❷Learn to be grateful

内蒙古 丛美清

□语篇导读

我们从小就被教导：“滴水之恩当涌泉相报。”然而,现在的一些人似乎变得“健忘”了。他们习惯了占有,习惯了享受,不懂得去感谢给他们生命的人、给他们关怀的人以及给他们帮助的人。本则故事告诉我们：要学会感恩，让感恩成为一种美德!

“What a wonderful day!”I said to myself as I jumped out of bed with joy.Today I planned to go and cut my Christmas Tree.

I wondered what I'd get this year as I dragged it home.Maybe a watch or a brand new car.I thought I'd better clean and bake the stockings that had to be stuffed(填满).While in the store,I saw a boy who seemed to be really sad.He looked like a silly kid who could only work to get a little fun.He looked at me and I said,“You seem a little down today.Haven't you picked out your favorite toy?Why aren't you happy like other boys?”

As he lifted his head,his tears were running from his eyes.“I've picked it out but hope is gone and I'm afraid that Santa won't hear.I always loved this time of year,for Santa always came.But now it won't mean much to me.My dad left my mom and me years ago when I was very small.So Idon't remember Christmas with him being there at all.Mom passed away this year and now there's only me.”His words touched me deeply.

Now I discover more precious gifts than I have never seen.My friends and family are right beside me to help any time.I ask God to forgive me.How could I be so blind?When I get up each morning now,I thank the Lord above.Who knows how long he will be there to shower me with love?A lesson was learned this year when I prepared for Christmas Day.So I ask no more but to be grateful when I pray.

◆词语积淀

1.drag/dræg/v.拖累；拖拉；缓慢而吃力地行进

2.down/daun/adj.向下的；低落的

3.precious/'preʃəs/adj.宝贵的,珍贵的

4.forgive/fə'giv/v.原谅；免除

5.shower/ʃauə /v.沐浴；洒落

6.pick out挑选出；辨认出

◆典句赏析

1.I thought I'd better clean and bake the stockings that had to be stuffed(填满).我想我最好先洗干净并烘干必须被塞满的长筒袜。

这是一个主从复合句。“I'd better...to be stuffed”是省略引导词that的宾语从句，that had to be stuffed是定语从句,修饰先行词stockings；I'd better是I had better的缩写形式，had better(not)do sth.的意思是“最好(不要)做某事”,表示建议。提出建议的句型还有should do sth.(应该做某事),Why not do sth.?=Why don't you do sth.?(为什么不做某事呢？)或者It's a good idea to do sth.(做某事是一个好主意)等。例如：

Why don't you go there with your parents？/Why not go there with your parents？你为什么不随你的父母一起去那里呢？

【即时尝试】我认为你最好不要随处丢垃圾。

2.So I ask no more but to be grateful when I pray.所以,在我祈祷时，我不再索取，只有感恩!

该句是主从复合句。when I pray是由从属连词when引导的时间状语从句。but前如果有否定词,则其后要用带to的动词不定式,意思是“除了……,只有……”。例如：

I have no choice but to lie down and sleep.我没有选择,只有躺下睡觉了。

【即时尝试】格林先生除了努力工作,别无选择。

(答案见63页)

译文助读

当我高兴地跳下床时,我对自己说：“多么好的一天啊!”今天我打算去砍圣诞树。

当我把圣诞树朝家拖时,我想知道今年我会得到什么。可能是一块手表,也可能是一辆崭新的汽车。我想我最好先洗干净并烘干必须被塞满的长筒袜。在商店时,我看见一个男孩似乎非常难过。他看起来就像一个只会通过做事情来获取一丝乐趣的糊涂小孩儿。他看着我,我就说道：“你今天似乎有点儿沮丧。难道你没有挑选到你最喜欢的玩具吗？你为什么不像其他小男孩那样开心？”

当他抬起头时,泪水夺眶而出。“我已经挑好了玩具,但是希望破灭了,恐怕圣诞老人听不到了。我以前总是喜欢每年的这个时候,因为圣诞老人总是会来。但是现在,这对我来说不会有太大的意义了。多年前，在我很小的时候，爸爸就离开了妈妈和我。所以,我根本不记得和他一起度过的圣诞节。妈妈今年去世了,现在只有我一个人。”他的话深深地触动了我。

现在我发现了我以前从未见过的更珍贵的礼物。亲人和朋友就在我身边随时帮助我。我请求上帝原谅我。我怎能如此视而不见？现在每天早上起床时,我都要感谢上帝。谁知道他会在那里用爱沐浴我多长时间呢？我在今年准备过圣诞节的时候学到了一课。所以,在我祈祷时,我不再索取,只有感恩!