李華和Larry一起去騎馬。李華今天要學兩個常用語，mean streak和soft spot.

LL: If this is your first time riding a horse, Li Hua, I think you shouldn't ride that black one over there. That horse looks like he's got a mean streak.

LH: A mean streak? 你說那匹黑馬嗎？如果我沒理解錯， mean streak就是mean, 壞脾氣的意思吧。

LL: That's exactly what I am saying, Li Hua. A mean streak is the potential for meanness.

LH: 那如果馬的脾氣太烈，會傷害騎手嗎？

LL: A horse with a mean streak might refuse to let a rider get on - or even worse might try to throw a rider off their back.

LH: 我在電影里看過，有的馬性情暴躁，會把騎手從馬背上摔下來，看來真得小心。那匹灰色的小馬看著挺隨和的。那我就騎它吧。It can't possibly have a mean streak.

LL: You know, Li Hua, it isn't only horses that can have mean streaks. People can, too.

LH: Mean streak也能用在人身上？

LL: Do you remember the super model Naomi Campbell? She was in the news for throwing her cell phone at her housekeeper.

LH: 我記得，那個英國名模，我們叫他黑珍珠，她還有一次因為行李丟了，大發雷霆，還動手打了警察呢！

LL: That super model reminds me of a famous basketball coach in the U.S. who also had a mean streak.

LH: 籃球教練？你說誰？

LL: The former coach of the Indiana University basketball team Bobby Knight was famous for his mean streak.

LH: 我知道印第安納大學校隊很厲害，可是沒聽說過他們教練的故事。那你趕快告訴我！

LL: There was one time he got so mad, Li Hua, he threw a chair out on the basketball court during a game!

LH: 他竟然在比賽的時候把椅子扔到賽場上？太暴躁了！Boy, that coach really did have a mean streak.

LL: Well, it is time to get on our horses, Li Hua. You can take the nice gray horse, and I'll try the black one with the mean streak.

LH: 小心點，Larry.

LL: Don't worry, Li Hua. I'll show that horse who is boss! I have a mean streak, too!

******

LL: So, now that we have been riding for a while, Li Hua, I don't think this black horse is so bad. I am actually developing a soft spot for him.

LH: A soft spot? 什么是soft spot啊？

LL: A soft spot is a feeling of tenderness or affection for a person or thing.

LH: 你不會是喜歡上這匹黑馬了吧？你忘了，剛才它還對你又踢又咬呢！

LL: I know it may seem funny, but, yes, even though this horse tried to bite me and throw me off his back, I do have a soft spot for him.

LH: 這么烈的馬，你怎么會喜歡呢？真搞不清楚！

LL: Well, ever since I showed him I was in control, he's been very good. And he's a handsome horse, too. It's hard to explain, but sometimes you end up having a soft spot for a thing or a person that isn't perfect.

LH: 我有點兒明白了。像是我中文班里有幾個特別好的學生，可是不知道為什么，反而是一個學得不怎么樣的孩子最讓我掛心。

LL: So, why do you have a soft spot for this particular student, Li Hua?

LH: 人跟人不一樣，有人就是不擅長學語言，那個學生發音不夠標準，而且總也記不住中文方塊字的模樣。

LL: This person doesn't sound like the kind of person I'd have a soft spot for if I were a teacher, Li Hua.

LH: 他雖然不是個天才型的學生，可是每天上課都特別努力。我想喜歡他，大概是因為希望他能學好吧。

LL: You are such a dedicated teacher, Li Hua. I know there are students who have a soft spot for you.

LH: 那可不一定，我那些學生肯定覺得我很厲害。

LL: Oh, I don't believe that. Say, why don't we ride back to the ranch now, Li Hua. I'm getting a little thirsty and could use a drink.

LH: 好啊。哎？我的馬怎么不走了？

LL: It looks like your horse is hungry, Li Hua. He apparently has a soft spot for that clump of flowers!

LH: 這下可慘了，誰它要吃到什么時候。

今天李華學到了兩個常用語。一個是mean streak, 指壞脾氣。另一個是soft spot, 指為什么事情動心。