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!”
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
（1 3 5頁），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！
?Word Bank
harvest (v) 收割
grind (v) 磨碎（成粉）

diligence (n) 勤勉
prosperity (n) 成功；繁榮
Protestant (adj) 基督教徒的

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

For many, working from home is more efficient and saves money
對許多人而言，在家工作效率更好而且又節省開銷

Charles has asked Elaine to marry him 14 times. He just won't take no for an answer.
查爾斯已經向伊蓮求婚十四次了。他要堅持到她點頭為止。

When it comes to fashion,green is the new black
說到時尚，綠色取代黑色成為新主流

Sherry left John high and dry after the divorce. He didn't have any money left at all.
雪莉和約翰離婚，並使他陷入慘境。她完全沒有留一分錢給他。

Helping teens find a career path that suits them
協助青少年找到適合他們的職涯道路

Healing a broken heart can take a long time. It took Julia 3 years to recover after she stopped dating Doug.
醫治一顆破碎的心可能要很久的時間。茱莉亞不和道格約會後，花了三年的時間來恢復。

I am looking for some good clean fun. I don't want to go to any bars.
我正找些正當的娛樂。我不想到酒吧去。

You'll be amazed at what this silvery metal can do!
這種銀色金屬的功能令人驚奇！
As soon as Lisa touched the book, Rachel yelled "Hands off!"
莉莎才摸到那本書，瑞秋就大吼：「別碰！」

All of us need to practice healthy parental behaviors toward young
children and teenagers
大家應以健康的教養態度來對待兒童與青少年
Constant travel means living out of a suitcase.
經常旅行就是要靠著一只皮箱過日子。

New research could make a trip to the dentist less painful
最新研究能減輕看牙醫的痛苦

You just received a paper that is hot off the press.
你收到的報紙是剛剛才印出來的喔。