For an owl (猫头鹰) with one-metre wingspan, the sky should be the limit. But Troy prefers his bird’s eye view to be no higher than 5 feet 10 inches. The one-year-old owl has an inconvenient symptom: he’s afraid of heights. After an unfortunate start in life when he fell from his nest by accident, Troy was raised by Gareth Tonen, a handler (饲养员), who just happens to be 5 feet 10 inches tall.
As a result, Troy has grown up without any great ambitions of his own. When it comes to trees, he can’t see what is about and would prefer to fly along at Mr. Tonen’s side. Only when the 25-year-old handler climbs up a tree can Troy be tempted to leave his comfort zone and join him.
Ashley Smith said, “ Troy’s fear of heights was a result of forgetting how to be a bird. He’s been in captivity (被圈养) for as long as he can remember and has never been higher than his handler can lift him. He sees himself as more of a human than an owl, and he doesn’t know how to sit in trees or hunt. Gareth has to almost act like an owl to get Troy to behave like one.”
As a result, a daily tree climb has become part of Troy’s – and Mr. Tonen’s – routine. Ladders have been fixed so Mr. Tonen can climb into the trees and call for Troy, who will fly up and join his handler but go no higher. Most of the time he flies down again, but occasionally Mr. Tonen has to carry him back to ground level. The afternoon ends with a meal of mouse, rabbit or his favorite, chicken.
Mr. Tonen said, “He now looks upon me as his mum or dad. He’s gaining more confidence and if I have to carry on climbing up trees with him then we’ll do what it takes for him to be a high flyer.
小题1:Troy was brought up by Gareth Tonen because he ______.A．couldn’t fly highB．got badly hurtC．left his parents accidentallyD．couldn’t live in trees小题2: What can you learn from the second paragraph?A．Troy doesn’t show any interest in flying high up in the sky.B．Gareth Tonen has spoiled Troy by offering him everything.C．Gareth Tonen is pleased to see Troy fly along at his side.D．Troy would like his owner Gareth Tonen to climb up trees.小题3:According to Ashley Smith, Troy doesn’t know he is a bird because ______.A．he has developed the symptom of fearing heights.B．he has been raised since he was very small.C．he can’t learn how to fly higher than his owner.D．he doesn’t want to fly among trees hunting for food.小题4: Why does Gareth Tonen have to climb up trees every day?A．To set an example of flying high to Troy.B．To see how high Troy can really fly.C．To teach Troy how to get meals in high trees.D．To get Troy back down to cure his fear of heights.