英语美文：A Humble Gift

 这是一篇家长写给老师的感谢信，字里行间透出对老师深深地敬意和感激！

 It is the last day of the school year and I stand empty-handed with no gift to give you. 

　　It isn't that I haven¹'t tried to think of something thoughtful and kind... quite to the contrary1. For months, I have combed2 catalogs, browsed3 specialty² shops4 and department stores, inquired of novelty5 shops, and even searched the Internet only to realize that no bauble6 or trinket7 or card could measure up8 to the feelings of a mother's grateful heart and a teacher's loving dedication³. 

　　How I wish a colorful bundle of fresh wildflowers could reflect the beauty of your way with children--the constant patience and nurturing⁴, the gentle encouragement. A keepsake9 basket laden⁵ with soothing⁶ soaps and bath oils would eventually serve only as a common gift were its sturdy10, woven walls not filled to overflowing⁷ with examples of the individual ways you have touched the lives of your students. 

 Jewelry would surely be nice, but what can I afford that would not soon tarnish11 or grow quickly out of style? You deserve the gems⁸ of royalty⁹ for your perseverance12 and creativity, your devotion and talent. During the past year, I have given you many small gifts, mostly intangible13 ones. 

　　At the moment the first school bell rang last August, I placed in you my trust, believing you would teach my child and reserve respect for me as a parent. I added to that my constant and fervent14 prayers that you would be objective15 and fair with the ability to set limitations while offering my child a chance to learn self-control and to soar a bit in the process. I sincerely petitioned16 that your classroom would be a safe haven for my child to grow and learn, lending itself to17 the crazy, yet somehow perfect, mixture of self-discipline and controlled instruction. I prayed for your health and your happiness, and your ability to be supplied with the tools necessary to complete your task as teacher and educator and mentor18. I offered you my time as often as I could, and my support for your endeavors. Occasionally, I even offered you a challenge when I spoke¹⁰ my mind, sometimes standing¹¹ firm, sometimes backing down19 with a renewed assurance or a “ wait and see” attitude! 

　　I wish with all my heart I could put a delicate ribbon on a gayly20 wrapped package and give you a “ something” to express my appreciation¹² and affection, but I have nothing to give you that would surpass the most precious gift I have ever had to offer and which you already so graciously accepted months ago-- the one you have held close to your heart, laughed with and probably cried with, applauded and scolded, encouraged and molded--my child! 

 And today, as my child returns to my side for the summer, the gift I humbly¹³ give to you is found deep within my heart...  

 I give to you my thanks. 9:23 2009-5-5ryedu.net

        一份谦卑的礼物

 今天是本学年的最后一天,我两手空空没有任何礼物送给您。

　　不是我没有花心思力图找到一件既有意义又能聊表寸心的礼品……恰恰相反。几个月来,我翻遍种种商品目录,去过数家特色商店、百货店,询问过饰品商店,甚至在因特网上搜寻过,但到头来只是觉得小饰物,小玩艺或贺卡怎么能抵得上一位母亲充满感激的心和一位老师充满爱意的奉献呢？

　　我多么希望送给您一束散发着泥土芳香的五彩缤纷的野花,它们能体现您善待孩子的美——持久的耐心、呵护和温柔的鼓励。一只装满润肤香皂和浴油的坚实精制的礼篮,如果它那篮框内不是满盛您一个个触动学生心灵的具体事例，那终究也不过是一件普通的礼物。

　　首饰当然不错,但什么样的珠宝不会很快失去光泽或旋即过时，而我又能买得起呢?以您的坚韧和创造性,您的敬业和才能,您应当拥有皇家的珠宝。在过去的一年里,我已经送给您许多小礼物，其中大部分是无形的。

　　去年8月学校的铃声第一次响起时，我就对您寄予信任,相信您会教育好我的孩子，同时保留对我作为一个家长的尊重。在信任的基础上我给您以不断的、热烈的祈祷，希望您在给我孩子以机会让他学会自控又尝试翱翔的同时，您能客观、公正地给孩子设定限制。我真诚地祈祷您的教室是我孩子成长、学习最安全的地方，是自律与有节制的教诲近乎不可能但可称完美的结合。我为您的健康、您的幸福祈祷，为您作为一名教师、一名教育者、一名导师所必备的种种能力和才干而祈祷。我常尽量抽出时间，支持您的工作。但偶尔我也会直抒己见向您挑战：有时坚持己见，有时会由于得到您重申的保证而放弃我原来的主张，或采取一种“等等看”的态度!

　　我由衷地祈望，我能用一条精美的丝带绕在一个用鲜艳的礼品纸包装的礼盒上送给您点“什么”，以表达我的感激和爱戴,但是我再没有什么能比得过数月前我已送给您的、您也欣然接受的最为宝贵的礼物——那礼物您已将其紧贴心头,并与之一起欢笑,也可能一起哭泣,称赞过也训斥过，鼓励着和塑造着的——我的孩子!

　　今天,当我的孩子返回到我的身边过暑假时,我谦恭地送给您我的礼物,是出自我内心深处的……

　　请接受我深深的谢意。

1 haven   

n.安全的地方，避难所，庇护所

参考例句：

• It's a real haven at the end of a busy working day.忙碌了一整天后，这真是一个安乐窝。
• The school library is a little haven of peace and quiet.学校的图书馆是一个和平且安静的小避风港。

2 specialty   

n.(speciality)特性，特质；专业，专长

参考例句：

• Shell carvings are a specialty of the town.贝雕是该城的特产。
• His specialty is English literature.他的专业是英国文学。

3 dedication   

n.奉献，献身，致力，题献，献辞

参考例句：

• We admire her courage,compassion and dedication.我们钦佩她的勇气、爱心和奉献精神。
• Her dedication to her work was admirable.她对工作的奉献精神可钦可佩。

4 nurturing   

养育( nurture的现在分词 )； 培育； 滋长； 助长

参考例句：

• These delicate plants need careful nurturing. 这些幼嫩的植物需要精心培育。
• The modern conservatory is not an environment for nurturing plants. 这个现代化温室的环境不适合培育植物。

5 laden   

adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的

参考例句：

• He is laden with heavy responsibility.他肩负重任。
• Dragging the fully laden boat across the sand dunes was no mean feat.将满载货物的船拖过沙丘是一件了不起的事。

6 soothing   

adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的

参考例句：

• Put on some nice soothing music.播放一些柔和舒缓的音乐。
• His casual, relaxed manner was very soothing.他随意而放松的举动让人很快便平静下来。

7 overflowing   

n. 溢出物,溢流 adj. 充沛的，充满的 动词overflow的现在分词形式

参考例句：

• The stands were overflowing with farm and sideline products. 集市上农副产品非常丰富。
• The milk is overflowing. 牛奶溢出来了。

8 gems   

growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长

参考例句：

• a crown studded with gems 镶有宝石的皇冠
• The apt citations and poetic gems have adorned his speeches. 贴切的引语和珠玑般的诗句为他的演说词增添文采。

9 royalty   

n.皇家，皇族

参考例句：

• She claims to be descended from royalty.她声称她是皇室后裔。
• I waited on tables，and even catered to royalty at the Royal Albert Hall.我做过服务生， 甚至在皇家阿伯特大厅侍奉过皇室的人。

10 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。

11 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

12 appreciation   

n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨

参考例句：

• I would like to express my appreciation and thanks to you all.我想对你们所有人表达我的感激和谢意。
• I'll be sending them a donation in appreciation of their help.我将送给他们一笔捐款以感谢他们的帮助。

13 humbly   

adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地

参考例句：

• We humbly beg Your Majesty to show mercy. 我们恳请陛下发发慈悲。
• "You must be right, Sir,'said John humbly. “你一定是对的，先生，”约翰恭顺地说道。