Trick or Treat “不给糖果就捣蛋”
Many houses have lanterns made from pumpkins in their windows. These lanterns have frightening faces cut into them.
What is the reason for all of this? It’s Halloween! To an outsider, this may seem a strange festival, but it is a very popular one and an important part of the culture in Britain and the USA. But how did it start?
The holiday once had a religious significance. November the 1st is All Saint’s Day, and October the 31st was believed to be a day when all the spirits came back to the world of the living. In modern times, this has changed to be a day when children dress up as monsters, ghosts and witches.
Once they are dressed up children go to their neighbours’ houses. They knock on the door and shout ‘Trick or treat!’ Good neighbours, of course, give ‘treats’. These are usually sweets or chocolates.
Bad neighbours, however, may give nothing. If so, then the children play a ‘trick’ on them. This may be a simple practical joke. However, naughty children may do something worse, like throwing rubbish in the neighbour’s garden. Nowadays, of course, most neighbours always give a treat. After all, it’s fun for the children.
Another tradition is to make lanterns from pumpkins. First, the inside of the pumpkin is removed. Then, a face is cut into the pumpkin, traditionally a smiling, devil face. Finally a candle is placed inside, and the lantern is put at the front of the house to keep evil spirits away.
There are many traditional games on Halloween, but the most common is ‘apple-bobbing’. It’s simple to play. Several apples are put floating in water. Children then have their hands tied behind their backs. They then have to try to pick the apples out of the water using only their mouths. Of course, people get very wet and it is very funny to watch.
GLOSSARY 词汇表
dressing up 乔装打扮；穿上盛装
ghosts 鬼；幽灵
neighbours' 邻居
tricks 恶作剧；诡计
pumpkins 南瓜
outsider 外人；局外人
treat 招待；请客
naughty 淘气的
devil 魔鬼
floating 漂浮着
monsters 怪物；妖怪
witches 巫师
sweets 糖果
lanterns 灯笼
frightening 令人恐惧的
spirits 幽灵；鬼魂
practical joke 恶作剧
rubbish 垃圾
evil 邪恶的
tied 栓着的，捆着的
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