windows. It was probably through these that the~thieves had come.They had left no clues, no finger-prints. It had apparently not been difficult for them to break into the safe. Just as the detective was about to examine this once again, the telephone rang.


  "Hullo, Inspector", a soft, monotonous voice said. "If you want a clue, why don't you talk to the servant? The one with a small scar on the right cheek. "
  Was this a trick? Would it put the Inspector on the right track?


                          Text B

  Inspector Robinson was swearing aloud when he arrived at the fine, old house at the top of the hill. The past few weeks had heen rough for him, and it looked as if there was more trouble ahead. It was raining hard , and Carruthers , his assistant, who was waiting for him at the gate, was wet to the skin. As they walked up the path together, Carruthers explained what had happened.


  The woman, Sylvia Fortagne, a daughter of Lord Arthrington, had been found dead in the sitting-room by one of the servants that evening. The police doctor, who had examined the body, was sure that it was a clear case of poisoning. They had not moved the body; it still lay face upwards, where it had fallen.Underneath her body they had found the photograph of an unknown young man.

There had been no signs of a struggle. The woman's husband had not been seen since lunchtime. According to the cook he had left the house "in anger", as she put it, after a quarrel with his wife, and had gone for a ride on one of his favourite horses.
  Carruthers pushed open the front door, and the two men entered the hall.Inspector Robinson took off his hat and went into the sitting-room.


  -We'll have to wait, said Carruthers wiping his glasses. -It's no use waiting, said the Inspector. I don't think he'll dare to come back. It's pretty obvious he did it.
  Saying this , he put on his hat. They were about to leave the house when they saw a dark figure approaching them from out of the shadows. It was Nigel Fortagne.

  Nigel Fortagne's story
  -Yes, it's true that I knew that my wife was in love with another man, but I trusted her and believed that she would forget about him sooner or later. But when she returned from a weekend in Paris this morning, she told me that she wanted a divorce and threatened to do something terrible if I didn't agree to it. I refused, of course.

She drank heavily at lunchtime and even opened the bottle which she had brought as a present for me. She insisted that I should join her for a drink, but I didn't, because I had taken my medicine. I'm not supposed to take it, with alcohol. I suffer from a weak heart , you see. She was in a terrible state, so I put some of my pills into my glass when she wasn't looking. Then I exchanged the glasses.

It was not really rriuch, but, of course, I should have known how dangerous these pills can be. But at that moment I was so angry that I didn't care. I was sic'k and tired of the argument and left the house.She was so drunk she wouldn't have noticed any difference in the taste of the sherry. I came back to see how she was. And , besides, there's no point in running away, because life doesn't mean anything to me without her.

  James Highsmith's story
  Afterwards, James Highsmith, the young man in the photograph, was questioned by Inspector Robinson. When he was told what had happened he broke down.


  -Yes, I'm not ashamed to admit that we were in love. We had a wonderful time in Paris, but I was afraid of losing her. Sylvia often talked about killing him because he would never agree to a divorce. I begged her not to do it, but she said that one of us had to. Then I found one of his prescriptions in her hand-bag. I bought the medicine, put some of it into a bottle of sherry and told Sylvia to give it to him as a present.

It was him or me. I wasn't anxious about her drinking from the bottle because I was fairly sure that it wasn't really enough to kill a normal, healthy grown-up. I must have killed her, though, and the only comfort I can find in her death is that I don't have to share her with him any longer.

  Sylvia Fortagne's story
  James Highsmith did not know that the police had found a message on a slip of paper in Sylvia Fortagne's hand-bag.
 
  Dear James,
  Please forgive me for the terrible thing I am going to do, but it's the only way out. I have considered everything carefully, and I know it's very selfish, but W. has destroyed my life and made me thoroughly unhappy.When you receive this letter he will have been found dead after a heart attack with a glass of sherry in his hand. I tried to phone you earlier this morning, but couldn't reach you. In case they examine the body they will think that he took an overdose of his medicine by mistake. His family will come over to comfort me and will probably stay for a few weeks, so, please,don't try to get in touch. It will all be worth it in the end.
    All my love,
      Yours ever,
          S.



                  Additional Information
                  Crime and Punishment

              From the court notes of a local reporter

  In court at 9 0' clock.Apart from me there are a few old ladies who have come to sit in the warm and a class of 14-15 year-old with their teacher. 9:00 Court starts. First case: Henry P. , 47, divorced, charged with being  
drunk. He refused to leave a pub at closing time and caused a bit of
damage when the police tried to arrest him. P. said he had had an
argument with his boss.and could not face going home to an empty flat.
　

9:20 Mrs F. , 72, shoplifting. Apparently Mrs F. had stolen a frozen chicken,  
which she had hidden under her hat (At this the school children burst
out laughing and even the magistrates have difficulty keeping a straight
face). The chicken was so cold that she fell unconscious. otherwise she
would probably not have been caught. Mrs F, in tears, says she had not
eaten meat for three weeks. It torns out that, although she has the
old-age pension, she does not know about other forms of support.
　

9:40 James S. , 42, a teacher, charged with beating his wife and two young
children. Mrs S. is in hospital in bad shape; the mother-inlaw
is taking care of the children. The neighbours sent for the police-one
case, thank heavens, where neighbours did not "mind their own business".
Mrs S. had already run away twice, but S. had promised to change and she
had gone home again. S. said that he was ashamed of what he had done,
but that he often lost his temper with his wife, who was quarrelsome and
had no sense of duty. The school children looked thoughtful;they
probably thought that teachers do not do that sort of thing.
　

10:30 Peter D. , 19. D. stole , or rather"borrowed"a motorcycle , intending,
he said, to give it back to the owner after trying it out. D.'s father
is at sea and the mother is left to bring up four children , of whom
Peter is the eldest, by herself:
　

11: 00 Mrs A. , 45 , a doctor's wife , president of a local ladies' club , was  
caught leaving a fashion shop wearing two dresses , only one of which
belonged to her. Admitting that'she had wanted to steal the dress, she
could not explain why.

Lesson 31

              Thoughts on the Spring Festival

                        Text A

  My first Spring Festival in north China was a bit of a shock. Where was the spring? There was snow on the ground and ice on the Summer Palace lake and a north-west wind was blowing. In England, where I come from, we think of the flowers that bloom in the spring; the crocuses and daffodils and the flowering tress - purple lilac, yellow laburnum, rosy horse-chestnuts, pink and white hawthorn or may. In fact we say "cast not a clout till may is out ". That means don't ieave off any ciothes until the may flower is in bloom. By then it's warm, so you won't catch cold if you shed a garment.

  Then I had another problem. in Beijing, despite the snow and ice it's often sunny over .he Spring Festival. So I liked to go out; to walk in the snow round the Summer Palace lake or to skate on Kunming Lake. Then we'd co~ne home and find that old friends had called on us whiie we were out. So gradually we iearnt the laws of the Spring Festival. The first day (chu yi 初一 ) is for feasting at home with the family and very ciose friends; the second and third days are for paying and receiving visit So we changed our holiday life style and stayed at home or called n friends those days. Of course we could still go out on chu yi.


  These days we don't always stay in Beijing for the Spring Festival ; sometimes we go on a trip to some other part of China. Last year we were lucky enough to go to I-Iainan Island. Instead of skating we went swimming. That was a treat. The sea-water in February was warmer than it is in the middle of the summer in England. That made up for those snowy, icy, windy Beijingsprings.


  1983 was another memorable festival for us.A friend of the Naxi national minority invited us to his home, in the mountains in northwest Yunnan , 2 , 000 metres above sea-level. What a wonderful place and, what wonderful people, how hospitable despite being far from wan yuan hu(万元户）! They introduced us to their friends and relatives, as well as to their ancient culture. And it goes without saying that they wined a nd dined us with their fiery hot food.

One very special meal was a picnic by the graves of the ancestors. This was no English style picnic with a couple of sandwiches and a bottle of beer. The Mongolian-style hotpot was carried up into the hills and there was a.regular feast for all three generations. But the first cup of wine was placed by the grave of the clan ancestor. Why shouldn't he join in the fun along with his descendants? Of course there was the usual exchange of gifts. The most precious one I received was a granddaughter - or at least a god-granddaughter nearly one yearold. I had nothing of comparable value to offer in return.


  In 1981 we went to Jiangxi and Fujian. The high point was walking in the Wu Yi Mountains, on the border of the two provinces. These mountains are not high by Chinese standards though they are higher than any in Britain. But they are icleal for hiking, even when it snows , as it did when we climbed them. The lower slopes are planted to tea bushes; above them tower spectacular crags, sheer precipices and massive rocks cleft by narrow paths You can scarcely squeeze thraugh them -especially after the continuous banqueting which is hard to avoid during
the Spring Festival.


  But the biggest banquets are not always the best. Years ago, I remember, as the festival approached, there would be a dance in the students' dining hall, to which we teachers were invited. Then there was the finest feast of all; great buckets and cauldrons of steaming laba zhou<腊八粥), a thick, sweet porridge of glutinous rice full of green beans, candied fruit, peanuts and lotus kernels.It wasn't these ingredients alone which made the laba zhou delicious. It was the jolly atmosphere, with students, teachers, cooks and cadres all enjoying themselves together.


  In 1980 we spent the Spring Festival in Chengdu and there I got another shock. On the first day of the lunar new year - we visited a famous temple. The street outside the main gate was lined with sellers of incense. People were queuing up by the hundred to buy it and burn the incense and chant and bow, even to kowtow, as they made the rounds of the temple statues. At first I felt sad. Here we were, over 30 years after Liberation, in a socialist country, and people were still doing this!

　

We discussed it and concluded that it had its good side. It takes time to create a scientific world outlook and these ancient practices and beli fs had evidently never been rooted out. They had simply gone underground, especially during the days of the Gang of Four. Nlow, four years after the gang's overthrow, the people felt free and unafraid, to do in the open what had been hidden in their he rts and homes. In any case, these incense burners were not a cross-section of the people.

　

They were mostly old ladies with little bound feet, who'd been deprived of education. But then with them were their grandchildren, some wearing red scarves. That seemed terrible. Young Pioneers worshipping idols!In the end I realized that the children didn't beIieve the idols controlled their fate. They were looking after their grannies, helping them over the temple thresholds and showing them the way. So I thought, that's what they'll do as they grow up. They'll show their grannies the way into a modernized, socialist China.


                            Text B

                          Christmas Day

  Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on the twentyfifth of December. The Christian calendar starts in the year in which Jesus was born. The letters A'. D. with a year mean "Anno Domini" or "in the year of Our Lord".
  Christmas Day is a very happy day for many,boys and girls. Before the term ends in some schools, the children act a nativity or "birth" play, showing how Jesus was born in a stable.


  Many of the celebrations at Christmas are old customs. Some fathers dress up in a red cloak and put on a long white beard. They pretend to be Father Christmas , or Santa Claus, and put presents by the beds of their children. The words Santa Claus are a way of saying Saint Nicholas, a good man who helped poor people and gave presents to them more than 300 years after Jesus was born.


  To most Christians in Europe and America, Christmas Day finishes the year, although there are still a few days left after it. Shop windows are decorated with Christmas trees some months before December, and notices are put up saying "68 shopping days to Christmas" or "21 shopping days to Christmas". Cotton wool is stuck on to the shop windows to look like snow, and holly and mistletoe are hung up.


  Parents buy presents for their children. Then they have to hide them in the house to stop the children from finding out what "Father Christmas" is going to bring them.
  On the twenty-fourth of December, all children are very excited. Usually they are sent to bed early so that their parents can get the presentsready. The younger children think that Father Christmas will come down the chimney or fireplace, so they hang up a sock for him to put presents in. The greedy.

ones even hang up a pillow-case or a sack to try to get more presents. Later that night, Father or Mother will put presents in the sock, and leave others at the side of the bed.
  On Christmas morning, the children wake up very early. Some even turn on the light at two o'clock, and most of them are awake by six o'clock although it is not light in England for another hour or two at this time of the year.


  hildren look for their presents, and the young ones play while the dinner is prepared. At about one o'clock in the afternoon, the Christmas dinner is brought in. The turkey or chicken is quickly eaten. Children search in their Christmas pudding for new coins which are hidden in it. The rest of the day is full of games and eating until the happiest of all Christian holidays comes to an end.



                    Additional Information

  Now that the Spring Festival is over, I only have school to look forward to. lt's really funny, I find myself looking forward more and more to school.


  As usual I can get little work done during the winter vacation. For one thing, the Spring Festival is always a big distraction, and for days before and after nobody can get any work done. It's all right if you really have a nice time, as I used to. But now I find myself enjoying it less and less. I stopped enjoying fireworks and firecrackers years ago. The firecrackers especially get on my nerves.

I really think we should stop making them, as every year many children have their eyes hurt or even blinded. Even worse sometimes fires are started and whole buildings get burned down. Still I suppose we'll continue to make them as long as there is a market for them.


  And the food! People spend days queuing and buying. The result - too much and too rich food which does nobody any good. Chicken, duck, fish, pork, beef, mutton, - name what you will. What's more they become oa;eless too. Too much of a good thing, as we say. And this visiting business too. It's all right for a few really good friends to get together and chat over some tea or drinks.

But mere acquaintances and the usually not too neighbourly neighbours dropping in to say hello-well, I suppose these are well-intended gestures, but I find them a pain in the neck. Usually there is nothing to talk about except some meaningless platitudes.
  Mum is looking very tired, and no wonder Dad too, I think. found the whole thing a strain. The only two who really enjoyed the Spring Festival are Granny and Xiao Hong. Still Spring Festival comes only once a year.


  Oh yes, I did enjoy myself skating on the nearby lake quite a few times. The ice is not too good now and getting very thin. I stopped going before the Spring Festival. But there are people who are either too reckless or too ignorant or both, and we hear about people falling through thin ice every year.

Lesson 32

              Do You Know Your Own Character?

                          Text A

                          THE OX
  You're a hard and conscientiou's worker if you were born in the year of the Ox and you set about everything in a methodical and determined manner.
  You're a strong leader-tough and uncompromising. You know what you want and don't let anything stand in your way! You take responsibilities very seriously and place a great deal of trust in friends and colleagues. But if. you feel someone has let you down, you'll erupt!

  You're a loner who cherishes your independence. You can be stubborn and obstinate. You're a poor loser who takes setbacks badly. As an Ox, you're often rather studious and not renowned for your sense of humour.
  You love tradition and are suspicious of anything new.


  Your home is very important to you--it's your private sanctuary. You make sure that members of your close-knit family do their share of the work! You're neat and well-organised, and very punctual. Nothing infuriates you more than being kept waiting. Yes , you are a hard task-master !


  Given the opportunity, you'd live in the country and spend hours pottering around a large garden. Not surprisingly, Oxen do well in agriculture or politics. You are also very gifted in the arts and music and many of you enjoy considerable success as musicians and composers.


  Female Oxen are caring and kind. You're a loving parent and excellent organiser. You're very determined and often get what you want in life !
  Sincere, loyal and unpretentious, Oxen are very down-toearth characters. You can, however, be rather reserved and some may see you as distant and aloof.
  Underneath that quiet nature, though, you're strong-willed and ambitious. So you have the courage of your convictions and are often prepared to stand up for what you believe.

　

                        THE TIGER
  Born under the sign of courage, you're charismatic and usually have firm views and beliefs. You do everything with energy and enthusiasm. A highly original thinker, you're nearly always brimming with new ideas.
  You adore a challenge and love getting involved. At least once in a lifetime you'll throw caution to the wind and go off and do your own thing. With your restless nature, however, your enthusiasm can soon wane.


  You're impulsive and sometimes regret your actions-you need to think things through. Fortunately, you're lucky in most enterprises but, when things don't work out, you suffer bouts of depression.
  Although your life is a series of ups and downs you're very adaptable. With your restless spirit, you rarely stay in one place for long. You're open and honest and hate hypocrisy. So you can be rebellious at times, which can lead you into conflict. You're never one to shrink from arguments.


  Tigers are natural leaders and you should rise to the top of your profession, though you don't like bureaucracy and hate obeying orders. And despite your great leadership qualities , you can be indecisive and overly sensitive to criticism.
  Tigresses are lively and witty, and you're great hostesses. You take care over your appearance and are good with children. You have great teachirig qualities , too. You have a very caring and generous nature.


  Tigers have many commendable qualities and you are often an inspiration for other people. You'll have full and satisfying lives-provided that you can curb those wild excesses!

　

                        THE RABBIT
  Intelligent and well-mannered, rabbits prefer a quiet existence so you hate any sort of unpleasantness and will try to steer clear of arguments and disputes. You're a pacifist and tend to have a calming influence on those around you.
  With your .wide interests you appreciate the arts and finer things in life. You know how to enjoy yourself and gravitate to the best restaurants and night spots.


  You're a witty and intelligent speaker and love being involved in a good discussion, when your views and advice are often sought. You rarely raise your voice in anger and will even turn a blind eye to matters which displease you just to preserve the peace. You can be a sensitive soul and take any form of criticism badly.


  A quiet, efficient worker, you have an extremely good memory. You're often astute in business and finance but hate making quick decisions. You're a planner who doesn't like to take risks. Because you're, conscientious you will do well in your chosen profession-you're an excellent diplomat and would make a good lawyer or shopkeeper. You're a great collector, and many Rabbits derive pleasure from stamps or antiques.


  Your home is important to you and you spend time and money
on maintaining and furnishing it. Female Rabbits have caring , considerate natures and you do everything in your power to keep your home happy and loving .
  You're sociable and enjoy entertaining. With your great ability
to get the maximum out of your time , you involve yourself in numerous activities but always find time for a chat.


  The Rabbit is usually lucky in life. You often have the happy
knack of being in the right place at the right time! You're talented and quick witted but sometimes put pleasure before work !

　

                        THE DRAGON
  You're a proud , Iively character born under the Dragon--and you have tremendous self-confidence. Dragons are highly intelligent and you're quick to take advantage of any opportunities that occur. You're a perfectionist who sets yourself high standars- you won't suffer fools gladly.


  You're blunt and forthright, though occasionally gullible. When crossed, you can take quite a long time to forgive and forget.
  You enjoy being in the limelight and you're at your best when confronted by sticky problems. In some respects you're a showman, and you rarely lack an audience. Your views are highly valued and you invariably have something interesting to say!


  Dragons have considerable energy and you're often prepared to work long and unsocial hours. You can, however, be rather impulsive and don't always consider the consequences of your actions. As you tend to live for the moment, delays irritate you more than anything. You rely tremendously on your own judgment and can be scornful of others' advice.


  You cherish your independence to such a depree that you may remain single throughout your life. However, Dragons often have lots of admirers who are attracted by your flamboyance and your striking good looks.


  The female Dragon knows what she wants in life, and sets about things in a very determined manner. No job is too small for you and you're often prepared to work extremely hard, though you hate being bound by routine.You do tend to speak your mind , too !
  If you're an adventurous Dragan youll love to go travelling off the beaten track. Though you're rather demanding, you have many frineds and you're nearly always the centre of attention.


                          Text B

                      WHAT'S AHEAD-THE OX
  It's going to be a busy and immensely satisfying year for you, during which hard work will pay off-in a big way! One turn of events may be resented at first, but this will work out well. Generally, it will be a year of surprises during which you should seize opportunities which present themselves , branching out mto new areas.


  The year won't be without awkward problems, though, and you may find yourself having to deal with something distasteful. You should be wary of acting without the backing of others. Failure to do so could leave you feeling isolated.


  Family matters will keep you busy and you'll also be involved in major home improvements-these could be much bigger than you first realised. Financially, it will be a very lucky year and you should think seriously about starting a long term savings policy as a shrewd investment in years to come.


  Generally, 1988 will be a good year and if you follow your own judgment, it will be very fulfilling for you indeed.

                      WHAT'S AHEAD-THE TIGER
  Tigers are going to be very lucky in many ventures. You'll find yourself in demand. You need to resist distractions, however, and concentrate on one thing at a time.


  At home you should tread carefully. Someone close to you may sometimes resent being kept out of your activities. Time spent with your family vill be enjoyable and rewarding and more friends will come into your circle. You'll have a very busy social life this year and several influential people will help your career.


  It's a highly romantic year , too , and you may become engaged or married. Financially~, you need to restrain your spending and should seek professional advice before committing any money.
  Over-exertion could lead to headaches and you'll need time for recreational activities, with a few short breaks every now and then. Even Tigers need a rest! Generally, you'll be very pleased with your achievements during 1988.



                    WHAT'S AHEAD-THE RABBIT
  New and more demanding responsibilities lie ahead for Rabbits when you'll consolidate recent gains. Although generally quiet souls, you should not be afraid of making your views known. You are aiso going to be successful in financial matters but should avoid becoming overconfident with invesfments. However, you wili make several fortunate purchases.


  You will experience a few difficulties in your home life and these can best be sorted out by being open and frank. To keep healthy, you should stick to a balanced diet and take plenty of exercise. You'll be spending a lot of time at home carrying out alterations.
  Generally, Rabbits will be pleased with any accomplishment this year. You may not be at ease with everything around you but you'll make lots of progress.



                      WHAT'S AHEAD-THE DRAGON
  As a Dragon you're going to enjoy the next 12 months-after all, it is your year 1 Never one to let the grass grow under your feet, you'll realise some of your cherished ambitions. Almost straight away there will be news of a promotion or a better job.


  It promises to be an exciting, innovative year and you will have to take full advantage of the opportunities. At home you'll be busy, too, with a possible addition to the family. You may have to spend time with someone who is not in the best of health-you are renowned for your kindness and devotion. But try not to overdo things. In this busy year, though, you'll visit places you've longed to see.


  With your tendency to speak your mind, you also should guard against entering into controversial discussions and making tactless remarks. Neither should you rush into any home move. Financially, you should have few problems, but avoid "get rich quick" schemes.



                  Additionala Information

                            A
             
                          THE SNAKE

  You slippery characters are highly intelligent. Your active mind is forever
planning ways to use your considerable skills. You're a deep thinker who likes to meditate. During your life you'll shed many skins and take up new interests and jobs. Snakes enjoy a challenge and rarely make mistakes.


  You're usually lucky with money, thanks to your business sense. But you do have the distinction of being the worst gambler in the whole Chinese zodiac!
  Generally, you're calm and placid and prefer the quiet life. Sometimes you have difficulty communicating with others but you do have a sense of humour particularly during crises.


  Thorough and hard-working, you can occasionally be ruthless. Your confidence, will power and quick-thinking usually ensure success but when these fail, you take a long time to recover. You can be evasive, too, and won't let others into your nfidence.
  Snakes burn up so much nervous energy that, if you're not careful, you can have health problems like high blood pressure. Often a late starter, you do well in jobs that involve research, writing or planning. You're a good teacher, politician or personnel manager.


  You enjoy buying expensive gifts for friends and are renowned for your good looks.
  Female snakes have style and grace with an excellent--and expensiye--taste in clothes. You're a keen socialiser with a wide circle of friends and a knack of impressing those who matter. Despite your many interests , you like to retain a certain amount of privacy.


  Snakes are fascinated by the unknown and you're often psychic. You'll try your hand at many things and will meet success when you least expect it.

　

                        THE HORSE
  You popular Horses are known for your elegance and charm. You adore parties and meeting people-not surprisingly, you're usually the centre of attention. You also have leadership qualities and are admired for your honesty. You talk most persuasively and love discusson and debate. With your agile mind, you are able to absorb facts quickly.


  But Horses do have fiery tempers, though you will often regret your outbursts. And you're not good at keeping secrets.
  You tend to get involved with many interests, sometimes not completing
them. With your tendency to get caught up the latest craze, you can waste your energies.


  You love independence, hate being bound up by petty rules. You still need support and encouragement, though, with your various enterprises. Multi-talented Horses tend to go far but you take a long time to recover from failure. You regard it as a humiliation.


  You like to travel and explore new, exciting places and during one stage of your life you're usually tempted to live abroad. With your adaptable nature, you usually fit in well wherever you go.


  You're a colourful dresser and very attractive to the opposite sex. You often have many prrtners before settling down. Then you're loyal and protective
to your partner, although you still like to maintain a degree of independence
with interests and hobbies.
  Outgoing female Horses are usually attractive and intelligent, with many interests, particularly outdoors. You love travel, literature, the arts-and really enjoy good conversation. Although you can be stubborn and self-centred , you have a considerate nature and with your sense of humour, usually make a good impression.



                        THE GOAT
  Imaginative and creative, Goats appreciate the finer things of life. With your easy-going nature, you prefer to relax away from pressures. You hate unpleasantness, or being bound by a strict routine. Even so you're a perfectionist who gives your best once you've started on a project.


  As you need support and encouragement, you prefer to work in a team rather than on your own, when you can get worried and pessimistic. Usually you like to leave major decisions to others but, if you feel strongly, you'll act with precision and strength. You're a persuasive type, and often use your considerable charm to get your own way.


  You can, however, be rather hesitant about letting your true feelings be known and if you were prepared to be more forthright, you'd find you'd do much better.
  Despite your reserve, you can be the centre of attention in company and become an amusing host and superb entertainer.


  Of all the signs, you're the most gifted artistically and make a lasting impression in theatre, literature, music or art.
  Many Goats are religious and also have a deep interest in nature.You're nostalgic and keep mementos of childhood and souvenirs of places you've visited. You're also athletic and likely to exeel in sport.


  Female goats devote a lot of time to the family. You have excellent taste in home furnishings and often use your artistic skills to make clothes. You are great organisers, with a delightful sense of humour, and create a good impression wherever you go.
  Goats win friends easily and, with the right support, have happy, satisfying
lives, particularly if you can use your creative skills.

                      THE MONKEY
  Inquisitive and imaginative, Monkeys love to keep an eye on everything going on. You like to be helpful and offer adivce which is usually sensible and reliable.
  Monkeys are intelligent, well-read and eager to learn. You have a good memory and often make superb linguists. As a convincing talker, you enjoy debates and discussions-your assured manner can be very persuasive. You excel in politics, public speaking, PR work, teaching and anything involving selling.


  You can be crafty and cunning, too, and occasionally dishonest. You will seize on opportunities to make quick gains.Often you have so much confidence in your abilities that you won't listen to advice.
  Fortunately for you, you'ie good at solving problems and extricating yourself from hopeless positions. You're a master of self-preservation! With your talent, you can make lots of money but you like to spend, too, on exotic holidays and all sorts of luxuries.


  Monkeys are original thinkers who easily become bored and distracted. Even so, you're good at organising-sometimes slightly erratically. On the odd occasion when your plans do not quite work out, you're quite happy to shrug your shoulders.
  Female Monkeys are intelligent and observant. Your views are often highly valued and you usually get your own way. You pay great attention to your appearance. You're a good friend and doting parent-you often marry young.


  Provided Monkeys can concentrate on one thing at a time, you can usually achieve what you want. And should you suffer any disappointments, you're certain to bounce back again!

                    THE ROOSTER
  You're all rather flamboyant, colourful characters. But you're also meticulous, and excellent at organising. Intelligent and well-read, you have a great sense of humour and love a good debate. You love speaking your mind but your lack of tact can easily damage your reputation. With your volatile nature, you should avoid acting on the spur of the moment.


  Roosters are very dignified and have an air of confidence and authority. You're adept at finance and are capable of making yourself very wealthy. A few of you, though, are notorious spendthrifts.
  You'll often be seen carrying a notebook or scrap of paper around with you as you're constantly writing reminders or noting down important facts in case you forget.


  Although you're ambitious , you're also sometimes unrealistic about your possible achievements. Roosters don't like interference but it would be in your own interests if you listened to others. You're rather self-centred and can be stubborn over relatively trivial matters.
  You lead an active social life and usually belong to several clubs. With your caring nature , you try to help as many less fortunate as possible.


  You're often distinguished in appearance and wear uniforms with great pride. You like publicity and often do well in public relations or any job which brings you into contact with the media. Out of work, you love pottering in the garden.
  Female Roosters are active, with strong views which you have no hesitation
in airing. Your home is usually neat as you're supremely efficient. You're usually found in smart, but very practical, outfits.
  Roosters usually make a lasting favourable impression, but you need to overcome your volatile nature.

　

                      THE DOG
  Loyal Dogs hold firm views and you're the champion of good causes. You hate any sort of injustice and will do anything to help those less fortunate.
  Dogs are direct and straightforward-but you can also be stubborn. Still, you're always prepared to listen to the views of others.


Dogs are good judges of character and very intuitive. You're admired for your integrity and resolute manner. Though you're friendly, you're not a great socialiser. Your idea of a good time is a quiet meal with friends, or a chat by the fire.
  You're often a marvellous storyteller, quick-witted and alert. You keep calm in a crisis and although you ha've a temper, outbursts are short. You're trustworthy and if you feel let down by someone, you'll rarely forgive or forget.


  Dogs usually prefer to specialise rather than dabble in different activities.
You do well in a job where you can be of service to others, like the social services, law and medicine.Motivation is important to you as you can drift through life without ever achieving much. You tend to be a worrier and rather pessimistic.
  You're nof usually easy to live with, because your moods are changeable and you set high standards. Even so, you're not short of admirers.


  Female dogs are renowned for your beauty. You're warm and caring,but until you know someone you can be secretive. Often highly intelligent, you tend to be very ambitious. You can also find bargains in the most unlikely places.
  A loving and doting pasent, you're rarely happier than when helping someone. Provided you can stop worrying, you'll have a very full life.

　

                      THE PIG
  Honest , kind and understanding-that's the Pig. You're a natural peacemaker and will do everything you can to sort out any differences of opinion.
  You're a good talker who hates hypocrisy. You believe firmly in law and order, although you're tolerant and forgiving, too.
  Pigs are popular and enjoy company. You can be relied on to lend a helping hand at functions and you're a good fund raiser. Hardworking and conscientious , you're respected for your reliability.


  You're happiest when you're helping others, and you'll give up your own time without hesitation.
  With your wonderful sense of humour, you invariably have a joke or whimsical remark at the ready. You love to please and entertain people and many Pigs find a career in showbiz.
  Pigs have great difficulty saying "no" to anyone-you can be naive and gullible. Although you're a free spender, you can often be astute with money.


  You're kept going by your faith and strength of character so you tend to bounce back quickly from setbacks. Pigs are dogged but you're also thickskinned and can shrug off abuse without thought.
  You're a great pleasure-seeker and will happily spend your hard earned cash on a lavish holiday or expensive meal.
  You shine at small functions but can become withdrawn at larger events. As a creature of comfort, your home is fitted with all the latest appliances.


  Female Pigs devote all your energies to your family and you try to ensure they want for nothing. Your home will be either very clean or hopelessly untidy. You have very good taste in clothes.
  Provided you do not let others take advantage of you, Pigs will go through life making friends and winning admiration.

　

                      THE RAT
  Charming, intelligent and popular-if you were born in the year of the Rat you're the life and soul of the party. You make friends easily and people generally feel relaxed in your company.
  You're a hard worker, imaginative and full od ideas, though sometimes lack the confidence to promote your plans. Rats are very observant and make excellent writers and journalists. You are good on any job which brings you into contact with people.


  Your skills are particularly appreciated in times of crisis, for Rats have an incredible sense of self-preservation. When it comes to finding a way out of an awkward situation, you're certain to be the one who comes up with a solution.


  Rats love to be where the action is, but when you're in the office you can become a stickler for discipline and routine. You're also an opportunist, constantly on the look-out for ways in which you can improve your wealth--so you're often involved in plans and schemes, sometimes squandering your energy with little to show for it.
  You can appear to be mean with money-in fact you like to keep it in the family. Rats can be most generous to their partners, children and close friends.


  You can also be very generous to yourself and find it difficult to deprive yourself of any luxury that you fancy! You're a hoarder and hate throwing anything away and you're also rather greedy.
  You love any chance to indulge in conversation. You tend to be indiscrect.
though, and highly crificalof others. Because Rats are familyoriented, you'll do anything for your nearest and dearest. You're likelhy to have a large family.


  Female Rara are usually very busy. You are a marvellous hostess for your wide circle of friends. Your home is well-kept and tastefully furnisheci. Although outgoing. you tend to keep your feelings to yourself. With your ability to charm, you'll rarely be without friends.

                        B
  Unlike some of the animals you've read about . most human beings are not colourblind. In fact, thei-e is some evidence that our colour preferences are influenced by our characters or the way we feel. Try the following colour test on yourself and a friend.
(a) Firsl choose your favourite colour(s) from those listed below.
    Dark blue       Blue-green     Red
    Yellow         Violet         Brown
(b) Now read the following comments and decide if they are correct as they apply to you.


Dark blue If you choose this colour it means that you feel you need peace and  
et at the moment. Maybe you've been working hard and need to relax. You
qui like calm, problem-free relationships with others and an orderly
environ-ment.
　

Blue-green You have a strong will.When you decide to do something,you don't change  
your mind easily. You don't like to fail in what you do. Because of your
determination to do a job well, you must be careful of tension which can
cause stomach upsets. So make sure you get enough physical exercise to give
yourself time to relax !
　

Red People who like red enjoy life, and like to achieve results. You probaby  
like sports and good food. In fact, you are active and energetic and would
make a good leader. Be careful not to overdo things and make sure you relax
by following restful interests. such as listening to music, reading, etc.
This will give your life a balance between activity and relaxation.
　

Yellow You are an open, cheerful and friendly person and you enjoy change. You are
energetic but in fits and starts; a few days of hard work followed by a less
energetic period,and then more hard work again. Your energies are often
directed towards the future; you want to modernise and improve the present.
　

Violet You are charming and very sensitive. People may find you fascinating and a
little mysterious. You enjoy literature and music and have a tendency to
live in a `dream world'-and then feel disappointed when you see reality!
　

Brown Brown is the colour of the earth and nature. People who favour brown have  
often had a few problems recently which have made them feel some discomfort.
Has this happened to you? If so, you may feel you need a quiet and
comfortable environment, surrounded by nature.

Lesson 33

              Thieves Beware : People See You

                          Text A

  Each year car theft costs us about ￡300 million, and burglary sets us back by another ￡150 million.
  Yet the police reckon that one car in five is left unlocked, or with windows open, or with expensive goods temptingly on display. It is estimated that over 60% of homes still do not have any window locks (although that's better than a few years ago when it was nearer 90% ) .
  These facts illustrate a basic truth.

  The truth is that most criminals are on the lookout for a soft touch. They are not hardened "professionals" who set out with particular targets in mind, but young, inexperienced or unsophisticated.
  What they're looking for is a house or car that will let them get in, get what they want and get away quickly.
  In short, an easy opportunity.


  Many of these opportunities can just as easily be removed. By fitting and using locks. Or by taking other very simple precautions.
  And if we can foil small-time criminals with modest individual effort and cost, how much more could be achieved by working together in Neighbourhood Watches ( there are forty-two thousand already)? Or in other local activities involving police, councils, businesses, voluntary groups and schools?


  More radically still, what might we see if more systematic effort was made to design anti-crime features into cars, houses and estates?
  This is not a pipe dream: it's already happening.
  Take housing. There is a growing awareness of how the design, layout and construction of houses and estates can affect the incidence of crime.
  Many police forces are now appointing specialist architectural liaison officers in their crime prevention departments.


  A new British Standard has been published. Some builders are now building security features into new housing projects.
  Or cars. The Institute for Consumer Ergonomics at I,oughborough University carried out a research project into automobile security which was presented to the motor industry at a special Home Office conference.
  Some manufacturers are now fitting better security on the production line. Some magazine road tests regularly report on the subject.


  About 95% of crirnes are against property rather than people. But, not surprisingly, it is the remaining 5% --assault, mugging and rape, for example-that causes the most comment and concern.
  But even thugs look for easy opportunities. The dark alley,
the pensioner who doesn't check callers' credentials, the child who accepts a lift from a stranger. These can be reduced by personal and community action.


  For example, because all of us feel vulnerable sometimes, police and other experts have devised simple, sensible precaution which individuals can adopt to help minimise the risk of being
attacked.

　

                            Text B

  You can't miss the neighbourhood watch people, or "old auntie". as they are sometimes called. As in neighbourhoods all over Beijing. they wear red armbands and sit on small chairs in lances off Wenjia Street downtown.
  If you are a stranger there and your behaviour arouses their suspicion, you are likely to be stopped for questions, such as whom you are looking for and where you are from.


  You needn't worry about theft if you live in the area and forget to lock the door of your house; the aunties will lock it during their daily inspection tour past every house in -the community. But remember, a severe criticism of your carelessness will follow.
  Their presence may be one reason the 426-household community with about 1,200 residents has been free from theft, burglary and other criminal acts for almost 10 years.


  Every community member is encouraged by their neighbourhood residents' committee to remain alert for possible theft and to contribute an individual effort to the maintenance of a safe environment.
  The Wenjia Street neighbourhood residents' committee runs a public security committee together with committees on mediation, publie health, and women's affairs.


  " They all look inconspicuous, yet their functions are great," cammented a public order official from the Ministry of Public Security.
  The official's comment is understandable. since the neighbourhood committees have proved to be an effective approach to maintaining public order and ensuring public safety at a time when professional police are in short supply.
  In the Wenjia public security committee, for instance, in addition to six directors, there are 138 residents who act as amateur police for the neighbourhood.


  Except the six directors, who receive 45 yuan monthly from he government, the neighbours work voluntarily. They form a small but sensitive security network in their community.
  Among the 138, 54 are retired workers or older housewives, whose job is to take turns guarding the 42 courtyards of houses in the community.


  According to Ran Yuzhen, the committee director, the whole community has been divided into 35 groups, with 62 people appointed to be group leaders.
  " Every community member is involved in the security work," said Ran.
  Safety is maintained in a number of ways.
  First, patrols by professional police.


  Second, daily inspection tours around the community by six committee directors.
  The directors keep a log of their observations while inspecting the neighbourhood.
  Third, guarding of courtyards and houses by the retirees and housewives.
  Fourth, installation of burglar-proof locks.
  "Safety is possible with the participation o# every member in the community involved in the security work," said Ran.



                  Additional Information

  Lu Xiuli was not boasting when he said he was a top-notch policeman. "1 catch thieves. I know their tricks and always make a big haul. "
  Lu. 42, works with the Criminal Investigation Department of the Municipal
Public Security Bureau of Guilin in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. He heads a special task force to catch thieves and pickpockets on crowded buses and other public places.


  "The thieves are very much afraid of me," he said. "Whenever they recognize
me, they run off as a rat fears a cat. "
  With his long experience, Lu can recall from memory the names and nicknames of more than 1,000 thieves or pickpockets in the city. He can list their physical characteristics and knows their haunts and tricks of the trade. He always carries a small notebook with information about major suspects. This has helped him spot them when they are on the prowl.


  Typical pickpockets are unemployed urban youth aged between 18 and 25, Lu said. They have grown up and are quite independent of their parents. But they do not yet have their own families. And they do not care much about the consequences of their activities.
  Their targets are usually tourists or travelling traders from outside the city, not only because these people often carry a lot of money but also they are only transients who know little about local conditions. Thieves usually avoid locals for fear that they may come across them some other day and, even if they were not caught in the act, they may be recognized sooner or later.


  "I have learned to spot pickpockets on a crowded bus by the distinctive ways they move," Lu said. Many pickpockets on a bus choose their targets when passengers expose the location of their wallet as they take out money to pay the fare. The pickpocket edges towards his victim asking, people to make way as if he wanted to get off the bus. But he stops next to the target and raising one hand to grip the overhead bar, slips the other into the person's pocket and deftly removes the money using only index and middle fingers.


  Pickpockets are usually not dangerous criminals, but sometimes Lu has to fight them face to face in a life and death struggle. Because he has shown no mercy in dealing with thieves, many of them are waiting for a chance to take their revenge. Some even threatened him. "Don't be too harsh on us or sooner or later we will settle with you," warned one.


  But Lu is not to be intimidated. "I'm a people's policeman and will never recoil in fear before enemies," he said. "To protect the people's interests, I am ready to shed my blood and even sacrifice my life. " In his nine years of police career, Lu scuffled with criminals 29 times and was injured three times.

Lesson 34

            Isn't It Good to Speak a Foreign Language?

                          Text A

  "You really are a lucky dog. "
Many peole assume that admission into the Institute of Foreign Trade means not only a farewell to "unemployment", but also a hearty handshake with affluence. They say, and I quote, "As soon as you graduate, you will have a fair chance to go abroad. You may fly round the world, see exciting things and exotic places and feel as happy as a lark and as proud as a peacock. "

  I didn't know what to.think when I first came to this institute. Happy? Yes , happy that I had been admitted by this splendid institute of higher learning. I started to dream about the many things I had so excitedly heard from those who like to dream. I fancied myself posted to one of our commercial offices overseas, working in carpeted offices with air-conditioning, and delightful social activities and parties in the evenings. "What would you like, tea or coffee?" I would answer with a nod, "Brazilian coffee with Danish milk please. " And trying to make conversation, I would say, "What lovely Mediterranean weather we are having!"


  Sometimes, however, I felt a bit uneasy. Comfort is not the only thing in life, you know. I do care about what people may think of me, particularly those "scholarly" people who might turn up their noses at the mere mention of the word "trade" and frown at me. taking me for a little money-grubbing, vulgar merchant.
  Well. a year at this institute has taught me a great many things.


  First, it is not at all easy to be trained for the foreign trade service. Like the students of all other institutes, you must work hard , be straight in all your dealings , staunchly patriotic , loyal and 100% reliable. You must get a good command of two foreign languages and Chiiiese , and try in every way to broaden the range and scope of your knowledge, which you may have to draw upon in your future work - history, geography, culture and so on and so forth.


  Let me cite one or two examples to show how important it is to know the customs and culture of different countries.
  Once , one of our corporations wanted to sell washing machines to Arab countries. In an advertisement to promote sales, strategy demands diagrams instead of written instructions. Dirty clothes went into the machine in the first diagram, a thorough washing was illustrated in the third. Simple and clear. But the result was disastrous. Arabic is written from right to left. How can this corporation expect to promote sales with dirty clothes as a reault of the new machine?


  Another example concerns trade-marks. One of the best batteries produced in China is the "White Elephant" battery. In English, however, "White Elephant" means an object that is useless, overpriced and utterly undesirable. Do you think English -speaking people would be inclined to make a large purchase of this "White Elephant"?


  Second, I've come to learn that the life of a foreign trade worker is not exactly what most people think it is. A good foreign trade worker is one who is dedicated to his work. He must have a strong sense of duty and be fully aware that a slight mistake may bring colossal losses to the country both politically and economically. My uncle, for instance, happens to be a foreign trade worker. Since he is very busy, my aunt has to do nearly all the housework. He is often disturbed in his sleep because of the heavy responsibility.

Sometimes, he goes to dinner parties four times a week, or even twice a day, but his duties as a translator prevent him from partaking in these banquets. I've seen many of his colleagues burning the candle at both ends. They seldom go to theatres. They seldom go to concerts and they can't even afford time to watch a football match which they're very much interested in. They always think of the interests of the people and the country, without a single thought for themselves. So, think of the tasks . think of the responsibility. Shame on those who only think of their personal comfort, of going abroad, drinking toasts and coming back loaded with foreign made articles.


  Last, but not least; I've come to learn that foreign trade plays a substantial role in our national economy. This is done by acquiring from abroad the equipment and technical know-how necessary for our modernization drive and by pushing the sales of our exports which form the material basis of our imports. There arc so many new fields to open up and so many new things to be learned. Four or five years is not cnough. It requires more than one's lifetime.


  As a student of foreign trade. I feel that my future: job is just as significant and necessary as many other occupations. like the geologists'conquering the deserts, the scientists'tapping the ocean, and the astronauts'exploring the outer space. Instead of going abroad, I may be asked to sit at my desk all my life, collecting
data, translating or interpreting. Then, "Am I a lucky dog?" Yes. I am lucky that I've become a student of foreign trade. Lucky that I'm conscious of the responsibility of a business woman of New China. I.ucky that I have acquired an initial ability to serve my country and my people heart and soul.


                          Text B

MATTHEW:   Chris, why is it that there are so many different languages , and  
  that in Europe certainly if you travel more than a hundred miles ,
  you're likely to find people speaking a completely different language
  to your own?
　

CHRIS:   Well, it's true to say that there are er ... hundreds and hundreds
  of different languages. It's perhaps um . . . however , more
  interesting and more informative to say that there are several
  different groups of languages er . .. Most European languages,with
  the exception of I think Finnish and er .. . Basque and . . .
  Hungarian I believe,belong to the Indo-European group of languages,
  I'm not very sure myself of the . . . the actual details of the
  history of these languages, but you can be very sure that er ... most
　

  of these languages , say Latin and Greek nd our own language a and
  er . . . German and er ... French and ... all the others, are
  connected. The reason why you can travel from one Willage to another
  in Switzerland and er . . . from one area to another in England
  and find different dialects, if not different languages spoken,
  is that um ... several hundred years ago communication was by word
  of mouth. Word of mouth meant that people had to move ; if people
  were to move they needed roads and there were no roads.
　

MATTHEW:   Do you see any chance for a universal language like Esperanto?
CHRIS:   Not for an artificial er ... language, no ... I suppose the Roman
  Catholic Church used Latin. but Latin had a ... a particular
  religious basis and this is probably why it was therefore chosen.
  I don't see very much chance for Esperanto; I think it's an awfully
  good idea but I don't believe that language works like that.I think
  people will probably er .. . work towards the most convenient
  language to use.They will not set out to learn a new language. It
  seems to me that er ... either English,. Russian or Chinese, perhaps
  Japanese, will be the language of the future er . . . My bet's on
  English.
　

MATTHEW:
  Maggie, why do you think it is that so few English people speak
  a second language?
MAGGIE:   I think when you learn a language at school ...it tends to be
  rather a dead occupation, and it's very difficult to stimulate any
  interest among school children. But when you actually go to the
  country and spend say a month in . . . in an exchange visit when
  you're a schoolgirl, or a schoolboy um ... then you suddenly become
  more interested because you ... you want to communicate with poeple
　

  when you're actually abroad, and it's not safe to rely on the fact th
  that most people speak English when um . . . in foreign countries.
  Mm . . . I think English people traditionally thought that . . . that
  foreigners always spoke English, and a lot of foreigners do, but
  there are people that you meet in the street or you want to take a
  bus somewhere, then you find that you need to speak the language
  and'it's very unnerving to be in a situation where you can't
  communicate with people when you do want to travel around.
　

MATTHEW:   Have you ever been abroad and learnt er ... a language in the
  country?
MAGGIE:   Yes , well when I was a secretary I er... went and lived in Geneva  
  for two years, and I learnt French at school but I . . . I really
  didn't speak it at all. I knew it theoretically but I wasn't able to
  communicate with people. But I was in a situation where if I didn't
  speak French , then I would not have been able to do my shopping and
  buy food ,and so I picked the language up and I made friends with
　

  French people ... Swiss French people, and I found that if I wanted
  to communicate with all . . . all the people that I met , then I
  had to learn French, and I think it's the best method of learning
  because you're in the situation. It's very hard at times - you
  can sit through dinner parties and not understand what ... what's
  going on and you think everybody thinks you're stupid because you
  can't communicate with them, but it's ... it's the hard way but I
  think it's the best way to learn.
　

MATTHEW:   Elfriede, you come from Austria and yet you've been living in England
  now for the last three years. Has having to learn and speak another
  language created great problems?
ELFRIEDE:   Um ... At the beginning, yes, it was rather difficult for me to get
  the right job . . . um. after you've lived here for one or two years
  you get to know the system and then that's quite good. You know how
  to use libraries and oh .. . you get to know where to um... call
  in emergencies; um ... you get to know ... er ...trying to get a
  radio and understand the radio and all the . . . programmes they
  have . . . um and when they're on and the little stories.
　

MATTHEW:   What about English humour on the radio?
ELFRIEDE:   Um . . . I think that takes a very very long time to understand and
  I'm sorry to say that I haven't managed yet to understand it
  completely, but er... I find it very interesting to speak other
  languages um ... because English people have different er ...have
  a different mentality, and have a very different character and a
  different temperament and it is fascinating for me to talk to them um...
  and also for myself to be able to express myself in a different
  language and to communicate with them.


                  Additional Information

  Sometimes, I can't help thinking how magic languages are. They are like bridges joining islands - connecting people's minds.
  Now, whenever I am in the classroom, at lectures or practising Engl;sh or French. I often think of my experiences at the llth Asian Games held in Beijing last autumn.


  I was assigned interpreter to the sports delegation from The Maldives, a small island countrv in the Indian Ocean. When I met the delegation at the Beijing Airport   I was greatly surprised to find they all spoke English fluentIy,We were so excited when we realized that we were talking to each other in a language that was not native to anv of us.


  During the Games, one of "my" delegation, Shijiao, developed some eye trouble. The Games Village doctor thought it was infectious and said he should go to the infectious diseases hospital, and I was asked to take him. A Sikh from the Indian delegation went with us. He was suspected of having hepatitis. At the hospital I helped the doctor and nurse get Shijiao settled down.


  The next day, the hospital called to say that Shijiao's eye trouble was not serious and there was no need for him to stay in hospital. So I immediately went to fetch him out. We were about to leave the hospital when a nurse hurried over to me.
  "Are you the interpreter?" she asked.
  "Yes , "
  "Could you please help us. The Indian patient you brought in vvith you yesterday, you know, we can't communicate with him. Nobody in the hospital speaks English. "
"All right. Let's see if I can be of help. "


  Shijiao and I followed her to the Sikh's ward. Three doctors and nurses were around his bed, trying to get through to him with gestures and a few English words. They were very relieved to see me.
  I asked the Indian. "Can I help you?"
  But he replied in a language I had never heard before.
  "English! English! Don't you speak English?" I asked.


  It seemed he knew the word 'English' , for he shook his head. I didn't kriow what to do now. It was beyond me.
  Then Shijiao started speaking in a strange language. It was so funny. How come? The native tongue in The Maldives is Devehi, certainly not a language in India. Shijiao turned to me and said. "My parents came from India. I speak a little Hindi. "


  That was great. The examination started. The doctors told me in Chinese
what they wanted to know. I translated it into English. Shijiao told the patient in Hindi. The Sikh answered in Hindi: Shijiao told me in English, and I put it into Chinese for the doctors.


  The examination took a full hour. The doctors and the patient were very happy, for at last they could communicate with each other. When all the questioning was over, the doctor who seemed to be in charge took my hand and Shijiao's hand and said in Chinese. "Thank you very much. " Then the patient smiled at me and said, "Tan Kiu. " (Thank you)
  It was such an exciting and stimulating experience. I felt how good it was to be an interpreter.

Lesson 35

              Never Give up the Hope of Living

                          Text A

  In this recorded conversation with a friend, Alison Willson described her reactions to the news that she was going to die of cancer. The conversation took place five months before her death.

  Firstly, I told myself, "The thing has happened. However much you fuss , and scream , and yell , it's not going to change " I realised I'd got to discipline myself. Another thing was, I remembered the vicar of a church I used to go to saying that this kind of thing was often much harder for the relatives than for the patient. So here there was scope for me to do something positive.

  Thirdly, just before I left the hospital, I came across two young women in their thirties, both with small children and both with cancer. I thought , well , what am I worrying about , because my children are grown up and independent. If I can get this right for myself and make some sort of peace with it , then the people who love me will also accept it and this needn't be too 6ad a time.


  Of course, it wasn't as simple as that. When I came out of hospital I found I was getting it wrong with quite a lot of people , because they didn't look at it the same way as I did. And again, I think if you're going to die around the age of 50, far more people are involved than if you're dying when you're really old. You know, it's fairly threatening to people of your own age, they see you in the middle of a fairly busy life suddenly stopping-and they find it unacceptable. This busincss again of getting them to givc me pcrmission to die. . .


  Several of me friends still feel very angry and bitter aboui it and just won't accept it. In consequence they tell me I shouldn't accept it. I get all these stories about these heroic people who have organ after organ rcmoved and say, I'm not going to die; I'm going to live; and they go on, year after year. It makes me fecl I'm be.ing terribly fecble. I feel rather guilty , as if what they're saying is , wcll . you're not trying hard enough.


  I can't really see what else I could be doing. I'm very confused about all this. I don't quite understand what I ought to do. Well , I suppose one could be a Chichester and rush across the Atl.antic in a boat. But you know. really , I'm too tired for that. I think what I want to say to people is that if you're in this situation it isn't nearly as bad as people who try and put themselves in your position think it is.


  For one thing . other people comc to it cold , whereas I've been doingAmy homework on it for the last two years. I've got used to the idea and have come to the point of acceptance gradually. The other thing is that they're feeling well and vigorous, with lots of things they're in the middle of doing. But I am actually getting very tired and don't fecl vcry well.


  The fact that I can't drive my car and am generally having to cut down my activitics isn't as   bad for me as they?think it is. I try to get this through to people, and it seems to release their anxiety a bit. My friends are beginning to accept what is happening and come along with me.


  It's been a time for thinking about relationships and' sorting out those which weren't very satisfactory. Also, to a large extent, the pressure is off and you're going to die, you don't really have to do much. It's rather a rclief if you're not feeling well. I've been very happy these last six months.


  I used to think that if you knew you were dying there would be a great black pall over everything, and nothing could be of any value. But it isn't like that. In some ways, even, you get increased appreciation of things. Colours are brighter and littlc pleasures mean more. You almost get another dimension.


  I feel that if. I hadn't understood what was happening, and come to terms with it , this would have been lost. So if you asked me whether I would rather have a coronary or what I've got . I would rather have this because I've had all this good time. And I feel sad because other people might have it , but miss it -because they aren't allowed to come to terms with what's going to happen, or don't feel able to, and this is such a waste.


                          Text B

  Wang Jinghui is a lecturer in China Textile University in Shanghai. Now, at the age of fifty-three, he is about to leave this world.
  In July last year, he was diagnosed as to be suffering from cancer in the esophagus. The doctor told him that there might still be a slight chance for him if he got operated on at once, as the cancer was already in an advanced stage. The news greatly alarmed Wang and his daughter who had accompanied him to the hospital. Naturally they wanted to have an operation at once as there was not a moment to be lost.


  "But all our wards are full at the moment," the doctor told them.
  "How long do we have to wait then?" the daughter asked.
  "At least two months. We have a long waiting list. "
  Back at home, the daughter was at her wit's end. Five years earlier, her mother had died of cancer. It was her father then who had looked after everything - her mother's operation, then the funeral. And after her mother's death, it was her father who looked after her and her younger sister, and had seen them through school, and then college for her. She had just graduated and her younger sister was still at school. How could they do without their father? No, their father must not die.


  She lost no time and spared no efforts in finding a hospital for her father. She went everywhere and asked everybody friends , relatives , acquaintances , anyone who might know of a way to , or have connections with a hospital. A few days later one of her former schoolmates came with the heartening news that one of her friends had a relative who could pull strings with a certain big hopital.


  And so this friend's friend's relative made his appearance. He proved to be very helpful and enthusiastic, and promised to see the whole thing through. But he constantly dropped hints to Wang's daughter about the "going price" for"road-paving" to a hospital.


  At the hospital things went as smoothly as he had promised. Wang's daughter had handed him three hundred yuan, and soon he had everything arranged - consultation for Wang and registration for living in. He informed them that there would be a vacant bed the following Monday.


  They went home full of hope. He, the man who had arranged everything for them, began to lay down his cards. "The going price is two thousand and five hundred yuan. But don't worry," he hastened to add when he saw the alarm in father and daughter's faces. "I've managed to bring it ddwn to the bottom line-- one thousand two hundred. But you have to get it ready soon. I have to satisfy the registration office, the surgeon-in-charge, the operating doctor and his assistant, the two anaes thetists- not a single one could be left out. "


  What else could they do? In order to cure her father, the daughter went about and managed to scrape together 500 yuan which she handed to the man just before her father went to live
  As arranged Wang entered the hospital on Monday, July 16. But more than a week went by and nobody seemed to bother about him, and nothing was 'mentioned about his operation. Both father and daughter were worried about this endless waiting and she approached the man again, to see if he could speed things up. "An operating doctor has yet to be found. " She understood what that meant , and as she was almost worried to death, she gritted her teeth and produced another four hundred yuan. Apparently the man meant what he said when he mentioned one thousand two hundred as the bottom line.


  On July 28, Wang finally was wheeled into the operation theatre. But he was not kept there for long. The doctor opened up his chest and found that cancer had reached such a stage as to make an operation impossible. So merciless was the hand of fate!
  When a reporter from Xinmin Evening went to see Wang early this year, she found an emaciated man lying in bed, obviously nearing his last. He could hardly produce a coherent sentence, but he kept repeating ; "We've been robbed of one thousand two hundred yuan . .. Now we are penniless . . . what is going to happen to my two girls?. . . "


  The daughter said: "What happened to us was far from unique. It has become quite a common practice for patients to pay through their noses in order to live in. All the same I want our story to be told, not that I have any illusions about getting our money back"




                  Additional Information

  Not long ago , an unusual wedding was held in Bcijing's Yuyuantan Park. Both the bride and bridegroom suffered from cancer but had made surprising improvement with the aid of qigong. a traditional C.hinese healing system that relies heavily on breathing exercises. It is also through qigong that the young couple met and fell in love.


  The 28-year-old Guo Chengpei was formerly a top player on the Beijing table tennis team. But after participating in the First Pyongyang lnternational Table Tennis Invitational Tournament in Sepember 1981 , he felt his health declining and he could hardly talk. After an examination he was diagnosed as having lung cancer, which is usually fatal. He had to stop training and undergo treatment.


  Because Guo's cancer had spread to his lymph nodes, it was inoperable. The radiation treatment he received helped little. His doctor predicted that despite his youth, Guo had only three months to live.
  However, being trained as a table tennis player for 12 years, he had an unyielding will and an optimistic attitude. and he did not give up hope.
  One of his friends suggested that he practise qigong, which is credited with prolonging many cancer patients' lives. This strengthened his will to surmount the disease.


  He took his friend's advice to practise Guo Lin qigong (a combination of moving and breathing) every day.
  Getting up at 2:45 a. m. he took the night shuttle bus to Ditan Park and started his routine at 3:40 a. m. He practised for more than five hours. His father and uncles took turns accompanying him.
  With his strong will and indomitable perseverance, he has kept practising qigong for seven and a half years, in all kinds of weather.


  A check-up in 1987 showed that the lung cancer's spread to the lymph nodes had disappeared and the tumour was reduced in size. His weight has increased from 60 to 85 kilograms. He has become fitter and his general health has improved.His 26-year-old bride, Chen Yamei, became ill with thymoma in September 1985.
  "When I was told that I had cancer, I felt the future looked so dark and miserable that I was in despair," she said.


  In December that year, she had an operation. Afterwards she received chemical and radioactive treatments, but little effect could be seen. The cancer began to spread to the lymph nodes and bones.
  While she was hospitalized she often saw patients around her die. She was terribly frightened and she felt on the brink of death herself.


  In June 1986, she heard that qigong could help cure cancer. Though she didn't completely believe it, she saw a glimmer of hope and decided to try It.
  She also went to Ditan Park to learn qigong and was assigned to the class that was instructed by Guo Chengpei.
  "Everyone in my qigong class looks vigorous and energetic,"Chen said. "There is no sign that they have had the deadly disease. It gives me confidence
and courage to live on. "


  She often sought advice from Guo and he always helped her patiently and enthusiastically. They shared experiences and encouraged each other. At last love blossomed in the young couple's hearts.
  After three years of constant qigong practice, Chen's condition is stable. Now she says she has a better appetite and sleeps more soundly.


  "Curing cancer through qigong had a scientific basis," Guo said. "The growth of cancer cells is restrained when one breathes plenty of oxygen. After one properly practises qigong for quite a long time, he is able to greatly enlarge his respiratory capacity. This is good for cancer patients. "


  Drawing on his own experience, Guo thinks that combinations of qigong, Western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine are the best way to conquer cancer. And he said a wholesome psychological outlook is the most important thing.
  "Everyone suffering from cancer should think like this; Even if the survival
rate in cancer is only 0. 1 per cent , I am the 0. 1 per cent , " Guo said. "Those who can get better the fastest are those who are strong in spirit. "
  The couple hope that all cancer patients love life and never lose their hope of living.
（完）

鼎立支持，万分感谢！！！

真佩服,,沒想到這世上還有如此熱心的好人,,真是太佩服了

万分感激，竹影无风 ，你真伟大