阅读理解
Stuffy Pete was a homeless man in New York City. Each year, an old gentleman found him on a park bench in Union Square and took him out for a Thanksgiving meal, creating a cherished tradition. However, this Thanks giving was different. Before meeting the old gentleman, Stuffy had enjoyed a big dinner with two kind old ladies, leaving him full and uncomfortable.
As the old gentleman came close, Stuffy shook and struggled to breathe, wishing he could fly away. "Good morning," the old gentleman greeted him. "I'm glad to see you in good health. Let's give thanks for this blessing. Come with me, and I'll treat you to a meal that will make you feel thankful." These familiar words, repeated for nine years, now brought tears to Stuffy's eyes. The snow melted on his hot face, but the old gentleman, shivering(颤抖)from the cold, turned away without noticing.
Stuffy often wondered why the old gentleman seemed sad. He didn't know that the old gentleman wished he had a son-someone who would remember him and continue the tradition. But the old gentleman had no family. He lived alone near the park, finding joy in small things like growing flowers in winter and searching for bugs in summer.
Feeling helpless, Stuffy looked up at the old gentleman, whose eyes shone with kindness. Stuffy made a sound, as he had nine times before, and the old gentleman understood-this was Stuffy's way of accepting the meal. "Thankyou. I'm very hungry," Stuffy said.
They went to the restaurant where they were well-known. Stuffy ate the meal without leaving a single bite, hoping to keep the old gentleman smiling. After the meal, he expressed his thanks but fell down as soon as he left the restaurant.
Stuffy was taken to the hospital, and an hour later, the old gentleman was brought to the same hospital. The doctors discovered that he was nearly dead from lack of food, having not eaten in three days.