My First Time on Stage

Last term, our English teacher asked me to read a poem aloud at the school show. I said yes before I could think about it, and then I could not sleep for two nights.

上个学期，英语老师让我在校内演出上朗诵一首诗。我还没想清楚就答应了，结果两个晚上都没睡着。

I practised in front of the mirror every evening, holding a small card in my shaking hand. My little sister sat on the sofa and clapped after every single line.

每天晚上我都在镜子前练习，手里握着一张卡片，手一直在抖。我妹妹坐在沙发上，我每念完一行她就鼓掌。

On the day of the show, the hall was full of students and parents. When my name was called, my legs felt heavy, as if they were made of wood.

演出那天，礼堂里坐满了学生和家长。念到我的名字时，我的两条腿沉得像木头做的。

But I took a deep breath, looked at the back wall, and began to read. By the last line my voice was steady, and the hall was quiet and then loud with clapping.

但我深吸了一口气，望着后墙，开始朗读。念到最后一行时我的声音已经稳了，礼堂先是安静，随后掌声雷动。