儿童英语读物《神奇树屋》第十六册Hour of the Olympics 04 Not Fair!

The young woman smiled at Jack and Annie.

"How did you learn to read and write?" Annieasked.

"I taught myself," the woman answered.

"She wrote a poem and brought it to me," saidPlato, "because I have written and told people that Ithink Greek girls should go to school and learnthings.""Is that the poem?" said Jack. He pointed to thepoet's scroll.

"yes," said the young woman.

"It's a wonderful story," said Plato. "But she will getin trouble if it is read in our land. You must take itback to your faraway home, it will be safe."The poet handed Jack her scroll. He put it into hisbackpack.

"Tell us your name," said Annie. "So we can tellpeople who wrote the story."The young woman shook her head.

"I cannot," she said. When she saw Annie's sad face,she added, "You can tell people it was written byAnonymous.""That's your name?" asked Annie.

"No, anonymous means that no one knows whowrote it," said Plato.

"But that's not true!" said Annie.

"I'm afraid the risk is too great," said Plato.

Annie looked back at the woman.

"I'm sorry," said Annie. "It's not fair-not at all."The poet smiled at her. "I am happy that you willtake my story to your country," she said. "Perhapssomeday women everywhere will write books justlike men.""They will," said Jack. "I promise.

The young woman looked at him, puzzled.

"It's true!" said Annie.

"Thank you, Annie," the young woman said. "Andthank you, Jack." She bowed, then hurried out of thecourtyard.

"Wait!" said Annie.

She started to go after the poet, but Plato stoppedher.

"Come along," he said. "The games will start soon."Plato then led Jack and Annie out of the Greekhouse back onto the dirt road.

"Girls can't write stories," grumbled Annie. "Theycan't go to school. They can't be in plays. I've hadenough of ancient Greece. Let's get out of here.""Wait," said Jack. "What about the Olympics?""Oh, yeah," said Annie. Her eyes got brighter. "Ialmost forgot.""Well " said Plato slowly. "I would like to take youboth to the games. I have special seats in the viewingbox. However..." He looked at Annie.

"Don't tell me," she said. "Girls can't go to theOlympics either."Plato shook his head.

"A girl will get in terrible trouble if she goes to thegames," he said.

Annie sighed. "It's really, really not fair," she said.

"I'm sorry," said Plato. "My country is a democracy.

We believe in freedom for our citizens. But I'm afraidright now that only means men.""Annie's right. It's not fair," said Jack. "I think weshould go home now.""No, Jack. You go to the Olympics," said Annie. "Atleast you can tell me about it. Take notes.""What about you?" Jack said.

"I'll go back to that play at the theater" Annie said.

"Meet me when you're done."Jack didn't want to leave Annie alone. But he alsodidn't want to miss the Olympics.

"Go! Have fun!" Annie said. She began walkingaway. "I'll see you later! Bye, Plato!""Bye, Annie," said Plato.

Annie turned back again and waved.

"I'll tell you all about it!" Jack called. "This way,"said Plato.

He and Jack turned and joined the crowd headingtoward the Olympic grounds.