017 On the Edge of the Sea

『阿花说』 《在海边》描绘了一个美好的梦境：住在海滩边的沙堡里，和朋友们在海边玩耍，夜晚看星星月亮…… 出版社：Dial Books 作者：Betty Paraskevas 插画：Michael Paraskevas 适合年龄段：4+ 『原文』 On the Edge of the Sea by Betty Paraskevas I dreamed I lived on the edge of the sea, in a castle of sand with a window for me, to watch the sun climb the morning sky, and count the ships that go sailing by. I saw my friends making their way across the sand, and we spent the day riding the waves that rolled up the shore, but always stopped short of my castle door. With their candy-striped chairs and umbrellas for shade, I served them all hot dogs and pink lemonade. Shimmering kites of brilliant designs climbing the sky, tugging their lines. A lady snoozed on a peppermint raft, until a wave knocked her off and everyone laughed. Hundreds of beach balls bounced in the sky. Everyone cheered and I wondered why... They floated down so graceful and free, then burst like bubbled when they touched the sea. The lifeguard, standing on his lookout chair, shouted, "Iceberg offshore! Bathers, beware!" We gathered together and watched it drift by. There were diamonds on the water and a crystal blue sky. A mighty gust of wind made a strange whistling sound, tossing towels and umbrellas and hats all around. We picked up our things and when we were done, we sat on the beach, enjoying the sun. In pleated paper cups I served them rainbow ices, saltwater taffy and watermelon slices. Friendships grew through the rest of the day, while the bright orange sun slowly slipped away. My friends said "Good night!" by the light of the moon. As they followed the path that cross the dune, I hurried to my castle door, playing tag with the waves that rushed the shore. I climbed the tower and stepped into the night. There were stars around my head, the moon was on my right. The air made me dizzy, stardust made me sneeze, I lost my favorite hat in a wild, sudden breeze. I saw it on the moon as I learned upon the ledge, but the ledge began to crumble and I tumbled off the edge. I was falling through the night until my mother said, "It's time to start a brand-new day! Get up, sleepyhead!" I never had another dream as wonderful as that, but sometimes when I see the moon I wonder why I never found my hat. -The End- 感谢收听～