Too Clever

Lesson 1

                                         Too Clever

                                           Text A
    A farmer who lived in a small village suffered from a severe¹ pain in the chest². This never seemed to get any better. The farmer eventually decided³ that he would consult⁴ a doctor in the nearest town. But as he was a miserly person he thought he would find out what he would have to pay this doctor. He was told that a patient had to pay three pounds for the first visit and one pound for the second' visit. The farmer thought about this for a long time, and then he decided to go and consult the doctor in the town.

    As he came into the doctor's consulting⁵ room, he said causally,´ Good morning, doctor. Here I am again.' The doctor was a little surprised. He asked him a few questions, examined his chest and then took the pound which the farmer insisted on giving him. Then the doctor said with a smile , Well , sir. There's nothing new. Please continue to take the same medicine I gave you the first time you came to see me.'

                                           Text B
    A man went to see his doctor one day because he was suffering from pains in his stomach. After the doctor had examined him carefully, he said to him, `Well, there's nothing really
wrong with you, I'm glad to say. Your only trouble is that you worry too much.

 Do you know, I had a man with the same trouble as you in here a few weeks ago, and I gave him the same advice as I'm going to give you. He was worried because he couldn't pay his tailor's bills. I told him not to worry his head about the bills any more. He followed my advice, and when he came to see me again two days ago, he told me that he now feels quite all right again. '
   `Yes, I know all about that,' answered the patient sadly.`You see , I'm that man's tailor.'

　
 

                                            Additional⁶ Information

Doctor:   Good morning. How are you?
Patient:   I'm very worried; doctor. 
Doctor:   Oh? What are you worried about? 
Patient:   I'm afraid that I'm very ill.
Doctor:   I'm sorry to hear that. Why do you think so?
Patient:   Because I feel tired all the time, even when I wake up in the morning. I find 
   it very difficult to do any work. 1 have no appetite⁷. My wife cooks me
   delicious meals but I can only eat a little.
Doctor:   How do you sleep?  
Patient:   Very badly, doctor. 
Doctor:   Do you find it difficult to get to sleep, or do you wake up early?
Fatient:   Both, doctor. I never get to sleep until 2 o'clock and I always wake at 5.
Doctor:   Are you worried about anything?
Patient:   Well , yes , I am. I'm worried about my work. I've just taken a new job.
   I earn a lot of money but it's difficult work. I'm always afraid of making
   a mistake.
Doctor:   I see. Please take off your shirt and lie down on the couch⁸.
Patient:   Yes , doctor.(The Doctor examines the patient )
Doctor:   Well , there's nothing very much wrong with you , I'm glad to say. You're
   working too hard and worrying too much. Do you take much exercise?
Patient:   No, doctor. I never have enough time for exercise. I start work very early in 
   the morning and finish late in the evening. Then I can't get to sleep.Can
   you give me some medicine to help me to sleep?
Doctor:   I can, but I'm not going to. You don't need medicine. You need advice.
   Don't work so hard. Too much work is bad. for you. Don't worry about your
   work. It's silly to worry. Take regular exercise.
Patient:   But I may lose my job , doctor ! It's hard to get a job like mine.
Doctor:   Then get an easier one , even if you earn less money.
   Which would you rather have, health or wealth?
Patient:   You' re right , doctor. It's more important to be healthy than wealthy. I'll
   change my job. I'm grateful⁹ for your advice.
Doctor:   Come and see me again in a month's time. I think you'll be a different man !

1 severe   

adj.严格的，凶猛的，严肃的，严重的，严厉的，朴素的

参考例句：

• The severe storm did for most of the crops.猛烈的暴风雨毁掉了大部分庄稼。
• The pace was too severe to be kept up for long.跟上这步伐太难了，无法持久。

2 chest   

n.胸，大箱子，金库，资金，一箱，密封室，衣橱

参考例句：

• The bear's chest is hairy.那只熊的胸部毛茸茸的。
• Mother has a pain in her chest.母亲胸口疼.。

3 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

4 consult   

vi.商讨，商量，协商，会诊；vt.向…请教，查阅，考虑

参考例句：

• I wish to consult you on a few questions.我有几个问题向您领教。
• Parents can consult the teachers on children.家长可以向老师询问孩子们的情况。

5 consulting   

商议的，顾问资格的，咨询的

参考例句：

• The firm was taken over by a multinational consulting firm. 这家公司被一个跨国咨询公司收购。
• He left without consulting anyone before the meeting was finished. 会没开完，他径自走了。

6 additional   

adj.添加的，额外的，另外的

参考例句：

• It is necessary to set down these additional rules.有必要制定这些补充规则。
• I think we can fit in an additional room.我想我们可以再加建一间房子。

7 appetite   

n.食欲，胃口；欲望，性欲；爱好，趣味

参考例句：

• The baby has a good appetite.这个婴儿食欲很好。
• She feels pretty well,but she hasn't much of an appetite.她精神还不错，不过胃口不太好。

8 couch   

n.睡椅，长沙发椅；vt.表达，隐含

参考例句：

• Lie down on the couch if you're feeling ill.如果你感觉不舒服就躺到沙发上去。
• The rabbIt'sprang from its grassy couch.兔子从草丛中跳出。

9 grateful   

adj.感谢的，感激的，受欢迎的，表示谢意的

参考例句：

• If you will help us, we shall be very grateful.如果你愿意帮助我们，我们会很感激你。
• He closed his letter with expression of grateful thanks.他在那封信的结尾表达了自己的感激之情。