Ben,asked us for a set of drums for his birthday. At first,we were very much against the idea because of the noise. "It's better than watching television or playing computer games in my free time," Ben argued, "and it'll keep me out of trouble. "In the end we gave in. "All right,"we said, "but you must consider the rest of the family and the neighbours when you play.” That was just the beginning. Because drums are not the easiest instru?ments to move,the other members of Ben's band started appearing at our home with their guitars and other electrical equipment (电子设备) .And so,for several times a week,the house shakes to the noise of their instruments and their teenage singing.
At least Ben's hobby has been good for our health:whenever the band start practising,my husband and I go out for a long walk. And I must admit that,al?though their music may sound a little strange,they are a friendly and polite group of young men. I cannot judge their musical skill―after all I didn't expect my parents' generation ( —代人) to like the same music as I did when I was a teenager―but they do play in local clubs for young people at the same time each week.
Our main worry is that they won't spend enough time on their schoolwork because of their musical activities,though this hasn't happened yet. I am al?ways stressing (强调) to Ben how important his studies are. But one thing is certain―Ben was right:it has kept him out of trouble and he is never bored.