英语励志美文精华 70

Philosophy from a Tugboat

BY GEORGE YOUNG

ONE NIGHT many years ago I was on the bridge of a ship that passed

one of our large cities on a quiet night I saw its lights reflected in

the sky and heard the rumblings of the city's noises. As I looked to

my other side, I could see nothing but open space of darkness and

endless water. I realized how small I was and that my own problems

of life did not seem great.

I have spent twenty-five years on boats. Now I am a docking pilot.

My job is to bring in the large luxury liners and stay with them

until they are safely moored² in their berths⁴. Sometimes this requires

two tugs⁵, sometimes many more, depending on the tide, the weather,

and the draft of the vessel⁶.

Most of you no doubt have seen these tugs pushing and pulling

at the big liners. What they are doing doesn't seem to make much

sense, but presently the big boat is alongside her pier⁷, her hawsers⁸

made fast, and the job is done.

These tugs, whether one or ten ? move about in accord with whistle

signals I send them from the bridge of the big liner. These signals

make up a language that is just as dependable as the spoken word;

or even more so, because our docking signals are rarely misunder-

stood. The captain of each tug¹ does his work according to the signals

he receives. He never asks questions. He takes everything on faith,

and it always works out.

Working around tugboats, where so much depends on teamwork,

has had its effect on what I believe. I believe that if I am to attain⁹

a successful place in the world I must have the help of my fellow

man just as the great transatlantic liners depend on the help of the

little tugs to bring them safely to port.

I felt very important the first time I ever docked a big liner. She

came riding up the harbor on a flood tide and towered high over the

stout¹⁰ little tug that carried me. As we drew alongside, a doorway¹¹

opened almost at water level and two smartly rigged sailors helped

me aboard. I was escorted to the bridge where I took over from the

captain. I realized I was in control of a great ship worth millions of

dollars and the owners were depending on me to bring her safely to

her berth³. After I had docked several of the large liners, I realized

I was not important, but simply the quarterback who called the

signals.

In spite of what we read in the newspapers, I have a great faith in

this country and I pray that a peaceful understanding will come to

this unsettled world, so that my children can grow up in a world

that will give them happiness instead of bloodshed. I believe this

will come about. I remember the understanding and sympathy that

took over this country, back in 1949, when a little girl named Kathy

Fiskus fell into an abandoned well out in California. Engineers and

sandhogs and people in all walks of life worked almost three days,

and when they got her out she was dead. People sent in thousands

of dollars in rescue funds, but those who did the work and furnished

the equipment wouldn't take money. They worked for bigger stakes.

I talked to captains of foreign ships that came into New York Harbor,

and they were just as concerned as we Americans over the tragedy.

I believe some way will be found to work together for world peace

with the same sympathy and understanding that people worked to

rescue little Kathy Fiskus. I believe God will someday bring this

about.

1 tug   

v.用力拖(或拉)；苦干；n.拖；苦干；拖船

参考例句：

• We need to tug the car round to the front.我们需要把那辆车拉到前面。
• The tug is towing three barges.那只拖船正拖着三只驳船。

2 moored   

adj. 系泊的 动词moor的过去式和过去分词形式

参考例句：

• The ship is now permanently moored on the Thames in London. 该船现在永久地停泊在伦敦泰晤士河边。
• We shipped (the) oars and moored alongside the bank. 我们收起桨，把船泊在岸边。

3 berth   

n.卧铺，停泊地，锚位；v.使停泊

参考例句：

• She booked a berth on the train from London to Aberdeen.她订了一张由伦敦开往阿伯丁的火车卧铺票。
• They took up a berth near the harbor.他们在港口附近找了个位置下锚。

4 berths   

n.（船、列车等的）卧铺( berth的名词复数 )；（船舶的）停泊位或锚位；差事；船台vt.v.停泊( berth的第三人称单数 )；占铺位

参考例句：

• Berths on steamships can be booked a long while in advance. 轮船上的床位可以提前多日预订。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Have you got your berths on the ship yet? 你们在船上有舱位了吗？ 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

5 tugs   

n.猛拉( tug的名词复数 )；猛拖；拖船v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• The raucous sirens of the tugs came in from the river. 河上传来拖轮发出的沙哑的汽笛声。 来自辞典例句
• As I near the North Tower, the wind tugs at my role. 当我接近北塔的时候，风牵动着我的平衡杆。 来自辞典例句

6 vessel   

n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管

参考例句：

• The vessel is fully loaded with cargo for Shanghai.这艘船满载货物驶往上海。
• You should put the water into a vessel.你应该把水装入容器中。

7 pier   

n.码头；桥墩，桥柱；[建]窗间壁，支柱

参考例句：

• The pier of the bridge has been so badly damaged that experts worry it is unable to bear weight.这座桥的桥桩破损厉害，专家担心它已不能负重。
• The ship was making towards the pier.船正驶向码头。

8 hawsers   

n.（供系船或下锚用的）缆索，锚链( hawser的名词复数 )

参考例句：

9 attain   

vt.达到，获得，完成

参考例句：

• I used the scientific method to attain this end. 我用科学的方法来达到这一目的。
• His painstaking to attain his goal in life is praiseworthy. 他为实现人生目标所下的苦功是值得称赞的。

10 stout   

adj.强壮的，粗大的，结实的，勇猛的，矮胖的

参考例句：

• He cut a stout stick to help him walk.他砍了一根结实的枝条用来拄着走路。
• The stout old man waddled across the road.那肥胖的老人一跩一跩地穿过马路。

11 doorway   

n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径

参考例句：

• They huddled in the shop doorway to shelter from the rain.他们挤在商店门口躲雨。
• Mary suddenly appeared in the doorway.玛丽突然出现在门口。