The Puppet Under the Stage- 適合初級的英語短篇故事

Morning light filled the wide square.

Rory walked to the weekend marketplace with an empty basket. He planned to buy fresh carrots for evening soup. Drums beat near a wooden stage, and dancers spun around. A tall drummer searched for a volunteer to join the rhythm.

Rory lifted his hand and stepped forward through the crowd. One question flashed in his mind about his coin pouch. He tapped the pouch, and loose coins slipped from the seam. The coins jumped over the stones and struck a fruit crate. Plenty of oranges rolled across the smooth square. A dancer sidestepped the rolling fruit and kept the lively dance. One orange slid under the stage and pressed a hidden latch. A small panel swung open and showed an old wooden puppet. Children gasped and gathered around the unexpected treasure. Rory kneeled, returned the oranges, and fixed his pouch string. The fruit seller placed crisp carrots into Rory's waiting basket. Rory waved goodbye and carried the basket and puppet home.

晨光灑滿寬闊的廣場。

羅里提著空籃子走向週末市集，他計畫買些新鮮紅蘿蔔做晚餐湯。木製舞台旁鼓聲隆隆，舞者們旋轉起舞。一位高個鼓手正在尋找願意上台合奏的人。

羅里舉手，穿過人群走向舞台。這時，他突然想到一個疑問：自己的錢袋關好沒？他拍了拍袋口，幾枚零錢從縫隙滑出。硬幣跳過石板，撞到水果箱，許多柳橙滾到廣場中央。一名舞者閃過滾動的水果，依舊保持熱鬧的舞步。一顆柳橙滑到舞台下方，壓到隱藏扣件，木板瞬間彈開，露出一隻舊木偶。孩子們驚呼並圍在新發現前。羅里跪下撿回柳橙，並綁緊錢袋繩。水果販把爽脆紅蘿蔔放進他的籃子。羅里揮手道別，帶著籃子和木偶回家。