Before the Hearth Glows- 適合中級的英語短篇故事

The cottage door groaned as Milo pushed it open before sunrise. Inside, cold ashes covered a hearth that had not been stirred since winter. Cobwebs hung between iron tools, and the kettle, which had gathered dust, waited on the stones. Outside the window, a pale stream cut through the meadow; thin ice drifted along its edges. Dawn carried the smell of wet bark, and a distant thump of wings rolled overhead. A lone vulture circled slowly above the orchard. Its dark shape passed the radiant sky where the first light broke through grey cloud. Milo rubbed his arms; breath puffed around his face while he searched for dry wood.

He has collected small branches, yet rain had soaked each one. Time pressed because Grandmother often rose with the next bell from the church. Two stubborn forces met at his boots this morning. Dripping wood refused to catch, and the chill air crept deeper every minute. Milo crouched, pried a loose stone beside the grate, and the surprise leapt out. Behind the stone lay a bundle of twigs kept long ago. They were wrapped in waxed paper, still crisp. One twig was placed first, then another; sparks jumped, and steady flame licked the pile. Milo lifted the kettle in both hands like a victor raising a trophy. Water soon bubbled, and steady orange light spread across the room.

木質小屋的門在黎明前被米洛推開，發出嘎吱聲。壁爐裡的冷灰厚厚覆蓋，從冬天以來就沒被翻動。鐵製工具間拉著蜘蛛網，蒙塵的水壺停在石塊上。窗外，一條淺溪切過草地；薄冰沿著岸邊漂流。清晨帶來濕樹皮的氣味，遠處傳來拍翅的低沉聲。一隻禿鷲緩慢盤旋過果園。牠黑色的身影掠過初光照亮的天空。米洛揉著手臂，白氣在臉前浮動，他在屋裡尋找乾柴。

他已經收集了細枝，但雨水把每根枝條都浸濕。時間催促，因為外婆聽到下一次教堂鐘聲就會起身。今晨，兩股倔強力量堵在他靴邊：滴水的木柴與不斷滲入的寒氣。米洛蹲下，在火格旁撬開一塊鬆動的石頭，意外立刻跳了出來。石後躺著一捆很久以前留下的乾枝，外層包著蠟紙，仍然脆響。他先放下一根，再放一根；火星飛跳，穩定的火焰舔著木堆。米洛雙手高舉水壺，像勝利者舉起獎盃。水很快沸騰，持續的橘光鋪滿房間。