Ball Under the Hedge Rolls Out - 適合初學者的英文短篇故事，含中譯與發音

Sam kneels by the hedge. Can I reach that ball? Cut grass smells sweet by the bench. His knees press wet grass. His palm rests on a flat stone. Fine grit presses his skin. A pale ring sits on the bench arm. By the pond, the bank is steep. His scarf brushes the grass. A tiny reef pattern lines the scarf edge. He rubs the raised threads.

Paul sits on the far bench. One arm reaches under the hedge. "I see it," he says. The red ball rests under twigs. Sam stretches a hand. His fingers stop short. A bird on the railing sings one high note. Sam lifts a long twig. The twig slides in. It clicks a round pebble. The pebble taps the ball. The ball rolls into the grass. Dew darkens his scarf edge. A small feather clings there. "Got it!" Paul says and picks it up. The fountain drip taps stone. The bird flies through the hedge gap.

Sam 在樹籬旁跪著。我可以夠到那顆球嗎？長草的味道在長椅旁飄著。他的膝蓋壓在濕草上。他的手掌按在一塊平石上。細小的砂粒頂著他的皮膚。長椅扶手上有一圈淡淡的水痕。在池邊，有一小段很陡。他的圍巾拂過草面。圍巾邊上有一個小珊瑚礁圖案。他用拇指摸那凸起的線。

Paul 坐在遠邊的長椅上。一隻手伸進樹籬裡。「我看到了。」他說。紅色的球卡在樹枝下。 Sam 伸出一隻手。他的指尖差一點。欄杆上的一隻鳥唱出一個高音。 Sam 拿起一根長樹枝。樹枝滑了進去。它碰了一顆圓卵石。卵石輕點那顆球。球滾進草地裡。露水弄濕了他的圍巾邊。一小片羽毛黏在上面。「拿到了！」Paul 說，然後把球撿起來。飲水台的水滴打在石頭上。那隻鳥穿過樹籬的空隙飛走。