音樂家為猴子彈鋼琴

重慶 李奉霞

英國音樂家巴頓經常在泰國華富里（Lopburi）為動物們表演，該地區以其野生獼猴群而聞名。 這位鋼琴家希望通過音樂在新冠肺炎疫情期間安撫這些猴子。

When British musician Paul Barton performs in Central Thailand lately, his energetic listeners react wildly. Some pull his hair or jump on his piano. Others steal his music. The behavior is normal, however, because these crowds are truly wild—wild monkeys to be exact.

Barton often plays to the animals in Lopburi, an area known for its populations of wild macaque monkeys （獼猴）. The pianist hopes the music shows bring calm to the animals during the coronavirus（冠狀病毒） crisis. The disease has caused problems for the monkeys, too. They are hungry. The restrictions on tourism mean fewer people come to see the monkeys and feed them.

“We need to make an effort to make sure that they eat properly. And when they eat properly,they will be calmer and will not be aggressive,” said Barton, 59, a long-time Thailand resident.

Barton has played at four sites in Lopburi, including at an ancient Hindu temple, a store and an old movie theater.

The macaques quickly surround Barton when he plays Greensleeves, Beethoven's Für Elise and Michael Nyman's Diary of Love. Some of the creatures sit on his chair, while others climb up his body and touch his head.

“A wonderful opportunity to see the wild animals just being themselves,” said Barton.

But Barton keeps his attention on his performance, even as a small monkey runs over his hands on the instrument. Other monkeys take control of his music papers.

“I was surprised to play the piano and find that they were actually eating the music as I was playing it.” But, he added, “I wasn't going to let those things distract me from the project which is to play the music for these wonderful macaques.”

The monkeys are Barton's latest animal fans. Past wildlife audiences included elephants living in special protected areas.

Barton hopes to raise awareness of the monkeys' hunger. At the same time, he hopes to study their behavior as they react to classical music.

“It's possible that the music can play a part of the rehabilitation（恢復） process,” he said.

Reading Check

1. Why does Barton often play to the animals?

A. To earn money.

B. To get more fans.

C. To make them feel easy.

D. To study their behavior.

2. What's one disadvantage of the restrictions on tourism?

A. Animals stay aggressive as usual.

B. Animals' behavior is abnormal.

C. Animals feel hungrier than usual.

D. Animals' food is out of control.

3. What does Barton think of the monkeys listening to his music?

A. They enjoy it.

B. They pay no attention to it.

C. They like classical music more.

D. They like playing more than listening.

4. Which of the following words can best describe Barton?

A. Careful and easy-going.

B. Imaginative and frank.

C. Hard-working and serious.

D. Kind-hearted and responsible.

Language Study

Difficult sentence

I wasn't going to let those things distract me from the project which is to play the music for these wonderful macaques. 我不會讓這些事情影響我為這些可愛的獼猴演奏音樂。

【點石成金】本句為一個主從復合句，主句主語是I，謂語部分是wasn't going to let；which引導限制性定語從句，修飾先行詞the project。