365个英语简短小故事- 25. Raising the Kids

Louise and Neil had been dating for three years. She was 40, and he was 50. They wanted to get married and have two kids as soon as possible, but there was a problem. They disagreed on how they would raise their kids.

Because Louise had a high-paying job, Neil could stay home and raise the kids. He looked forward to that, because he felt that he would be a great dad. First, he would teach them how to read. Then he would teach them about life. His kids were not going to waste their time reading fairy tales and watching Sesame Street. They were going to learn practical¹ stuff², like how to use Microsoft Office and how to get a four-year scholarship³ to Harvard. He wanted them to become business majors, because business is where the money is.

Louise had other plans. She wanted her kids to relax and enjoy life. She didn't want them to grow up too fast. She was the oldest child in a poor family, and her father had put her to work in the fields as soon as she turned six. Life had been hard for her. She didn't want it to be hard for her children.

Neil said not to worry. There was still plenty of time for him to figure out a way for the kids to have fun and still become happy millionaires⁴.

 

1 practical   

adj.实际的，实践的；实用的，应用的；有实际经验的

参考例句：

• He is a practical person.他是位很讲实际的人。
• Your invention is clever,but not practical.你的发明很巧，但不实用。

2 stuff   

n.原料，材料，东西；vt.填满；吃饱

参考例句：

• We could supply you with the stuff in the raw tomorrow.明天我们可以供应你原材料。
• He is not the stuff.他不是这个材料。

3 scholarship   

n.学问，学术成就，奖学金

参考例句：

• The girl who won the scholarship was quite outstanding.得奖学金的女孩是相当杰出的。
• I made up my mind to apply for a scholarship.我决定申请奖学金。

4 millionaires   

n.百万富翁( millionaire的名词复数 )；大富翁；大财主；有钱人

参考例句：

• In Chicago, whose population still ranged about 500,000, millionaires were not numerous. 在还只有大约五十万人口的芝加哥，百万富翁并不多。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹
• Millionaires don't buy things on instalments! 百万富翁是不会分期付款买东西的！ 来自新概念英语第一册