Icing the cupcakes

    A young man was visiting his brother and sister-in-law for Christmas dinner and was surprised to find his young nephew, Timmy, helping¹ them bake some cupcakes.
    After they were done, his sister-in-law allowed Timmy to put the icing（糕点上的糖衣，糖霜) on. When he had finished, he brought them to the table.
    "The cupcakes look delicious, Tim." his uncle said. Andhe took a bite while looking at the other cupcakes. "Timmythese are so good."As he finished one and took another he again complimentedhis little nephew. "The cupcakes look beautiful, Tim," hisuncle said. "How did you get them iced so evenly?" And hetook a large bite while waiting for the answer. His nephew replied, "I licked² them."

1 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

2 licked   

舔( lick的过去式和过去分词 )； 打败； （波浪）轻拍； （火焰）吞卷

参考例句：

• He licked his fingers. 他舔了一下自己的手指。
• The flames of the fire licked the sides of the fireplace. 火焰卷烧着壁炉的边缘。