Work Ethic‏

Once upon a time, a little red hen found some grains of wheat. “Who will help me plant the wheat?” she asked her friends. “Not I,” said the cat. “Not I,” said the rat. “Not I,” said the pig. “Then I'll do it myself,” said the little red hen.
從前，有一隻小紅母雞發現了一些小麥粒。「誰要來幫我種這些麥子？」她問她的
朋友們。「我不行。」貓回答。「我不行。」老鼠回答。「我也不行。」豬回答。
「那麼我只好自己來種了。」小紅母雞說
Then it came time to harvest the wheat, grind the wheat into flour and make the bread. Still no one would help her. She had to do all the work by herself. But when it was time to eat the fresh-baked bread, everyone wanted to help. “No!” the little red hen exclaimed. “ You didn't share in the work, so you can't share in the reward!”
小紅母雞說。之後要收割小麥的時候到了，要把小麥磨成麵粉，然後要做成麵包，可是
仍然沒有人來幫她，她只得自己做所有的工作。可是，當要吃新出爐的烤麵包時，每個
人都想來幫忙吃，「門兒都沒有！」小紅母雞大叫，「你們完全沒有分擔任何工作，所
以你們一杯羹都分不到！」
The story of the little red hen illustrates the American work ethic, or attitude toward work. Americans feel that everyone should pull his own weight. By working hard, they believe, people can succeed and achieve their goals. In the words of Thomas Edison, the famous inventor, “There is no substitute for hard work.”
這隻小紅母雞的故事，說明了美國人的工作道德，或者可以說是工作的態度。美國人
覺得，每個人都應該盡自己的本份。他們相信，人們可以藉著勤奮的工作而獲得成功
，並且達到他們的目標。引用著名的發明家愛迪生所說的：「努力的工作沒有替代品」。
The American work ethic comes from the days of the early settlers. Many of these settlers were Protestant Christians who believed that all of life, including work, was a service to God. According to the Bible, everyone has a responsibility from God to work hard. These settlers to the New World learned the value of hard work first-hand as they tamed the wilderness. They came to believe that diligence

would lead to success and prosperity. This system of beliefs, known as the “Protestant work ethic,” has greatly influenced American attitudes toward work.
美國人的工作觀源自早期移民的那段時期，這些移民當中有很多是基督教徒，他們相信，
生命中所有的一切，包括工作，都是在事奉上帝。根據聖經，上帝將努力工作的責任交付
給每一個人。這些來到新大陸的移民，在他們開墾荒地時，從中直接學到了努力工作的價
值。他們相信，勤奮可以帶來成功和繁榮。這套被稱作「基督徒的工作倫理」的信仰體系
，已經深深地影響了美國人的工作態度。
Even today, many Americans place high value on their work. When people are introduced to
each other, they commonly ask, “What do you do?” People often find self-respect and a sense of identity in their job. They feel frustrated if they're unemployed and can't“earn their keep.” Moreover, many Americans look down on others who refuse to work and rely on the government to support them. People need a hand, not a handout, they say.
即使到了今天，很多美國人仍很看重他們的工作。當人們彼此互相介紹時，通常會問
對方：「您從事什麼行業？」人們經常會在工作中，發現自我的尊嚴和認同感。如果
失業了無法維持生計，他們就會有挫折感。更甚者，很多美國人會看輕那些不願意工
作而且仰賴政府供養的人。他們說，人需要的是援手，而不是施捨的東西。
Of course, hard work can be taken to an extreme. People who have too many job demands can turn into workaholics. They neglect their personal life, their families and their health. Instead of just working a standard 8 to 5 schedule, these “work addicts” work overtime, all the time. For some people, work stress increases so much that it leads to burnout. Now, not all Americans are workaholics. But most hard-working people find it a challenge to balance work with other responsibilities.
當然，勤奮的工作也可能走向極端，在工作上要求過多的人，可能會變成工作狂，他們
忽略了個人的生活、家人和健康。他們不僅是朝八晚五固定地上班而已，這些對工作上
了癮的人，不論何時總是在加班。對某些人而言，工作的壓力可能會增加到把自己弄得
心力交瘁。當然，並不是所有的美國人都是工作狂，但是大多數勤奮工作的人都覺得，
要在工作上和其他的責任之間取得平衡，實在是一個挑戰。
Sometimes Americans, like most people, think that all their blessings are the fruit of their own labors. The Thanksgiving season is a good time to remember that many of life's blessings are actually gifts—including the opportunity to work. The early settlers worked hard, but they also gave God thanks for His provision and protection. And even though the little red hen had to do all the work herself, she has a lot to be thankful for, especially at Thanksgiving. At least she's not a turkey.
美國人有時候也跟大多數人一樣，認為他們所擁有的一切幸福，都是靠自己的努力所得
來的結果。這個感恩節的時刻是一個很好的時機，可以讓我們記得，生命中所擁有的許
多幸福，其實都是得來的禮物，包括工作的機會。早期的移民很辛勤地工作，可是他們
也因上帝的供應和保護而向祂獻上感謝。雖然小紅母雞必須獨力完成所有的工作，她仍
有許多需要感恩的事，尤其是在感恩節的時刻，她至少會感謝自己不是一隻火雞啊！




@Words Bank
harvest (v) 收割
grind (v) 磨碎（成粉）

pull one's own weight (v phr) 盡自己的本份

Protestant (adj) 基督教徒的
diligence (n) 勤勉
prosperity (n) 成功；繁榮
identity (n) 自我的認同
handout (n) 施捨的東西

workaholic (n) 工作狂
burnout (n) 累垮；心力交瘁
responsibility (n) 責任

provision (n) 供應；準備

 

@The Day's Phrase
If you have been home sick more than usual, stress may be the cause
如果你生病在家裡靜養的次數超乎尋常，壓力

Bernie is on the brink of a big discovery. It could be a sure thing in a month if she works really hard.
柏妮就快有重大的發現了。如果她很努力的話，一個月內一定會有結果的。

Six tips to protect you in the sun this summer
今夏保護你不受陽光侵害的六大祕訣

I enjoy keeping my Uncle John company. When we get together he tells me stories and we play games.
我很喜歡陪約翰叔叔。當我們在一起時，他會說故事給我聽，還我們還玩遊戲呢！

Times are changing, and these desert people aren't far behind
貝都因人的今與昔時代在變，而這群沙漠民族也跟上了腳步

" Steven, they are going to leave without us," Richard said. "Tell them I'll
be ready in two shakes." replied Steven.
「史蒂芬，他們不等我們要先走了，」理查說。「告訴他們我馬上就好。」

You don’t have to escape your surroundings to find the rest and peace you need
不用逃避所處環境，也能得到休息與寧靜

Learn about some of the world’s oldest underground
transportation systems
來了解一些世上歷史最悠久的地下交通運輸系統

What's your plan?
今你有什麼計劃?

My new year resolution is to spend more time with my family.
我新年的決心是多花時間與家人相處.

Traveling back in time is more popular than ever
回到過去變得前所未有地更流行了

I'd rather read than watch comedies on TV.
我寧願閱讀也不願意看電視的喜劇.