John Rendall and Ace Bourke, two young Australians, walked into the pet section in Harrods in London. To their surprise, they found a cute lion cub for sale. This was in 1969, when having a lion as a pet was not yet illegal. The cute little cub looked sad and lonely in the cage, and Ace and John longed to see him looking happier. They decided to buy him and give him the best life they could. They named him Christian.
John Rendall 和 Ace Bourke，兩名年輕的澳洲人，走進倫敦哈洛德百貨的寵物部門。令他們驚訝的是，他們發現了一隻待售的可愛幼獅。這是 1969 年，當時養獅子作為寵物尚未違法。籠中的可愛幼獅看起來既傷心又孤單，Ace 和 John 很希望看到他看起來快樂些。他們決定買下他，並且盡全力給他最好的生活。他們給這隻幼獅取名叫 Christian。
Christian was a friendly beast, and soon became a local celebrity. He loved to ride in the men's car and play with them. He was loving by nature, and liked to place his paws on their shoulders, licking their faces. A firm bond developed between them, and Ace and John saw him as more a family member than a pet. Christian was obviously smart, as well as gentle with everyone he met, whether they were humans or animals.
Christian 是一頭友善的動物，很快成為當地的名人。他喜歡搭他們（John 和 Ace）的車子，也喜歡和他們一起玩耍。他有著充滿愛的天性，也喜歡把他的手掌搭在他們（John 和 Ace）的肩上，舔他們的臉。他們之間發展出一段堅定情誼，而且 Ace 和 John 更把他看成一個家庭成員，而不只是一隻寵物而已。Christian 顯然十分聰明，而且對他遇到的每個人都很溫和，無論他們是人或動物。
As he grew, however, it became clear that the city was not a suitable home for a lion. The two men felt that they might have to be parted from their friend. In the end, they contacted George Adamson. He was a well-known conservationist who knew how to rehabilitate lions in their natural habitat. Adamson helped create a pride for Christian, who began a new life on the plains of East Africa.
然而隨著他成長，這座城市就愈發明顯不是一個適合獅子的家園。兩人覺得他們可能必須得和他們的朋友分開。最後，他們聯繫了 George Adamson。他是一位知名的保育人士，知道如何讓獅子在自然棲息地復育。Adamson 幫 Christian 建立了一個新獅群，他（Christian）開始在東非平原上展開新的生活。
A year later, Ace and John were eager to see their old friend again. Although they had been warned of the danger, they decided to travel to Kenya. They were nervous that the now adult lion might not remember them, or could even attack them. At first, Christian approached John and Ace slowly. As soon as he saw his two old roommates, he leapt excitedly towards them. Just as he used to do in London, he stood on his hind legs and wrapped his front legs around their shoulders, licking their faces. Ace and John were full of joy at the happy reunion. The young lion even introduced them to other members of his pride.
一年後，Ace 與 John 渴盼能再見到他們的老朋友。雖然他們已經收到危險的警告，但他們仍決定前往肯亞。他們很擔心，現已成年的獅子可能不記得他們，或甚至可能攻擊他們。起初，Christian 慢慢地接近 John 與 Ace。當他一認出他的兩位老室友時，他興奮地跳向他們。就像他以前在倫敦常做的那樣，他用後腿站著，用前腿抱住他們的肩膀，並舔著他們的臉。Ace 與 John 在這歡樂的團聚中充滿喜悅。這隻年輕的獅子甚至把他們介紹給他獅群內的其他成員認識。
Years later, videos of the touching event were put online. They have since been viewed by millions of people. Many have been moved to tears by the warmth Christian showed to his old friends, and surprised that a fierce predator could develop such a close bond with human beings. Though cruelty towards animals still happens every day, Christian's story reminds us that we share our world with many other thinking, feeling creatures that deserve our respect. It also reminds us that love can go beyond any bounds.
幾年後，這則感人事件的影片被放到網路上。它們（影片）從那時起就被數百萬人觀看。許多人都因為 Christian 展示給他老朋友的熱情而感動落淚，而且很訝異一隻兇猛的掠食性動物會跟人類發展出這麼緊密的關係。雖然對動物的殘酷行為仍然每天都在發生，Christian 的故事提醒了我們，我們跟許多其他會思考、有感覺的生物一起共享這個世界，他們也值得擁有我們的尊重。它也提醒我們愛能夠超越任何界線。
- illegal [ɪˋlig!] adj.
不合法的
It is illegal for anyone under the age of eighteen to buy cigarettes.
任何十八歲以下的人買香菸是違法的。 - legal [ˋlig!] adj.
合法的；法律上的
Keeping these snakes as pets is legal in this country.
在這個國家養這些蛇當寵物是合法的。
George had to pay a lawyer a lot of money to deal with his legal case.
George 得支付律師一大筆錢來處理他的訴訟案。 - long [lɔŋ] v.
渴望
It's been raining for weeks, and we are all longing for better weather.
雨已經下了數週，因此我們全都渴望天氣好轉。 - longing [ˋlɔŋɪŋ] n.
渴望
The soldier thought of his wife and child with great longing.
這名士兵非常想念妻小。 - beast [bist] n.
野獸
Ancient people hunted wild beasts for food and clothing.
古時候的人們為了食物和衣服而獵捕野獸。 - local [ˋlok!] adj.
本地的，當地的
I live by the coast, and the local restaurants are known for good seafood.
我住在海邊，本地的餐廳以美味的海鮮聞名。 - local [ˋlok!] n.
當地的居民
Many people who visit the area think the locals are friendly.
許多來這地區的遊客都認為本地居民很和善。 - celebrity [sɪˋlɛbrətɪ] n.
名人
At the party Joey met some famous singers and other celebrities.
在派對上，Joey 遇到一些知名歌手和其他的名人。 - place [ples] v.
放置
Mom placed all the dishes in the center of the table.
媽媽把所有的菜餚都擺在桌子的中央。 - lick [lɪk] v.
舔，舐
Carrie's little girl thinks it is funny when the dog licks her face.
當小狗舔她的臉頰時，Carrie 的小女兒覺得很好笑。 - lick [lɪk] n.
舔，舐
If you can't tell whether it's salt or sugar, give it a lick.
如果你分不出這是鹽或糖，舔舔看就知道了。 - gentle [ˋdʒɛnt!] adj.
溫和的；輕柔的
William is a gentle boy, and he is never mean to his classmates.
William 是個溫和的男孩，而且他從來不會對同學兇。
You must be very gentle when you pick up the kitten, for it is tiny and weak.
你抱起小貓時必須非常輕柔，因為牠又小又脆弱。 - suitable [ˋsutəb!] adj.
合適的，合宜的
What kind of punishment do you think is suitable for this crime?
你認為什麼樣的處罰才適合這種罪行？ - suit [sut] v.
適合
We can meet in the morning or the afternoon, whichever suits you best.
我們可以早上或下午見面，看哪一個時間適合你。 - part [pɑrt] v.
使分開；分離
Emily hates being parted from her pet dog, even for just a few hours.
Emily 討厭和她養的狗分開，即使只有幾個小時。
Once we are married, I promise we will never part.
一旦我們結了婚，我保證我們絕對不會分開。 - plain [plen] n.
平原
The wide plains of East Africa are home to many amazing wild animals.
東非廣大的平原是許多奇妙野生動物的家園。 - eager [ˋigɚ] adj.
熱切的，渴望的
Right now I work in a store, but I'm eager to learn more about management.
現在我在商店上班，但我渴望學到更多關於管理的技能。 - eagerness [ˋigɚnɪs] n.
熱切，渴望
Paul's eagerness for knowledge makes him a serious student.
Paul 對知識的渴望使他成為認真的學生。 - leap [lip] v.
跳躍
As I leapt to catch the ball, a player on the other team pushed me to the floor.
當我跳起來接球時，對方一名球員把我推倒在地。 - leap [lip] n.
跳躍
The river is narrow enough to cross in a single leap.
這條河夠窄，一跳就可以跨過去了。 - wrap [ræp] v.
纏繞；包，裹
Gloria wrapped her arms around her grandson and wished him a happy birthday.
Gloria 用雙臂抱住她的孫子並且祝他生日快樂。
I wrapped Ellen's gift in colorful paper and took it to the party.
我用彩色紙包裝要送給 Ellen 的禮物，帶著去參加派對。 - reunion [riˋjunjən] n.
團圓，重聚；同學會，重聚聯歡會
After two years away, Clive's reunion with his family was a joyful moment.
分別兩年之後，Clive 和家人團圓的時刻充滿喜悅。
It was great to see so many old friends at my high school reunion.
在高中同學會上見到這麼多老同學真是太好了。 - touching [tʌtʃɪŋ] adj.
令人感動的
The sick young man's fight for life is a touching story.
這個生病的年輕人為了活下去所做的努力是個令人感動的故事。 - touched [tʌtʃt] adj.
受感動的
Meg was touched by the girl who grew up in poverty but never gave up learning.
Meg 被這個在貧困中長大卻從未放棄學習的女孩所感動。 - touch [tʌtʃ] v.
感動，觸動心弦
The little girl's kindness touched the old man's heart.
小女孩的善良觸動了這個老人家的心弦。 - online [ˋɑn͵laɪn] adv.
線上
I haven't seen Nick for a while, but we've talked to each other online.
我有一陣子沒見到 Nick 了，但我們一直有在網路上聊天。 - online [ˋɑn͵laɪn] adj.
網路上的
Although online shopping is very popular now, I still prefer going to a real store.
雖然現在網購很流行，我卻仍然比較喜歡去實體店面。 - fierce [fɪrs] adj.
凶猛的；激烈的
In my opinion, the tigers are the fiercest animals in this zoo.
依我看來，老虎是這座動物園中最凶猛的動物。
The ship sank in a fierce storm, and all the sailors drowned.
船在猛烈的暴風雨中沉沒，而且所有的水手都溺斃了。 - cruelty [ˋkruəltɪ] n.
殘酷；殘忍的行為
Helen reported her neighbor to the police for his cruelty to cats.
Helen 向警方舉發鄰居對貓咪的暴行。
I found it hard to watch the film about the cruelties of the Nazis in World War II.
那部電影與納粹在二次大戰的暴行有關，讓我不忍卒睹。 - cruel [ˋkruəl] adj.
殘酷的，殘忍的
Jane left her husband because he was often cruel to her.
Jane 離開了她的丈夫，因為他經常對她很殘暴。 - creature [ˋkritʃɚ] n.
（除植物以外的）生物
This TV show is about some of the interesting creatures that live in the sea.
這個電視節目是關於生長在海裡的一些有趣生物。 - deserve [dɪˋzɝv] v.
該得到
Oliver played very well and fully deserved to win the game.
Oliver 打得很好，贏得那次比賽當之無愧。 - by nature
天生，生性
These animals are shy by nature and difficult to see in the wild.
這些動物生性害羞而且在野外很難看得到。 - see...as
將...視為
Most of Brenda's classmates see her as a natural leader.
Brenda 大部分的同學都認為她是天生的領袖。 - as well as
而且，也
Mr. Dixon owns a house in France as well as an apartment in London.
Dixon 先生在法國有一棟房子而且在倫敦也有一間公寓。 - in the end
最後
I thought we were lost on the mountain, but we made it back safely in the end.
我以為我們在山上迷路了，但我們最後安全回來了。 - as soon as
一...就...
Let me know as soon as Pat comes in to work, as I need to talk to her right away.
Pat 一進來上班就告訴我，因為我得立刻找她談一談。 - used to
以前經常
Michael used to live in the same building as I did, but he moved out last month.
Michael 以前跟我住在同一棟大樓，但他上個月搬出去了。 - go beyond
超出，超越
I think Jack's feelings for Marsha go beyond friendship.
我認為 Jack 對 Marsha 的情感已超出友情了。
