When the Bridge Tipped- 適合初級的英語短篇故事

Morning light filled the quiet creek bank today. Leo tightly gripped a thin string in his hand. A bright red balloon tugged above his head. A quick gust suddenly snapped the knot loose. The balloon skipped over grass and drifted along the creek. Leo sprinted over wet stones after it. His shoes splashed in shallow water. Small fish swim near his moving feet. A tall heron lifted from the reeds and flapped upstream. Leo ran under low branches and reached a narrow wooden bridge. The plank creaked under his weight, and water dripped through gaps.

He stepped farther, and the bridge tipped to one side. A rusty can rolled off and hit the creek surface. Water splashed up and soaked Leo's jeans. The balloon floated backward, caught on a thorny twig. Leo slid down the bank, feet sinking in soft mud. He grabbed a long stick from the ground and stretched his arm. The stick hooked the string and freed the balloon. Air hummed inside the red skin as it settled near him. Leo wiped mud from his hands and tied the knot tighter. Water still dripped from the tilted bridge. The balloon bumped gently against his wrist.

清晨的光灑在安靜的小溪岸邊。里奧緊握細繩在手。鮮紅的氣球在他頭上拉扯。突然一陣急風把結吹開。氣球越過草地，沿著溪流飄去。里奧踩著濕石追趕。鞋底在淺水中濺起水花。小魚在他移動的腳邊游動。一隻蒼鷺從蘆葦間飛起，朝上游拍翅。里奧穿過低垂的枝條，來到一座狹窄的木橋。木板在他腳下吱呀作響，水從縫隙滴落。

他又踏一步，橋身向一側傾斜。一個生鏽罐頭滾落，撞進溪面。水花濺起，濕透他的牛仔褲。氣球往回漂，被多刺的枝條掛住。里奧滑下河岸，腳陷進軟泥。他撿起一根長棍，伸臂勾住繩子，放開氣球。空氣在紅色薄膜裡低鳴，氣球停在他身旁。里奧擦去手上的泥，再把結綁緊。傾斜的橋仍滴著水，氣球輕撞他的手腕。