A little girl whose parents had died, lived with her grandmother and slept in an upstairs bedroom.
　　One night there was a fire in the house and the grandmother died while trying to rescue the child. The fire spread quickly, and the first floor was surrounded in flames.
　　Neighbors called the fire department1, then stood helplessly by, unable to enter the house as flames blocked all the entrances. The little girl appeared at an upstairs window, crying for help, when word spread among the crowd that firefighters2 would be delayed3 a few minutes because they were all at another fire.
　　Suddenly, a man appeared with a ladder, put it up against the side of the house and disappeared inside. When he reappeared, he had the little girl in his arms. He delivered4 the child to the waiting arms below, then disappeared into the night.
　　An investigation5 showed the child had no living relatives. Weeks later a meeting was held in the town hall6 to determine who would take the child into their home and bring her up.
　　A teacher said she would raise7 the child. She pointed out she could offer her a good education. A farmer offered to care her on his farm. He pointed out that living on a farm was healthy and satisfying. Others spoke, giving their reasons why it was to the child's advantage8 to live with them.
　　Finally, the town's richest person stood up and said, “I can give this child all the advantages that you have mentioned here, plus money and everything money can buy.” Through all this, the child remained silent, eyes cast down9.
　　“Does anyone else want to speak?” asked the meeting chairman.
　　A man came forward from the back of the hall. He walked slowly and seemed in pain. When he got to the front of the room, he stood directly before the little girl and held out his arms. The crowd held their breath. His hands and arms were terribly burnt.
　　The child cried out, “This is the man who rescued me!” With a leap10, she threw her arms around the man's neck, holding on for dear life, just as she had that fateful night. She buried her face on his shoulder and sobbed11 for a few moments. Then she looked up and smiled at him.
　　“This meeting is over,” said the chairman.

1． fire department 消防部门
2． firefighter   n． 消防员
3． delay   v． 耽误
4． deliver   v． 送至……，送达
5． investigation    n． 调查
6． the town hall 市政厅
7． raise [reiz] v． 养育
8． to sb．＇s advantage 有利于某人
9． cast down 下垂
10． leap  n． 跳跃
11． sob  v． 哭泣