Oneafternoonlastweek,Isawthreetearfulchildrenfrommyson’sschoolbeingcomfortedbyteachers.Thatmorning,my11-year-oldhadstomachpains,retching(干呕)intoabowl.Talkingtoothermotherslater,Iheardaboutotherchildrenwithstomachacheordifficultsleepingthenightbefore. Whatcausedsomuchpain?Sportsday.Sportsdaymightbenecessaryatahighly-competitiveindependentschool,butnotatavillageprimaryschool.Forthechildrenwhocanflylikethewind,sportsdaycausenoproblem.Forthosewhoareoverweightorjustnotgoodatsport,itisnightmare(噩梦).Evenforthosewhoenjoyrunningbutfallhalfwaydownthetrackinfrontoftheentireschoolandtheirparents,itcanproveadisease. Whydoweputourchildrenthroughthisannualsuffering?Somemaysaycompetitionischaracterbuilding;orit’stakingpart,notwinning,that’simportant;orthat’satraditionofschoollife.Ijustfeltgreatpityforthosechildrenintearsorinpain. Teamgamesattheendofsportsdayproducedsomecloseraces,wildenthusiasm,lotsofshouting—andwerefuntowatch.Moreimportantly,thechildrenwhowerenotsofastorquickatpassingtheballwerehiddenalittlefromeveryone’seyes.Someofthemalsohadthethrillofbeingonthewinningside. Iwishthatsportsdaycouldbeabandonedandreplacedwithsomeotherlesscompetitiveevent.Perhapsanafternoonofteamgames,withafewracesforthosewhowantthem,wouldbelessstressfulforthechildrenandalotmorefuntowatch. 小题1:Whatcanwelearnabouttheauthor’ssonfromParagraph1? |