精选双语阅读：将军和下士

学以致用

   Many years ago, there was a wise general who loved his soldiers and was very strict with them. One moring he was wearing a long overcoat over his uniform and went out for a walk. Passing among thesldiers who did not know who he was, he observed a group of soldiers building a low wall of stones. They were trying to raise a large stone to the top of the wall. The stone was so heavy that they could n't quite raise it to the proper height. The corporal standing nearby commanded them to do the work again.

   The soldiers did everything they could to lift the stone. They failed once more. The soldiers were really unable to do more for their strength was almost gone. But the corporal make them do again.

　　Seeing the stone was just about to fall at the time. the general ran up to give them the help that the help that the soldiers needed. It was with the general's help that they could lift the stone upon the wall. The soldiers thanked him very much, while the corporal gave him a look, still smoking.

　　"Why not help the soldiers with the heavy work?" the general asked the corporal.

　　"Why don't I help them?" said the man. "Don't you see that I am the corporal?"

　　"Oh, I beg your pardon, Mr. Corporal," said the general, unbuttoning his overcoat.

　　When he saw the uniform the uniform the very man was wearing, the corporal learned that it was the general himself. He was so prised that he couldn't say a word. And he understood what would happen.

　　The general pointed out his mistake and critcized him seriously. The corporal made an apology to the soldiers and was determined to do his duty.

　　从前，有一个对士兵既热爱又严格要求的聪明将军。一天上午内陆在制服上套了一件长大衣来到外面散步。正当他从一群不认识的士兵们中间走过时，他注意到一队正在用石头垒一堵矮墙的士兵。他们正试图将一块大石头举上墙顶。但这块石头太重了，士兵们就是举不上去。而站在旁边的下士却命令他们再举一次。

　　士兵们想尽了一切办法来举石头，但又失败了。他们实在是不能再举，因为他们都已精疲力尽。但在下士的命令之下，他们只好再举一次。

　　就在石头即将掉下来的瞬间，将军冲上去，及时帮了士兵一把。在他的帮助下士兵们终于把石头举了上去。士兵们非常感激，但下士只瞅了他一眼，继续抽烟。 “这么重的活你为什么不帮助士兵们干？”将军问这个下士。

　　“我为什么不帮助他们？”难道你没有看见我是下士吗？”

　　“噢，请原谅， 下士先生，”将军一边说一边解开了他的大衣。

　　下士看见眼前这个人身上的制服，才明白他是将军。他吃惊得说不出话来，预感到事情不妙。

　　将军严肃地指出了他的错误并批评了他。下士向士兵们道歉并决心尽职尽责。