Milo and the Early Clock- 適合中級的英語短篇故事

Milo had promised to return an interesting library book before six o’clock. The comic has become popular, so the desk clerk has reserved it for another reader later tonight. He left home early, yet a persevering drizzle tapped the bus-shelter roof and slowed the traffic. When the long bus finally arrived, every seat was taken; umbrellas blocked the narrow aisle. An urgent beep burst from his watch, warning him that fewer minutes remained. The bus crawled toward the centre, then halted behind roadworks. Milo stepped off at the next corner, certain that walking might be faster.

A narrow footpath crossed a small park where beautiful green leaves shook water onto the gravel. Shoes began to slide, so he pulled the book inside his jacket and jogged beside the grass. A gardener, who has worked there for years, pointed toward an open arch of ivy. The passage truly cut half the distance for him. Milo reached the library door just as the lights grew brighter. The clock above the desk still showed ten minutes before six. His eyebrows lifted when he found the children's room filled with readers. Staff had moved the closing hour later for a craft evening. Paper rustled while Milo placed the comic on the counter and watched it join the neat stack.

Milo 答應在六點前歸還一本有趣的圖書館書。那本漫畫愈來愈受歡迎，櫃台人員已經為今晚稍晚的另一位讀者保留。Milo 提早出門，然而持續的細雨敲打公車亭屋頂，讓交通放慢。長長的公車終於到站，但座位全被占滿，雨傘也堵住狹窄的走道。手錶發出急促的嗶聲，提醒他剩下的時間不多。公車慢慢向市中心爬行，接著在道路工程前停住。Milo 在下一個街角下車，覺得用走的可能更快。

一條狹窄的人行小徑穿過公園，翠綠葉片把雨滴抖到碎石上。鞋底開始打滑，他把書塞進外套，沿著草邊小跑。已在那裡工作多年的園丁指向常春藤下的拱門，那條通道真的幫他省去一半距離。當燈光變得明亮，他剛好抵達圖書館門口。櫃台上方的時鐘仍顯示離六點還有十分鐘。他走進兒童室，抬眉發現裡面仍擠滿讀者。館方為了手作活動而延後閉館時間。當他把漫畫放到櫃台，看著它加入整齊的書堆時，紙頁輕輕摩擦作響。