B3L1 課文動畫(中英字幕版)(The Day I Broke the Rules)

Summary

In this heartwarming story, a McDonald's employee, dressed as Ronald McDonald, visits terminally ill children in the hospital to bring joy. Despite strict rules against physical contact, a heartfelt encounter with a frail boy named Billy leads to a rule-breaking hug that brings solace to both. The story highlights the power of empathy and human connection, even in the face of life's harsh realities.

Takeaways

• 🎭 The narrator worked as Ronald McDonald for the McDonald's corporation, visiting sick children in hospitals to bring joy and laughter.
• 🏥 The children visited were often suffering from terminal illnesses, making the narrator's role particularly poignant and important.
• 🚫 There were strict rules about not visiting children alone and avoiding physical contact to prevent scaring them or spreading germs.
• 🤔 The narrator struggled with these rules, feeling that sometimes a hug could convey more empathy and warmth than any words.
• 👦 The narrator encountered a frail boy named Billy, who deeply touched them with his condition and request for a hug.
• 💔 The narrator initially followed the rules and offered to color with Billy instead of hugging, but later reconsidered due to the boy's hopeful look.
• 🤗 The decision to break the rules led to a heartfelt embrace, followed by a deep conversation where Billy shared his concerns for his family and pets.
• 🏠 Billy's awareness of his likely fate was evident, yet his thoughts were still focused on the well-being of others.
• 📞 The narrator provided their contact information to Billy's parents, showing a willingness to offer support beyond their work.
• 🕊️ Two days after their meeting, Billy passed away, and his mother called to express gratitude for the impact the narrator had on her son's final days.
• 🎅 Billy's final words to his mother reflected the comfort he found in his interaction with Ronald McDonald, even over the traditional figure of Santa Claus.

Q & A

What was the narrator's job at McDonald's Corporation?

The narrator was employed to dress up as Ronald McDonald and visit community hospitals to cheer up sick children.

Why was the narrator's role considered rewarding?

The narrator found it rewarding because they were able to bring laughter and ease the pain of children suffering from terminal illnesses.

What were the two main rules the narrator had to follow while visiting the children?

The two main rules were to never visit the children alone and to avoid any physical contact to prevent the spread of germs.

Why did the narrator feel conflicted about the rules?

The narrator felt conflicted because they believed that sometimes a heartfelt embrace could convey love, empathy, and warmth more effectively than anything else.

How did the narrator describe the situation when they first met Billy?

The narrator described Billy as a frail, weak, and pale five-year-old boy lying in a hospital bed.

What did Billy request from the narrator that went against the rules?

Billy requested a hug from the narrator, which went against the rules of no physical contact.

How did the narrator initially respond to Billy's request for a hug?

The narrator initially turned Billy down, explaining that it was against the rules, and suggested coloring together instead.

What changed the narrator's mind about breaking the rules?

The look of hope in Billy's eyes and the realization that some things in life were more important than following the rules changed the narrator's mind.

What did Billy confide in the narrator during their conversation?

Billy confided his worries about his little brother having no one to play with and his dog going hungry because he had hidden all its bones.

What was the outcome of the narrator's decision to break the rules and hug Billy?

The narrator received a call from Billy's mom two days later, informing them that Billy had passed away and thanking the narrator for making a difference in his life.

What did Billy say to his mom about not seeing Santa because he had hugged Ronald?

Billy expressed that he didn't mind not seeing Santa that year because he had already hugged Ronald McDonald, indicating the comfort and joy the narrator provided him.