Until a few months ago, he was a butler(管家) in one of the more expensive residential buildings in Manhattan. But now, Nepal-born Indra Tamang is the owner of two multi-million dollar apartments in the same building.
The former owner - his former employer, Ruth Ford - died last year and left the apartments to Mr Tamang in her will.
Mr Tamang is happy but quickly points out that his good fortune did not come easily. "I am happy and have been touched by the generosity of the Ford family," he says. "I never expected that I will be given the ownership of these apartments. But I have been working for the family for the last 36 years, devotedly, with honesty and dedication(奉献). So my hard work has been rewarded."
Mr Tamang was 21 when he was brought from Nepal by Charles Ford, a writer and a photographer. Mr Ford died in 2002; his sister, actress Ruth Ford, then took charge and told Mr Tamang that he was like a brother to her after Charles's death.
Mrs Ford died aged 98. During the last five years of her life, she lost her eyesight and also developed speech problems. Mr Tamang looked after her most of the time and took care of her medicines and food.
He also worked with Charles Ford on various photography projects, which he now wants to keep as the photographer's legacy(遗产). He hopes to organize exhibitions of Mr Ford's photographs and edit a book of his works.
Mr Tamang plans to sell the bigger, three-bedroom apartment to pay the taxes he owes to the government on his legacy. He says: "The rules of the building might be a problem, as they require a minimum monthly income to qualify to live as owner of apartments. I have my small house here but I am happy with it,"
Mr Tamang has learnt his lesson from the life of his employers and plans to use his money with great caution. "I think one should save money for old age. That's when you need it the most to get care," he says.
小题1:Mr Tamang treated the legacy as __________.
A．a reward
B．a punishment
C．business
D．a gift小题2:What DIDN’T Mr Tamang do in the Ford family?
A．Show Mr Ford's works in the exhibition.
B．Look after Ruth Ford when she was ill.
C．Work on kinds of photography projects
D．Experience deaths of Charles Ford and Ruth Ford小题3:Mr Tamang wants to sell one apartment to _______.
A．buy the small house
B．pay the government the tax of the apartments
C．edit a book of Charles Ford's photographs
D．move into the expensive apartments as soon as possible小题4:What lesson does Mr Tamang learn from the Ford family?
A．To find a good butler.
B．To spend money thoughtfully.
C．To save money for children.
D．To get good care when people get old.小题5:What can we know from the passage?
A．Charles Ford gave the apartments to Mr Tamang.
B．Charles Ford couldn't see or speak before his death.
C．Mr Tamang treated Ruth Ford much better than her brother.
D．Mr Tamang will still live in his small house in the near future.
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