英語優美的美文欣賞
每天閱讀一篇英語美文，不僅能讓我們身心愉悅，還能提升英語知識增加知識面。今天小編就給大家分享一下英語美文欣賞，一起來學習一下吧
孩子的禮物
It was Christmas 1961. I was teaching in a small town in Ohio where my twenty seven thirdgraders eagerly anticipated the great day of gifts giving.
那是1961年的聖誕節。我在俄亥俄州的一個小鎮上教小學三年級。班上27個孩子都在熱切盼望着這個互贈禮品、激動人心的日子到來。
Each day the children produced some new wonder—strings of popcorn, hand made trinkets, and German bells made from wallpaper samples, which we hung from the ceiling. Through it all she remained aloof, watching from afar, seemingly miles away. I wondered what would happen to this quiet child, once so happy, now so suddenly withdrawn. I hoped the festivitieswould appeal to her. But nothing did.
每天孩子們都會做點兒新玩意——爆米花串成的細鏈子、手工做的小裝飾品和牆紙做的德國式風鈴，我們把這些風鈴掛在了天花板上。但自始至終，她都是孤零零地遠遠觀望，彷彿是隔了一道幾里長的障礙。我猜想着這個安靜的孩子發生了什麼事，原先是那麼快樂，怎麼突然變得沉默寡言起來。我希望節日的活動能吸引她，可還是無濟於事。
The day of gift giving finally came. We oohed and aahed over our handiwork as the presents were exchanged. Through it all, she sat quietly watching. I had made a special pouch for her, red and green with white lace. I wanted very much to see her smile. She opened the package so slowly and carefully. I waited but she turned away.
贈送禮物的那天終於到了。在交換禮物時我們爲對方親手做的小禮品不停地歡呼叫好。而整個過程中，她只是安靜地坐在那兒看着。我爲她做的小袋很特別，紅綠相間還鑲着白邊。我非常想看到她笑一笑。她打開包裝，動作又慢又小心。我等待着，但是她卻轉過了身。
After school the children left in little groups, but she lingered, watching them go out the door. I sat down to catch my breath, hardly aware of what was happening when she came to me withoutstretched hands, bearing a small white box, unwrapped and slightly soiled, as though it had been held many times by unwashed, childish hands. "For me?" I asked with a weak smile. She said not a word, but nodded her head. I took the box and gingerly opened it. There inside,glistening green, lay a golden chain. In a flash I knew—she had made it for her mother, a mother she would never see again, a mother who would never hold her or brush her hair or share a funny story, a mother who would never again hear her childish joys or sorrows. A mother who had taken her own life just three weeks before.
放學後，學生們三三兩兩地離開了，但她磨磨蹭蹭，看着大家走出門外。我坐下來稍稍鬆了口氣，對要發生的事沒有一點準備。這時她向我走來，雙手拿着一個白色的盒子向我遞過來。盒子沒有打包裝，稍微有些髒，好像是被孩子未洗過的小手摸過了許多遍。“給我的嗎?”我微微一笑。她沒出聲，只是點點頭。我接過盒子，非常小心地打開它。盒子裏面有一條金色的鏈子，閃閃發光。我在一瞬間明白過來——這是她爲媽媽做的項鍊，她再也見不到的媽媽，再也不能抱她、給她梳頭或一起講故事的媽媽。她的媽媽再也不能分享她童年時光的快樂和憂傷。就在三個星期前她的媽媽離開了人世。
I held out the chain. She took it in both her hands, reached forward, and secured the simpleclasp at the back of my neck. She stepped back then as if to see that all was well. I looked down at the golden chain, then back at the giver, "Maria, it is so beautiful. She would have loved it." Neither of us could stop the tears. She stumbled into my arms and we wept together. And for that brief moment I became her mother, for she had given me the greatest gift of all: herself.
我拿起那條鏈子。她用雙手接過它，向前探了探身，在我的脖子後把簡易的項鍊鉤繫好。然後她向後退了幾步，好像在看看是否合適。我低下頭看着金色的鏈子，然後擡起頭望着她，說道：“瑪麗亞，這鏈子真漂亮。你媽媽一定會喜歡的。”我們已無法抑制住淚水。她踉踉蹌蹌地撲進我的懷裏，我們都哭了。在那短暫的一刻我成爲她的媽媽，因爲她把一份最珍貴的禮物送給了我：她自己。
It was Christmas 1961. I was teaching in a small town in Ohio where my twenty seven thirdgraders eagerly anticipated the great day of gifts giving.
那是1961年的聖誕節。我在俄亥俄州的一個小鎮上教小學三年級。班上27個孩子都在熱切盼望着這個互贈禮品、激動人心的日子到來。
Each day the children produced some new wonder—strings of popcorn, hand made trinkets, and German bells made from wallpaper samples, which we hung from the ceiling. Through it all she remained aloof, watching from afar, seemingly miles away. I wondered what would happen to this quiet child, once so happy, now so suddenly withdrawn. I hoped the festivitieswould appeal to her. But nothing did.
每天孩子們都會做點兒新玩意——爆米花串成的細鏈子、手工做的小裝飾品和牆紙做的德國式風鈴，我們把這些風鈴掛在了天花板上。但自始至終，她都是孤零零地遠遠觀望，彷彿是隔了一道幾里長的障礙。我猜想着這個安靜的孩子發生了什麼事，原先是那麼快樂，怎麼突然變得沉默寡言起來。我希望節日的活動能吸引她，可還是無濟於事。
The day of gift giving finally came. We oohed and aahed over our handiwork as the presents were exchanged. Through it all, she sat quietly watching. I had made a special pouch for her, red and green with white lace. I wanted very much to see her smile. She opened the package so slowly and carefully. I waited but she turned away.
贈送禮物的那天終於到了。在交換禮物時我們爲對方親手做的小禮品不停地歡呼叫好。而整個過程中，她只是安靜地坐在那兒看着。我爲她做的小袋很特別，紅綠相間還鑲着白邊。我非常想看到她笑一笑。她打開包裝，動作又慢又小心。我等待着，但是她卻轉過了身。
After school the children left in little groups, but she lingered, watching them go out the door. I sat down to catch my breath, hardly aware of what was happening when she came to me withoutstretched hands, bearing a small white box, unwrapped and slightly soiled, as though it had been held many times by unwashed, childish hands. "For me?" I asked with a weak smile. She said not a word, but nodded her head. I took the box and gingerly opened it. There inside,glistening green, lay a golden chain. In a flash I knew—she had made it for her mother, a mother she would never see again, a mother who would never hold her or brush her hair or share a funny story, a mother who would never again hear her childish joys or sorrows. A mother who had taken her own life just three weeks before.
放學後，學生們三三兩兩地離開了，但她磨磨蹭蹭，看着大家走出門外。我坐下來稍稍鬆了口氣，對要發生的事沒有一點準備。這時她向我走來，雙手拿着一個白色的盒子向我遞過來。盒子沒有打包裝，稍微有些髒，好像是被孩子未洗過的小手摸過了許多遍。“給我的嗎?”我微微一笑。她沒出聲，只是點點頭。我接過盒子，非常小心地打開它。盒子裏面有一條金色的鏈子，閃閃發光。我在一瞬間明白過來——這是她爲媽媽做的項鍊，她再也見不到的媽媽，再也不能抱她、給她梳頭或一起講故事的媽媽。她的媽媽再也不能分享她童年時光的快樂和憂傷。就在三個星期前她的媽媽離開了人世。
I held out the chain. She took it in both her hands, reached forward, and secured the simpleclasp at the back of my neck. She stepped back then as if to see that all was well. I looked down at the golden chain, then back at the giver, "Maria, it is so beautiful. She would have loved it." Neither of us could stop the tears. She stumbled into my arms and we wept together. And for that brief moment I became her mother, for she had given me the greatest gift of all: herself.
我拿起那條鏈子。她用雙手接過它，向前探了探身，在我的脖子後把簡易的項鍊鉤繫好。然後她向後退了幾步，好像在看看是否合適。我低下頭看着金色的鏈子，然後擡起頭望着她，說道：“瑪麗亞，這鏈子真漂亮。你媽媽一定會喜歡的。”我們已無法抑制住淚水。她踉踉蹌蹌地撲進我的懷裏，我們都哭了。在那短暫的一刻我成爲她的媽媽，因爲她把一份最珍貴的禮物送給了我：她自己。
四月的雨帶來五月的花
From the golden-tipped fields of mid-west America to the ancient kingdoms of verdant Palestine, there is a happy truth to be shared with all who would take heed. In more recent times, this truth has been expressed as: April showers bring May flowers. This is a truth that promises light bursting from darkness, strength born from weakness and, if one dares to believe, life emerging from death.
從美國中西部金色的田野，到巴勒斯坦嫩綠色的古老疆土，那些留心觀察的人共享着同一個快樂真理。近來這一真理被闡述爲：四月的雨帶來五月的花。這一真理預示光明會從黑暗中迸發;剛強生自軟弱;如果你敢確信，生命會從死亡中萌發!
Farmers all over the world know the importance and immutability of the seasons. They know that there is a season to plant and a season to harvest; everything must be done in its own time. Although the rain pours down with the utmost relentlessness, ceasing all outdoor activities, the man of the field lifts his face to the heavens and smiles. Despite the inconvenience, he knows that the rain provides the nourishment his crops need to grow and flourish. The torrential rains in the month of April, give rise to the glorious flowers in the month of May.
全世界的農民們都明白季節的重要性和永恆性。他們知道在哪個季節播種，哪個季節收穫，每件事都必須應時而做!雖然暴雨無情地傾盆而下，迫使所有的戶外勞作停止，但土地的主人會仰天微笑。儘管有諸多不便，但是他知道，雨會爲他的莊稼帶來繁茂生長所需的營養。四月裏的豪雨，會帶來五月裏的繁花似錦。
But this ancient truth applies to more than the crops of the fields; it is an invaluable message of hope to all who experience tragedy in life. A dashed relationship with one can open up the door to a brand new friendship with another. A lost job here can provide the opportunity for a better job there. A broken dream can become the foundation of a wonderful future. Everything has its place.
但是這一古老真理並不只適用於田裏的莊稼，它還是那些正經歷着人生磨難的人的無限希冀：一段友誼的受挫會開啓另一段嶄新友誼的大門;此處失去的工作會提供彼處更好的工作機會;一個夢想的破滅會成爲美好未來的基石。萬物皆有道!
Remember this: overwhelming darkness may endure for a night, but it will never overcome the radiant light of the morning. When you are in a season of sorrow, hang in there, because a season of joy may be just around the corner…
請謹記：勢不可擋的黑暗或有一晚，但它永遠無法阻擋清晨的萬丈光芒!當你正處於悲傷之季，請堅持住，因爲歡樂的季節也許馬上就會到來……
生命最好的養料
little boy almost thought of himself as the mostunfortunate child in the world because poliomyelitismade his leg lame and his teeth uneven andprotrudent. He seldom played with his classmates;and when the teacher asked him to answerquestions, he always lowered his head without a word.
一個小男孩幾乎認爲自己是世界上最不幸的孩子，因爲小兒麻痹症使他腿腳行動不便，牙齒參差不齊。他很少跟同學們玩耍，老師叫他回答問題時，他也總是低着頭一言不發。
One spring, the boy's father asked for some saplings from the neighbor. He wanted to plantthem in the front of the house. He told his children to plant a sapling each person. The fathersaid to the children, "Whose seedling grows best, I will buy him or her a favorite gift." The boyalso wanted to get his father's gift. But seeing his brothers and sisters carrying water to waterthe trees bouncily, anyhow, he hit upon an idea: he hoped the tree he planted would die watering it once or twice, he never attended to it.
一年春天，小男孩的父親從鄰居家討了些樹苗，他想把它們栽在房前。他叫孩子們每人種一棵。父親對孩子們說:"誰栽的樹苗長得最好，我就給誰買一件最喜歡的禮物。"小男孩也想得到父親的禮物，但是看到兄弟姐妹們歡快地提着水去澆樹，不知怎麼回事，他萌生了一個想法:他希望自己栽的樹苗早日死去。因此他澆水一兩次後，就再也沒去照管小樹苗了。
A few days later, when the little boy went to see his tree again, he was surprised to find it notonly didn't wilt, but also grew some fresh leaves, and compared with the trees of his brotherand sister, his appeared greener and more vital. His father kept his promise,bought the littleboy his favorite gift and said to him: from the tree he planted, he would become anoutstanding botanist when he grew up.
幾天後，小男孩再去看他種的樹苗時，驚奇地發現它不僅沒有枯萎，而且還長出了一些新葉，顯得更加翠綠、更有生氣。父親履行了他的諾言，爲小男孩買一了件他最喜歡的禮物，並對他說:從他栽的樹來看，他長大後一定能成爲一名出色的植物學家。
Since then, the little boy slowly became optimistic. One day, the little boy lay on the bed butcouldn't sleep. Looking at the bright moonlight outside the window, he suddenly recalled whatthe biology teacher once said, plants general grow at night. Why not go to see the tree? Whenhe came to the courtyard on tiptoe, he found his father was splashing something under histree with a ladle. All of a sudden, he understood: his father had been secretly fertilizing his smalltree! He returned to his room, tears running down his face without restraint.
從那以後，小男孩慢慢變得樂觀起來。一天晚上，小男孩躺在牀上睡不着，望着窗外明亮的月光，突然想起生物老師說過植物一般都在晚上生長。何不去看看自己種的那棵小樹呢? 當他輕手輕腳地來到院子裏的時候，卻看見父親正用勺子在自己栽種的那棵樹下潑灑着什麼。頓時，一切他都明白了，原來父親一直在爲自己栽種的樹苗偷偷地施肥!他返回房間，止不住淚流滿面。
Decades passed. The little boy didn't become a botanist, but he was elected President of theUnited States. His name was Franklin Roosevelt.
幾十年過去了，小男孩並沒有成爲植物學家，卻成爲美國總統，他的名字叫富蘭克林·羅斯福。
Love is the best nourishment of life; even if it is just one ladleful of clear water, it can make thetree of life thrive. Maybe that tree is inconspicuous; perhaps that the tree is so thin, and evensome withered, but as long as there is nourishment of love, it can flourish and even grow intotowering trees.
愛是生命最好的養料，哪怕只是一勺清水，它都能使生命之樹茁壯成長。也許那棵樹是那樣不起眼，或是它還有些弱小，甚至還有些枯萎，但只要有愛的養料孕育，它就能枝繁葉茂，甚至長成參天大樹
