书城外语课外英语-似水年华(双语版)
33391500000016

第16章 妈妈,爸爸,为什么

上初中时,英文老师雷诺兹先生给每位同学发了一张纸条。纸条上列出其他同学写的各种想法和陈述。然后,他要我们据此写一篇创造性的作文。17岁的我对很多事情都非常疑惑不解。所以我选择了“我不明白为什么事物都是现在这个样子?”作为题目。那天晚上,我以故事的形式写下了我对生活的所有困惑。我知道很多问题很难回答,或许有些问题根本找不到答案。交上作文后,我非常担心作业过不了关。因为我根本没有回答“我不明白为什么事物都是现在这个样子”这个问题,我找不着答案,只写下了问题。第二天,雷诺兹先生让我到讲台上把我的作文念给全班同学听。他把我的文章递给我,坐到了教室的后面。教室非常安静。我开始朗读自己编写的故事。

《妈妈,爸爸......为什么》

妈妈,为什么玫瑰是红的?妈妈,为什么草是青的,天是蓝的?为什么蜘蛛织网不造房?爸爸,为什么我不能在你的工具箱里玩耍?老师,为什么我一定要读书?妈妈,为什么我不能抹上口红参加舞会?爸爸,为什么我不能在外面玩到中午12点?别的小孩却可以。妈妈,你为什么讨厌我?爸爸,为什么男生不喜欢我?为什么我必须苗条如柴?为什么我一定要系上背带,戴上眼镜?我为什么必须得过16岁?妈,为什么我必须毕业?爸,为什么我得长大?妈,爸,为什么我必须离开你们?妈,为什么您不给我多写几封信?爸,为什么我思念老朋友?爸,为什么您这么爱我?爸,为什么您这么宠我?您的女儿已经长大。妈,为什么您不常来看看?妈,为什么结交新朋友这么困难?爸,为什么我怀念在家的日子?爸,为什么每次他与我对视时我就心跳加快?妈,为什么一听见他的声音我就双腿打颤?妈,为什么坠入爱河是世界上最美妙的感觉?爸爸,为什么不喜欢有人叫您“外公”?妈妈,为什么我的小宝贝要紧抓着我的手?妈妈,为什么他们一定要长大?爸爸,为什么他们必须离开我们?为什么必须得有人叫我“奶奶”?妈妈,爸爸,为什么你们要离我而去?我需要你们!为什么我的青春已悄悄溜走?为什么我会笑对朋友,也会笑对陌生人?为什么我满头银发?为什么我弯腰摘花时会双手抖动?上帝啊,为什么玫瑰是红的?

读完故事,我双眼紧盯着雷诺兹先生,雷诺兹先生也正凝视着我。我看到一颗泪珠正缓缓地从他的面颊上滚下来。就在那时,我豁然意识到,生活的根基不仅包括我们得到的所有答案,而且还包括我们提出的所有问题。

Balls of Life

In a university commencement address several years ago,Brian Dyson,CEO of Coca Cola Enterprises,spoke of the relati on of work to ones other commitments:

Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air.You name them work,family,health,friends and spirit and youre keeping all of these in the air.You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball.If you drop it,it will bounce back.But the other four balls family,health,friends and spirit are made of glass.If you drop one of these,they will be irrevocably scuffed,marked,nicked,damaged or even shattered.They will never be the same.You must understand that and strive for balance in your life.How?Dont undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others.It is because we are different that each of us is special.Dont set your goals by what other people deem important.Only you know what is best for you.Dont take for granted the things closest to your heart.Cling to them as they would be your life,for without them,life is meaningless.Dont let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past or for the future.By living your life one day at a time,you live all the days of your life.Dont give up when you still have something to give.Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.Dont be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect.It is this fragile thread that binds us to each together.Dont be afraid to encounter risks.It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.Dont shut love out of your life by saying its impossible to find.The quickest way to receive love is to give it;the fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly;and the best way to keep love is to give it wings.Dont run through life so fast that you forget not only where youve been,but also where you are going.Dont forget,a persons greatest emotional need is to feel appreciated.Dont be afraid to learn.Knowledge is weightless,a treasure you can always carry easily.Dont use time or words carelessly.Neither can be retrieved.Life is not a race,but a journey to be savored each step of the way.Yesterday is history,Tomorrow is a mystery and Today is a gift:thats why we call it “The Present”.