In Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, a 75-year-old man named Chen Jin’ao takes care of seven green gourds on a bamboo shelf in his yard. Every day, he waters them carefully. Recently, photos of his gourds went viral online. Netizens joked that the famous cartoon “Calabash Brothers” must be a documentary, because the grandpa looks just like the old man in the story.
Why do so many people love this story? In a fast-moving world, people often feel tired and stressed. The grandpa’s simple daily life reminds us of something we have lost: patience. He does not rush. He waters the plants, watches them grow, and enjoys the quiet happiness of everyday life.
The gourds also connect people with their childhood memories. Many young people grew up watching “Calabash Brothers” and other cartoons. Seeing a real grandpa with seven gourds brings back sweet memories of the past. It is like a warm hug from childhood.
This story also shows the charm of old streets. The grandpa lives in an old street area full of history and local life. Such places are becoming popular “check-in” spots for tourists. People come to take photos, taste local food, and feel the peace that big cities cannot offer.
In the end, happiness does not always come from big things. Sometimes, it is just an old man watering his gourds in the morning sun. We can all find a little “gourd moment” in our own lives — something small, simple, and full of warmth.
Words to know:
- gourd (葫芦)
- viral (走红的，病毒式传播的)
- documentary (纪录片)
- netizen (网民)
- patience (耐心)
- childhood (童年)
- charm (魅力)
- check-in (打卡)
长难句拆解 · must 表推测与动名词主语
① Netizens joked that the famous cartoon “Calabash Brothers” must be a documentary, because the grandpa looks just like the old man in the story. 主干是 Netizens joked that…（网友调侃说……）。joked that 后接宾语从句；从句里 must be 表示有把握的推测，译作「一定是」，注意不是「必须」；because 引导原因状语从句，解释这个玩笑的由来；looks just like 中 just 强调「一模一样」。
② Seeing a real grandpa with seven gourds brings back sweet memories of the past. 主干是 Seeing… brings back sweet memories（看到……唤起甜蜜回忆）。动名词短语作主语，谓语用单数 brings；bring back 是固定搭配，「唤起、使想起（回忆）」；with seven gourds 是介词短语作后置定语修饰 grandpa。动名词开头往往表达泛指的动作，是概括观点的常见写法。
同义替换 · 雅思阅读利器
题干从不照抄原词，而是用同义表达「换个马甲」。先圈信号词，再回原文找变体，定位效率倍增。本文可迁移的替换组：
- went viral online → spread rapidly online（走红类通用）
- takes care of → looks after
- feel tired and stressed → feel worn out and pressured
- reminds us of → calls to mind
- brings back sweet memories → rekindles sweet memories
- grew up watching → spent their childhood watching
- big cities cannot offer → metropolises fail to provide
阅读自测 · 3 题
- 判断（T / F / NG） — Chen Jin’ao waters his gourds once a week.
- 简答（不超过 6 个词） — How old is the grandpa in the story?
- 判断（T / F / NG） — The grandpa sells his gourds to visiting tourists.
参考答案与解析
- F — 原文「Every day, he waters them carefully」，频率是每天而非每周，属「频率偷换」式干扰。
- 75 years old. — 首段「a 75-year-old man named Chen Jin’ao」，数字直接对应，75 岁藏在复合形容词里，作答时要还原成完整表达。
- NG — 原文只说老街成为游客打卡地，从未提及老人卖葫芦，属「无中生有」。
中文译文
在浙江绍兴，75岁的陈金敖老人每天精心照料院里竹架上挂着七只青葫芦。最近，他家葫芦的照片在网上走红。网友调侃，那部著名动画片《葫芦兄弟》一定是纪录片，因为这位老爷爷和片中的老爷爷长得一模一样。
为何这么多人喜欢这个故事？在快节奏的世界里，人们常感疲惫紧绷。老爷爷简朴的日常让我们想起遗失的东西：耐心。他不慌不忙，浇浇水、看它们生长，享受日常里那份安静的欢喜。
葫芦还把人们与童年记忆相连。许多年轻人是看着《葫芦兄弟》等动画片长大的，见到一位真实的老爷爷和七只葫芦，往昔甜蜜的回忆便涌上心头，仿佛来自童年的一次温暖拥抱。
这个故事也展现了老街的魅力。老爷爷住在充满历史与市井气息的老街区，这类地方正成为游客青睐的「打卡」胜地。人们来此拍照、品尝当地美食，感受大城市给不了的安宁。
说到底，幸福未必来自大事，有时不过是一位老人在晨光里浇灌他的葫芦。我们都能在自己生活里找到一点「葫芦时刻」——微小、朴素，却满是温暖。