文章作者 网络论坛发表时间 2007:09:24 09:38:47
来源 百外雅思网

Patrick never did homework. "Too boring," he said. He played baseball and basketball and Nintendo instead. His teachers told him, "Patrick! Do your homework or you wont learn a thing." And its true, sometimes he did feel like a ding-a-ling.

But what could he do? He hated homework.

Then on St. Patricks Day his cat was playing with a little doll and he grabbed it away. To his surprise it wasnt a doll at all, but a man of the tiniest size. He had a little wool shirt with old fashioned britches and a high tall hat much like a witchs. He yelled, "Save me! Dont give me back to that cat. Ill grant you a wish, I promise you that."

Patrick couldnt believe how lucky he was! Here was the answer to all of his problems. So he said, "Only if you do all my homework til the end of the semester, thats 35 days. If you do a good enough job, I could even get As."

The little mans face wrinkled like a dishcloth thrown in the hamper. He kicked his legs and doubled his fists and he grimaced and scowled and pursed his lips, "Oh, am I cursed! But Ill do it."

And true to his word, that little elf began to do Patricks homework. Except there was one glitch. The elf didnt always know what to do and he needed help. "Help me! Help me!" hed say. And Patrick would have to help -- in whatever way.

"I dont know this word," the elf squeeked while reading Patricks homework. "Get me a dictionary. No, whats even better. Look up the word and sound it out by each letter."

When it came to math, Patrick was out of luck. "What are times tables?" the elf shrieked. "We elves never need that. And addition and subtraction and division and fractions? Here, sit down beside me, you simply must guide me."

Elves know nothing of human history, to them its a mystery. So the little elf, already a shouter, just got louder "Go to the library, I need books. More and more books. And you can help me read them too."

As a matter of fact every day in every way that little elf was a nag! Patrick was working harder than ever and was it a drag! He was staying up nights, had never felt so weary, was going to school with his eyes puffed and bleary.

Finally the last day of school arrived and the elf was free to go. As for homework, there was no more, so he quietly and slyly slipped out the back door.

Patrick got his As. his classmates were amazed. his teachers smiled and were full of praise. And his parents? They wondered what had happened to Patrick. He was now the model kid. Cleaned his room, did his chores, was cheerful, never rude, like he had developed a whole new attitude.

You see, in the end Patrick still thought hed made that tiny man do all his homework. But Ill share a secret, just between you and me. It wasnt the elf. Patrick had done it himself!