The Importance of Humour
Humour has been an essential① part of human behaviour for thousands of years.There is comedy in the texts of Ancient Greece②， and medieval③ writings are filled with④ jokes.[1]While these same jokes might not be as funny to us now as they were then, their authors understood that humour could not only entertain but also⑤ throw new light on⑥ sensitive or emotive⑦ issues.
[1]本句为复合句。While引导让步状语从句。主句中含有that引导的宾语从句，not only ...but also ...连接并列谓语。
Closer to modern times, someone who is remembered for his ability to combine⑧ humour with more serious messages⑨ is American writer, Mark Twain.Twain's particular style of writing⑩ is funny and often mischievous?.For example, in his classic novel? The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, he famously says, “Writing is easy.[2]All you have to do is cross out? the wrong words.”But he is equally well known for his witty remarks? in his everyday interactions? with people.For instance, while on a lecturing tour? of the United States, Twain went into a barber's shop? to get a haircut and a shave.The barber, not recognising him, asked if he had a ticket to the lecture.When Twain replied that he didn't, the barber told him that if he wanted to go to the event? he would have to stand, as there were no seats left in the theatre.Twain's response was, “That's just my luck.I always have to stand when that fellow lectures！”
[2]All作主句主语，其后的定语从句中含有实义动词do的某种形式时，作表语的不定式可以省略不定式符号to。
Like Twain, but on the other side of the world, Lin Yutang was soon to become famous for his unique brand? of humour.A wellknown bilingual writer?， Lin brought the concept of humour to modern Chinese literature.In 1924, he creatively borrowed “youmo” from Ancient Chinese as the translation for the English word “humour”．“Youmo” is still being used in this way today.
Lin's quick wit helped make him famous as a master of humour.[3]Once, having been invited to dinner at a university, he was put on the spot when the president suddenly asked him to give a speech.Thinking on his feet， Lin started to tell a story about a cruel Roman emperor who tried to feed a man to wild animals.[4]First came a lion.The man whispered something in the lion's ear, after which the lion shook its head and walked away unhappily.Then along came a tiger.Again, the man whispered in the tiger's ear.The tiger looked shocked and hurried away.“What did you say to my animals？” said the emperor, astonished.“I told them they had to make a speech after eating me for dinner.” Lin's audience roared with laughter.With this little joke, Lin was able to make people laugh, while gently telling off the president.
[3]主句使用了被动语态，现在分词短语having been invited to dinner at a university作状语。由于invited这个动作发生在was put之前， 所以用完成式。when引导时间状语从句。
[4]本句是完全倒装句，副词First放在句首时，后面把谓语came移到主语之前。
Both Twain and Lin understood that humour isn't just about laughter, but is a way of life and a tool that can be used to illuminate the world.Lin even created an equation to explain this concept：Reality＋Dreams＋Humour＝ Wisdom.Living and working with others can sometimes be complicated， and humour makes this easier.Sharing jokes and laughing together can bring individuals and even communities together.Indeed, some may argue that our need for humour is almost as great as our need for water and air.In the words of Mark Twain, “humor is mankind's greatest blessing”．
