?Learn to be grateful

內蒙古 叢美清

□語篇導讀

我們從小就被教導：“滴水之恩當涌泉相報。”然而,現在的一些人似乎變得“健忘”了。他們習慣了占有,習慣了享受,不懂得去感謝給他們生命的人、給他們關懷的人以及給他們幫助的人。本則故事告訴我們：要學會感恩，讓感恩成為一種美德!

“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(填滿).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.

◆詞語積淀

1.drag/dr?g/v.拖累；拖拉；緩慢而吃力地行進

2.down/daun/adj.向下的；低落的

3.precious/'pre??s/adj.寶貴的,珍貴的

4.forgive/f?'giv/v.原諒；免除

5.shower/?au? /v.沐浴；灑落

6.pick out挑選出；辨認出

◆典句賞析

1.I thought I'd better clean and bake the stockings that had to be stuffed(填滿).我想我最好先洗干凈并烘干必須被塞滿的長筒襪。

這是一個主從復合句。“I'd better...to be stuffed”是省略引導詞that的賓語從句，that had to be stuffed是定語從句,修飾先行詞stockings；I'd better是I had better的縮寫形式，had better(not)do sth.的意思是“最好(不要)做某事”,表示建議。提出建議的句型還有should do sth.(應該做某事),Why not do sth.?=Why don't you do sth.?(為什么不做某事呢？)或者It's a good idea to do sth.(做某事是一個好主意)等。例如：

Why don't you go there with your parents？/Why not go there with your parents？你為什么不隨你的父母一起去那里呢？

【即時嘗試】我認為你最好不要隨處丟垃圾。

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

該句是主從復合句。when I pray是由從屬連詞when引導的時間狀語從句。but前如果有否定詞,則其后要用帶to的動詞不定式,意思是“除了……,只有……”。例如：

I have no choice but to lie down and sleep.我沒有選擇,只有躺下睡覺了。

【即時嘗試】格林先生除了努力工作,別無選擇。

(答案見63頁)

譯文助讀

當我高興地跳下床時,我對自己說：“多么好的一天啊!”今天我打算去砍圣誕樹。

當我把圣誕樹朝家拖時,我想知道今年我會得到什么。可能是一塊手表,也可能是一輛嶄新的汽車。我想我最好先洗干凈并烘干必須被塞滿的長筒襪。在商店時,我看見一個男孩似乎非常難過。他看起來就像一個只會通過做事情來獲取一絲樂趣的糊涂小孩兒。他看著我,我就說道：“你今天似乎有點兒沮喪。難道你沒有挑選到你最喜歡的玩具嗎？你為什么不像其他小男孩那樣開心？”

當他抬起頭時,淚水奪眶而出。“我已經挑好了玩具,但是希望破滅了,恐怕圣誕老人聽不到了。我以前總是喜歡每年的這個時候,因為圣誕老人總是會來。但是現在,這對我來說不會有太大的意義了。多年前，在我很小的時候，爸爸就離開了媽媽和我。所以,我根本不記得和他一起度過的圣誕節。媽媽今年去世了,現在只有我一個人。”他的話深深地觸動了我。

現在我發現了我以前從未見過的更珍貴的禮物。親人和朋友就在我身邊隨時幫助我。我請求上帝原諒我。我怎能如此視而不見？現在每天早上起床時,我都要感謝上帝。誰知道他會在那里用愛沐浴我多長時間呢？我在今年準備過圣誕節的時候學到了一課。所以,在我祈禱時,我不再索取,只有感恩!