英语听力—环球英语 494 Forgiveness

　　Voice 1
Hello. I’m Elizabeth Lickiss .
Voice 2
And I’m Marina Santee. Welcome to Spotlight¹. This programme uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier of people to understand, no matter where in the world they live. In today’s programme we look at forgiveness.
Voice 3
Kinoshita was a highly skilled fighter. He lived in ancient Japan. Kinoshita won many battles. He was courageous² and strong. But he felt troubled. At night, images of the bloody³ fights filled his mind. He questioned life and death. Finally, he decided⁴ to seek help. Kinoshita travelled a long distance. He reached the house of an old religious man. People said that the old man was very wise. Kinoshita walked through the door. He shouted:
‘Tell me wise man: What is the difference between heaven and hell?’
The wise man was quiet for a moment. Then he turned and looked up at Kinoshita. He said, ‘You call yourself a fighter?! Why look at you! You do not look big enough, or strong enough! You cannot be a real fighter!’
‘What?’ cried Kinoshita. And he reached for his sword.
‘Oho’, said the wise man, ‘I see you reach for your sword. I do not think you could cut off a fly’s head with that!’
Kinoshita was so angry! He could not stop himself. He lifted his sword from his side. He was ready to strike the old man’s head off.
‘My son,’ said the wise man, ‘That is the gate to hell.’
Slowly, Kinoshita lowered his sword. The wise man had risked his life to teach him! Kinoshita bowed his head low before the wise man. He asked for forgiveness. And he thanked the old man for his kindness. The wise man said, ‘My son, that is the gate to heaven.’
Voice 1
People have told this invented story in areas of conflict. They use it to teach forgiveness. Some people say heaven and hell represent different states of mind. At first, anger filled Kinoshita’s mind. But the wise man’s words changed Kinoshita. His mind became calm and peaceful. He was able to see his mistake.
Voice 2
But this is just a story. How does someone have a peaceful mind in the real world?
Voice 1
In Christmas 2000, John Paul the Second did something that no Pope⁵ had done before. He admitted the church’s mistakes throughout history. He apologised to different people groups. He included the Jewish and Muslim communities. In his life, John Paul also demonstrated personal forgiveness. He forgave the man who shot him.
Voice 2
The shooting was in May, 1981. The sound of a gun silenced the crowds in St Peter’s Square, Rome. Mehmet Ali Agca fired the gun. He had escaped from prison in Turkey. The bullets hit Pope John Paul in the stomach. Two years later John Paul visited Ali Agca in prison. He asked people to pray for Ali Agca. He said, ‘Pray for my brother. I have sincerely forgiven him.’
Voice 1
So, how was John Paul able to forgive like that?
Voice 2
We may think that right acts are easier for the Pope! But it is not only the Pope who is supposed to forgive. All Christians⁶ are. But how can they do this? Christians believe that God has forgiven them for their wrong acts. So, they try to follow his example.
The whole message of Christianity centres on forgiveness. It is about God’s forgiveness to people - through Jesus Christ. It was Jesus’ death that paid for people’s wrong acts. His sacrifice made forgiveness for all people possible. So forgiven people can call God, father. This is love in its fullness. It fills people’s hearts and minds. It makes them more able to love and forgive other people - even their enemies.
Voice 2
But is this really possible in extreme cases? Maybe you know the story of Victoria Climbie. Her life was short and tragic⁷. The beautiful little girl was born on the Ivory⁸ Coast. She travelled to England for a better education. She stayed with her relation - Marie Therese Kouao. Victoria’s parents trusted Marie. But, Marie Therese Kouao was not the woman they thought she was. She treated the little girl terribly. She tortured her.
Voice 2
Tragically⁹, Victoria died in February 2000. The courts declared their terrible findings. Marie Therese Kouao and her boyfriend were guilty of Victoria’s murder. Doctor Nathaniel Carey examined Victoria’s small body. He found one hundred and twenty eight [128] separate injuries. Many of these were cigarette burns. Doctor Carey said it was one of the worst cases he had ever seen.
Voice 1
Francis and Berthe Climbie are Victoria’s parents. They shared their feelings about forgiveness. Elizabeth reads us their words:
Voice 2
‘When we first heard about Victoria we could not forgive. We are human beings. No human being is perfect. Guilt¹⁰ and hatred¹¹ tortured us. Marie had promised to take care of our daughter. But she destroyed her. We could not understand this. We had so many hopes for our child. Victoria was everything to us. Even so, from that first day, we began praying. We prayed that one day we would be able to forgive.
You have to learn to forgive to live at ease. It should not matter if the person is unable to ask for forgiveness. It should not matter if they apologise. You cannot base forgiveness on conditions. So we are not waiting for Marie-Therese to ask for our forgiveness. We have forgiven her. She shows no signs of regret. But her boyfriend has. He has asked for our forgiveness. Whatever wrong people do in life there will be a price. But it is not for us to punish. The legal system deals with people who are not fit to live among humans.
We had to forgive other people too. The public investigation¹² showed agencies and individuals that failed our daughter. But what would be the purpose in revenge¹³ - harming them to ‘get even?’ It is not good to fill your mind with revenge. It is like killing¹⁴ a child again. First, the child is murdered. Then, thoughts of revenge kill the memory of your child also.
And how does revenge ease the pain? Our greatest desire is that something good should come out of this tragedy. This is why we are opening a school on the Ivory Coast. It will be a centre of excellence¹⁵. It will provide education for children from all around the world. The school is our way of keeping the name and memory of our child alive.’
Voice 1
Francis and Berthe Climbie found that forgiveness gives freedom. It stops harmful, angry feelings growing inside. Forgiving has enabled them to keep their beautiful memories of Victoria pure and undamaged. This is what she deserves.
 

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 courageous   

adj.勇敢的，有胆量的

参考例句：

• We all honour courageous people.我们都尊重勇敢的人。
• He was roused to action by courageous words.豪言壮语促使他奋起行动。

3 bloody   

adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染

参考例句：

• He got a bloody nose in the fight.他在打斗中被打得鼻子流血。
• He is a bloody fool.他是一个十足的笨蛋。

4 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。

5 pope   

n.（罗马天主教的）教皇

参考例句：

• The Pope is the spiritual leader of many Christians.教皇是众多基督徒的宗教领袖。
• The Pope is the supreme leader of the Roman Catholic Church.教皇是罗马天主教的最高领袖。

6 Christians   

n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Christians of all denominations attended the conference. 基督教所有教派的人都出席了这次会议。
• His novel about Jesus caused a furore among Christians. 他关于耶稣的小说激起了基督教徒的公愤。

7 tragic   

adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的

参考例句：

• The effect of the pollution on the beaches is absolutely tragic.污染海滩后果可悲。
• Charles was a man doomed to tragic issues.查理是个注定不得善终的人。

8 ivory   

n.象牙，乳白色；adj.象牙制的，乳白色的

参考例句：

• My grandmother has some jewelry made of ivory.我祖母有一些象牙首饰。
• It is carved from ivory.它是用象牙雕成的。

9 tragically   

adv. 悲剧地，悲惨地

参考例句：

• Their daughter was tragically killed in a road accident. 他们的女儿不幸死于车祸。
• Her father died tragically in a car crash. 她父亲在一场车祸中惨死。

10 guilt   

n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责

参考例句：

• She tried to cover up her guilt by lying.她企图用谎言掩饰自己的罪行。
• Don't lay a guilt trip on your child about schoolwork.别因为功课责备孩子而使他觉得很内疚。

11 hatred   

n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨

参考例句：

• He looked at me with hatred in his eyes.他以憎恨的眼光望着我。
• The old man was seized with burning hatred for the fascists.老人对法西斯主义者充满了仇恨。

12 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

13 revenge   

v.报...之仇，为...报仇 ；n.报仇，复仇

参考例句：

• She poisoned his mind with ideas of hate and revenge.她用复仇的思想来毒害他的心灵。
• There was anger in his eyes and revenge in his heart.他两眼闪现怒火，一心只想复仇。

14 killing   

n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财

参考例句：

• Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
• Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。

15 excellence   

n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德

参考例句：

• His art has reached a high degree of excellence.他的艺术已达到炉火纯青的地步。
• My performance is far below excellence.我的表演离优秀还差得远呢。