Morning of the Balloon Rover- 適合中級的英語短篇故事

Milo kneels beside a lightweight rover on the edge of the fountain plaza. Bright helium balloons float above it. Thin cord ties them together and runs through his gloved fingers. This playful gadget has been prepared for weeks; several test runs have been completed already. Today's outdoor gathering, a friendly tradition in the town, features residents who show moving inventions. Milo hopes to guide his rover across the slippery tiles and circle the fountain. He then wants it to stop under the clock tower before the brass band finishes its first song. A crowd fills the narrow path. Occasional gusts skate over the water, pushing the balloons sideways like colorful sails. Sunlight splashes on the tiled ground, making small reflections dance among puddles.

A whistle snaps through the air, and Milo releases the brake. The rover rolls forward, but the first gust lifts its nose. The front wheels lose grip, and the whole frame starts to float toward a stall of sweet bread. At the same time, dancers in feathered costumes block the direct route. They step left and right without rhythm to him. Milo changes plan at once. He tightens the cord, then pierces one balloon with a pin taped to his sleeve. The sudden reduction of lift tilts the rover downward. Momentum still carries it above the dancers like a skipping stone. It lands on the far grass patch, wheels spinning slowly until they rest.

米洛跪在噴泉廣場邊，專注地檢查一台輕巧的探測車。鮮豔的氦氣球在車上方漂浮，細繩把它們綁在一起，穿過他戴手套的手指。這台有趣的裝置已經準備了好幾週，許多試跑都已經完成。鎮上的友善傳統聚會讓居民展示移動創作。米洛希望帶著探測車穿過濕滑的地磚並繞行噴泉。他接著想在銅管樂隊結束第一首曲子前，讓車停在鐘樓下方。廣場狹窄的通道被人群填滿。間歇的陣風掠過水面，推著氣球向側面傾斜，繽紛的彩帆在陽光中舞動。陽光灑在瓷磚地面，小小的倒影在積水間跳躍。

一聲口哨劃破空氣，米洛鬆開手剎。探測車向前滑，但第一陣風抬起車頭。前輪失去抓地力，整個車體開始漂向麵包攤。此時，穿羽毛服的舞者擋住正前方，他們左右踏步，節奏與他無關。米洛立刻改變計畫。他拉緊繩子，然後用袖口上貼著的別針刺破一顆氣球。浮力的突然減少使探測車向下傾斜，慣性卻仍讓它像石子般掠過舞者頭頂。它在遠處的草地上落下，輪子慢慢旋轉，最後靜止。