“WhereisPapagoingwiththatax(斧子)?”saidFerntohermotherastheyweresettingthetableforbreakfast.
“Outtothehoghouse,”repliedMrs.Arable.“Somepigswerebornlastnight.”
“Idon’tseewhyheneedsanax,”continuedFern,whowasonlyeight.
“Well,”saidhermother,“oneofthepigsisarunt(发育不良的小动物).It’sverysmallandweak.Soyourfatherhasdecidedtodoawaywithit.”
“Doawaywithit?”shoutedFern.“Youmeankillit?”
“Don’tshout,Fern!”shesaid.“Yourfatherisright.Thepigwouldprobablydieanyway.”
Fernpushedachairoutofthewayandranoutdoors.Thegrasswaswetandtheearthsmelledspringtime.Fern’sshoeswerewettingbythetimeshecaughtupwithherfather.
“Pleasedon’tkillit!It’sunfair,”shesaid.
Mr.Arablestopped.
“Fern,”hesaidgently,“youwillhavetolearntocontrolyourself.”
“Thisisamatteroflifeanddeath,andyoutalkaboutcontrollingmyself.”Tearsrandownhercheeksandshetookholdoftheaxandtriedtopullitoutofherfather’shand.
“Fern,”saidMr.Arable,“Iknowmoreaboutraisingagroupofpigsthanyoudo.Aweakpigmakestrouble.”
“Butit’sunfair,”criedFern.“Thepigcouldn’thelpbeingbornsmall.IfIhadbeenverysmallatbirth,wouldyouhavekilledme?”
Mr.Arablesmiled.“Certainlynot,”hesaid,lookingdownathisdaughterwithlove.“Butthisisdifferent.It’sapig.”
“Thereisnodifference,”repliedFern.
小题1:WhatpuzzledFernatthebeginning?