In the traffic court of a large mid-western city, a young lady was brought before the judge to answer a ticket given her for driving through a red light. She explained to his honor that she was a school teacher and requested an immediate disposal of her case in order that she might hasten on to her classes. A wild gleam came into the judge's eye. "You are a school teacher, eh?" said he. "Madam, I shall realize my lifelong ambition. Sit down at that table and write 'I went through a red light' five hundred times."

　　在中西部一个大城市的交通法庭里，一位年轻女士被带到法官面前，她由于开车闯红灯被开了罚单。女士向法官解释，她是一名学校老师，请求法官马上处理她的案子，以便可以赶回去上课。法官眼中闪过一丝狡黠，说道：“你是学校的老师，对吗？女士，我马上要实现我毕生的愿望了。在那张桌子旁坐下，写‘我开车闯了红灯’500遍。”

　　On the way home one night, I spotted some fresh-cut roses outside a florist's shop. After selecting a dozen and entering the shop, I was greeted by a young saleswoman。

　　一天晚上回家的路上，我看到一家花店外面有一些刚剪下来的玫瑰。我挑了一打，走进店里，一个年轻的女售货员跟我打了个招呼。

　　"Are these for your wife, sir?" she asked。

　　“先生，这些是送给你妻子的吗？”她问道。

　　"Yes," I said。

　　“是的，”我说。

　　"For her birthday?" she asked。

　　“她的生日？”她问。

　　"No," I replied。

　　“不是，”我回答。

　　"For your anniversary?"

　　“你们的结婚纪念日？”

　　"No," I said again。

　　“不是，”我又答道。

　　As I pocketed my change and headed toward the door, the young woman called out, "I hope she forgives you."

　　当我将找回的钱装进口袋，朝门口走去时，那年轻的女人冲我喊道：“希望她能原谅你。”

　　Notes:

　　spot 认出，发现

　　fresh-cut 鲜切花

　　florist 种花人

　　saleswoman女售货员