The Sparrow Surprise- 適合初級的英語短篇故事

Evening light filled the small backyard.

Milo carried bright paper lanterns toward the old apple tree. A family party would start after sunset. He wanted one lantern to shine above the table. A thin string linked lantern and branch. Milo stepped on a wooden box for extra height.

The box shifted when he stretched his arm. The string pulled back, and the lantern swung sideways. Milo could not understand why the knot stayed tight. His foot pressed harder; the box cracked at one corner. Three small wrapped gifts toppled onto the grass. The soft thump startled a sparrow resting inside the tree. The bird shot out, brushing Milo's hair with quick wings.

Milo bent and lifted the fallen boxes at once. A quiet voice drifted from the porch and then faded. He nodded, set the gifts back, and chose a sturdy chair. The chair stood firm, so the knot reached his hand. He tied the lantern again and let it hang freely. The sparrow circled once, then landed on the branch above. Paper sides glowed while soft music started inside the house. Milo stepped down and brushed dust from his knees.

傍晚的光線瀰漫在小小的後院。

米洛把亮彩的紙燈籠搬向老蘋果樹。日落後就要舉行家族派對。他想讓一個燈籠掛在桌子上方。細繩連著燈籠與樹枝。米洛踩上一個木箱，好讓自己更高。

當他伸手時，木箱晃了一下。繩子拉回去，燈籠左右搖擺。米洛不明白為什麼結仍然這麼緊。他腳步更用力，木箱一角裂開。三份包好的禮物跌落到草地。輕輕的碰撞聲驚動了樹中的麻雀。那隻鳥衝出來，快速的翅膀掠過米洛的頭髮。

米洛立刻彎腰撿起掉落的盒子。門廊傳來低低的人聲，隨即消失。他點點頭，放回禮物，並選了一張結實的椅子。椅子站得穩，所以他勾到了那個結。他重新綁好燈籠，讓它自在垂下。麻雀繞了一圈，停在上方的樹枝。紙燈籠發光時，屋內響起柔和的音樂。米洛跳下椅子，拍掉膝上的灰塵。