阅读理解Back in New York, I am fighting fires as the assistant captain (副队长) of a volunteer fire company.
I still remember my first fire. I was the second volunteer on the scene (现场). The captain was talking with the homeowner, who was surely having one of the worst days of her life. At midnight, she was standing outside in the heavy rain, under an umbrella, barefoot (赤脚的), while her house was in flames (在燃烧中). The other volunteer, who had arrived just before me, was asked to go inside and save the homeowner's dog. The captain then waved (招手) me over. He said, "Bezos, I need you to go upstairs past the fire, and get this woman a pair of shoes." So, not exactly what I was hoping for, but off I went up the stairs, down the hall, past the "real" firefighters, who were pretty much done putting out the fire at this point, into the bedroom to get a pair of shoes.
Now I know what you're thinking, but I'm no hero. (Laughter) I carried the shoes downstairs where I met the other volunteer with the valuable dog. We took our treasures outside to the homeowner, where, not surprisingly, his received much more attention than mine.
A few weeks later, the company received a letter from the homeowner thanking us for saving her home. The act of kindness she noted above all others was that someone had even gotten her a pair of shoes.
Here, I would offer this reminder: don't wait. Don't wait until you make your first million to make a difference in somebody's life. If you have something to give, give it now.
Not every day is going to offer us a chance to save somebody's life, but every day offers us an opportunity to affect (影响) one. So get in the game. Save the shoes.