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谦卑的一课

作者: 日期:2008-7-22 16:32:54
　　Booker T. Washington, the renowned black educator, was an outstanding example of this truth.

　　Shortly after he took over the presidency of Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, he was walking in an exclusive section of town when he was stopped by a wealthy white woman. Not knowing the famous Mr. Washington by sight, she asked if he would like to earn a few dollars by chopping wood for her.

　　Because he had no pressing business at the moment, Professor Washington smiled, rolled up his sleeves, and proceeded to do the humble chore she had requested. When he was finished, he carried the logs into the house and stacked them by the fireplace.

　　A little girl recognized him and later revealed his identity to the lady. The next morning the embarrassed woman went to see Mr. Washington in his office at the Institute and apologized profusely. “It’s perfectly all right, Madam,” he replied. “Occasionally I enjoy a little manual labor. Besides, it’s always a delight to do something for a friend.”

　　She shook his hand warmly and assured him that his meek and gracious attitude had endeared him and his work to her heart. Not long afterward she showed her admiration by persuading some wealthy acquaintances to join her in donating thousands of dollars to the Tuskegee Institute.
　　
　　布克·华盛顿是知名的黑人教育家，关于谦卑，他有一个突出的事例。

　　那时，他刚接任阿拉巴马州的杜斯凯吉大学校长不久，当他在镇里一个偏僻的地方散步时，他被一个富有的白人妇女叫住了。因她从未见过著名的华盛顿先生，她让布克·华盛顿帮她砍柴，并答应给他几美元。

　　因布克·华盛顿那时正好没有紧急的事情，于是他微笑地卷起袖子，做了她要求的卑下的砍柴工作。砍完柴后，他又帮她把柴送进屋里，整齐地在壁炉旁堆好。

　　一个小女孩认出了布克·华盛顿，她在事后把他的身份告诉了那位妇人。第二天早上，尴尬的妇女来到了华盛顿先生所在的杜斯凯吉大学办公室，非常诚恳地向他道歉。“别放在心上，女士，”他回答道，“有时候我也做些小的体力活，当然，能帮朋友做点事情我很高兴。”

　　她热情地握着他的手，说道：“您的谦恭亲切的态度让我深深折服。”后来，她劝服她的富有的熟人加入到捐赠中，为杜斯凯吉大学带来了数千美元的捐款。（溢彩/编译）