The First Snow
Guidance for Reciting
Beautiful snow，white and pure，how I love to see you fall！I am certain，yes，I am sure，that nothing's as pretty as snow at all.
The first snow came. How beautiful it was，falling so silently all day long，all night long，on the mountains，on the meadows，on the roofs of the living，on the graves of the dead！All white save the river，that marked its course by a winding black line across the landscape；and the leafless trees，that against the leaden sky now revealed more fully the wonderful beauty and intricacies of their branches. What silence，too，came with the snow，and what seclusion！Every sound was muffled；every noise changed to something soft and musical. No more tramping hoofs，no more rattling wheels！Only the chiming of sleighbells，beating as swift and merrily as the hearts of children.
Notes
1.intricacy [5intrikEsi] n. 纷乱，复杂，错综
2.seclusion [si5klu：VEn] n. 隔离（隔绝）
3.muffle [5mQfl] vt. 围裹，抑制，发低沉的声音
4.rattling wheels 文中指“嘎吱嘎吱的车”
初雪
诵读导言
美丽的雪花，洁白纯净，我痴迷于你的飘零！我深信，我肯定，你是世界上最美的风景。
初雪飘临，多么美啊！它整日整夜地飘落着，落在山岭上，落在草地上，落在生者的屋顶上，落在逝者的墓地上！在一片洁白之中，只有河流在美丽的画面上画出一道曲曲弯弯的黑线；还有那叶儿落净的树木，映衬着铅灰色的天空，此刻更显得枝丫交错，姿态万千。初雪飘落时，是何等的宁谧，何等的幽静！一切声响都趋沉寂，一切噪音都化作柔和的音乐。再也听不见马蹄得得，再也听不见车轮辚辚！唯有雪橇叮咚的铃铛，奏出和谐的乐章，那明快欢乐的节拍，犹如孩子们搏动的心房。
口语点津
“嘎吱嘎吱的车”（rattling wheels）另有“squeaking wheel”的说法，比如英谚中有“The squeaking wheel gets the oil”（车轮摩擦的声音太刺耳了，人们不得不上点润滑油），用以比喻只有那些引起麻烦的人或事才受到注意，接近于“爱哭的孩子有奶吃”的中文说法。在口语中，Wheel另有用法：I don't want to be the third wheel. 意思是“我不想当电灯泡。”类同于“I don't want to be the third arm.”。