VOA慢速英语2016--好奇猴乔治

'Curious George' Explores Ramadan 好奇猴乔治

He has ridden a bike, received a medal, flown a kite and learned¹ the alphabet. He has even traveled into space.

Since the Curious George series began in 1941, the beloved² children’s book character has also celebrated³ different holidays. The playful monkey took part in Christmas, Hannuka and Easter traditions.

But in 75 years Curious George had never celebrated Ramadan.

Until now.

George is taking part in the Muslim holy month in the new book, “It’s Ramadan, Curious George.”

An Islamic religious center in the state of Maryland, the Diyanet Center of America, held a public event for the new book. Eight-year-old Amina expressed joy to have a popular character like George represent Muslims.

“When I see a monkey celebrating Ramadan, and he does all this stuff⁴, I am surprised,” she said.

?Writer Hena Khan is a Pakistani-American and a Muslim. She shows George making food for late night feasts⁶. She also has George playing games throughout the day with his friend Kareem. This helps Kareem keep the daytime fast, a period of no eating.

Later, while enjoying the peaceful sound of evening prayers, George breaks his fast with a sweet date. Later at the mosque⁷, the famed monkey helps the imam prepare food and gather clothing for people in need.

After a whole month of daily prayers, fasting and giving to the poor, Curious George celebrates Eid-al Fitr, marking the end of the fast.

Khan says the publishing company Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, invited her to write the book. It has published the Curious George series for 75 years.

Khan said, “They found me because I had written two other books about Islam and Ramadan for kids. They asked me if I would be interested in doing the book and, of course, I was overjoyed at the opportunity, such a beloved character, to introduce him to Ramadan and in turn to be able to introduce so many children to Ramadan.”

Since the book's release⁸ in May, it has become a best-seller on Amazon.com.

As this Ramadan comes to an end, Khan and Curious George remain busy traveling the U.S. in support of the book.

More than 200 people showed up for Khan's reading of the book at the event in Maryland.

Maryam is a local mother of five. She said she was pleased that the book helps explain Ramadan, especially to non-Muslims.

Maryam said, “I am really glad they brought a book about the beautiful month that we are supposed to teach our children about from very young age.”

Words in This Story

curious - adj. having a desire to learn or know more about something or someone?

feast⁵ - n. a special meal with large amounts of food and drink?

fast - n. a period of time when you do not eat any food : a time of fasting?

date - n. a small, sweet, brown fruit from a kind of palm tree?

imam - n. a Muslim religious leader?

1 learned   

adj.有学问的，博学的；learn的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• He went into a rage when he learned about it.他听到这事后勃然大怒。
• In this little village,he passed for a learned man.在这个小村子里，他被视为有学问的人。

2 beloved   

adj./n.受爱戴的，敬爱的；爱人，被心爱的人

参考例句：

• She longs for the early return of her beloved.她盼着心上人早日归来。
• She is Tom's beloved wife.她是汤姆的爱妻。

3 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

4 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。

5 feast   

n.盛宴，筵席，节日

参考例句：

• After the feast she spent a week dieting to salve her conscience.大吃了一顿之后，她花了一周时间节食以安慰自己。
• You shouldn't have troubled yourself to prepare such a feast!你不该准备这样丰盛的饭菜，这样太麻烦你了！

6 feasts   

n.盛会( feast的名词复数 )；宴会；宗教节日；使人欢快的事物（或活动）

参考例句：

• There were feasts and drinking and singing by the bards. 他们欢宴狂饮，还有吟游诗人的歌唱作伴助兴。 来自英汉非文学 - 历史
• The fruit was often served at wedding feasts. 婚宴上经常有水果供应。 来自辞典例句

7 mosque   

n.清真寺

参考例句：

• The mosque is a activity site and culture center of Muslim religion.清真寺为穆斯林宗教活动场所和文化中心。
• Some years ago the clock in the tower of the mosque got out of order.几年前，清真寺钟楼里的大钟失灵了。

8 release   

vt.发布，发表，发行；释放，放开

参考例句：

• After my examination I had a feeling of release.考完试后我有如释重负之感。
• This medicine will give you release from pain.这药吃后会解除你的疼痛。