Taozi wanted to bake bread for the first time. Grandma tied an apron around him and set out flour, water, and a small packet of yeast. He mixed everything in the blue bowl and kneaded until his arms ached. The dough looked like a lumpy gray stone.
桃子想第一次烤面包。奶奶给他系上围裙，摆出面粉、水和一小包酵母。他在蓝碗里把所有东西搅在一起，揉到胳膊发酸。面团看起来像一块坑坑洼洼的灰石头。
They left it by the stove. An hour later, it had not grown at all. Taozi poked it with one finger. It felt cold and stubborn. Grandma did not laugh. She pulled up a chair and said they would try again together.
他们把它放在炉子边。一小时后，它一点也没长大。桃子用一根手指戳了戳。它又冷又倔。奶奶没有笑。她拉来一把椅子，说他们一起再试一次。
Grandma said the kitchen had been too cold that morning. They moved the bowl to the warm corner by the window, where the sun stayed longest. Taozi covered it with a clean cloth and drew a chalk line on the side, so he could see any change.
奶奶说，那天早上厨房太冷了。他们把碗搬到窗边温暖的角落，那里的阳光停留得最久。桃子用一块干净的布盖住它，又在碗边画了一道粉笔线，这样就能看出任何变化。
While they waited, Grandma told him about her own first loaf. It had been hard enough to use as a doorstop, and her brothers had teased her for a week. Taozi laughed so much that he almost forgot to check the bowl.
等待的时候，奶奶讲起她自己的第一炉面包。它硬得可以当门挡，她的兄弟们笑了一个星期。桃子笑得太厉害，差点忘了去看碗。
By afternoon, the dough had risen into a soft round hill. Grandma helped him shape it and slide it into the oven. The kitchen filled with a warm smell. When the loaf came out, its top was golden and a little uneven.
到了下午，面团已经胀成一个柔软的小圆丘。奶奶帮他整好形状，放进烤箱。厨房里飘满了温暖的香味。面包出炉时，表面金黄金黄的，还有一点不平整。
He cut the first slice while it was still warm. It was not perfect. One side was thicker, and the crust was a bit dark. But Grandma spread honey on it and ate every bite. Taozi carried two slices to the neighbors with his chin held high.
他趁热切下第一片。它并不完美。一边厚一些，外皮也有点深。可奶奶在面包上抹了蜂蜜，一口一口全吃完了。桃子端着两片去送给邻居，下巴抬得高高的。