Patience to Learn
学会耐心
A young man presented himself to the local expert on gems and said he wanted to become a gemologist. The expert brushed him off because he feared that the youth would not have the patience to learn. The young man pleaded for a chance. Finally the expert consented and told the youth, “Be here tomorrow.”
The next morning the expert put a jade stone in the boy’s hand and told him to hold it. The expert then went about his work, cutting, weighing, and setting gems. The boy sat quietly and waited.
The following morning the expert again placed the jade stone in the youth’s hand and told him to hold it. On the third, forth, and fifth day the expert repeated the exercise and the instructions.
On the sixth day the youth held the jade stone, but could no longer stand the silence. “Master,” he asked, “when am I going to learn something?”
“You’ll learn,” the expert replied and went about his business.
Several more days went by and the youth’s frustration increased. One morning as the expertapproached and beckoned for him to hold out his hand, he was about to blurt out that he could go on no longer. But as the master placed the stone in the youth’s hand, the young man exclaimed without looking at his hand, “This is not the same jade stone!”
“You have begun to learn,” said the master.
译文
一个年轻人到当地一位研究宝石的师傅那里，说他想成为一位宝石专家。师傅没有同意，担心年轻人学习没有耐性，年轻人恳求给他一次机会。最后，师傅终于同意了，告诉年轻人：“明天到这里来。”
第二天上午，师傅在男孩手中放了一块玉石，告诉他拿好，然后继续工作，切割、称重、摆放玉石，年轻人静静地坐在那里等着。
接下来的早上，师傅同样在男孩手中放了一块玉石，告诉他让他握着。第三天、第四天、第五天，师傅一直重复这样的动作和指令。
第六天，男孩依然握着宝石，但无法再静静地坐在那里了。“师傅，”他问道，“我什么时候开始学东西啊？”
“你会学到的。”师傅边回答边继续工作。
几天过去了，年轻人越来越沮丧。一天早晨，师傅来后召唤他，让他伸出手，他打算说他不能再继续……但当师傅再次把宝石放在年轻人手中时，年轻人看都没看，便大叫起来：“这不是原来那块宝石。”
“你已经开始学习了。”师傅说。
拓展训练
A young man was interested in jade stones. So he went to Mr Smith, a gemologist, to learn from him. Mr Smith refused because he feared that the young man not have __1__ to learn. The young man asked for a chance again and again. ___2__ Mr Smith agreed and told him, “Be here tomorrow.”
The next morning the young man came. Mr. Smith put a jade stone in the young man’s hand and told him to ___3__ it. He then went about his work. The young man sat quietly and waited.
The following morning, Mr. Smith again _4___ a jade stone in the young man’s hand and told him to hold it. On the third, fourth, and __5__ day, Mr. Smith did the same thing and repeated his ___6___. On the sixth day, the young man held the jade stone, ___7___ he could no long stand the silence. “When am I going to learn something?” “
You’ll learn,” the expert replied and went about his business.
Several more days went by and the young man felt very ___8___. One morning he was asked to do it once more. As soon as he held it, the young man shouted ___9__ looking at his hand, “This is not the same jade stone!”
“You have begun to ___10___,” said Mr. Smith.
1. A chance B ability C patience D time
2. A Slowly B Silently C Quickly D Finally
3. A cut B hold C touch D watch
4. A placed B took C gave D sent
5. A third B fourth C fifth D sixth
6. A instructions B suggestions C promise D decisions
7. A and B but C or D so
8. A unhappy B excited C surprised D pleased
9. A at B on C without D by
10. A refuse B follow C accept D learn
答案：CDBAC ABACD