The Whale Sound <1> | 鲸之声 <1>

English Original

"Leave him alone!" I yelled as I walked out of the orphanage gate and saw several bullies from Spring Park School pushing the deaf kid around. I didn't know him, but we seemed about the same age. He lived in the old white house across the street. I'd often seen him on his porch, doing nothing but making funny hand movements.

In summer, our Sunday supper was usually just watermelon, which we had to eat outside behind the dining hall to avoid making a mess. That was about the only time I saw him—through the high chain-link fence surrounding the orphanage.

The deaf kid began making rapid hand signals. "You're a stupid idiot," said the bigger bully, shoving him to the ground. The other ran behind the boy and kicked him hard in the back. The deaf boy's body shook all over; he curled into a ball, shielding his face. He looked like he was trying to cry, but couldn't make a sound.

I ran back through the gate into the thick azalea bushes. I uncovered my homemade bow, crafted from bamboo and string, and grabbed four arrows—also bamboo, with Coca-Cola tops bent around the ends for sharp tips. I ran back out, an arrow cocked in the bow, and stood there breathing hard, daring either bully to touch the boy again.

"You're a dumb freak just like him, you big-eared creep!" one said, grabbing his friend and backing out of arrow range. "If you're so brave, kick him again now," I said, shaking like a leaf. The bigger bully ran up, kicked the deaf boy in the back as hard as he could, and then dashed out of range again.


中文翻译

"离他远点!" 当我走出孤儿院大门,看到几个春园学校的恶霸在推搡那个聋孩子时,我大声喊道。我并不认识他,但我们看起来年纪相仿。他住在街对面那栋白色的老房子里。我常看见他坐在门廊上,什么都不做,只是比划着奇怪的手势。

夏天,我们的周日晚餐通常只有西瓜,而且必须在食堂后面的室外吃,以免弄脏里面的桌子。那几乎是我唯一能见到他的时候——透过环绕孤儿院的高高的铁丝网围栏。

聋孩子开始飞快地打着手语。"你是个白痴," 那个块头更大的恶霸说着,把他推倒在地。另一个恶霸跑到男孩身后,用尽全力踢他的后背。聋孩子全身颤抖,蜷缩成一团,护住自己的脸。他看起来想哭,却发不出任何声音。

我飞快地跑回大门,钻进茂密的杜鹃花丛。我拿出自制的弓——用竹子和绳子做的,又抓起四支箭——也是竹子做的,箭头上绑着压扁的可乐瓶盖,十分锋利。我跑回门外,箭已上弦,站在那里喘着粗气,挑衅地看着那两个恶霸,看谁敢再碰那个男孩。

"你跟他一样是个怪胎,大耳朵的变态!" 其中一个恶霸骂道,拉着他的朋友退到箭射不到的地方。"有本事你现在再踢他一下," 我说道,身体像树叶一样发抖。那个大块头恶霸冲上来,用尽全力踢在聋孩子的背上,然后又飞快地跑出了射程。

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