英语散文欣赏:平等的爱

 　　The following story took place long ago in Israel. One day when government officials were rebuilding a barn, they found a mouse hole in a corner and used smoke to force the mice inside the hole to come out. A while later they indeed saw mice running out, one after another.

　　Then, everyone thought that all the mice had escaped. But just as they just about to start to clean up, they saw two mice squeezing out at the exit of the hole. After some endeavor¹, the mice finally got out. The strange thing was that after they came out of the hole, they did not run away immediately. Instead, one chased after the other near the exit of the hole. It seemed that one was trying to bite the tail of the other. Everyone was puzzled, so they stepped closer to take a look. They realized that one of the mice was blind and could not see anything, and the other one was trying to allow the blind mouse to bite on his tail so he could pull the blind one with him to escape.

　　After witnessing what happened, everyone was speechless and lost in thought. During meal time, the group of people sat down in a circle and started to chat about what happened to the two mice. One serious Rome official said: “I think the relationship between those two mice was that of emperor and minister.” The others thought for a while and said: “That was why!” Thus the Rome official showed his arrogance² superciliously³. A smart Israeli said: “I think the relationship between those two mice was husband and wife.” Again the others thought for a while, and all felt it made sense; so they expressed assent⁴. Therefore, the Israeli’s countenance⁵ showed self-satisfaction. A Chinese, who was accustomed to the firm tradition of loyalty⁶ to parents, said: “I think the relationship between those two mice was that of mother and son.” Once again the others thought for a while, and felt this was more reasonable. So they expressed assent yet another time. Therefore, the face of the Chinese conveyed professional humility⁷. At that moment, one pure-minded Samaritan who was squatted⁸ on the ground resting his chin in his palms, bewilderedly⁹ looked at other people, and asked: “Why did those two mice have to have a certain relationship?”

　　Suddenly, the atmosphere froze. Stupefied, the group looked back at the Samaritan and remained speechless. The Rome official, the Israeli and the Chinese who had spoken earlier all lowered their heads in shame, and did not dare to respond.

　　In fact, the true love is not established on benefit, friendship and loyalty or blood relationship. Instead, it is based on no relationship.

　　很久以前，在以色列发生了以下一段故事：有一天当政府人员在翻新谷仓时，发现墙角有一个老鼠洞，于是众人用烟熏的方式，希望逼使里面的老鼠出来。待了一会，果然看到老鼠一只只地逃窜出来。

　　众人正忖度老鼠大概已经逃光了，可以上前打扫之际，却见还有两只老鼠在洞口处推挤，经过一番努力，双双才逃出来。但很奇怪的是，两只老鼠出了洞口以后，却不立时逃走，而是在洞口附近互相追赶，像是要咬对方的尾巴似的。众人都很纳闷，便走上前去细看，这才发现原来其中一只老鼠瞎眼看不见，而另一只正设法使对方咬着自己的尾巴，然后带领同伴一起逃走。

　　众人见状，都默然不语，陷入沉思中。吃饭的时候，众人又围着坐下，并开始讨论刚才的两只老鼠。严肃的罗马官长说：「我认为刚才的两只老鼠是君臣主仆的关系。」众人思考一会后说：「原来如此！」于是罗马官兵摆出一副高傲的模样。聪明的以色列人说：「我认为刚才的两只老鼠是夫妇关系。」众人又思考了一会，觉得不错，连声称是。于是以色列人露出一副飘飘然得意的嘴脸。强调孝义的中国人说：「我认为刚才的两只老鼠是母子关系。」众人又思考了一会，更觉合理，又连声称是。于是中国人的脸上立时堆满了专业的谦虚。此时，单纯的撒玛利亚人蹲在地上托着下巴，呆呆地望着众人，问道：「为什么两只老鼠一定要有什么关系呢？」

　　空气在刹那之间凝固了，众人呆呆地望着这个撒玛利亚人，不发一语。先前说话的罗马官长、以色列人和中国人都面露惭色地低下头不敢作声。

　　事实上，真正的爱并非建基于利益、情义或血缘的关系上，而是建基于「没有任何关系」上。

1 endeavor   

vt.／n.努力，尽力，尝试

参考例句：

• Thereupon,we knew,our endeavor was valuable.于是，我们知道，我们的努力是有价值的。
• We endeavor to make our customers satisfied.我们力图使顾客都满意。

2 arrogance   

n.傲慢，自大

参考例句：

• His arrogance comes out in every speech he makes.他每次讲话都表现得骄傲自大。
• Arrogance arrested his progress.骄傲阻碍了他的进步。

3 superciliously   

adv.高傲地；傲慢地

参考例句：

• Madame Defarge looked superciliously at the client, and nodded in confirmation. 德伐日太太轻蔑地望了望客人，点头同意。 来自英汉文学 - 双城记

4 assent   

v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可

参考例句：

• I cannot assent to what you ask.我不能应允你的要求。
• The new bill passed by Parliament has received Royal Assent.议会所通过的新方案已获国王批准。

5 countenance   

n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同

参考例句：

• At the sight of this photograph he changed his countenance.他一看见这张照片脸色就变了。
• I made a fierce countenance as if I would eat him alive.我脸色恶狠狠地，仿佛要把他活生生地吞下去。

6 loyalty   

n.忠诚，忠心

参考例句：

• She told him the truth from a sense of loyalty.她告诉他真相是出于忠诚。
• His loyalty to his friends was never in doubt.他对朋友的一片忠心从来没受到怀疑。

7 humility   

n.谦逊，谦恭

参考例句：

• Humility often gains more than pride.谦逊往往比骄傲收益更多。
• His voice was still soft and filled with specious humility.他的声音还是那么温和，甚至有点谦卑。

8 squatted   

v.像动物一样蹲下( squat的过去式和过去分词 )；非法擅自占用（土地或房屋）；为获得其所有权；而占用某片公共用地。

参考例句：

• He squatted down beside the footprints and examined them closely. 他蹲在脚印旁仔细地观察。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He squatted in the grass discussing with someone. 他蹲在草地上与一个人谈话。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 bewilderedly   

bewildered（困惑的）的变形

参考例句：

• Major Major floundered bewilderedly from one embarrassing catastrophe to another. 梅杰少校当上中队长后稀里糊涂地碰上了一件又一件尴尬倒楣的事。