经典晨读美文

　在一生中，我们与许多人擦肩而过，我们总是想着，下一个遇到的人会更适合我，却任时间流水一般静静地流过。要知道，爱是不需要比较的，陪伴一生的人只有一个。此刻，或许你一生的爱正在你的眼前徘徊，请不要再错过了。

　　 Once upon a time a teacher and his student lay down under the big tree near the big grass area. Then suddenly the student asked the teacher.

　　"Teacher, I'm confused, how do we find our soul mate? Can you please help me?"

　　Silent for a few seconds, the teacher then answered, "Well, it's a pretty hard and an easy question."

　　The teacher continued, "Look that way, there is a lot of grass, why don't you walk there? Please don't walk backwards, just walk straight ahead. On your way, try to find a blade of beautiful grass and pick it up and then give it to me. But just one."

　　The student said, "Well, OK then... wait for me..." and walked straight ahead to the grassy field.

　　A few minutes later the student came back.

　　The teacher asked, "Well, I don't see a beautiful blade of grass in your hand."

　　The student said, "On my journey, I found quite a few beautiful blade of grass, but I thought that I would find a better one, so I didn't pick it. But I didn't realize that I was at the end of the field, and I hadn't picked any because you told me not to go back, so I didn't go back."

　　The teacher said, "That's what will happen in real life."

　　What is the message of this story?

　　In the story, grass is the people around you, the beautiful blade of grass is the people that attract you and the grassy field is time.

　　In looking for your soul mate, please don't always compare and hope that there will be a better one. By doing that, you'll waste your lifetime, cause remember "Time Never Goes Back".

精美译文：
　　很久以前，有一位老师和一位学生，两人躺在一棵大树下，旁边是无垠的草地。突然学生问了老师一个问题。

　　“老师，我很困惑，我想知道如何才能找到和我情投意合的伴侣。你能帮帮我吗？”

　　老师想了几秒种，然后说：“嗯，这是一个很难但又很简单的问题。”

　　老师继续说：“往那边看，那边是无垠的草地。你何不过去走走，但是不要往回走，一直向前走。当你走路的时候，尽量寻找一棵美丽的草，然后把它拔下拿给我。但是只能拔一颗。”

　　学生说：“那好吧…等着我。”然后径直向草地走去。

　　几分钟后，学生回来了。

　　老师问到：“我看你手上没有漂亮的草呀。”

　　学生回答说：“我在路上发现了许多漂亮的草，但是我觉得我会找到更好的，于是就没有把它拔下来。但我没有意识到我已经走到了草地的尽头，因为你告诉我不要往回走，所以我一颗也没有拔。”

　　“这就是生活中经常发生的情况。"老师说到。

　　这则小故事想要告诉我们什么道理呢？
故事里面的草地就是你周围的人，美丽的草就是吸引你的人，而草地就是你一生拥有的时间.在寻找人生伴侣的时候，请不要总是比较，希望将来会有更好的选择。如果这样做的话，你就会浪费一生的时间，因为请记住：时间一去不复返。
注释：
1. soul n. 灵魂，心灵
2. mate n. 伴侣
Great Expectations 最高期望值
　　不想当将军的士兵不是好士兵。一个人如果只想把事情做到最低的标准，那么他也许永远不会把一件事情做好；相反，如果事事都指望达到最好的标准，即使不是所有的事都能达到预期的效果，也会得到一个较好的结果。两者的区别在于一个是消极被动的接受，另一个是积极主动的努力。皮特o罗斯就是这样一个积极的人。

    Pete Rose, the famous baseball player, whom I have never met, taught me something so valuable that changed my life. Pete was being interviewed in spring training the year he was about to break Ty Cobb's all time hits record. One reporter blurted out, "Pete, you only need 78 hits to break the record. How many at-bats do you think you'll need to get the 78 hits?" Without hesitation, Pete just stared at the reporter and very matter-of-factly said, "78." The reporter yelled back, "Ah, come on Pete, you don't expect to get 78 hits in 78 at-bats, do you?"

    Mr. Rose calmly shared his philosophy with the throngs of reporters who were anxiously awaiting his reply to this seemingly boastful claim. "Every time I step up to the plate, I expect to get a hit! If I don't expect to get a hit, I have no right to step in the batter's box in the first place!" "If I go up hoping to get a hit," he continued, "then I probably don't have a prayer of getting a hit. It is positive expectation that has gotten me all of the hits in the first place."

    When I thought about Pete Rose's philosophy and how it applied to everyday life, I felt a little embarrassed. As a business person, I was hoping to make my sales quotas. As a father, I was hoping to be a good dad. As a married man, I was hoping to be a good husband. The truth was that I was an adequate salesperson, I was not so bad of a father, and I was an okay husband. I immediately decided that being okay was not enough! I wanted to be a great salesperson, a great father and a great husband. I changed my attitude to one of positive expectation, and the results were amazing. I was fortunate enough to win a few sales trips, I won Coach of the Year in my son's baseball league, and I share a loving relationship with my wife, Karen, with whom I expect to be married to for the rest of my life! Thanks, Mr. Rose!

精美译文：
　　我虽然没有机会和著名的棒球运动员皮特·罗斯见上一面，但是却从他那里学到了意义重大且改变了我人生的东西。在一次春季训练期间皮特接受记者采访，那年他接近打破棒球老前辈泰o柯布的总击球记录，一个记者脱口说道：“皮特，你只差78个击球就能打破记录，那么你认为你需要多少次击球机会就能得到78个击中球？”皮特直视着那个记者，马上一本正经地回答：“78次”。那个记者叫道：“啊？拜托！皮特！你指望在78次挥棒就击中78次球，不会吧？”

　　一大群记者迫不及待地想看看皮特·罗斯先生究竟如何解释刚才自己夸下的海口。他泰然自若地向记者们阐述他的观点：“我每一次上垒都指望击中球！如果我不指望击中，我就不该第一个上击球位。”他接着说：“如果我一上前就希望击中球，我可能就不用祈求神保佑我第二次击球了。就是这种积极的期望使我能够在这么多的第一击中就击中球。”

　　我琢磨了一下皮特·罗斯的人生观，这种人生观又何尝不适于人们每天的生活呢？想到这，我感到有些惭愧。一直以来，作为一个生意人，我希望提高销售额；作为一个父亲，我希望自己是个好爸爸；作为一个已婚的人，我希望自己是好丈夫。实际上，我的工作干得勉勉强强，父亲当得马马虎虎，丈夫做得凑凑合合。想到这，我立即意识到仅仅做到“还凑合”是不够的。我要成为一个成功的销售员，一个了不起的父亲一个体贴的丈夫。于是我改变了自己的人生态度，我的期望变得更加积极了，其结果自然令人吃惊。我有幸赢得了几次销售旅行，还当选儿子所在校棒球联队的全年教练，我也和妻子卡伦和和睦睦恩爱有佳，预期我们必将相伴一生！谢谢你，罗斯先生！

注释：
1.Great Expectations英国作家狄更斯著有同名小说，有中文译本为《远大前程》，本文作者巧妙地借用它来表达本文主题，译者则立足本文内容将其译为《最高期望值》以示区别。

2.Ty Cobb 泰·柯布，一位二十世纪初期棒球界传奇人物。

3. hit n.[棒球]成功击中

4. at-bat n. [棒球] 上场击球

5. matter-of-factly adv.实事求是地

6. throng n.群,众多，大量，许多人
7. philosophy n.哲学，人生观，达观

8. step up to 接进，走进

9. plate n.[棒球] 垒板

10. batter's box n.[棒球](击球手的)击球位置

11. sales quotas 销售分配额，销售限额

12. adequate adj.尚可的，差强人意的

13. salesperson n.售货员
Winners and Winners 谁是真正的胜者
　在人生路途之上，我们的诚实在不时地接受着考验。公理自在人心。当诚实遭遇利益冲突，而又和亲情联系时，一个人还能保持诚实吗？在本文中，儿子在父亲指导的球队参加比赛时作计时员，他能否公平公正地完成自己任务呢？

　　As a high school coach, I did all I could to help my boys win their games. I rooted as hard for victory as they did.

　　A dramatic incident, however, following a game in which I officiated as a referee, changed my perspective on victories and defeats. I was refereeing a league championship basketball game in New Rochelle, New York, between New Rochelle and Yonkers High.

      New Rochelle was coached by Dan O'Brien, Yonkers by Les Beck. The gym was crowded to capacity, and the volume of noise made it impossible to hear. The game was well played and closely contested. Yonkers was leading by one point as I glanced at the clock and discovered there were but 30 seconds left to play.

　 Yonkers, in possession of the ball, passed off — shot — missed. New Rochelle recovered — pushed the ball up court — shot. The ball rolled tantalizingly around the rim and off. The fans shrieked.

　 New Rochelle, the home team, recovered the ball, and tapped it in for what looked like victory. The tumult was deafening. I glanced at the clock and saw that the game was over. I hadn't heard the final buzzer because of the noise. I checked with the other official, but he could not help me.

　 Still seeking help in this bedlam, I approached the timekeeper, a young man of 17 or so. He said, "Mr. Covino, the buzzer went off as the ball rolled off the rim, before the final tap-in was made."

　 I was in the unenviable position of having to tell Coach O'Brien the sad news. "Dan," I said, "time ran out before the final basket was tapped in. Yonkers won the game."

　 His face clouded over. The young timekeeper came up. He said, "I'm sorry, Dad. The time ran out before the final basket."

　 Suddenly, like the sun coming out from behind a cloud, Coach O'Brien's face lit up. He said, "That's okay, Joe. You did what you had to do. I'm proud of you."

　 Turning to me, he said, "Al, I want you to meet my son, Joe."

　 The two of them then walked off the court together, the coach's arm around his son's shoulder.


精美译文：
　　作为一名高中篮球教练，我竭尽全力体帮我的学生在比赛中取得胜利。我全力支持他们在比赛中取胜，他们也刻苦训练。

　　然而，在一场我所裁判的比赛之后发生了一件富有戏剧性的偶然事件。这件事改变了我对胜败的看法。那是一次蓝球冠军联赛，当时，我在纽约州的新罗谢尔市给新罗谢尔和扬克斯两个队之间的比赛作裁判。

　　新罗谢尔队的教练是丹·奥布赖恩，而扬克斯队的教练是莱斯·贝克。体育馆内座无虚席，呼声震天。比赛顺利进行，两队比分接近，扬克斯队仅以一分的优势领先。我看了一下时钟，距离比赛结束仅剩三十秒。

　　扬克斯队控球在手，传球、投篮，但是没投中。新罗谢尔队重新控球，将球向场地的另一个方向传球，然后投篮。观众急切地盯着球，球沿着篮球筐边急速旋转，最终又落了下来。球迷们尖声喊叫。

　　主队新罗谢尔队重新把球夺过来，把球拨进篮筐，似乎已经赢得了比赛的胜利。人群的呼喊声震耳欲聋。我看了一下时钟，已经过了比赛结束时间。由于声音太大，我没有听到终场信号声。我向另外一名工作人员核对时间，但是他说不清楚。

　　我仍然在混乱中求助，我走近计时员——一个大约17岁的年轻人。他告诉我：“科维诺先生，当球滚出篮筐时，终场信号发出了，在最后球又被拨进篮筐之前。”

　　“丹，在最后那个球被拨进篮筐之前，时间已经到了。”我无可奈何地告诉奥布赖恩教练，“扬克斯队赢了。”

　　他脸色阴沉了下来。那个年轻的计时员走上前，说：“爸爸，对不起。在最后一个球投中之前时间就已经到了。”

　　突然间，奥布赖恩教练的脸色就像太阳拨开了乌云，转晴了，他说：“没关系，乔。你做了你应该做的，我为你感到骄傲。”

　　他把脸转向我，说："埃尔，我介绍一下我的儿子，乔。"

　　奥布赖恩教练把胳膊搭在儿子的肩膀上，两个人一起离开了球场。

注释：
1．coach n.教练
2．root for 全力支持
3．incident n.事情，小事件
4．dramatic adj. 戏剧性的
5．officiate v.行使
6．referee n.裁判员 v. 裁判，仲裁
7．perspective n.观点，看法
8．capacity n.容量
9．volume n.音量
10．contest v. 比赛，竞争
11．in possession of 拥有，持有



12．tantalizing adj.让人非常着急的
13．rim n.蓝框，边缘
14．shriek v.尖声叫喊，尖声喊叫
15．tumult n.吵闹
16．deafening adj. 震耳欲聋的
17．buzzer n.蜂鸣器，信号器
18．bedlam n.混乱, 骚乱情景
19．timekeeper n.计时员
20．tap-in n.托进或拨进篮框
21．unenviable adj.不值得羡慕的

Eating the Cookie 生活的真谛
一个人拥有的东西再多，也多不过其没有得到的。所以，如果你的快乐建立在无限拥有的基础上，那它就太脆弱了。为了不断索取，你会劳碌一生，忧虑一生，根本顾不上快乐。相反，如果你对自己已经拥有的东西知足，快乐就会像阳光一样将你的日子照亮。

　　One of my patients, a successful businessman, tells me that before his cancer he would become depressed unless things went a certain way. Happiness was \"having the cookie.\" If you had the cookie, things were good. If you didn\'t have the cookie, life wasn\'t worth a damn. Unfortunately, the cookie kept changing. Some of the time it was money, sometimes power, sometimes sex. At other times, it was the new car, the biggest contract, the most prestigious address. A year and a half after his diagnosis of prostate cancer he sits shaking his head ruefully. \"It\'s like I stopped learning how to live after I was a kid. When I give my son a cookie, he is happy. If I take the cookie away or it breaks, he is unhappy. But he is two and a half and I am forty-three. It\'s taken me this long to understand that the cookie will never make me happy for long. The minute you have the cookie it starts to crumble or you start to worry about it crumbling or about someone trying to take it away from you. You know, you have to give up a lot of things to take care of the cookie, to keep it from crumbling and be sure that no one takes it away from you. You may not even get a chance to eat it because you are so busy just trying not to lose it. Having the cookie is not what life is about.\"

　　My patient laughs and says cancer has changed him. For the first time he is happy. No matter if his business is doing well or not, no matter if he wins or loses at golf. \"Two years ago, cancer asked me, \'Okay, what\'s important? What is really important?\' Well, life is important. Life. Life any way you can have it, life with the cookie, life without the cookie. Happiness does not have anything to do with the cookie; it has to do with being alive. Before, who made the time?\" He pauses thoughtfully. \"Damn, I guess life is the cookie.\"

精美译文：
　　我有一位病人，他是一个成功的商人，告诉我，在他患癌症之前，凡事如果没有确定下来他就忧心忡忡。对他而言，幸福是“拥有小甜饼”。如果你拥有了小甜饼，一切都一帆风顺。如果你没有小甜饼，生活就一文不值。不幸的是，小甜饼总是不断变换着，有时是金钱，有时是权力，有时是欲望。在其他时候，它是一辆新车、一份数额最大的合同、或者一个享有声望的通讯地址。在他被诊断出患有前列腺癌的一年半之后，他坐在那里，悲天悯人地摇着头，说：“长大以后，我好像就不知道怎样生活了。当我给我儿子一个小甜饼时，他心花怒放。如果我拿走甜饼或者是小甜饼碎了，他就闷闷不乐。不同的是，他只有两岁半，而我已经43了。我花了这么长的时间才明白小甜饼并不能使我长久感到幸福。从你拥有小甜饼的那一刻，它就开始破碎，或者你就开始担心它会破碎，抑或你开始担心别人拿走它。为了守护你的小甜饼，为了防止它破碎或者确定别人不会从你手中夺走它，你不得不放弃许多东西。你忙于不让自己失去它，甚至没有时间享受它。拥有小甜饼并不是生活的全部内容。”

　　我的病人笑着说癌症已经改变了他。不论他的生意是否一帆风顺，不论他在打高尔夫球时是输是赢，他有生以来第一次感到幸福。“两年前，癌症问我‘什么重要？什么才真正的重要？’对，生命重要。生命。生命，无论如何你拥有生命。有小甜饼也罢，没有小甜饼也罢，幸福与小甜饼并非息息相关，而是与生命的存在有关。可是，时光一去不复返，谁又能让时光倒流呢？”他停顿了一下，若有所思，说：“该死，我觉得生命就是那块小甜饼”。　

注释：
1．depressed adj. 沮丧的

2．damn n. 诅咒，咒骂，该死的

3．contract n. 合同，契约

4．prestigious adj. 有威望的，受尊敬的
5．diagnosis n. 诊断，诊断结果

6．prostate n. 前列腺

7．ruefully adv.悲伤地, 可怜地

8．crumble v. 碎裂，破碎
The Best Time of My Life 一生中最美好的时光
　拥有丰富多彩的人生是一个人的幸福，但人往往身在福中不知福，不知道珍惜生命中的美好时光。智者对生命中最美好的时光的定义或许能对我们有所启示：幸福就存在于我们平凡的生活中的点点滴滴。

　　It was June 15, and in two days I would be turning thirty. I was insecure about entering a new decade of my life and feared that my best years were now behind me.

　　My daily routine included going to the gym for a workout before going to work. Every morning I would see my friend Nicholas at the gym. He was seventy-nine years old and in terrific shape. As I greeted Nicholas on this particular day, he noticed I wasn\'t full of my usual vitality and asked if there was anything wrong. I told him I was feeling anxious about turning thirty. I wondered how I would look back on my life once I reached Nicholas\'s age, so I asked him, \"What was the best time of your life?\"

　　Without hesitation, Nicholas replied, \"Well, Joe, this is my philosophical answer to your philosophical question:

　　\"When I was a child in Austria and everything was taken care of for me and I was nurtured by my parents, that was the best time of my life.

　　\"When I was going to school and learning the things I know today, that was the best time of my life.

　　\"When I got my first job and had responsibilities and got paid for my efforts, that was the best time of my life.

　　\"When I met my wife and fell in love, that was the best time of my life.

　　\"The Second World War came, and my wife and I had to flee Austria to save our lives. When we were together and safe on a ship bound for North America, that was the best time of my life.

　　\"When we came to Canada and started a family, that was the best time of my life.

　　\"When I was a young father, watching my children grow up, that was the best time of my life.

　　\"And now, Joe, I am seventy-nine years old. I have my health, I feel good and I am in love with my wife just as I was when we first met. This is the best time of my life.\"

精美译文：
　　那天是6月15日，再过两天我就要30岁了。即将进入生命中的又一个十年，我对此感到不安，担心自己最美好的岁月已经离我远去了。

　　我每天的惯例是上班之前先去体育馆锻炼。每天早上我都会在体育馆见到我的朋友尼古拉斯。他79岁，身材很好。那天我跟他打招呼时，他注意到我不像往常那样充满活力，就问我有什么不对劲。我告诉他我就要30岁了，心里感到焦虑。我寻思着等我到了尼古拉斯的岁数真不知该怎样回顾自己的一生，于是我问他：“你一生中最美好的时光是什么时候？”

　　尼古拉斯毫不犹豫地回答：“你瞧，乔，对于你这个富有哲理的问题，这就是我富有哲理的答案。”

　　“小时候我在奥地利，凡事都不用操心，父母抚育我长大，那是我一生中最美好的时光。”

　　“上学以后，我学习知识，直到今天都没有忘。那是我一生中最美好的时光。”

　　“当我找到第一份工作，承担了工作中的职责并且为自己的努力获得报酬时，那是我一生中最美好的时光。”

　　“当我遇到我的妻子而且爱上她时，那是我一生中最美好的时光。”

　　“第二次世界大战来临，我和妻子为了活命不得不逃离奥地利。当我们一起安安全全地坐上驶往北美洲的轮船时，那是我一生中最美好的时光。”

　　“当我们来到加拿大并建立了家庭时，那是我一生中最美好的时光。”

　　“当我成了一位年轻的父亲，看着自己的孩子一点点地长大时，那是我一生中最美好的时光。”

　　“现在，乔，我79岁了。我身体健康，感觉良好，爱我的妻子如同我们初次相遇。这是我一生中最美好的时光。”

注释：
1. insecure adj.不可靠的, 不安全的

2. decade n.十年, 十

3. routine n.常规, 日常事务, 程序

4. workout n.锻炼

5. terrific adj.很棒的；了不起的

6. vitality n.活力, 生命力, 生动性
7. hesitation n.犹豫, 踌躇

8. philosophical adj.哲学的，达观的

9. nurture vt.养育, 给与营养物, 教养

10. flee v.从…逃跑

11. bound for 驶往
A Million Dollar Lesson 一课千金
　每天我们都忙忙碌碌，为生存而奔波。可是，工作对我们而言，不只是谋生的手段，它占去了我们人生中的很大一部分时间，应该是生活中最适合我们的位置。一个人能力有大小，但只要在自己的本职岗位上踏踏实实工作，用心用力就能把工作做好，让大家都满意。

    A cab driver taught me a million dollar lesson on customer satisfaction and expectation. Motivational speakers charge thousands of dollars to impart his kind of training to corporate executives and staff. It cost me a $12 taxi ride.

    I had flown into Dallas for the sole purpose of calling on a client. Time was of the essence and my plan included a quick turnaround trip from and back to the airport. A spotless cab pulled up.

    The driver rushed to open the passenger door for me and made sure I was comfortably seated before he closed the door. As he got in the driver\'s seat, he mentioned that the neatly folded Wall Street Journal next to me was for my use. He then showed me several tapes and asked me what type of music I would enjoy.

    Well! I looked around for \"Candid Camera!\" Wouldn\'t you? I could not believe the service I was receiving! I took the opportunity to say, \"Obviously you take great pride in your work. You must have a story to tell.\"

    \"You bet,\" he replied, \"I used to be in Corporate America. But I got tired of thinking my best would never be good enough. I decided to find my niche in life where I could feel proud of being the best I could be.\"

    \"I knew I would never be a rocket scientist, but I love driving cars, being of service and feeling like I have done a full day\'s work and done it well. I evaluated my personal assets and... wham! I became a cab driver.\"

    \"One thing I know for sure, to be good in my business I could simply meet the expectations of my passengers. But, to be GREAT in my business, I have to EXCEED the customer\'s expectations! I like both the sound and the return of being \'great\' better than just getting by on \'average\'.\"


精美译文：
　　一位出租车司机给我上了一堂价值百万美元的课——关于顾客的满意度与期望值。讲成功学的老师给公司的高层和员工做一次这样的培训要收上几千美元，而我只花了12美元的出租车费。

　　我飞来达拉斯只是为了拜访一位客户。时间就是生命，我计划拜访他之后急速返回机场。一辆一尘不染的出租车停了下来。

　　司机迅速下车为我打开客座车门，等我舒服地坐好后才把车门关上。在驾驶座上坐定之后，他告诉我，放在我旁边的那份叠得整齐的《华尔街日报》是供我翻阅的。然后，他又将几盒磁带递给我，问我喜欢什么样的音乐。

　　噢！我环顾四周，看偷拍相机藏在哪里！如果你遇到这样的情形，恐怕你也会这样做！我简直不敢相信有这等服务！我趁机说：“看得出你为自己的工作感到非常自豪，这其中一定有故事吧。”

　　“没错，”他回答道，“我以前曾在一家大公司上班，但是无论怎么努力也达不到别人的要求，我厌倦了这种生活。于是，我决定为我的人生开创属于自己的一片新天地，在那里我能做到最好，并为此感到自豪。”

　　“我知道成不了火箭专家，但我喜欢开车，喜欢为他人服务，喜欢完成了一天的工作并且干得出色的那种感觉。我算了下我手头的资产……嗯，然后，我开上了出租车。”

　　“有一件事我深信不疑，想在这个行当中做得好，只要满足乘客的期望就行了。而要想干得很好，我就必须超出顾客的期望！我不满足于仅仅以一般服务打发日子，我喜欢顾客对我优质服务的赞誉和因此得到的回报。”

注释：
1. satisfaction n.满意，满足

2. expectation n.期待，指望

3. motivational adj.动机的，有关动机的

4. impart vt. 给予(尤指抽象事物)，传授

5. corporate adj. 公司的

6. executive n.执行者，经理主管人员

7. staff n. 职员，员工

8. sole adj. 单独的，唯一的

9. call on 拜访，作短暂访问（或停留）

10. of the essence 绝对需要的，不可缺少的，极重要的

11. turnaround n.向后转
12. spotless adj. 一尘不染的，非常干净的

13. fold vt.折叠起来

14. pull up使停下或停下

15. candid adj.偷拍的

16. You bet. [俗]当然，真的，的确

17. niche n.适当的位置；称心的职务

18. rocket n.火箭

19. evaluate n.估…的值，定…的价

20. exceed vt.超过，胜过

21. get by勉强通过，尚可

22. average n. 中等的水平或程
What You Are IS as Important as What You Do 行如其人
　在人生的旅途上，诚实就像一张可靠的通行证，无论走到哪里都畅通无阻，无论去到何地都会受到热情的招待。做人做事，只要做到正直诚实，便能问心无愧，更能取得成功！在这个道德缺失的年代，诚实的意义尤为重要！

　　It was a sunny Saturday afternoon in Oklahoma City. My friend and proud father Bobby Lewis was taking his two little boys to play miniature golf. He walked up to the fellow at the ticket counter and said, \"How much is it to get in?\"

　　The young man replied, \"$3.00 for you and $3.00 for any kid who is older than six. We let them in free if they are six or younger. How old are they?\"

　　Bobby replied, \"The lawyer\'s three and the doctor is seven, so I guess I owe you $6.00.\"

　　The man at the ticket counter said, \"Hey, Mister, did you just win the lottery or something? You could have saved yourself three bucks. You could have told me that the older one was six; I wouldn\'t have known the difference.\" Bobby replied, \"Yes, that may be true, but the kids would have known the difference.\"

　　As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, \"Who you are speaks so loudly I can\'t hear what you\'re saying.\" In challenging times when ethics are more important than ever before, make sure you set a good example for everyone you work and live with.

精美译文：
　　这是奥克拉荷马城的一个晴朗的星期六下午。我的朋友巴比·路易斯，一位令人敬佩的父亲，带着他的两个小儿子去玩迷你高尔夫。他走向售票处，向售票员问道：“进去需要花多少钱？”

　　那个年轻人回答道：“你，3美元；6岁以上的儿童，3美元。6岁以下的儿童免费。他们多大了？”

　　巴比回答：“律师，3岁；医生，7岁。所以我想我应该付给你6美元。”

　　那个售票的说：“嘿，先生，你是刚赢了彩票还是怎么了？你本可以省下3美元的。你可以告诉我，最大的6岁。我根本看不出来。”巴比回答：“对，那可能行得通，但是这些孩子会知道这其中的差别。”

　　就像拉尔夫·沃尔多·爱默生说的那样：“你本身要比你所说的话重要。”在这个道德比以往任何时候都重要的年代里，你最好给和你一起你生活和工作的人树立一个良好的榜样。

注释：
1. miniature golf 小高尔夫球：高尔夫球的一种新奇玩法，使用轻击球杆和高尔夫球沿一条微型路线游戏并经过假想出的障碍，如小巷、桥梁和隧洞。

2. counter n.柜台

3. get in 进入

4. win the lottery 彩票中奖




5. reply v.回答

6. owe v.欠（债等）

7. challenging adj.有挑战性的

8.ethics n.道德规范

9. set a good example 作模范, 树立榜样

谢谢 斑竹整合!!!!!![s:4]

顶

谢谢楼主，这么细心

55555555我权限是多少啊

佩服，辛苦了◎！

谢谢楼主的分享

我晨读的时候多读一些写作的例文

辛苦了谢谢