When Rainwater Slipped- 適合初級的英語短篇故事

Morning light filled the small shed behind the house.

Quinn wanted the short ladder resting under a broad plank. The plank looked heavy and blocked the space completely. He pushed once, yet the wood refused to move. Knots along one edge scraped the floor and held tight. He kneeled and checked each side for a clear gap. No opening showed, so his first effort simply stopped.

Quinn paused, then pressed his palm against the top board. The center felt cool, but the left corner felt warm. Sun warmed that spot through a small roof hole above. Warm wood loosened slightly when he tried again. He pushed under the warm edge and managed to elevate it. The plank tilted upward and struck a tall water-saving barrel. Rainwater inside sloshed over the rim and crossed the floor. The thin stream slipped beyond the stone boundary of the bed. Drops drew a dark pattern across dry soil and clay shards. Quinn slid the ladder free and leaned it against a shelf. Thin streams ran toward the herb bed beyond the mark.

晨光灑進屋後的小棚子。

昆恩想拿放在一塊寬木板下方的短梯。木板很重，完全擋住空間。他先推一下，但木板紋絲不動。板邊的結疤刮著地面，卡得很緊。他跪下檢查每一側，找不到任何縫隙。第一回合就這樣停住了。

昆恩停下來，把手掌貼在板面。中央冰涼，可是左角卻溫溫的。屋頂小洞透進的陽光把那一塊加熱。溫熱的木頭稍微鬆動，他再次用力。這次他從熱角推入，終於抬起木板。木板翹起，碰到一旁高高的省水桶。桶裡的雨水溢出，流過地板。細流滑過石頭邊界，進入花床。水珠在乾土和碎陶上畫出深色圖案。昆恩拉出梯子，靠在架子上。細細的水流持續向香草床延伸。