Little Robby，our neighbour's nephew，carefully drew some of his water into a bowl and started for the door.How I hated this water rationing (定量供应)．We were forced to bathe without soap in the deep little pond we shared with Jessie，our cow.She was all we have now.Wells were dry，and crops transformed to dust.
I held the screen open for Robby and watched，smiling，as he slowly sat on the steps to my house.Dozens of bees circled his hair，and he imitated(模仿)their buzzing.His aunt's words echoed in my ears：
“I don't know what I was thinking when I took him in.Doctors say he wasn't hurt in the crash that killed my sister，but he can't talk.He's not like my children at all.”
Why couldn't she see the_wonderful_gifts this fouryearold boy possessed？My heart ached for Robby.He had become the dearest part of our world，eagerly tending the garden with me and my husband，Tom.He was blessed with a loving nature and a deep admiration for all living things，and I knew he could talk to animals.
His curious and brown eyes mirrored an understanding of everything spoken.I longed to adopt him.Robby's aunt eagerly agreed to our request that he live with us for the summer.All his days were spent in our company anyway.I brushed away a tear，remembering how tiny and helpless he looked when he hastily put his hand in mine and gave me an old brown paper bag.It contained two faded Tshirts we had bought him last year at the county fair and a pair of shorts.This and the clothes he wore were his only belongings.
On a silken string around his neck was hung a whistle.Tom had made it for him in case he was ever lost or in danger.After all，he could not call out for help.He knew perfectly well that the whistle was not a toy.It was for emergencies only，and to blow on it would bring us both running.I had told him the story of the boy who cried wolf，and I knew he understood me.
I sighed as I dried and put away the last supper dish.Tom came into the kitchen and helped clear the table.Every ounce of recycled water was saved for a tiny vegetable garden Robby had planted beside the porch.He was proud of it，and we tried desperately to save it.But without rain soon，it too would be lost.Tom put the pan on the counter and turned to me.
“You know，honey，”he started.“I've been thinking a lot about Robby lately.”
My heart began to pound，but before he could continue，a scream exploded from the yard made us jump.My God！It's Robby's whistle！When we reached him，Robby was pointing excitedly to the sky.Looking up，we saw the most magnificent sight.Rain clouds！“Robby！Help me，quickly！We need all the pots and pans from the kitchen！”
The whistle dropped his lips and he raced with me to the house.A drop of water fell on my pot and then another.Soon the yard was enveloped in soaking，glorious rain.We all stood with faces held upward to feel the comfort of it.Tom picked up Robby and danced about the pots，shouting and whooping，“Rain for Robby！” Tom swung about to show me Robby's face.He was laughing right out loud！I hugged them both，tears of joy mixing with the rain.
“WWWobby's！”he stammered(结结巴巴地说)．Stretching out one tiny hand in the shape of a cup to catch the rain，he giggled(咯咯地笑) again.“Wobby's...rain...Mom，”he whispered.
46．Why did Robby bring the water to the author's house?
A．He had been adopted by the author.
B．He lived with the author for the summer.
C．He wanted to help the author fetch water.
D．The author treated him very well.
47．In the third paragraph the underlined phrase“the wonderful gifts” refers to________.
A．his love for nature and all living things
B．his kindness to help others around
C．his readiness to accept what happened to him
D．his independence since his childhood
48．Why did the author “jump” when hearing the whistle?
A．Robby told her that it was going to rain.
B．The sudden whistle made her terrified.
C．An emergency might happen to Robby.
D．Robby may find something special.
49．What can we learn about Robby from the passage?
A．Robby once was hurt badly in an accident but survived.
B．Robby hasn't accepted the author and Tom as his parents.
C．Robby didn't know what the whistle meant to him.
D．Robby's aunt regretted adopting Robby very much.
50．The purpose of the passage is to tell us that________.
A．we should take care of the disabled children
B．we should find the gift in any children
C．it is difficult to get water in some dry areas
D．children are very sensitive to the rain