加载中…钟琬婷7年级英语文章《The Linked Hearts》
(2009-05-11 20:52:17)
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钟琬婷雅思3个9分托福作文满分ＳＡＴ写作满分初一英语文章 |
分类： 钟琬婷英文文章 |
The
Mandy lay awake in her bed, counting the ticks of the clock, staring blankly at the ceiling. Without Veronica’s company, she seemed to be empty and lost.
Veronica, where are you?
Mandy turned over. The gentle tapping of the rain echoed in her ears.
Veronica, how are you?
She got up, wrapped herself in her long black cloak and strolled slowly to the window. She pushed it open, without really meaning to do so.
Veronica, can you hear me?
Mandy gazed out over the dark shadows of the mountains. The soft mist hanging over the fields cast a sad somberness over everything. She buried her face in her hands.
Veronica …
Mandy stood very still, as the chill of the wind and the freshness of the rain brushed her face. Her hair was flying out behind her while she pondered in deep reminiscence …
She and Veronica (Verni) were attached ever since they were very young. Mandy was an orphan who was once poor and very sulky. At the orphanage, she was isolated and quiet, so nobody ever liked her. Since she had never felt love, she never showed care for others, until somebody came and changed her completely. It was Veronica, whose parents had been killed in a terrible accident. She was much older than Mandy, yet she was handicapped and sickly. The same accident had taken away both of her legs.
Mandy sat on the window-sill and stared down at the fields. With her head resting on a hand, she was brought back to her 8 year-old self 3 years ago.
‘Hello!’ A happy, warm voice sounded behind Mandy. ‘How are you?’
‘Hi.’ Mandy whipped around in astonishment and answered quite coldly. She avoided direct eye-contact.
‘I’m new here.’ The tall girl of about 14 smiled tenderly at her.
‘My name is Veronica Brusselli and I’m only just 14. What about you?’
‘Er … ’ Mandy squeezed out a very uncomfortable smile, contorting her face. She hated to talk. ‘I’m Amanda Serry. I’m 8. Er … ’
‘Nice to meet you!’ Before she could think of anything to talk about, the girl offered her a hand of friendship. Mandy was totally taken aback. Nobody had acted so friendly toward her since she got here. As she looked up, she saw a pair of pleasant blue eyes, curly gold hair and …
‘Wheelchair.’ Veronica sighed when Mandy gaped. ‘3 months ago, I was traveling with Dad and Mum in our new car. 1 minute ago, I was the happiest girl on earth, with everything nice; 1 minute later, I was the saddest, with everything lost.’ She said with shaking sadness in her voice. ‘I didn’t quite realize what had happened as I lay in a hospital bed in excruciating pain until they told me. My parents were dead when the truck knocked over the car, but I … I survived because … my … Mum protected me against all this … she died soon afterwards and … and I was discovered, unconscious and half-dead … in her arms …’ There was a painful pause. ‘Not just that. As if the tragic loss of my dearest ones was not enough, they had to take away my legs. It was the best they could do … I was lucky to stay alive … However, the deprivation of my freedom and my family was almost unbearable. I even wanted to … to simply die, without suffering all this throughout my life, without even more torture. I struggled very hard at first … I didn’t want to end up in loss and sorrow. Yet one day, I saw a badly mangled bird fly painfully up, trying to reach the blue sky despite its injuries … I suddenly woke up from the daze as I knew I have found the true meaning of life.’ Her eyes began to shine. ‘To live it to the fullest, to strive against all the difficulties, and to achieve a brighter future. It’s very tough, but you have to learn to be strong, to stand up against the hardest problems … I couldn’t surrender to fate and be wretched and down. Always … I have to fight against it …I’ll find my way through night and day. ’
Mandy listened in entire silence. It was such a precious lesson, a major change in her life. Veronica had told her about something to live up to, to follow … She looked up and immediately, something shocked her ------ the kindness of Veronica was like a ray of the spring sun shining warmly on frozen ice, melting her cold heart. From then on, she knew she had to fight, to struggle …
Mandy felt her tears streaming down her face. She thought of all those good old days.
Veronica, you won’t come back, will you?
She’s lost forever …
‘But nobody likes me. I get no love and I don’t want to give it! I resist! Why can’t I be loved and cared for?’ Mandy whined.
‘Be kind. Be good and helpful. The others would treat you in the way you treat them. Look at life in a more optimistic way and you’ll see hope, love, joy and sunshine everywhere, in spite of the fact that a haze of sorrow and pain overcast us.’ Veronica encouraged her. ‘Cheer up! Have a nice, pleasant smile! Right then, Mandy! A smiles will help you forget those sad, dreary days and walk out of the mist of loss and sorrow.’
‘Dad has died of a fatal heart disease even before I was born. Mum passed away soon after my birth, only just in time to name me … Amanda after grandma and Jane-Anne after the famous writers Jane Austen and Anne Bronte, her idols I was brought here, with nobody to love me.’
‘No, believe me, you’re made to be loved. And surely, you’re capable to love others.’ Veronica touched her face softly. ‘We might still feel the strong aura of love, even though the ones who have loved us so have gone. Love is always there, to accompany you when you’re lonely, to comfort you when you’re sad. You can feel it. It’s flowing in your own body … seeping from your own veins.’
Mandy stood there, stunned. Slowly, she was guided out of this dark, enclosed world.
Mandy sighed and leant forward. The rain had reduced to a light drizzle …
From then on, Mandy had changed. She began to talk and smile more frequently. Soon, she made many friends and every one enjoyed her company. Joyous laughter echoed around her as she became more and more optimistic. As always, Verni was her best friend, her ideal counselor and her truest company. They could be seen talking and joking all over the place.
Later on, Verni gave Mandy a lovely jewel bracelet as a token of love and friendship.
‘As you see, it was given to me by Mum, as her symbol of her affection towards me. And now, I’ll pass it on to you, as my token of fondness for you.’ Veronica smiled. ‘Put it on … and whenever you feel it, think of me, your best friend.’
Mandy took this precious gift in her hands. Didn’t she feel the pounding of two hearts inside the jewel? For the first time, she could feel them, linked by a special bond, surpassing the bounds of friendship. No, they were more than just good friends. It was a deeper, stronger feeling so intense that they were two as one. A feeling that she would cherish all her life.
Mandy held the jewel close. She looked up at Verni’s smiling face. ‘Sister?’
Verni lowered her head. ‘Yes, Mandy. Sister.’
However, this happy time didn’t last long. It came to a sudden halt 6 months ago, when Verni suddenly became very ill. She had great trouble breathing. After some time, she was so weak that she had to be taken to a hospital. Then, sad news came. Veronica’s many years of sickness had trigged the most horrible kind of disease: cancer. Mandy and all the others were greatly shocked, especially when they learned that her days were limited. Her death would come very soon because of her weakness and there was barely any hope of significant recovery.
During those terrible days, Mandy was almost always silent. Her inner struggles were painful, as she fought fiercely with her bursting feelings. She was nearly her old self again, pessimistic, surly and lonely. She strained herself, though, by repeating quietly, ‘Even during the hardest times, you have to be strong to stand up against the storm.’ It was Verni’s famous quote.
The effort to hold herself almost broke her down. Every night, she’d cry quietly in her dreams and wake up with a jolt, discovering the pillow soaked with tears. ‘Hold on … hold on.’ She’d whisper in a choked voice. ‘Hold on.’
Not long ago, Verni was transmitted to the best hospital in the district. The teachers donated money for the expenses and the children made hundreds of paper toys, wishing her good luck.
Two days ago, all the children and the teachers visited Verni’s sick room to greet her. Because of their lasting and moving friendship, Mandy was permitted to stay there alone to accompany Veronica for a longer period.
All the others retreated, leaving the two girls together. Mandy stared into Verni’s pale, thin face sadly and mourned. How weak and ill she looked! All her previous energy and beauty had been drained and there she lay, white and skinny, like a living skeleton, with a mane of ruffled hair strewn loosely across her grayish-white face. The pale skin was stretched across the bones.
Mandy caught up Verni’s bony weak hand and sobbed, her head resting on Verni’s side. The hand made a weak snatch and drooped to one side.
‘Oh, Verni, Verni … ’ Mandy wailed, ‘Poor you!’
Then, something like a miracle happened. Verni lifted her head a little, her eyes narrowly open, but quickly, she fell heavily on to the bed again. Her lips quivered, yet no audible words came out. However, as if the voice was inside her, Mandy could hear the faint whisper. ‘Mandy, at last, you’re here … the last time … You bring … fresh … hope to … me …’
Mandy pressed Verni’s hand onto her face as large drops of tears slid down her cheeks silently.
Listen with your heart, and you’ll know.
Listen with my heart, Mandy thought. She put Verni’s hand to her heart. We’ll always be together, and death could do nothing to separate us. Our souls, our hearts will always be together … Hers linked to mine, and mine connected to hers. She could almost feel Verni’s gentle, slow beating heart.
‘I’ll always be with you … I’ll listen to your sorrow, cheer for your joy, Verni …’ Mandy whispered.
‘Yes, my dear Mandy … ’
‘Don’t leave me, don’t … ’
‘Maybe we’ll meet again only in Heaven … ’ Verni sighed. ‘Maybe … ’
‘No! Cheer up!’ Mandy said sharply. Verni’s head lolled from side to side. Mandy’s tears rolled down her face. ‘We’ll be together soon, you’ll see. And I’ll … I’ll lead you around our new garden and orchard, it’s so beautiful … Yes, I’ll pick you the tulips, the juicy berries and the roses. You’ll love their fragrance and color … You love tulips … Oh, we can … we can … make it … Cheer up! We may play on the prairie with Tiffie … I’ll help you down the fields … And yes, Ross is much grown up now, a great fellow … He’ll push you across the fields and lick your hands lovingly and give you lots of sweet blueberries … You like them very much … Fina Squeech still squeaks an awful deal but she can put up a very interesting show of nut-cracking … I’ll show you around the modern library … Don’t you like reading!’ Mandy was indulged in fanciful dreams of a bright, pleasant future.
Thus, they talked and laughed. Mandy told Verni all about the new facilities and the ‘kicking the chair’ game they loved. They told stories and enjoyed themselves. When it was time to go, Mandy pinned a small spray of wild flowers ------ briars, azaleas, tulips, heathers ------ to Verni’s laped. She kissed Verni on the cheek, patted her arms and bid her goodbye. Mandy was gone with a tiny tingle of bells and the gentle click of the door. Her clinking footsteps disappeared out of earshot soon.
Mandy couldn’t even imagine that the goodbye would be farewell forever.
Yesterday, while Mandy was dressing herself, the pale, cold rays of dawn peeked into her small cubicle. She padded to the window and pushed it open. Through the pink curtains, the sun glittered darkly, its faint light brightening her face, but not her heart.
‘I hope everything’s all right.’ She said in a shivering tone. ‘Alas, the sun must be indicating some terrible misfortune. The sun looks so dreary and gloomy!’ She fell down to her knees and prayed sincerely with her fingers crossed.
Everybody looked weary and shocked at breakfast.
Mandy slipped down beside Larry and took a plate, a knife and a fork. She poured some orangeade into her glass. Larry looked downright frightened.
Mandy helped herself to some sausages. Sipping from her glass, she uttered a ‘hello’ and asked anxiously ‘Hmm … Larry, what’s up?’
Larry plodded his fork down on the table. ‘Oh … Terrible thing … ’
‘What?’ Her fork was only halfway to he mouth, with a pork-pie speared on one end.
‘Veronica Brusselli.’ Larry nibbled at a jacket potato.
‘She?’ Mandy spat out her orangeade.
‘Yes. You two were very attached, right?’ Larry gulped down his bacon, eyeing her nervously. He pretended to be casual and absent-minded.
‘Yes, but … what do you mean by “were” ? ’ Mandy’s pie was already cold. She stared at her porridge as if entranced by it. Meanwhile, her stomach was churning and lurching uncomfortably. The sun surely did tell her something.
‘Mmm … ’ Larry started to chop his toast. ‘Mmm … ’
‘She … she … she doesn’t … she can’t … is she? ’ Mandy looked alarmed.
‘Err … ’ Larry hesitated. He said, at last, in a small, low voice. ‘I’m afraid … yes. Sorry to … to say that … you must be … very … ’ He didn’t need to finish.
Mandy’s fork fell with a loud clutter. Everything was dissolving and spinning in a blur. It had happened. She had lost her dearest … forever. The world had lost its glamour and everything was cold and gloomy.
As they put the cold, motionless body of Verni into the small wood coffin, tears poured down Mandy’s face. Verni’s face was pale and calm, with a warm, sweet smile on her lips. Her beautiful eyes were closed forever. She had welcomed death with perfect peace.
‘Your heart will be with the great prairie you have so loved. And with me, too.’ Mandy whispered. ‘Me, too.’
Mandy kneeled down and prayed quietly. Bending forward, she placed a bunch of Verni’s favorite tulips, a photo of them together and the jewel bracelet by her side with quivering hands. Hot drops of tears moistened Verni’s still face when Mandy held her close, kissing her for the last time. She straightened up and watched the coffin lowered into the grave. The last sight of her. She’d lost her best friend and sister. She’d never hear Verni’s cheery, gentle voice again.
The drizzle dampened her face. Mandy paid tribute to the lost friend and left silently with the others. Time seemed to have stopped forever.
She didn’t want to disturb Verni.
The soft ‘tap, tap’ of the rain brought her back to reality. Mandy stared at the sky. ‘I must be strong and carry on, Verni.’ She uttered. ‘Sleep well, dear. You know my heart will always be with you!’
6 years passed. One day, Mandy, already grown and ripened, was strolling across the great prairie. The sweet scent of tulips was hovering in the wet, cool air. 6 years have gone by since Verni was buried. 6 long years.
Mandy stopped to scoop up a bunch of bright, sweet tulips and pressed them to her heart. Verni’s favorite flowers.
At the lonely small tomb, Mandy crouched down and prayed. Tears were welling up in her eyes again. 6 long years still couldn’t let her memories fade away and time couldn’t ease her pain and sorrow.
Mandy looked at the simple script on the tombstone, with Verni’s name, date of birth and date of death carved. They have almost been wiped out by the wild weather of the prairie. And Verni was always resting there, on the prairie. Now she was smiling up at Mandy from the old picture. It was the same smile that had moved Mandy’s heart so many times before. Weeping, Mandy put the tulips, the fresh tulips, in front of the grass-covered grave.
‘Ah, Verni, dear sister! We’re together once more.’ Mandy muttered. ‘You’re a long way from me … yet can’t the tulips link our hearts, our souls? Look, the fresh beads on the leaves! They represent our eternal … love and friendship … We’ll always be linked, won’t we?’
The pounding of the two linked hearts was all around her, crossing the limits of space and time. Yes, two hearts, pounding as one.
The wind howled and blew up her hair. She stared up into the sky. And there, under the shimmering sun, was the wild prairie. Veronica was here, by her side, as always.
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