Чтение 8 класс английский-22

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Чтение 8 класс английский-22. Король уродов в цирке-1

Perhaps the number 13, which is considered a bad number, played a bad role here. When, in May 1889, a 12-year-old child was born in an ordinary family on the island of Sicily. He was unusual in that he had 3 legs: the 13th twin brother gave him his leg. The leg was also not a full-fledged «gift»: it had only one finger (the newborn had 16 fingers in total). And although the symbol of the Sicilian [sɪˈsɪlɪən] island is treskilion [ˈtrɪskɪlɪən] – three legs bent at the knees with the head of the Gorgon [ˈgɔːgən] Medusa [mɪˈdjuːzə] in the center, the birth of such a baby was not considered a sign. The three-legged baby was examined by local specialists and concluded that corrective surgery would be impossible: it could lead to paralysis [pəˈrælɪsɪs] and even death. His parents refused him.

For some time, the betrothed Francesco [frænʧˈeskəʊ] Lentini, the owner of a rare anomaly [əˈnɒməlɪ], was brought up by a childless relative. But she later refused him, handing him over to a shelter for disabled children.

Endowed by nature not only with the third leg, the child had a lively mind and quick wit. Forced to be surrounded by children who had no arms or legs, Francesco decided that his disadvantage was the opposite! – there is a great advantage: after all, there are people in the world who live much worse than him! Such an environment even helped him realize that he should not give up, otherwise his whole life will be spent in shelters and hospitals.

Чтение 8 класс английский-22. Король уродов в цирке-2

He learned everything that was possible: to run, ride a bike and even jump rope. And he even managed to play football with his third leg.

Batting the ball on the move with the help of an extra limb became his main trick.

At the age of 8, his parents take Francesco [frænʧˈeskəʊ] from the orphanage in order to migrate to New York. And then fortune began to smile at our young hero. A cheerful and active, three-legged boy jumping on board the ship attracts the attention of the owner of a circus troupe. He offers Francesco’s [frænʧˈeskəʊ] father to sign a contract to work in the circus. The young Sicilian is promised money and fame.

The father makes some amendment when signing the contract. To provide his son with an education at the expense of the employer. And it was really paternal care and foresight after the child’s vegetating in a shelter for the disabled.

So a three-legged circus performer combines touring with studying. But he did not complain about the hardships of fate. On the contrary, I realized that I had drawn a lucky ticket. Literally from the first performances, Francesco [frænʧˈeskəʊ] enjoyed success. And he was able to provide financially not only for himself. But also for his family, who had once betrayed him.

«The three-legged Sicilian!» «The only football player in the world on three legs!» . The posters were all over the place. Francesco Lintini performed w

ith the most famous circus troupes of America at that time – in the Barnum and Bale show, in the Ringling Brothers Circus. He participated in the Buffalo Bill Show Theater.

Чтение 8 класс английский-22. Король уродов в цирке-3

Francesco [frænʧˈeskəʊ] was adored by both the public and the press. His manner of leaning on his third leg. As on a chair, at the time when he was interviewed, delighted journalists. He was especially distinguished by his noble manners and stylish clothes. Always friendly and witty, he especially liked to make fun of the question about buying shoes. I buy two pairs of shoes, keep three shoes for myself, and give the fourth to my one-legged friend. His jokes became anecdotes, and his expressions became winged.

Despite the «gift» of his 13th brother, from which it was impossible to get rid of, Francesco enjoyed success with women: they say he was extremely charming and courteous. In his first marriage, which lasted about a quarter of a century, from his beautiful wife Teresa Murray, he had four children. Years later, the couple separated. But the cheerful three-legged man did not remain a bachelor for long. He soon remarried a woman, Helen Shoop, with whom he lived until the age of 77. Francesco Lentini died in September 1966.