【明報專訊】The Smarties are close to each other like siblings. Pat and MoMo are making something for their "brothers" with which they will celebrate the Indian Rakhi festival (印度兄妹節).
“ Pat: How difficult it is to hide anything from Dr Panda or Bill! ”
“ MoMo: We have to keep it secret until August. ”
“ Eason: Your two pretty buddies are leaving you so that they can form "New Smarties" with me! ”
“ Bill: That's impossible! ”
“ Dr Panda: Are you hiding anything from us? ”
“ Bill: Don't go... Please... ”
“ MoMo: It's too early to let you know... but we are learning to make bracelets so that we can celebrate Rakhi together with you. ”
“ Pat: You are like our brothers! We should never be apart! ”
■Culture tips
Raksha Bandhan, or simply Rakhi, is one of the most important festivals in India. It celebrates brotherhood and love. It falls on August every year. In the festival, a girl traditionally ties a rakhi (a bracelet made of interwoven red and golden threads) around her brother's wrist to mark their relationship. It is believed that, when a woman ties a rakhi around a man's wrist, it becomes obligatory for him to do his religious duties and protect her. Today rakhis are given also to close friends.
■English highway﹕-hood
"-hood" is a suffix used to form a noun that indicates a condition or a state or a collection or group.
e.g. It was his childhood dream to become a doctor.
■Glossary
sibling (n) 兄/弟/姊/妹
interweave (v) 交錯編織
wrist (n) 手腕
obligatory (adj) 有義務的
[Smarties' Power English Vol 187]
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