环球英语 — 125：Anne Frank’s Tree

　　Voice 1
Thank you for joining us for today’s Spotlight¹. I’m Liz Waid.
Voice 2
And I’m Joshua Leo. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.
Voice 1
In 1942, during World War II, a young Jewish girl went into hiding with her family. They hid in a secret room built especially for them. It was above a Dutch business in the city of Amsterdam. For two years they hid from the German Nazi² soldiers who marched through the streets. During World War II, the Nazis³ wanted to kill all the Jews. It was a terrible time in history.
Voice 2
The young girl could never leave her hiding place. During the day she had to remain very quiet. She had to stay inside. Often, her only desire was to go outside in the fresh air. All she wanted was to be free. On these days the girl could only sit quietly next to a window. She would look out at a beautiful chestnut⁴ tree. And she would write her thoughts and dreams in her diary.
Voice 1
Today’s Spotlight is on the chestnut tree that grew behind the hiding place of Anne Frank.
Voice 2
Many people know the story of Anne Frank and her famous diary. During World War II, the Frank family hid from German soldiers. But, in August 1944, soldiers found the Frank’s secret hiding place. They arrested the family and sent them to a prison camp. There, the Frank family lived and worked as prisoners of the German army. Most of the members of the Frank family died in the camp, including young Anne. The only survivor⁵ was Anne’s father, Otto Frank.
Voice 1
Otto returned home to Amsterdam alone. There, he learned of the death of his wife and two daughters. He had nothing to remember them by - he had lost everything. But soon after his return, a friend gave him a very special gift. It was Anne’s diary. The friend had saved the diary after the Frank family’s arrest. Otto kept the diary with him for many years. He read it often, learning more and more about his young daughter. He learned all about Anne’s hopes and dreams.
Voice 2
Through reading the diary, Otto learned one specific dream. Anne had wanted to write a book. So, Otto decided⁶ to make Anne’s dream come true. He made Anne’s diary into a book. It is still very famous today! Many people consider it one of the most important books of the twentieth [20th] century. From Anne’s diary we learn about the Frank family history. We learn what it was like to live as a Jew during World War II. And we learn about the hopes of a young girl.
Voice 1
Over the years, Anne Frank’s words and ideas have inspired many people. For many people, her words represent the hope that people can live together in peace no matter what their religion, country or political beliefs. As Anne writes, we are all different and yet we are all the same.
Voice 3
March 26, 1944:
“Why should you be nicer to a rich woman than to a poor one? Human greatness is not in wealth or power, but in character and goodness. Give whatever there is to give! You can always give something, even if it is a simple act of kindness. People who give will never be poor!”
April 11, 1944:
“I will make my voice heard. I will go out into the world and work for mankind! I know now that courage and happiness are needed first!”
July 6, 1944:
“We are all alive, but we do not know why or what for. We are all searching for happiness, we are all leading lives that are different and yet... the same.”
Voice 1
It is from the words of Anne’s diary that the world also learned about a very special chestnut tree. The tree was one of Anne’s only links to nature and the outside world.
Voice 3
February 23, 1944:
“The two of us looked out at the blue sky, the bare chestnut tree glistening⁷ with dew⁸...”
May 13, 1944:
“Our chestnut tree is in full blossom⁹. It is covered with leaves and is even more beautiful than last year.”
Voice 2
This chestnut tree still stands in the city of Amsterdam. Experts believe it is over one hundred fifty [150] years old. Many people from around the world visit the tree each day. You see, the Frank family hiding place is now a museum. People can walk through the hiding place. They learn about the Franks and the history of World War II. They can also look out of the window and see the same beautiful tree that Anne Frank saw.
Voice 1
However, today the chestnut tree is in great danger. Bacteria and moth¹⁰ insects are attacking the tree. The bacteria destroy the tree from the inside. And, the moths¹¹ eat and kill the leaves. In November 2007, officials decided that the tree must come down. They believed it was too dangerous to leave it standing¹². They feared the tree would fall and injure someone. They also feared it would fall into the museum and destroy it. This special part of history could be lost forever.
Voice 2
There are many people who feel that the old chestnut tree is linked to Anne and her inspiring words. They believe the tree represents Anne Frank’s hope of living in a better world. It represents her hope for freedom. Just as Anne Frank is an important part of history, so is the tree. That is why many people have joined together and are fighting to save the tree!
Voice 1
Supporters of the tree argued with the officials who wanted to cut it down. They argued that, as a symbol of freedom, the tree was worth trying to save. They started the Support Anne Frank Tree Foundation. Over the last year this group has worked very hard to save the old chestnut tree.
Voice 2
Now, many groups are working together on one plan to save the tree. They include the city of Amsterdam, the Frank museum, the tree’s owner, the Netherlands’ Trees Institute, the Support Anne Frank Tree Foundation and tree experts from around the world.
Voice 1
In May 2008, tree experts will build a supporting structure around the tree. The structure will help the tree to remain standing for up to fifteen [15] more years. Along with the structure, experts will take small pieces, or grafts¹³, from the tree. They will plant and care for the grafts. The hope is that the grafts will grow into full-sized chestnut trees. When the old chestnut tree dies, the grafts can be planted in its place. Anne Frank’s tree will live on. And with it, Anne Frank’s hope for a better world will also live on.
 

1 spotlight   

n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目

参考例句：

• This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
• The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。

2 Nazi   

n.纳粹分子，adj.纳粹党的，纳粹的

参考例句：

• They declare the Nazi regime overthrown and sue for peace.他们宣布纳粹政权已被推翻，并出面求和。
• Nazi closes those war criminals inside their concentration camp.纳粹把那些战犯关在他们的集中营里。

3 Nazis   

n.（德国的）纳粹党员( Nazi的名词复数 )；纳粹主义

参考例句：

• The Nazis worked them over with gun butts. 纳粹分子用枪托毒打他们。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The Nazis were responsible for the mass murder of Jews during World War Ⅱ. 纳粹必须为第二次世界大战中对犹太人的大屠杀负责。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 chestnut   

n.栗树，栗子

参考例句：

• We have a chestnut tree in the bottom of our garden.我们的花园尽头有一棵栗树。
• In summer we had tea outdoors,under the chestnut tree.夏天我们在室外栗树下喝茶。

5 survivor   

n.生存者，残存者，幸存者

参考例句：

• The sole survivor of the crash was an infant.这次撞车的惟一幸存者是一个婴儿。
• There was only one survivor of the plane crash.这次飞机失事中只有一名幸存者。

6 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

7 glistening   

adj.闪耀的，反光的v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Her eyes were glistening with tears. 她眼里闪着晶莹的泪花。
• Her eyes were glistening with tears. 她眼睛中的泪水闪着柔和的光。 来自《用法词典》

8 dew   

n.露，露水

参考例句：

• His new shoes were wet with dew.他的那双新鞋被露水弄湿了。
• The dew on the branches drizzled our hair and shoulders.枝头上的露珠润湿了我们的头发和双肩。

9 blossom   

n.花，开花；vi.开花，发展

参考例句：

• The blossom on the trees looks lovely in springtime.春天树上的花很漂亮。
• Let a hundred flowers blossom,let a hundred schools of thought contend.百花齐放，百家争鸣。

10 moth   

n.蛾，蛀虫

参考例句：

• A moth was fluttering round the lamp.有一只蛾子扑打着翅膀绕着灯飞。
• The sweater is moth-eaten.毛衣让蛀虫咬坏了。

11 moths   

n.蛾( moth的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The moths have eaten holes in my wool coat. 蛀虫将我的羊毛衫蛀蚀了几个小洞。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The moths tapped and blurred at the window screen. 飞蛾在窗帘上跳来跳去，弄上了许多污点。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

12 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

13 grafts   

移植( graft的名词复数 )； 行贿； 接穗； 行贿得到的利益

参考例句：

• He's gone to London for skin grafts on his thighs. 他去伦敦做大腿植皮手术了。
• Her burns were treated with skin grafts. 她的烧伤是用植皮方法进行治疗的。