In a room at Texas Children Cancer Center in Houston, eight-year-old Simran Jatar lay in bed with a drip (点滴) above her to fight her bone cancer. Over her bald (秃的) head, she wore a pink hat that matched her clothes. But the third grader’s cheery dressing didn’t mask her pain and weary eyes.
Then a visitor showed up. “Do you want to write a song?” asked Anita Kruse, 49, rolling a cart equipped with an electronic keyboard, a microphone and speakers. Simran stared. “Have you ever written a poem?” Anita Kruse continued. “Well, yes,” Simran said.
Within minutes, Simran was reading her poem into the microphone. “Some bird soaring through the sky,” she said softly. “Imagination in its head…” Anita Kruse added piano music, a few warbling (鸣, 唱) birds, and finally the girl’s voice. Thirty minutes later, she presented Simran with a CD of her first recorded song.
That was the beginning of Anita Kruse’s project, Purple Songs Can Fly, one that has helped more than 125 young patients write and record songs. As a composer and pianist who had performed at the hospital, Kruse said that the idea of how she could help “came in one flash”.
The effect on the kids has been great. One age girl, curling (蜷缩) in pain in her wheelchair, stood unaided to dance to a hip-hop song she had written. A 12-year-old boy with Hodgkin’s disease who rarely spoke surprised his doctors with a song he called I Can Make It.
“My time with the kids is heartbreaking because of the severity of their illnesses,” says Anita Kruse. “But they also make you happy, when the children are smiling, excited to share their CD with their families.”
Simran is now an active sixth grader and cancer-free. From time to time, she and her mother listen to her song, Always Remembering, and they always remember the “really sweet and nice and loving” lady who gave them a shining moment in the dark hour.
小题1:Simran Jatar lay in bed in hospital because ______.A．most of her hair had fallen outB．she was receiving treatment for cancerC．she felt depressed and quit from schoolD．she was suffering from a pain in her back小题2:What do we know about Anita Kruse’s project?A．It helps young patients record songs. B．It is supported by singers and patients.C．It aims to replace the medical treatment.D．It offers patients chances to realize their dreams.小题3:What does the case of a 12-year-old boy suggest?A．Most children are naturally fond of music.B．He was brave enough to put up performance.C．The project has positive effect on young patients.D．Singing is the best way to treat some illnesses.小题4:What is probably the best title for the passage?A．Purple Songs Can FlyB．Singing Can Improve HealthC．A Shining Moment in LifeD．A Kind Woman—Anita Kruse