感受异国的阳光（2）
Sitting at the table she gazed at her students while thinking of what she would do after work. Maybe I’ll go to the gym or stop at the market for something to eat tonight. Mechanically she continued with her lesson on the short letter“a” with her students. “The letter‘a’ makes what sound？”“a, a, a”, the students sang together going through the empty motions. The clock dragged away the minutes teasing her with the tediousness of the day.
Won’t it end？ She thought as the phone rang out its morse code for her room. Sighing she stood up and walked through the maze of students desks to get to the phone. Picking up the receiver the other voice seemed a hundred miles away. Oh, how I wish I were anywhere but here. Her mind wandered to the hot exotic beach of Cabo, Mexico, where she had spent her last summer break. She still remembered the cool breezes that caressed her skin as she lay on the gritty2 sand.
“Miss Smith， did you hear me？” the secretary annoyingly asked her. “Oh, sorry. What did you say？” “Can you send Carla to the office？” the secretary impatiently asked. “Oh, course,” she replied as she hung up the phone. She turned from the phone and yelled out Carla’s name. Carla, who was one of the many who always seemed so needy that were in her class this year. Carla looked up from her desk, her hair hanging like a matted displaced doll. Her face was lined with dirt that gave her the appearance of one of those munchkins from the Wizard of Oz. “You need to go to the office”, she said while Carla slowly rose from her desk. “Why do I have to go？” whined Carla. “It’s between you and the office—just go up,” she hastily turned her back as Carla walked out of the room. Like having free school uniforms is the answer. It would be nice if just once someone called saying something nice or thanking me for all the endless crap I have to deal with. With a sigh she walked back to her other students who were clustered at the back table patiently waiting her return.
The rest of the afternoon blurred into one long endless repetition. Finally the bell rang as a relief. As she led her students out the door they walked behind her as baby chicks3 returning to their fold. She noticed that their mother hens clucked to them behind the iron gate. As she proceeded to walk down the corridor, the air, which rose with the musical tingle of Spanish coloring everything that touched it, greeted her. She watched with a touch of envy as the children left her to return to those homes that probably were filled with laughter and warmth while she would once again return to the same endless march of boredom.
“Senora, un momento por favor？” she turned her head and noticed the small shriveled man, his brown face lined with a map to places only he knew. “Thanks for helping my grandson Julio to read.” the gentleman said in his faltering broken English. She immediately thought of Julio, who once as unreachable as a hardened walnut, slowly cracked opened to reveal the eager child inside. She thought of the inner struggle Julio must have had as he tried to make sense of the foreign letters and the sudden joy when he had unbroken the mysterious code. Was the grandfather the same？ She looked up at this elderly gentleman, probably his grandfather, and quickly recognized the sameness of the two. “Gracias Senora” a weathered hand came out and firmly grasped hers with warmth that radiated from his soul to hers. Just as abruptly he removed his hand and left her. As he walked away she thought of that exotic sun and realized maybe it was closer to her than she thought.
师恩如甘露（1）
佚名
史蒂夫12岁了，他的父母都是酒鬼。今年，他就要结束自己的学校生活了。虽然史蒂夫能够阅读，可他还是个差生。从一年级开始他的成绩就很差，在一年又一年的学习中，依然没有什么进展。史蒂夫身材健壮，看起来远远要比12岁的孩子大得多。不过他一直都不被人重视……直到怀特小姐来到。
怀特小姐笑容可掬，年轻有活力，还有一头迷人的红发。这正是史蒂夫喜欢的类型。在年轻的生命中，史蒂夫第一次无法把眼睛从老师身上移开，不过，他的学习仍旧不好。史蒂夫从没有做过家庭作业，还总是给怀特小姐找麻烦。怀特小姐那尖刻的话让他的心都碎了。每次因为不交作业而被罚时，他都感到十分痛苦。然而，他还是不学习。
到了第一学期的期中，整个七年级要进行基础技能测验。史蒂夫草草地完成了自己的测验，开始像以往那样幻想其他的事情。他的心思根本不在学校，而是在树林里。他经常独自躲藏在那里，试图摆脱酒鬼之家的声响和气味。没有人关心他是否安全，也没有人知道他走开了，因为所有的人都没有心思顾及其他。令人意想不到的是，史蒂夫从没有旷过一次课。
一天，怀特小姐不耐烦的声音打破了他的白日梦。
“史蒂夫！！”史蒂夫吃惊地转过头看着她。
“注意力要集中！”
当怀特小姐开始宣布七年级的测验成绩时，史蒂夫用那种青春期才有的崇敬目光盯着怀特小姐。
她对全班说：“你们考得都很好，只有一个男生例外。告诉你们这些让我感到伤心，可是……”她停下来，眼光转向史蒂夫的座位，用犀利的目光盯着他的脸。
“七年级最聪明的孩子，居然会在我教的科目上不及格！”
她盯着史蒂夫，全班同学也都转过头来看着他。史蒂夫低下头，看着自己的指尖。这件事情之后，战争依然继续！史蒂夫还是不肯做作业。即使受到的惩罚更加严厉，他还是坚持如此。
“只尝试一下！就一个星期！”他无动于衷。
“你非常聪明！你会有很大的变化！”任何话语都奈何不了他。
“给自己一个机会！不要放弃自己的生活。”他还是一切照旧。
“史蒂夫，求求你。我很关心你！”
哇！史蒂夫突然受到了触动！有人关心他？太不可思议了，居然有人关心他？ 那天下午，史蒂夫心事重重地回家去了。走进屋子之后，他扫视了一下四周，看到父母裸露着身子已经睡了。屋子里的恶臭让人无法忍受！他很快找齐自己的露营装备，拿了一瓶花生酱，一块面包，一瓶水，这次……还有他的课本。他神情严肃，决心已定，朝树林走去。
下周一早上，史蒂夫准时到了学校，等着怀特小姐走进教室。怀特小姐神采飞扬地走进来，脸上带着微笑。天哪！她真是太漂亮了！他希望她能对他微笑，但是她没有。怀特小姐很快决定对周末的家庭作业进行测验。史蒂夫飞快地完成了测验，第一个交了卷子。怀特小姐接过他的卷子，满腹狐疑地批阅起来。史蒂夫回到自己的座位上，心里紧张得怦怦直跳。当他坐下来时，忍不住再次看了一眼这位可爱的女士。
怀特小姐的脸上完全是一副震惊的表情。她匆忙地瞥了史蒂夫一眼，然后又低下了头，接着又再次抬起头来。突然，她的脸上露出了灿烂的笑容。七年级最聪明的男孩第一次通过了测验！
从那一刻起，史蒂夫完全变了一个人。虽然家里的生活还是和从前一样，但他的生活的确发生了变化。他发现自己不但能够学习，而且能够学得很好！他能够理解并牢牢记住知识，还能将学到的知识运用到自己的生活中。史蒂夫开始变得优秀！整个学生生涯，他都在进步。
高中毕业后，史蒂夫加入了海军，并且度过了一段精彩的军旅生涯。那段时间，他邂逅了生命中的最爱，有了自己的家庭，并从马尼亚库姆劳德大学毕业。在他的海军生涯中，他的事迹激励了很多年轻人。假如没有他，这些人可能无法意识到自己的价值。从海军退伍之后，史蒂夫开始了第二阶段的职业生涯。作为附近一所大学的副教授，他继续激励着他人。
师恩如甘露（2）
怀特小姐留下了一笔宝贵的财富。她挽救了一个男孩，正是这个男孩使许多其他的生命发生了改变。我知道这些，因为我就是他生命中的最爱。
你知道的，完全是一个老师的关心，使一个男孩的内心发生了天翻地覆的变化。
The Difference a Teacher Can Make
Anonymous
Steve, a twelve-year-old boy with alcoholic1 parents, was about to be lost forever, by the , he could read, yet, in spite of his reading skills, Steve was failing. He had been failing since first grade, as he was passed on from grade to grade. Steve was a big boy, looking more like a teenager than a twelve year old, yet, Steve went unnoticed... until Miss White came.
Miss White was a smiling, young, beautiful redhead, and Steve was in love！For the first time in his young life, he couldn’t take his eyes off his teacher; yet, still he failed. He never did his homework, and he was always in trouble with Miss White. His heart would break under her sharp words, and when he was punished for failing to turn in his homework, he felt just miserable！ Still, he did not study.
In the middle of the first semester of school, the entire seventh grade was tested for basic skills. Steve hurried through his tests, and continued to dream of other things, as the day wore on. His heart was not in school, but in the woods, where he often escaped alone, trying to shut out the sights, sounds and smells of his alcoholic home. No one checked on him to see if he was safe. No one knew he was gone, because no one was sober enough to care. Oddly, Steve never missed a day of school.
One day, Miss White’s impatient voice broke into his daydreams.
“Steve！！” Startled, he turned to look at her.
“Pay attention！”
Steve locked his gaze on Miss White with adolescent2 adoration, as she began to go over the test results for the seventh grade.
“You all did pretty well,” she told the class,“except for one boy, and it breaks my heart to tell you this, but...” She hesitated, pinning Steve to his seat with a sharp stare, her eyes searching his face.
“The smartest boy in the seventh grade is failing my class！”
She just stared at Steve, as the class spun around for a good look. Steve dropped his eyes and carefully examined his fingertips.
After that, it was war！！ Steve still wouldn’t do his homework. Even as the punishments became more severe, he remained stubborn3.
“Just try it！ ONE WEEK！” He was unmoved.
“You’re smart enough！ You’ll see a change！” Nothing fazed him.
“Give yourself a chance！ Don’t give up on your life！” Nothing.
“Steve！ Please！ I care about you！”
Wow！ Suddenly, Steve got it！！ Someone cared about him？ Someone, totally unattainable and perfect, CARED ABOUT HIM？？！！
Steve went home from school, thoughtful, that afternoon. Walking into the house, he took one look around. Both parents were passed out, in various stages of undress, and the stench was overpowering！ He, quickly, gathered up his camping gear, a jar of peanut4 butter, a loaf of bread, a bottle of water, and this time...his schoolbooks. Grim faced and determined, he headed for the woods.
师恩如甘露（3）
The following Monday he arrived at school on time, and he waited for Miss White to enter the classroom. She walked in, all sparkle and smiles！God, she was beautiful！He yearned for her smile to turn on him. It did not.
Miss White, immediately, gave a quiz on the weekend homework. Steve hurried through the test, and was the first to hand in his paper. With a look of surprise, Miss White took his paper. Obviously puzzled, she began to look it over. Steve walked back to his desk, his heart pounding within his chest. As he sat down, he couldn’t resist another look at the lovely woman.
Miss White’s face was in total shock！She glanced up at Steve, then down, then up. Suddenly, her face broke into a radiant5 smile. The smartest boy in the seventh grade had just passed his first test！
From that moment nothing was the same for Steve. Life at home remained the same, but life still changed. He discovered that not only could he learn, but he was good at it！He discovered that he could understand and retain knowledge, and that he could translate the things he learned into his own life. Steve began to excel！And he continued this course throughout his school life.
After high school Steve enlisted in the Navy, and he had a successful military career. During that time, he met the love of his life, he raised a family, and he graduated from college Magna Cum Laude. During his naval career, he inspired many young people, who without him, might not have believed in themselves. Steve began a second career after the navy, and he continues to inspire others, as an adjunct6 professor in a nearby college.
Miss White left a great legacy. She saved one boy who has changed many lives. I know, because I am the love of his life.
You see, it’s simple, really. A change took place within the heart of one boy, all because of one teacher, who cared.
不只是一笔奖学金（1）
佚名
你也许听说过那位密西西比州的妇女奥西奥拉?麦卡蒂。已经88岁高龄的她，曾做了75年的洗衣工。退休后的一天，她去了银行，万分惊奇地发现自己每个月微薄的收入积攒下来已经超过了15万美元。而更令人惊奇的是，她转身就把几乎全部的积蓄15万美元作为奖学金捐给了南密西西比州大学，以帮助经济困难的非洲裔美国学生。于是，她成了全国瞩目的新闻人物。
而奥西奥拉的礼物如何影响了我的一生，这是你们从未听说过的。今年19岁的我，是第一位获得奥西奥拉?麦卡蒂奖学金的学生。
我是个很执著的人，我最大的心愿就是去南密西西比州大学读书。奖学金是我上学的唯一途径，然而在入学考试中，我因一分之差与奖学金失之交臂。
一个星期天，我偶然在报纸上看到了有关奥西奥拉?麦卡蒂和她慷慨捐赠的报道。我拿给妈妈看，我们都认为这是一个壮举。
翌日，我就去了经济援助办公室。他们说还是没有可以帮助我的资金，但如果有情况的话，会随时通知我。几天后，我正匆忙出门，准备搭妈妈的车去上班时，电话铃响了。我停下来接电话，听到他们说我被选为奥西奥拉?麦卡蒂奖学金的首位获得者，而此时妈妈还在按着喇叭催我。我感到万分惊喜！我飞快地冲出去告诉了妈妈这个好消息。她为了确认此事，又给办公室打了个电话。
初次见到奥西奥拉是在一次新闻发布会上，当时我看到她就仿佛见到了亲人。奥西奥拉从未结婚也没有孩子，从此我家就成了她的家。我奶奶经常和她通电话聊天，一起做事，她也参加我们的家庭活动。
一次我们聊到了冰淇淋。我们发现奥西奥拉没吃过多少冰淇淋，于是大家全都挤进车里，去了“乳制品皇后”，为她点了她从未吃过的香蕉圣代！如今她能吃到不同口味的冰淇淋了。
奥西奥拉一辈子都很辛苦——从早到晚都在忙着洗衣服。我以前开车去学校时，正好经过她的家。的确，当时我并不知道那是她家，但我注意到她家的草坪保养得很好，而且处处干净整齐。不久前，我问她为何那时从未见过她，她答道：“我猜我一定在后院洗衣服。”
如今，奥西奥拉已经退休了。除了去领奖，白天的大多数时间，她都坐在家里读《圣经》。每次我去看她，她都会领一个新奖。她甚至还去过白宫。她如此开心、自豪，却从不傲慢。我们就告诉她去买一台摄像机，这样她就能把节目录下来，在电视上看到她自己——而她只是面带微笑地坐着。
奥西奥拉给予我的远远超过了一笔奖学金。从她那里，我学到了付出的可贵。现在，我知道世界上有很多做好事的好人。她一生辛劳，最终却将一切奉献给了他人，接着她也鼓励我在有能力时就要懂得回报。最后，我决定为她的奖学金添补资金。
我想给奥西奥拉一个她梦寐以求的家，因此我认她做我的另一位祖母，甚至她也叫我孙女儿。当我大学毕业的时候，她将作为来宾坐在我的母亲和奶奶之间，那是她理所应当坐的位子。
■ 心灵小语
在生活中，只要稍稍留意，就可以发现那些最美丽的心灵，他们付出了爱，却从不要求回报；他们把生活的希望带给别人，把奉献的快乐留给了自己。
More than a Scholarship
Anonymous
You may have heard of Osceola McCarty. She’s an 88-year-old woman in Mississippi who had worked for over 75 years as a washer woman. One day after she retired, she went to the bank and discovered, to her great surprise, that her meager monthly savings had grown to over $150, 000. Then to everyone’s great surprise, she turned around and donated $150,000—almost all of those savings—to the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) for a scholarship fund for African-American students with financial needs. She made national headlines.