New York Tales (1): Her Majesty The Owl

 

The Central Park aviary used to be Her Majesty's queendom. No one can figure out how she left without a trace. Anyway, she's now as free as a bird. But wait, is she just a bird? Some wonder aloud.

Many New Yorkers applaud Her Majesty's "jailbreak," while many more pray for her return to the sanctuary, noting that the streets are not very safe these days. Then, unnecessarily but unavoidably, a social media war breaks out between the "free-her-ers" and the "keep-her-ers." Rival politicians jump in, as expected, whenever someone or something becomes the talk of the town.

Meanwhile, authorities have mobilized a team of park rangers and wildlife experts to search for Her Majesty, utilizing drones and thermal imaging technology to scour every nook and cranny, but to no avail.

Atop the highest point in moonlit Queens, Goddess Athena stands with a majestic owl perched upon her snow-white shoulder.

 

Author: renqiulan 

 

 

It has been a while since my last post. Some things never

change, though—like friendship. Let me dedicate my New York

tales to everyone who feels the same.

怎样说呢？猫头鹰皇后原来就是雅典娜！

蓝灵周末晚上好！谢谢点评。

秋兰好！哪里算是点评呢？可以中英双语交流吗？想跟你多学点地道英语啊。

This is a bilingual forum, is it not?

对，稍后回来请教。

Your humble spirit uplifts me.

You're so sweet. I'm over the moon!

Haha! Say hi to Chang'e for me.

You bet.

Have a nice moonflight!

从月宫回来啦。想问秋兰一下，你写这个英语故事，采用了现在式，不违文法吗？

That's a great question! Thank you.

Please go on. I am listening.

The choice to write in the present tense when recounting

past events is to bring about a sense of immediacy.

日常英语也可以是这样子的吗？

Yes,it's common to speak of past events in the present tense

Long time no see, 秋兰好！Tks 4 the story. Great to learn tales.

This is often referred to as the NARRATIVE PRESENT.

Check out "Waiting for the Barbarians" by

J. M. Coetzee, a Nobel laureate.

Thank you so very much, 暖冬cool夏! Yes, I'm back.

秋兰真是一位循循善诱的英语老师，向你道个晚安！

I admire your humility more than my own. Goodnight!

Welcome back. Thanks for sharing. 学习了every nook and cranny

Many thanks, 天边一片白云 ! It's good to be back.