The Water That Wasn't Needed- 適合中級的英語短篇故事

The rooftop garden had changed since winter. Wooden planks that had looked fresh last year now carried silver streaks. Paint had lifted in thin curls along the grain. Early sun warmed the rails; a single ant crossed a line of dust. Mixed city sounds drifted upward, and a delighted shout rose from the street below. Beside three long planters waited Sam, who had promised to water the herbs. He had filled a green watering can from the rain barrel that still smelled of yesterday’s rain. The slow drip from its spout tapped the metal lid of the barrel. It repeated like a quiet meditation of rhythm and light.

Sam lifted the can, but its considerable weight bent his arm and tilted the water. A loose board shifted under his shoe; water sloshed onto his trousers before the first planter. He set the can down to take a break, rolling his shoulder while distant bells marked the hour. Tiles on the roof kept the earlier rain. Dark soil already glistened inside the long planters. A sprayer hidden behind the vines had finished its cycle this morning. He adjusted his plan with a quick nod. First he emptied half the water back into the barrel. Then he carried the lighter can in two short trips. The remaining water washed dust from the rusty railing, leaving bright drops that mirrored the sky. Water drops clung to the metal railing, catching late light.

屋頂花園自冬季後已經不同。去年仍顯新的木板如今帶著銀灰條紋，漆面沿著木紋微微翹起。早晨的陽光溫熱欄杆；一隻螞蟻爬過細灰的線條。城市的雜音往上飄，一聲愉悅的呼喊自街道傳來。三個長花槽旁，山姆站著，他答應幫忙澆香草。他從雨水桶裝滿一只綠色噴壺，桶內仍帶昨夜雨味。壺嘴的水珠敲著金屬蓋，節奏與光影像安靜的冥想般重複。

山姆提起噴壺，可它相當沉重，壓彎他的手臂，水面也跟著傾斜。一塊鬆動的木板在他鞋底晃動；水花在到達第一個花槽前濺上褲腿。他放下噴壺喘口氣，同時遠處鐘聲報時。屋頂瓦片仍留著早前的雨水，花槽裡的黑土已泛濕亮光。藏在藤蔓後的噴灌器今天清晨剛完成灌水。山姆迅速調整做法，先將一半水倒回桶中，再把較輕的噴壺分兩趟提到花槽旁。剩下的水沖去鏽欄杆上的灰塵，留下映出天空的亮滴。金屬欄杆上掛著水珠，在遲暮光線中閃耀。