Chapter 6

Mr. Kidswatter's voice came over the PA system. "Good morning, boys and girls."

There was the usual pause.

"Today I want to talk about doors," said Mr. Kidswatter.

"This should be interesting," said Mrs. Jewls.

"Do you know how many doors there are in this school building?" asked Mr. Kidswatter.

Mrs. Jewls shook her head.

"Well, there are a lot! Over thirty! And some of you probably have doors at home too. Maybe more than one. All those doors. Think about it."

"Well, Mr, Kidswatter has certainly given us something to think about this morning," said Mrs, Jewls.

"So remember," said Mr. Kidswatter. "And please be careful! Always check to see if a door is open before going through it. And if it's not open, open it. If you can't open it yourself, ask someone to open it for you. This may not make a lot of sense to you now, but someday you'll thank me."

Mrs. Jewls looked around the class. "That's good advice," she said. "I think most of you already knew it, but at least it's nice to know we have a principal¹ who cares."

"I hate doors!" shouted Mr. Kidswatter. "It's a dumb² word. Door. Door. Door. Who made up that word, anyway?"

Mrs. Jewls waited a little longer, but Mr. Kidswatter seemed to be finished. "Some people just don't like doors," she said.

"I have made a new rule!" declared Mr. Kidswatter. "You may no longer say that word. You know what word I mean-but don't say it! Instead, I have made up a new word for you: 'Goozack.' Open the goozack. Shut the goozack. Lock the goozack. Don't you think that's a better word? I do. From now on, that other word is a bad word. I have made my decision."

Everyone turned around and looked at the goozack.

Suddenly it opened.

Todd entered. "I'm sorry I'm late," he said.

"That's okay," said Mrs. Jewls. "I'm just glad you're not sick or hurt."

"My dad locked his keys in the car," Todd explained. "We had to use a coat hanger³ to unlock⁴ the door."

Everyone gasped⁵.

Mrs. Jewls made Todd write his name on the blackboard under the word DISCIPLINE.
39
"Twas the last day of school Before winter vacation,

And the children were having A small celebration.

1 principal   

adj.主要的；n.负责人，校长，资本

参考例句：

• When he saw the principal,he raised his hand in salutation.他看到校长时举手敬礼。
• Their school gave a reception to their new principal.他们学校为新校长举办了一个招待会。

2 dumb   

adj.哑的；不会说话的；笨的；愚蠢的

参考例句：

• She is very kind to the dumb children.她对哑童非常好。
• It was dumb of you to say that.你说这种话太愚蠢了。

3 hanger   

n.吊架，吊轴承；挂钩

参考例句：

• I hung my coat up on a hanger.我把外衣挂在挂钩上。
• The ship is fitted with a large helicopter hanger and flight deck.这艘船配备有一个较大的直升飞机悬挂装置和飞行甲板。

4 unlock   

v.启示，揭示，开...的锁

参考例句：

• The border police required the traveler to unlock his luggage.边防警察要求旅客打开行李。
• We heard somebody unlock the door.我们听见有人开门锁。

5 gasped   

v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要

参考例句：

• She gasped at the wonderful view. 如此美景使她惊讶得屏住了呼吸。
• People gasped with admiration at the superb skill of the gymnasts. 体操运动员的高超技艺令人赞叹。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》