365个英语简短小故事-67. The Thought that Counts

Adam and Constance were very religious. Both had been raised in Catholic¹ families. Except for her uncle Chandler, who was agnostic, all their relatives were devout² Catholics. Adam’s oldest brother was, in fact, a priest³. Adam, as a youth, had been an altar boy and had prayed to God to become a priest. Instead, God made him a fireman. Constance had seriously thought about becoming a nun⁴, but that was before she met Adam.

Her heart fluttered⁵ at her first sight of Adam. He was taking pictures with kids at a charity event. What a big, strong man, she thought. And so good-looking! Constance took her nephew over to get his picture taken. She couldn’t believe it when she saw that Adam was wearing a St. Christopher medal around his neck. He’s Catholic, too! she marveled. Not being a shy woman, Constance started up a conversation with Adam.

One thing, as they say, led to another. Both sets of parents were so happy that their child had fallen in love with a Catholic! There was a huge wedding at the cathedral. Adam’s brother married the two lovebirds. Everyone said it was the best wedding ever.

When Adam and Constance got around to opening their gifts a few days later, Constance opened an envelope from her uncle Chandler. In it was $100 cash. But, the cash was inside a Jewish⁶ card for Happy Hanukkah! The note in the card was, “I couldn’t find a wedding card that I liked. I know this is Jewish, but it really is a beautiful card, don’t you think? Love, and Best Wishes.” Constance did not send her uncle a thank you note, nor did she ever talk to him again. She was unable to think about her wedding again without thinking about that card.

 

1 catholic   

adj.天主教的；n.天主教徒

参考例句：

• The Pope is the supreme leader of the Roman Catholic Church.教皇是罗马天主教的最高领袖。
• She was a devoutly Catholic.她是一个虔诚地天主教徒。

2 devout   

adj.虔诚的，虔敬的，衷心的 (n.devoutness)

参考例句：

• His devout Catholicism appeals to ordinary people.他对天主教的虔诚信仰感染了普通民众。
• The devout man prayed daily.那位虔诚的男士每天都祈祷。

3 priest   

n.神父，牧师，司铎，司祭，领导者，神甫；vt.使成为神职人员

参考例句：

• He confessed to a priest that he had sinned.他向神父忏悔他犯了罪。
• The priest visited all the old people in the parish.牧师探望了教区里的所有老人。

4 nun   

n.修女，尼姑

参考例句：

• I can't believe that the famous singer has become a nun.我无法相信那个著名的歌星已做了修女。
• She shaved her head and became a nun.她削发为尼。

5 fluttered   

v.飘动( flutter的过去式和过去分词 )；（心）快速跳动；振翼，拍翅膀

参考例句：

• Flags fluttered in the breeze. 旗帜在微风中飘扬。
• Imes concluded from her fluttered look that she had spent the money. 艾姆斯从她慌张的眼神推断出她花光了钱。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 Jewish   

adj.犹太人的，犹太民族的

参考例句：

• The coin bears a Jewish symbol.硬币上有犹太标记。
• They were two Jewish kids;I was friendly with both of them.他们是两个犹太小孩；我同他们都很要好。