Luis by the Pond at Noon- 適合中級的英語短篇故事

Luis, a young biologist, reached the city pond late morning. He had promised his professor a clear water sample before the midday bus left. The surface shimmered, and dragonflies skimmed above ripples. He has visited the pond every spring, yet today the walkway was crowded with joggers. A sudden step from a runner knocked his glass vial from his hand. The vial rolled, struck a stone, and shattered beside the reeds. Tiny shards glittered while seconds ticked away slowly. Luis bent quickly, but clean pieces were impossible to collect. His shoulders tightened, and his glance jumped toward the departing bus stop across the park.

Near the shore, a stray breeze nudged a plastic bottle across the water. A curious terrier began a noisy chase after the drifting object, splashing mud over Luis’ boots. Instead of cursing the mess, he stepped into the water and caught the bottle. He rinsed it again and again to reduce any dirt inside. Time pressed, but the improvised container now floated clean. He scooped the sample and sealed the cap. He slipped it into his pack, thinking he would recycle the bottle after the test. The bus doors started to close; his arm waved and the driver paused. Luis climbed aboard, droplets on his trousers drying as the vehicle rolled past the shining pond.

年輕的生物學家路易斯在近午時抵達市區池塘。他答應教授在中午前帶回一份清澈的水樣。水面閃光，豆娘掠過漣漪。他每年春天都來此，但今天步道擠滿慢跑者。一名跑者突然踩到他身邊，撞落他手中的玻璃瓶。瓶子翻滾，撞上石塊，在蘆葦旁碎裂。細小碎片閃爍，秒針緩慢流逝。路易斯俯身片刻，卻無法收集完整碎片，他的肩膀繃緊，目光越過公園投向將要離站的巴士。

岸邊，一陣微風把一個塑膠瓶推過水面。一隻好奇的梗犬開始追逐漂浮物，泥水濺濕路易斯的靴子。他沒有抱怨，踩入水中抓住瓶子。接著他反覆沖洗瓶子，以減少內部的泥沙。時間催逼，但臨時的容器已經十分乾淨。他舀起樣本，旋緊瓶蓋，將瓶子放入背包，同時想著檢測結束後要回收它。巴士車門正要關上，他揮臂，司機停下。路易斯登車，褲腳的水珠漸乾，車輛駛過閃亮的池塘。