《英语流行话题阅读:语境识词4500》50 Don't We All?

　　Unit 50
Don't We All?
I was parked in front of the mall wiping off my car. I had just come from the car wash and was waiting for my wife to get out work.
Coming my way from across the parking lot what the society would consider a bum¹. From his looks, I guessed he had no car, no home, no clean clothes, and no money. There are times when you feel generous but there are other times when you just don't want to be bothered. This was one of those "Don't want to be bothered times."
"I hope he doesn't ask me for money," I thought. He didn't.
He came and sat on the curb² in front of the bus stop but he didn't look like he could have enough money to even ride the bus. After a few minutes he spoke³. "That's a very pretty car," he said. He was ragged⁴ but he had an air of dignity about him. "Thanks," I said, and continued wiping off my car. He sat there quietly as I worked. The expected plea for money never came. As the silence between us widened something inside said, "Ask him if he need any help." I was sure that he would say "yes" but I held true to the inner voice.
"Don't you need any help?" I asked.
He answered in three simple profound words that I shall never forget. We often look for wisdom in great men and women. I expect it from those of higher learning and accomplishments⁵. But from a bum I expected nothing but an outstretched grimy hand. He spoke the three words that shook me. "Don't we all?" he said.
I was feeling high and mighty⁶, above a bum in the street, until those three words hit me like a twelve gauge⁷ shortgun. "Don't we all?" I needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or a place to sleep, but I needed help. I reached in my wallet and gave him not only enough for bus fare, but enough to get a warm meal and shelter for the day.
Those three words still ring true. No matter how much you have accomplished⁸, you need help too. No matter how little you have, no matter how loaded you are with problems, you can give help. Even if it's just a compliment, you can give that.
You never know when you can see someone who inspires you a lot. They are waiting for you to give them what they don't have. But what you gain is a different perspective on life, a glimpse at something beautiful, a relief from daily chaos⁹, that only you through a torn world can see.
Maybe the man was just a homeless stranger wandering the streets. Maybe he was more than that. Maybe he was sent by a power that is great and wise, to minister to souls too comfortable in themselves.
Maybe God looked down, called an Angel, dressed him like a bum, then said, "Go minister to that man cleaning the car, that man needs help." Don't we all?

1 bum   

n.臀部；流浪汉，乞丐；vt.乞求，乞讨

参考例句：

• A man pinched her bum on the train so she hit him.在火车上有人捏她屁股，她打了那人。
• The penniless man had to bum a ride home.那个身无分文的人只好乞求搭车回家。

2 curb   

n.场外证券市场，场外交易；vt.制止，抑制

参考例句：

• I could not curb my anger.我按捺不住我的愤怒。
• You must curb your daughter when you are in church.你在教堂时必须管住你的女儿。

3 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

4 ragged   

adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的

参考例句：

• A ragged shout went up from the small crowd.这一小群人发出了刺耳的喊叫。
• Ragged clothing infers poverty.破衣烂衫意味着贫穷。

5 accomplishments   

n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就

参考例句：

• It was one of the President's greatest accomplishments. 那是总统最伟大的成就之一。
• Among her accomplishments were sewing,cooking,playing the piano and dancing. 她的才能包括缝纫、烹调、弹钢琴和跳舞。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

6 mighty   

adj.强有力的；巨大的

参考例句：

• A mighty force was about to break loose.一股巨大的力量即将迸发而出。
• The mighty iceberg came into view.巨大的冰山出现在眼前。

7 gauge   

v.精确计量；估计；n.标准度量；计量器

参考例句：

• Can you gauge what her reaction is likely to be?你能揣测她的反应可能是什么吗？
• It's difficult to gauge one's character.要判断一个人的品格是很困难的。

8 accomplished   

adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的

参考例句：

• Thanks to your help,we accomplished the task ahead of schedule.亏得你们帮忙,我们才提前完成了任务。
• Removal of excess heat is accomplished by means of a radiator.通过散热器完成多余热量的排出。

9 chaos   

n.混乱，无秩序

参考例句：

• After the failure of electricity supply the city was in chaos.停电后，城市一片混乱。
• The typhoon left chaos behind it.台风后一片混乱。