Daniel Keyes' classic tale Flowers for Algernon is enjoyed throughout the world. It first appeared[1] as a magazine story in 1959 and was later made into a novel and a
 movie. Although the story is generally considered science fiction, readers have always loved it for its basic human truths.

　　It is the story of Charlie, a thirty-two-year-old man whose IQ is only 68. He works during the day in a bakery and attends a reading class for slow learners at night. At work, Charlie's foolish behavior amuses his coworkers. Charlie, however, assumes[2] they are laughing with him, not at him. He considers them his friends and tries hard to fit in.[3]

　　Meanwhile, through an experimental[4] operation, scientists greatly increase the intelligence of a mouse named Algernon. They decide to try the same experiment on a human. They choose Charlie because he is so eager to learn and become "smart" like other people. The operation is successful and Charlie becomes steadily[5] more intelligent.[6]

　　 丹尼尔· 凯斯的经典之作《献给阿尔吉农的花束》广受全球读者喜爱。此作品最早于 1959 年刊载于杂志上，后集结成小说并拍成电影。虽然这个作品普遍被视为科幻小说，却因书中所刻画的基本人性真相而深受读者喜爱。

　　 故事的主角是一位名叫查理的男子，32岁的他，智商只有68。查理白天在面包店工作，晚上则到专为学习迟缓者开设的识字班上课。工作时，查理滑稽的动作常惹得同事们发笑。然而，查理以为他们是跟他一块笑，而不是在笑他。查理把他们当作朋友，并且努力试着融入他们之中。

　　 此时，科学家通过一项实验性的手术成功地使一只名为阿尔吉农的老鼠智力大幅提升。他们决定在人类身上尝试同一项实验。科学家选择了查理，因为他的学习欲望很高，并且渴望变得跟其他人一样“聪明”。这项手术很成功，查理的智商稳定持续地提升。

　　Vocabulary

　　●1. appear v. to be seen publically for the first time 发表；上市

　　The author's new novel won't appear in bookstores until August.

　　这位作者的小说要到八月才会出版上市。

　　●2. assume v. to consider sth. to be true even though there is no proof 假定；以为

　　Karen was so friendly that Jack assumed she wanted to go on a date with him.

　　凯伦表现得过于友善的样子，以致于杰克以为她想要和他约会。

　　●3. fit in v. phr. to be accepted by others, esp. because of being similar 融入（环境／人群）

　　Yao Ming had difficulty fitting in as a boy because he was so much taller than other kids.

　　姚明童年时很难和其他小孩打成一片，因为他的身材实在太高了。

　　●4. experimental adj. using new and unproven methods or ideas 实验性质的；试验性的

　　Experimental drugs are now available for treating some types of cancer.

　　目前已有几种实验性药物专治某些癌症。

　　●5. steadily adv. slowly and gradually 平稳持续地；稳步地

　　We hiked steadily for most of the day until we finally reached the top of the mountain.

　　我们以稳定的速度登山，几乎花了一整天后终于到达山顶。

　　●6. intelligent adj. able to think and learn quickly 聪明的；理解力强的

　　Amazingly, the boy was so intelligent that he graduated from college when he was only ten years old.

　　令人惊讶地，这名男童天资聪颖，十岁时便从大学毕业。

　　More Information

　　 1. science fiction n. 科幻小说

　　 2. IQ n. 智商（即 Intelligence Quotient 智力商数的缩写）

　　 3. bakery n. 面包店