There was room for all of us, and the sleeping bags kept the night coldness away. We would listen to the sound of the river, and hear the coyotes (土狼) howling along the hills not far away.
Those were the cool summer nights of the mid-nineties in Southern Alberta, Canada, when the four children were young and we would lie on the trampoline (蹦床) in the backyard late at night, for the sun would not set till late in July and August. We would look at the stars up above and never grow tired of it.
These were the times when I would tell the stories of my own childhood and teach the kids life’s lessons that have been remembered to this day. I chuckle (轻声地笑), as I recall the time when we heard a coyote not far away, and then I started a story about a bear approaching the trampoline. The bear came close (in the story), and the kids snuggled up to mom and me, until suddenly I’d let out a howl and grab all the kids and they would be frightened and jump up and then all laugh, “Daddy, you scared us!”
Now the children are in their mid and late teens, but they fondly remember the starry nights on that trampoline. Recently my oldest daughter on her wedding day sang a song for her parents, entitled “I’ll always be your little girl”. She wrote the music and words and yes indeed: it included a memory of those starry nights.
I have learned as a parent that one of the greatest gifts we can give our children as they are growing up is the time to tell them stories, or if telling stories is not that simple, perhaps read them a story. They can read their own books, but telling or reading them a story will create a close relationship with pleasant memories such as those late summer nights under the starry sky.
56. The passage is mainly about _____.
A. coyotes’ effects on children B. the relationship between children
C. the author’s unforgettable experiences D. the author’s memories of starry nights
57. The underlined part “snuggled up” probably means _____.
A. lay down B. got close C. gave in D. struggled forward
58. How do the children feel about their childhood?
A. Very enjoyable. B. A bit regretful. C. Rather busy. D. Sort of dull.
59. In the last paragraph, the writer mainly wants to express _____.
A. it is easy to tell stories to children B. kids should read stories themselves
C. it is important to tell or read stories to kids
D. it’s necessary to spend summer nights with kids