四六级精读 | 最不起眼的行为也能产生巨大影响

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When it comes to first impressions, we all want to make a good one. And that’s why we tend to focus on our best traits and qualities. However, we often fall into the trap of thinking that everything about us needs to be perfect. But that’s just unrealistic. We all have imperfections. It’s part of being human. And while it’s easy to believe that our ‘supposed flaws and imperfections’ make us less attractive, here are some that can actually make us seem more appealing to others:

In this episode of Timeless Tales, we will learn how the smallest actions have the biggest consequences. We will hear the tale of a mighty lion who is bound to leave behind a great legacy and a tiny mouse who is still figuring his own legacy out.

While the mighty lion was asleep, a tiny mouse scurried over his paw. The lion immediately awoke and grabbed the mouse by his tail.

“How dare you disturb my sleep,” said the lion, baring his teeth.

“I was just looking for some food,” said the mouse.

“I have not eaten in days, and I thought this cave might have something for me to nibble on. I am so sorry if I disturbed your sleep. If you let me go, I will find a way to make it up to you, I promise.”

The lion laughed at the little mouses plea, finding it humorous that the tiny creature thought it could offer something of value to someone as mighty as himself.

“Do you know who I am, little one?”

“Yes,” said the mouse.

“You are the mighty lion. You are feared by all who know you, and your strength is unmatched. All of the animals say you are the protector of this jungle, and because of you, we will one day all be free. Your name will surely be remembered for generations to come.”

“That’s right,” said the lion.

“I am greatness incarnate. How could you, a tiny little mouse, offer something of value to me? My legacy and yours will not be the same. Because of me, everyone here will be free. But you – what do you offer the world?”

The mouse frowned. “You speak true words, Sir. I am just a tiny mouse who offers nothing to this world. Maybe it would be better off if you ate me, then I could be a part of you and your legacy.”

The lion put the mouse down. “Even that is something you cannot do, little mouse. Your body would not provide enough energy for a lion as mighty as me. So go, go out and find your legacy, because it is not here.”

The little mouse scurried out of the cave.

The next day, the lion found himself caught in a trap – a net that had been set up by some hunters. The lion roared for help, and upon hearing the lion’s roar, the little mouse came scurrying. The mouse began to chew the net, and eventually, he set the lion free.

“Without you, mighty lion, the jungle could not be set free. But without me, you could not be set free. Maybe, that is my legacy: to make your legacy possible.”

The smallest actions have the biggest consequences. When we think of great people and great legacies, we often think of big, heroic actions, like those of the lion who will set the jungle free. But rarely do we think of the small actions, like those of the mouse who set the lion free, that play just as big of a role in shaping our collective future.

Without the lion, the jungle could not be set free. But without the mouse, the lion could not be set free. So who’s legacy is greater? It’s impossible to say. We often think the big projects we have are the ones that will determine our legacy, but maybe, our true legacy will be determined by the small things we do.

So next time you open the door for a stranger, help someone walk across the street, or act kindly to someone you will never meet again, you just might be setting something revolutionary in motion.

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单词

1. legacy - 遗产，遗留下来的东西 Example: His father left him a large legacy of money and property.

2. scurried - 急匆匆地走 Example: The mouse scurried across the floor and disappeared under the sofa.

3. unmatched - 无与伦比的，没有比较对象的 Example: Her beauty is unmatched by anyone else in the room.

4. incarnate - 化身的，体现的 Example: He is the devil incarnate, always causing trouble.

5. trap - 陷阱，捕捉器 Example: The hunters set a trap to catch the wild animals in the forest.

6. chew - 咬，嚼 Example: He chewed his food slowly and carefully.

7. heroic - 英雄的，勇敢的 Example: The firefighters were praised for their heroic efforts in rescuing the people from the burning building.

8. collective - 集体的，共同的 Example: The collective decision was to postpone the meeting until next week.

9. revolutionary - 革命性的，具有变革意义的 Example: The new technology was considered revolutionary and changed the way people lived their lives.

10. motion - 运动，动作，行动 Example: The car was set in motion and began to move forward.

句型

1. "When we think of great people and great legacies, we often think of big, heroic actions, like those of the lion who will set the jungle free."

解析：这是一个复合句，包含两个分句，主语是we，谓语是think，其宾语从句为“of big, heroic actions...”, 这个宾语从句又包含一个比较从句“like those of the lion who will set the jungle free”。

2. "But without me, you could not be set free. Maybe, that is my legacy: to make your legacy possible."

解析：这是一个复合句，包含两个分句，第一个分句是简单句，主语是you，谓语是could not be set free，第二个分句是复合句，主语是that，谓语是is，宾语从句为“to make your legacy possible”。

回答问题

Reading Questions

1. What is the theme of the story?

   A. Big actions are more important than small actions.

   B. The lion is the most important character in the story.

   C. Small actions can have a big impact.

   D. Mice are smarter than lions.

2. Why does the mouse want to make it up to the lion?

   A. Because he wants to be friends with the lion.

   B. Because he is sorry for disturbing the lion's sleep.

   C. Because he wants to impress the lion with his skills.

   D. Because he wants to steal something from the lion.

3. What is the main lesson the story teaches?

   A. Big actions are more important than small actions.

   B. The lion is the most important character in the story.

   C. Small actions can have a big impact.

   D. Lions and mice can be friends.

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答案

CBC

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