The packing of a circus
The circus freaks gathered in chronological order around the circumference of the big tent where they had performed shows daily for the past two weeks. Then, like one clan unified in their chore, they clamped on to the large pins holding the tent in place and pulled them out. After that they clamored about in a very civilized manner until they had packed up the large tent, wiped off the wood chips and chopped down the remaining poles to be used as firewood. The wood that they had claimed two weeks ago was now theirs to circulate amongst themselves to help heat the small cabins where they all lived and fight the chill that came every night.
Their efficiency at taking down the tent was cited respectfully in the civilian newspaper the following day. This paper had a large circulation and the circus freaks were thankful. Other towns were sure to know they were in the area because of it. They had hoped the article in the paper would also clarify which towns they would be visiting next. But it was a chronic problem that they could not always get the full press that they desired. They were nevertheless civil and accepted whatever promotion they could get. It was the circumstances of civilization that had made them what they were, but they were not going to turn their backs and cause problems. They were just glad to have a home, a clan that was like a big family, and jobs where they could be themselves and make a living.

馬戲團的成立
馬戲愛好者們按時間順序聚在了大帳篷的四周。在過去兩周里，他們每天都在這個大帳篷里表演節目。接著，就像一個部落里的人一起干家務活一樣，他們鉗住固定帳篷的大鐵釘，把它們拔了出來。之后他們便十分文明地叫嚷起來直到收好大帳篷、清掃完木頭碎片并把剩下的柱子砍倒當柴燒。兩周前他們要的那些木頭現在全是他們的了，他們把這些木頭分散到各家各戶，給大家居住的小房間取暖，抵御每晚襲來的嚴寒。
第二天的民間報紙表揚了他們高效拆除帳篷的事情，字里行間充滿敬意。這份報紙的發行量很大，馬戲愛好者們對此心存感激。由此，其他城鎮的居民肯定知道他們在這個地方。他們希望報道同時會清楚地告訴人們他們接著要去哪個城鎮表演。他們希望得到整個新聞界的關注，但這一愿望常常得不到實現，這是個長期存在的問題。不過他們很通情達理，能得到什么樣的宣傳，他們就接受什么樣的宣傳。正是文明環境塑造了他們，而他們不想背信棄義制造麻煩。他們就是樂意有個家，有一個像大家庭一樣的部落，同時還有工作，這樣他們不僅可以活得自在，而且還能養活自己。

單詞詳解:

chill n.寒冷,寒風;冷淡;沮喪
a.冷淡的,令人沮喪的
chip n.屑片,碎片;缺口
v.在...削出缺口,削下碎片
chop n./v.砍,劈,剁
chore n.1.家庭雜務2.日常零星工作,令人討厭的工作
chronic a.1.長期的;慢性的2(英口)討厭的,嚴重的
chronologcal a.按照date排列的
circulate v.1環形,循環;流傳,散播2發行,銷售
circulation n.1.流通,循環
2.(貨幣等)的流通,(消息等)的流傳;傳播;(報刊等的)發行
3.發行量
circumference n.1圓周,周長2物體(或圖形)的周界(或表面)
circumstance n.環境,條件,情況
circus n.馬戲團,馬戲表演,馬戲場
cite v.1.引證,引用;舉出,提出
2.表彰,表揚,嘉獎
civil a.1.公民的,公民應有的
2.文明的,通情達理的
3.(律)民事的,根據民法的,法定的
civilian n.平民百姓a.平民百姓的,民用的
civilization n.1文明(某一時間或地方的)文化2文明世界;文明社會;文明國家
civilize v.使文明,使開化;教化,教導,使文雅
claim v.1.要求;需要;值得2.聲稱有;擁有,具有
n.1(根據權力而提出)要求,索賠2聲稱;主張;斷言
clamo v.叫嚷著要;疾呼,叫囂,喧囔
n.喧囔聲,吵鬧聲
clamp v.夾住,夾緊;固定
clan n.氏族部落,宗派
calrify v.澄清,闡明,使清楚明了