LECTURE FOR TRANSLATING - SEVENTH GRADE - 09 / 03 / 2020

Surprise!

 

Jerry and Emma are husband and wife. It’s summer, and Jerry’s birthday is approaching. Emma wants to give him a present for his birthday, but she wants it to be a surprise, so she must keep everything a secret.But she has a big problem. If Jerry cannot know about her plan, how does she find out what to get him for his birthday?She decides to use a secret technique. For a whole week, while she pretends to do other things, she actually listens very carefully for clues.However, Jerry doesn’t really talk about this subject. A whole week passes with no mention of something he actually wants or needs!“That’s it!” Emma thinks to herself. “Jerry’s birthday is tomorrow! I’m taking off the gloves!”She calls her sister-in-law Mary, and they make a secret plan.Mary will call Jerry, ask him what he would like to receive for his birthday, and Emma will listen to the conversation (without Jerry knowing it).The scheme starts out as planned. Mary calls Jerry, and they have a nice chat about his upcoming birthday. Emma listens carefully from the other room.Finally, she hears what he wants—a pair of sneakers! “All right!” she thinks to herself.Full of excitement, she runs out of the room. She is not so quiet, but who can blame her? She rushes off to the shop and buys a pair of shiny sneakers, exactly Jerry’s size. She’s very happy. She will get him the present he wants, and it will be a complete surprise!Today is Jerry’s birthday. Emma waits until their special dinner at night.

Finally, the moment arrives. It’s time for Jerry’s present!Emma brings in the box of sneakers, wrapped in colorful paper.“Wow!” Jerry says with a big smile. “I wonder what it is.” “Open it and see for yourself!” Emma replies happily.He tears off the colorful paper and takes out the box. He opens the box.“Oh, it’s a . . . pair of sneakers! What a lovely . . . surprise . . .”Emma notices that something is wrong. “What’s the matter? You don’t seem so happy. Don’t you need a pair of sneakers?”“Hmm. . .” Jerry takes a look at each shoe. “Well, didn’t you tell Mary that you wanted a pair of sneakers?” Emma asks him.“A pair of sneakers?” Jerry starts to laugh. “I said a pair of speakers! You seem surprised. Well, I guess I could use a pair of sneakers, too!”