比目鱼

Simon was an inveterate fisherman, well known for exaggerating the size of "the one that got away". But there came a day when he actually caught two enormous flounders. He immediately invited a few friends over to dine, then tried to figure out how best to serve the fish." If I use both," he told his wife, "it will seem ostentatious."

"Why not serve a piece of each?" she suggested.

"No, if I cut them up, nobody will believe I caught two giant flounders." Simon racked his brain. Then he had an idea.

The guests were seated at the table when their host strode in with a platter, holding the biggest flounder theyd ever seen. Suddenly Simon stumbled and fell. Everyone cried out in dismay as the fish crashed to the floor, but Simon quickly brushed himself off.

"Dear, " he called out to his wife, "bring in the other flounder!"

Notes:

(1) inveterate adj.（指习惯、感情）根深蒂固的；由来已久的

(2) exaggerate v.夸张；夸大

(3) flounder n.比目鱼

(4) figure out想出；理解

(5) ostentatious adj.炫耀的；卖弄的

(6) rack ones brain绞尽脑汁

(7) be seated就座

(8) stride v.大步走

(9) platter n.

(10) dismay n.惊慌

(11) brush oneself off摆脱窘境

Exercises: