'A Short Leash' Not Just for Dogs

 

Now, it's time for Words and Their Stories, a program from VOA Learning¹ English.

Today our show is about control: Not self-control, but instead controlling others.

We begin with a short story set in a candy factory in the city of Chicago, Illinois.

The president of the candy company was Susan Cleveland. Her grandfather started Cleveland Candies as a small business in the downtown part of the city. Over the years, it became a favorite stop for candy-lovers of all ages.

Susan’s father began working in the factory at age nineteen. He began at the bottom, cleaning floors and counting inventory², and worked his way all the way to the top. By age thirty, he was president of the company.

Because he started at the ground floor, he knew everything about the candy industry. His employees knew this and respected him for it.

As a leader, he was fair but firm. He paid employees well and treated them well, too. But he kept them all on a very “short leash³.” He made all the decisions involving the company.

He also kept his daughter Susan on a very short leash. When she began working at the company, he refused to let her make any decisions or take on any responsibilities.

But no one criticized⁴ the president. He knew exactly how to make the business a success. And it worked! The company expanded under his leadership. Soon Cleveland Candies had stores across the country and even shipped candy all over the world.

Then he died suddenly. Control of the company went to Susan. Because her father had kept her on such a short leash, she had no idea how to run the company. It soon stopped earning a profit. One by one, Cleveland Candies stores began closing.

After five years, the company was no more.

If Susan’s father had passed the torch to her -- mentored⁶ her and taught her how to run the company -- things might have ended very differently.

Now, what do you think to keep someone on a short leash means?

A leash is like a rope. People use a leash to walk a dog. The leash keeps the dog from running away or getting into trouble. Keeping a dog on a short leash makes it easier for the dog walker to stay in control of the pet.

So, keeping someone on a short leash means to control them.

Now, in the candy store story, you also heard the expression “pass the torch.” If someone is willing to pass the torch, they are willing to give control -- give responsibility -- to someone else. And they usually will not keep people on a short leash.

And that brings us to the end of this Words and Their Stories. If you enjoyed the program, remember to join us again next week!

Until next time … I’m Anna Matteo.

Got me on a short leash,

Tied to your screen door,

I used to run with the big dogs,

'Til I stretched out on your front porch⁷...

Words in This Story

candy – n. a sweet made of sugar often with flavoring⁸ and filling

inventory – n. a complete list of the things that are in a place

ground floor – n. to be involved in a project or business activity from the beginning

mentor⁵ – v. to teach or give advice or guidance to (someone, such as a less experienced⁹ person or a child) : to act as a mentor for (someone)

passed the torch idiom : to give one's job, duties, etc., to another person

1 learning   

n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词

参考例句：

• When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
• Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。

2 inventory   

n.详细目录，存货清单

参考例句：

• Some stores inventory their stock once a week.有些商店每周清点存货一次。
• We will need to call on our supplier to get more inventory.我们必须请供应商送来更多存货。

3 leash   

n.牵狗的皮带，束缚；v.用皮带系住

参考例句：

• I reached for the leash,but the dog got in between.我伸手去拿系狗绳，但被狗挡住了路。
• The dog strains at the leash,eager to be off.狗拼命地扯拉皮带，想挣脱开去。

4 criticized   

vt.批评(criticize的过去式)v.评论，批评( criticize的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The decision was criticized by environmental groups. 这个决定受到了环保团体的批评。
• The movie has been criticized for apparently legitimizing violence. 这部电影因明显地美化暴力而受到了指责。

5 mentor   

n.指导者，良师益友；v.指导

参考例句：

• He fed on the great ideas of his mentor.他以他导师的伟大思想为支撑。
• He had mentored scores of younger doctors.他指导过许多更年轻的医生。

6 mentored   

v.（无经验之人的）有经验可信赖的顾问( mentor的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• They had a fantastic dean who really mentored a lot of people. 那儿的教务长非常出色，的确为许多人提供了指导。 来自互联网
• The famous professor mentored him during his years in graduate school. 那位著名的教授在他读研究生期间指导他。 来自互联网

7 porch   

n.门廊，入口处，走廊，游廊

参考例句：

• There are thousands of pages of advertising on our porch.有成千上万页广告堆在我们的门廊上。
• The porch is supported by six immense pillars.门廊由六根大柱子支撑着。

8 flavoring   

n.调味品，调味料v.给…调味( flavor的现在分词 )；给…增添风趣

参考例句：

• Add a spoonful of banana flavoring. 加一匙香蕉调料。 来自辞典例句
• A soft, rich candy made of sugar, milk, butter and flavoring. 软糖或水果、坚果通常做夹心的糖果，外面包有一层巧克力。 来自互联网

9 experienced   

adj.有经验的；经验丰富的，熟练的

参考例句：

• Experienced seamen will advise you about sailing in this weather.有经验的海员会告诉你在这种天气下的航行情况。
• Perhaps you and I had better change over;you are more experienced.也许我们的工作还是对换一下好，你比我更有经验。