Leo Before the Gate Closes- 適合中級的英語短篇故事

Leo adjusted his small camera beside the fountain at Maple Park. He has searched three weekends for one striped tulip rumored to bloom here. Afternoon sun slanted across the grass, and a refreshing breeze brushed his neck. Petals from nearby cherry trees flutter across the path and settle on his lens. When he lifted the cloth, a faint tremor shook the stones.

The park speakers announced closing in ten minutes, while cloud shadows darkened the lawn. Leo hurried toward the flowerbeds, yet each gust bent the stems and blurred his focus. The rare flower was hidden between taller stems that swayed like slow waves. Instead of fighting the wind, he steadied the camera on the damp soil. A plump pigeon landed nearby on the edge of the bed. Its weight pressed a leaf aside and uncovered a second tulip, bright gold. Leo clicked twice; the images, already reviewed on the screen, showed both flowers standing clear. Metal gates began to move, and his last step left the garden just as they met.

利奧在楓樹公園的噴泉旁調整小相機。 他已經連續三個週末尋找據說會在此綻放的條紋鬱金香。 下午的陽光斜照草地，清新的微風掠過他的頸側。 附近櫻花樹落下的花瓣在小徑上翻飛，最後落到鏡頭上。 他掀起拭布時，跑過的孩子讓地面輕輕震動。

廣播通知公園十分鐘後關門，同時雲影使草坪變暗。 利奧快步走向花圃，但每一陣風都把莖吹彎，讓畫面變糊。 罕見的花藏在較高的莖間，像慢浪般搖擺。 他沒有與風對抗，而是把相機穩在潮濕的土壤上。 一隻肥鴿落在花壇邊。 它的重量撥開一片葉子，露出第二朵金色鬱金香。 利奧按了兩下快門，螢幕上已經顯示兩朵花清晰佇立。 鐵門開始合攏，他最後一步踏出花園時，門扇正好碰在一起。