阅读理解
Even before my father left us, my mother had to go back to
work to support our family. Once I came out of the kitchen, complaining, "Mum,
I can't peel (去皮)potatoes.
I have only one hand. "
Mum never looked up from sewing. "You get yourself into
that kitchen and peel those potatoes," she told me. "And don't ever
use that as an excuse for anything again!"
In the second grade, our teacher lined up my class on the
playground and had each of us race across the monkey bars, swinging from one
high steel rod to the next. When it was my turn, I shook my head. Some kids
behind me laughed, and I went home crying.
That night I told Mum about it. She hugged me, and I saw her
determined look. The next afternoon, she took me back to school. At the
deserted playground, Mum looked carefully at the bars.
"Now, pull up with your right arm," she advised.
She stood by as I struggled to lift myself with my right hand until I could get
the bar with my other elbow (月寸）.Day after day we practiced, and she
praised me for every rung (梯级）I reached.
I'll never forget the next time, crossing the rungs； I looked down at the
kids who were standing with their mouths open.
One night, after a dance at my new junior high, I lay in bed
crying. I could hear Mum came into my room. "Mum," I said, weeping, "None
of the boys would dance with me."
For a long time, I didn't hear anything. Then she said, "Oh,
honey, someday you'll be beating those boys off with a bat." Her voice was
slight and cracking. I looked out from my covers to see tears running down her
cheeks.
Then I knew how much she suffered on my behalf. She had
never let me see her tears.
