Folding Crate and a One-Litre Jug - 適合初級的英文短篇故事，含中譯與發音

"This crate blocks the whole shelf."

Cora pressed both hands on the wooden side. Cool air moved through the open shed. Green tomatoes ripen on a warm tray nearby.

She reached toward a clear jug behind the crate. The crate was heavy and slid only a little. A metal corner latch would not yield to her pull. She pulled again, and wood scraped the floor.

She knelt and looked along the lower corner. A thin seam ran between two narrow slats. Her thumb found a small sliding tab of metal. It felt smooth and a little warm from the sun.

She lifted the tab, and the corner loosened. The side could fold along hidden short hinges. She pushed, and the panel swung down flat. Red apples slid forward and bumped her shoe. A light bottle tipped and dripped on the board.

The gap opened, and the clear jug stood free. Even marks on the glass showed honesty in measure. She poured one litre of water for the pots. Drops pattered on wood from the short spill. She slid the jug out.

「這個木箱把整個層架擋住了。」

可拉把雙手按在木箱側面。涼涼的空氣穿過打開的工具棚。附近的綠色番茄正放在溫暖的托盤上慢慢成熟。

她伸手去拿木箱後面的透明量壺。木箱很重，只移動了一點點。金屬角扣不肯鬆開她的拉力。她又拉了一下，木板在地板上發出摩擦聲。

她跪下來，沿著下角看。兩條窄木板之間有一條細縫。她的拇指摸到一個可滑動的小金屬片。摸起來很光滑，還帶著一點太陽的暖意。

她抬起那片金屬，角落就鬆了。這一側能沿著隱藏的短鉸鏈折下來。她一推，木板面板就平平地向下翻。紅蘋果往前滑，碰到了她的鞋。輕的瓶子傾斜，在板子上滴了幾滴。

縫隙打開了，透明量壺露了出來。玻璃上的等距刻度讓量水更準確。她為花盆倒了一公升的水。短暫的灑漏在木板上發出滴答聲。她把量壺滑了出來。