英语优美的美文欣赏
每天阅读一篇英语美文，不仅能让我们身心愉悦，还能提升英语知识增加知识面。今天小编就给大家分享一下英语美文欣赏，一起来学习一下吧
孩子的礼物
It was Christmas 1961. I was teaching in a smAll town in Ohio where my twenty seven thirdgraders eagerly anticipated the great day of gifts giving.
那是1961年的圣诞节。我在俄亥俄州的一个小镇上教小学三年级。班上27个孩子都在热切盼望着这个互赠礼品、激动人心的日子到来。
Each day the children produced some new wonder—strings of popcorn, hand made trinkets, and German bells made from wallpaper samples, which we hung from the ceiling. Through it all she remained aloof, watching from afar, seemingly miles away. I wondered what would happen to this quiet child, once so happy, now so suddenly withdrawn. I hoped the festivitieswould appeal to her. But nothing did.
每天孩子们都会做点儿新玩意——爆米花串成的细链子、手工做的小装饰品和墙纸做的德国式风铃，我们把这些风铃挂在了天花板上。但自始至终，她都是孤零零地远远观望，仿佛是隔了一道几里长的障碍。我猜想着这个安静的孩子发生了什么事，原先是那么快乐，怎么突然变得沉默寡言起来。我希望节日的活动能吸引她，可还是无济于事。
The day of gift giving finally came. We oohed and aahed over our handiwork as the presents were exchanged. Through it all, she sat quietly watching. I had made a special pouch for her, red and green with white lace. I wanted very much to see her smile. She opened the package so slowly and carefully. I waited but she turned away.
赠送礼物的那天终于到了。在交换礼物时我们为对方亲手做的小礼品不停地欢呼叫好。而整个过程中，她只是安静地坐在那儿看着。我为她做的小袋很特别，红绿相间还镶着白边。我非常想看到她笑一笑。她打开包装，动作又慢又小心。我等待着，但是她却转过了身。
After school the children left in little groups, but she lingered, watching them go out the door. I sat down to catch my breath, hardly aware of what was happening when she came to me withoutstretched hands, bearing a small white box, unwrapped and slightly soiled, as though it had been held many times by unwashed, childish hands. "For me?" I asked with a weak smile. She said not a word, but nodded her head. I took the box and gingerly opened it. There inside,glistening green, lay a golden chain. In a flash I knew—she had made it for her mother, a mother she would never see again, a mother who would never hold her or brush her hair or share a funny story, a mother who would never again hear her childish joys or sorrows. A mother who had taken her own life just three weeks before.
放学后，学生们三三两两地离开了，但她磨磨蹭蹭，看着大家走出门外。我坐下来稍稍松了口气，对要发生的事没有一点准备。这时她向我走来，双手拿着一个白色的盒子向我递过来。盒子没有打包装，稍微有些脏，好像是被孩子未洗过的小手摸过了许多遍。“给我的吗?”我微微一笑。她没出声，只是点点头。我接过盒子，非常小心地打开它。盒子里面有一条金色的链子，闪闪发光。我在一瞬间明白过来——这是她为妈妈做的项链，她再也见不到的妈妈，再也不能抱她、给她梳头或一起讲故事的妈妈。她的妈妈再也不能分享她童年时光的快乐和忧伤。就在三个星期前她的妈妈离开了人世。
I held out the chain. She took it in both her hands, reached forward, and secured the simpleclasp at the back of my neck. She stepped back then as if to see that all was well. I looked down at the golden chain, then back at the giver, "Maria, it is so beautiful. She would have loved it." Neither of us could stop the tears. She stumbled into my arms and we wept together. And for that brief moment I became her mother, for she had given me the greatest gift of all: herself.
我拿起那条链子。她用双手接过它，向前探了探身，在我的脖子后把简易的项链钩系好。然后她向后退了几步，好像在看看是否合适。我低下头看着金色的链子，然后抬起头望着她，说道：“玛丽亚，这链子真漂亮。你妈妈一定会喜欢的。”我们已无法抑制住泪水。她踉踉跄跄地扑进我的怀里，我们都哭了。在那短暂的一刻我成为她的妈妈，因为她把一份最珍贵的礼物送给了我：她自己。
It was Christmas 1961. I was teaching in a small town in Ohio where my twenty seven thirdgraders eagerly anticipated the great day of gifts giving.
那是1961年的圣诞节。我在俄亥俄州的一个小镇上教小学三年级。班上27个孩子都在热切盼望着这个互赠礼品、激动人心的日子到来。
Each day the children produced some new wonder—strings of popcorn, hand made trinkets, and German bells made from wallpaper samples, which we hung from the ceiling. Through it all she remained aloof, watching from afar, seemingly miles away. I wondered what would happen to this quiet child, once so happy, now so suddenly withdrawn. I hoped the festivitieswould appeal to her. But nothing did.
每天孩子们都会做点儿新玩意——爆米花串成的细链子、手工做的小装饰品和墙纸做的德国式风铃，我们把这些风铃挂在了天花板上。但自始至终，她都是孤零零地远远观望，仿佛是隔了一道几里长的障碍。我猜想着这个安静的孩子发生了什么事，原先是那么快乐，怎么突然变得沉默寡言起来。我希望节日的活动能吸引她，可还是无济于事。
The day of gift giving finally came. We oohed and aahed over our handiwork as the presents were exchanged. Through it all, she sat quietly watching. I had made a special pouch for her, red and green with white lace. I wanted very much to see her smile. She opened the package so slowly and carefully. I waited but she turned away.
赠送礼物的那天终于到了。在交换礼物时我们为对方亲手做的小礼品不停地欢呼叫好。而整个过程中，她只是安静地坐在那儿看着。我为她做的小袋很特别，红绿相间还镶着白边。我非常想看到她笑一笑。她打开包装，动作又慢又小心。我等待着，但是她却转过了身。
After school the children left in little groups, but she lingered, watching them go out the door. I sat down to catch my breath, hardly aware of what was happening when she came to me withoutstretched hands, bearing a small white box, unwrapped and slightly soiled, as though it had been held many times by unwashed, childish hands. "For me?" I asked with a weak smile. She said not a word, but nodded her head. I took the box and gingerly opened it. There inside,glistening green, lay a golden chain. In a flash I knew—she had made it for her mother, a mother she would never see again, a mother who would never hold her or brush her hair or share a funny story, a mother who would never again hear her childish joys or sorrows. A mother who had taken her own life just three weeks before.
放学后，学生们三三两两地离开了，但她磨磨蹭蹭，看着大家走出门外。我坐下来稍稍松了口气，对要发生的事没有一点准备。这时她向我走来，双手拿着一个白色的盒子向我递过来。盒子没有打包装，稍微有些脏，好像是被孩子未洗过的小手摸过了许多遍。“给我的吗?”我微微一笑。她没出声，只是点点头。我接过盒子，非常小心地打开它。盒子里面有一条金色的链子，闪闪发光。我在一瞬间明白过来——这是她为妈妈做的项链，她再也见不到的妈妈，再也不能抱她、给她梳头或一起讲故事的妈妈。她的妈妈再也不能分享她童年时光的快乐和忧伤。就在三个星期前她的妈妈离开了人世。
I held out the chain. She took it in both her hands, reached forward, and secured the simpleclasp at the back of my neck. She stepped back then as if to see that all was well. I looked down at the golden chain, then back at the giver, "Maria, it is so beautiful. She would have loved it." Neither of us could stop the tears. She stumbled into my arms and we wept together. And for that brief moment I became her mother, for she had given me the greatest gift of all: herself.
我拿起那条链子。她用双手接过它，向前探了探身，在我的脖子后把简易的项链钩系好。然后她向后退了几步，好像在看看是否合适。我低下头看着金色的链子，然后抬起头望着她，说道：“玛丽亚，这链子真漂亮。你妈妈一定会喜欢的。”我们已无法抑制住泪水。她踉踉跄跄地扑进我的怀里，我们都哭了。在那短暂的一刻我成为她的妈妈，因为她把一份最珍贵的礼物送给了我：她自己。
四月的雨带来五月的花
From the golden-tipped fields of mid-west America to the ancient kingdoms of verdant Palestine, there is a happy truth to be shared with all who would take heed. In more recent times, this truth has been expressed as: April showers bring May flowers. This is a truth that promises light bursting from darkness, strength born from weakness and, if one dares to believe, life emerging from death.
从美国中西部金色的田野，到巴勒斯坦嫩绿色的古老疆土，那些留心观察的人共享着同一个快乐真理。近来这一真理被阐述为：四月的雨带来五月的花。这一真理预示光明会从黑暗中迸发;刚强生自软弱;如果你敢确信，生命会从死亡中萌发!
Farmers all over the world know the importance and immutability of the seasons. They know that there is a season to plant and a season to harvest; everything must be done in its own time. Although the rain pours down with the utmost relentlessness, ceasing all outdoor activities, the man of the field lifts his face to the heavens and smiles. Despite the inconvenience, he knows that the rain provides the nourishment his crops need to grow and flourish. The torrential rains in the month of April, give rise to the glorious flowers in the month of May.
全世界的农民们都明白季节的重要性和永恒性。他们知道在哪个季节播种，哪个季节收获，每件事都必须应时而做!虽然暴雨无情地倾盆而下，迫使所有的户外劳作停止，但土地的主人会仰天微笑。尽管有诸多不便，但是他知道，雨会为他的庄稼带来繁茂生长所需的营养。四月里的豪雨，会带来五月里的繁花似锦。
But this ancient truth applies to more than the crops of the fields; it is an invaluable message of hope to all who experience tragedy in life. A dashed relationship with one can open up the door to a brand new friendship with another. A lost job here can provide the opportunity for a better job there. A broken dream can become the foundation of a wonderful future. Everything has its place.
但是这一古老真理并不只适用于田里的庄稼，它还是那些正经历着人生磨难的人的无限希冀：一段友谊的受挫会开启另一段崭新友谊的大门;此处失去的工作会提供彼处更好的工作机会;一个梦想的破灭会成为美好未来的基石。万物皆有道!
Remember this: overwhelming darkness may endure for a night, but it will never overcome the radiant light of the morning. When you are in a season of sorrow, hang in there, because a season of joy may be just around the corner…
请谨记：势不可挡的黑暗或有一晚，但它永远无法阻挡清晨的万丈光芒!当你正处于悲伤之季，请坚持住，因为欢乐的季节也许马上就会到来……
生命最好的养料
little boy almost thought of himself as the mostunfortunate child in the world because poliomyelitismade his leg lame and his teeth uneven andprotrudent. He seldom played with his classmates;and when the teacher asked him to answerquestions, he always lowered his head without a word.
一个小男孩几乎认为自己是世界上最不幸的孩子，因为小儿麻痹症使他腿脚行动不便，牙齿参差不齐。他很少跟同学们玩耍，老师叫他回答问题时，他也总是低着头一言不发。
One spring, the boy's father asked for some saplings from the neighbor. He wanted to plantthem in the front of the house. He told his children to plant a sapling each person. The fathersaid to the children, "Whose seedling grows best, I will buy him or her a favorite gift." The boyalso wanted to get his father's gift. But seeing his brothers and sisters carrying water to waterthe trees bouncily, anyhow, he hit upon an idea: he hoped the tree he planted would die watering it once or twice, he never attended to it.
一年春天，小男孩的父亲从邻居家讨了些树苗，他想把它们栽在房前。他叫孩子们每人种一棵。父亲对孩子们说:"谁栽的树苗长得最好，我就给谁买一件最喜欢的礼物。"小男孩也想得到父亲的礼物，但是看到兄弟姐妹们欢快地提着水去浇树，不知怎么回事，他萌生了一个想法:他希望自己栽的树苗早日死去。因此他浇水一两次后，就再也没去照管小树苗了。
A few days later, when the little boy went to see his tree again, he was surprised to find it notonly didn't wilt, but also grew some fresh leaves, and compared with the trees of his brotherand sister, his appeared greener and more vital. His father kept his promise,bought the littleboy his favorite gift and said to him: from the tree he planted, he would become anoutstanding botanist when he grew up.
几天后，小男孩再去看他种的树苗时，惊奇地发现它不仅没有枯萎，而且还长出了一些新叶，显得更加翠绿、更有生气。父亲履行了他的诺言，为小男孩买一了件他最喜欢的礼物，并对他说:从他栽的树来看，他长大后一定能成为一名出色的植物学家。
Since then, the little boy slowly became optimistic. One day, the little boy lay on the bed butcouldn't sleep. Looking at the bright moonlight outside the window, he suddenly recalled whatthe biology teacher once said, plants general grow at night. Why not go to see the tree? Whenhe came to the courtyard on tiptoe, he found his father was splashing something under histree with a ladle. All of a sudden, he understood: his father had been secretly fertilizing his smalltree! He returned to his room, tears running down his face without restraint.
从那以后，小男孩慢慢变得乐观起来。一天晚上，小男孩躺在床上睡不着，望着窗外明亮的月光，突然想起生物老师说过植物一般都在晚上生长。何不去看看自己种的那棵小树呢? 当他轻手轻脚地来到院子里的时候，却看见父亲正用勺子在自己栽种的那棵树下泼洒着什么。顿时，一切他都明白了，原来父亲一直在为自己栽种的树苗偷偷地施肥!他返回房间，止不住泪流满面。
Decades passed. The little boy didn't become a botanist, but he was elected President of theUnited States. His name was Franklin Roosevelt.
几十年过去了，小男孩并没有成为植物学家，却成为美国总统，他的名字叫富兰克林·罗斯福。
Love is the best nourishment of life; even if it is just one ladleful of clear water, it can make thetree of life thrive. Maybe that tree is inconspicuous; perhaps that the tree is so thin, and evensome withered, but as long as there is nourishment of love, it can flourish and even grow intotowering trees.
爱是生命最好的养料，哪怕只是一勺清水，它都能使生命之树茁壮成长。也许那棵树是那样不起眼，或是它还有些弱小，甚至还有些枯萎，但只要有爱的养料孕育，它就能枝繁叶茂，甚至长成参天大树
