在上海宏润博源学校英语2的课堂上，Bonta老师会带着孩子们分析各种类型的文本。在讲完小说的要素之后，Bonta博士要求孩子们自己创作一篇短篇小说。以下是10年级1班Gary同学的作业，很有点儿欧亨利的风格呢!
上海宏润博源学校
WORKMATES
The midnight of Christmas Eve was usually peaceful, lovely and also mysterious. All the family’s celebrations had been done. The bells on the door didn’t ring anymore. Beside the street, the snow was shining like the sky full of stars. On the Christmas Tree, there were many cards written with new-year resolutions by every family member. Adults were expecting that they would have better lives in the new year, while children were delighted that Santa Claus was coming, who would bring presents to them in their sweet dreams…
“That’s it, that’s the way……alright I’m in…”
A young man in black with a huge bag got into a house through a window. “The host is sleeping, good luck. I shall hurry up. It’s almost midnight. I just want to wrap up earlier today and have a nice Christmas’ Eve…. This is supposed to be the last one.” Then the man put down his bag and looked for something expensive. “Holy crap, my life is so hard in this modern time. Monitors everywhere, people stay awake almost all the time……” The man in black began searching for something good on the end tables, on the bookshelf, in the boxes, and under the Christmas Tree......Fortunately, the owner of the house was still in deep sleep. Unfortunately, there was nothing valuable for him to take. “Whatever, I really need to go now, my bag is already full. What a lucky person he is! A thief just comes in and takes nothing away from his house!” The man took a look at the host, who was still in deep sleep, and said to himself.
The man closed his bag, which was full of expensive stuff, and he decided to leave through the window. Suddenly, another man came in from the window. The man was shocked.
Another man in bright red with a huge bag said: “Oh sorry, I didn’t see you, my apologies……Anyway, Merry Christmas.”
The man in black asked: “Wait what? Who are you? What are you doing here at this time?”
“Oh, come on man, how old are you? How can you don’t know me? Who gives you presents every Christmas ?”
“Really? Santa Claus? You must be kidding, right?”
“Of course not! Man, I’m serious. Look at my sweet red clothes, look at my huge bag full of presents that I am going to give out to sleeping kids around the world.” The man in red said, “Who are you by the way?You dress like me, except that you are in black. You must be my helper, right? Assistant? Elf or something? I’m not sure, at least I know we are workmates, eh?”
The man in black was shocked. It never occurred to him that Santa Clause did exist and that one day he could even “work” with him! After thinking for a while, the young man said, “Sure, we are workmates!”
英语2课堂
The Santa Clause said, “Thank goodness! I really need your help, my workmate. We got to give all the presents out tonight. Hurry up, it’s almost midnight……” The Santa Clause put his bag down and said, “This is not the last one. My work is damn so hard in this modern time. Chimney nowhere, I must enter the houses through windows, and people stay awake almost all the time……It’s not surprising that you work with me but never meet me, because I’m busy all day, every year, even not on Christmas Eve. I have to remember what people want to get on Christmas Day, write down on a pretty long list, then dress like a normal person to go to BestBuy and get all of them Christmas presents. Amazon or eBay is much more convenient though...Anyway, my work is too hard. I just want to have a nice Christmas’ Eve like any other person…”
“My work is not easy as well…” the young man thought.
Suddenly the host said, “Dear Santa Claus, I…I really want to have the newest iPhone, which was just released today!”
Both the Santa Claus and the man were scared.
“Don’t worry, he is probably sleep talking.” the Santa Clause said to the young man, “Let’s see if I have iPhone in my bag……No, I don’t, what about you, my workmate?" The Santa Claus asked, “I do have but……I’m going to take it as my own.” “That’s fine. I will pay for it later. Give him now.” Grudgingly, the young man passed the iPhone, which he just stole from the last house, to the Santa Claus.
“And I also want a new gaming laptop, dear Santa Claus!” the host said.
“Give him a laptop.” The Santa Claus said.
The man replied, “No, that’s......that should be mine!”
"Hurry up! We don't have time, just give him." The Santa Clause said to the man. “I can probably finish my work before the sunrise, why don’t we make each other’s work easier?"
“Oh wait.” the host added, "I also want a golden chain for my mom...The one on that man’s neck would be the best." The host opened one eye, pointing at the young man in black. Then suddenly he closed his eye and dropped his hand.
The man shouted, “Really? Are you actually sleeping? Stop robbing things from me. I’m just a broken guy. Don't take my things! I have a mom as well. Don’t just think about yourself. Why are you so selfish, man!"
"That’s fine. Just think of it as a donation.” The Santa Claus said to the young man.
The man gave the chain to the Santa Claus.
The Santa Clause asked, "How old are you, mate?" "About 23. Why?" "What? You are now already 23 and you still believe Santa Claus is real?!" Then the “Santa Claus” laughed, and ran away through the window with a huge bag which has all the stuff that the man gave to him.
The poor young man stood there, with eyes wide open, “Sure, we are workmates......”