A Tale of Two Love Birds 克服遠距離的白鸛愛侶 This special couple gives new meaning to long-distance relationships. 這對特別的鳥兒賦予遠距離戀情新的意義。
Long-distance relationships can be very difficult because couples are far apart for long periods of time. Not many of these relationships last for a long time. If you are looking for some inspiration▼ to stay together, a pair of storks▼ in Croatia has proven that love can defeat any distance. More than 15 years ago, two storks named Malena and Klepetan made their nest on top of a retired school janitor’s▼ house in Croatia. Each winter, this species▼ of stork makes the long flight south to warmer climates in Africa. After being shot in the wing one year, Malena could no longer make the journey, so Klepetan went by himself. What’s amazing is that every spring for more than a decade, Klepetan has managed to make the trip, around 13,000 kilometers, back to Malena. This unlikely couple in the animal kingdom proves that true love can survive long distances. The two storks’ special relationship has made them one of Croatia’s most famous couples. Newspapers even report when Klepetan makes his springtime return. After all these years, the love birds are still together. Maybe people can learn a thing or two from the animal kingdom.
▼ inspiration n. 靈感 ▼stork n.（白）鸛 ▼janitor n.（學校或大樓的）管理員 ▼species n.（動植物的）物種（恆用複數型態）
1. long-distance a. 長距離的，長途的 You will be billed monthly for your long-distance calls. 你的長途電話將按月計費。
2. relationship n.（兩人間的）愛情關係；（人或團體相互之間的）關係 Amelia just ended her relationship with Owen last week. 愛蜜莉亞上週才剛結束與歐文的戀情。 Morris has had a difficult relationship with his parents. 莫瑞斯和他父母之間的關係並不好。
3. apart a. & adv.（空間）分開（的），相隔（的） The twin brothers are worlds apart in terms of personality. 這一對雙胞胎兄弟性格天差地遠。 * be worlds apart 截然相反，完全不同
4. defeat vt. 戰勝，打敗 Charles was defeated by his former teammate. 查爾斯被他的前隊友擊敗了。
5. journey n.（尤指長途的）旅行，旅程 Life has often been compared to a journey. 人生經常被比喻為一趟旅程。 * be compared to... 被比喻為……
6. manage to V 設法做成…… Frey couldn’t manage to save money even though he had two part-time jobs. 儘管打了兩份工，弗雷還是存不了錢。
7. unlikely a.（地點、人或事）非想像中的；不太可能的 The peaceful town was an unlikely place for such a horrible crime. 這個平靜的小鎮很難讓人相信會是個發生如此可怕罪行的地方。 * horrible a. 可怕的
8. survive vt. 從（困難中）挺過來 & vi. 存活 Only a baby survived the plane crash. 那場空難中只有一名嬰兒倖免於難。
a thing or two... 到底是一件事還兩件事？ 本文中的片語 a thing or two 其實不單指一兩件事情，而是表示「一些東西；不少東西」之意。除了本文內的 learn a thing or two (about...) 表「（對……）有所認識」之外，另一常見用法還有 know a thing or two about... 表「對……有一定程度的瞭解／熟稔」。例：
I never go to Shida Night Market without buying a thing or two. （我到師大夜市一定會買一些東西。）
Wendy learned a thing or two about fashion from living in Milan. （溫蒂居住在米蘭的時候學到了一些有關時尚的事物。）
Viktor knows a thing or two about marketing because he has been working in the field for 10 years. （維克多對行銷有一定程度的了解，因為他在這行工作已經十年了。）
