彭蒙惠英语：Giving Praise Where Praise is Due（在线收听）

Giving Praise Where Praise is Due

By Ethan White

This Father’s Day, consider who your true heroes are

“Who do you want to be like when you grow up?” I can remember being asked this question time and time again throughout my childhood. During those years, many of my heroes were sports stars like Michael Jordan and Wayne Gretzky. I idolized these men, wishing I could be just like them.

Years later, I learned of a much better role model — someone who knew me, loved me and could mentor me. He and others like him are the true heroes of this world. Who is this person? He is my father.

A good example

For years, my father has quietly provided for me and given me guidance, often in ways I didn’t even realize at the time. Through his gentle direction I have made important decisions that define who I am.

In the 1st century B.C., Roman playwright Terence said the role of a father is “to teach and inspire his children to do good of their own free will rather than fear of somebody else.” A true father is one who seeks to be an example for his children in all he does. Film writer Clarence Kelland says of his father, “He didn’t tell me how to live, he lived, and let me watch him.”

In a world where praise and honor are often showered on those who don’t deserve it, fathers are overlooked in the search for heroes. Yet fathers are the ones who truly deserve to be honored and revered for the examples and wisdom they pass on to future generations.

Now whenever I think about who I want to pattern my life after, I look to my dad. His loving example is something I seek to emulate in my life.

Vocabulary Focus

idolize (v) [5aidElaiz] to admire and respect someone very much, often too much

shower (v) [5FauE] to give someone a lot of something

emulate (v) [5emjuleit] to copy something achieved by someone else and try to do it as well as he or she did