C
In the centre of the busy city, where skyscrapers kissed the clouds and people hurried about, there was a small park. It was an island of peace in the city centre, a place where I, a high school boy, often went to after school.
One sunny afternoon, as I sat on a bench, my attention was drawn to a street performer preparing his act. He was a middle-aged man with a warm smile and eyes that shone with courage mixed with life's wisdom. Placing his hat on the ground, he began to play the violin, each note filled with sad beauty that seemed to tell tales of his life's journey.
I watched as the crowd passed by, most too busy with their own thoughts to notice the soulful melodies that surrounded them. Suddenly, a coin would clink into the hat, but for the most part, the performer was overlooked.
Coming close to him when he took a break, I asked, "Don't you ever feel upset when people don't stop to listen?"
He looked at me with a gentle smile and replied, "Upset? Yes. There are moments. But I tell myself that my music is a personal expression, not just a performance for others."
"Is it the money that keeps you going?" I asked, looking at the collection in his hat.
He smiled, "The money is not bad, but it's not the driving force. I play because I'm crazy about music. Every note I make is part of me that I share with the world. Whether anyone listens or not, I stay true to my love for the art."
His words struck a chord within me. Here was a person who was indifferent to the world, but held onto his pursuit of happiness. It was a powerful lesson on endurance and self-worth.
As the sun set, painting the sky orange and pink, he continued his playing. This time, I listened with new ears. The music was no longer just a melody; it was the strength and spirit of humanity.
When it was finally time for me to head home, I placed a coin in his hat, not only as an act of charity, but as a respect for a man who had taught me a valuable life lesson: follow one's passion bravely even without an audience.
词汇
skyscraper /'skaɪskreɪpə(r)/ n. 摩天大楼
soulful /'səʊlfl/ adj. 深情的；凄婉的
melody /'melədi/ n. 曲调
clink /klɪŋk/ v. (使)发出叮当声
overlook /ˌəʊvə'lʊk/ v. 忽略，未注意到
strike a chord 引起共鸣
indifferent /ɪn'dɪfrənt/ adj. 漠不关心；不感兴趣
pursuit /pə'sjuːt/ n. 追求，寻找
endurance /ɪn'djʊərəns/ n. 忍耐力
self-worth /ˌself'w3:θ/ n. 自我价值感
理解
1. What was the driving force of the man to play the violin?
He was crazy about music and stayed true to his love for the art.
2. Share with us any story or anyone that has taught you a valuable life lesson.
My grandmother taught me a valuable life lesson. She always gets up early to cook for the family and never complains. Once I asked her why she worked so hard. She said, "Doing things with love makes them meaningful, no matter how small they are." Her words taught me to find joy in daily life and value the little things.
