On Thanksgiving Day, the first grade teacher gave her class some fun homework—to draw a picture of something for which they were thankful1. Most of them drew pictures of turkeys or
tables with food. The teacher was surprised at Douglas picture—a hand, nothing else, just an empty hand.
But whose hand is it? The class was attracted2 by the abstract3 drawing. “I think it must be the hand of God that brings us food,” said one child. “A farmers,” said another, “Because he raises the turkeys.” After discussing for a while, the children backed to their seats to go on drawing. Then the teacher bent over4 Douglas desk and asked whose hand it was. “Its yours, Miss Smith.” Douglas said in a low voice.
She recalled5 that during the breaks she had often taken Douglas, a short child, by the hand. She often did that with the children. But it meant so much to Douglas. Perhaps this was everyones Thanksgiving, not for the material6 things given to us but for the chance, in whatever small way, to give to others.
感恩节那天,有位小学一年级的老师给同学们布置了个有些有趣的作业——让同学们画出他们感恩的东西。班上的大多数同学画了一桌丰富的感恩节佳肴,或是一只香喷喷的火鸡。但是当老师看到道格拉斯的作品时,他惊讶不已,上面除了画一只手没有其他的东西!
这是谁的手?班上的小朋友都被这幅抽象画吸引了,“这一定是赐给我们食物的上帝的手。”一个小孩说道。“是农夫的,因为是他饲养了火鸡。”在一阵谈论之后,小朋友们又跑回座位继续画画。这时老师走到道格拉斯的桌旁,弯下腰问他那是谁的手。“那是您的手,史密斯老师。”道格拉斯低声回答。
老师回想起来,道格拉斯个头矮小,课间时她总会过去牵牵他的手。她常这样握住孩子们的手,但对道格拉斯而言,意义格外重大。也许这就是每个人过感恩節的意义,不在于收受他人给予的有形物质,而是借此机会回馈他人,无论那是多么微小的付出。