新概念2(72~96)课文.docVIP

96. The dead return A festival for the Dead is held once a year in Japan. This festival is a cheerful occasion, for on this day, the dead are said to return to their homes and they are welcomed by the living. As they are expected to be hungry after their long journey, food is laid out for them. Specially-made lanterns are hung outside each house to help the dead to find their way. All night long, people dance and sing. In the early morning , the food that had been laid out for the dead is thrown into a river or into the sea as it is considered unlucky for anyone living eat it. In towns that are near the sea, t he tiny lanterns which had been hung in the streets the night before, are placed into the water when the festival is over. Thousands of lanterns slowly drift out to sea guiding the dead on their return journey to the other world. This is a moving spectacle, for crowds of people stand on the shore watching the lanterns drifting away until they can be seen no more. 95. A fantasy When the Ambassador of Escalopia returned home for lunch, his wife got a shock. He looked pale and his clothes were in a frightful state. What has happened? she asked. How did your clothes get into such a mess? A fire extinguisher, my dear, answered the Ambassador drily. University students set the Embassy on fire this morning. Good heavens! exclaimed his wife. And where were you at the time? I was in my office as usual, answered the Ambassador. The fire broke out in the basement. I went down immediately, of course, and that fool, Horst, aimed a fire extinguisher at me. He thought I was on fire. I must definitely get that fellow posted. The Ambassador wife went on asking questions, when she suddenly noticed a big hole in her husbands hat. And how can you explain that? she asked. Oh, that, said the Ambassador. Someone fired a shot through my office window. Accurate, dont you think? Fortunately, I wasnt wearing it at the time. If I had been, I would not have be