阅读理解 Once an old man rose early to read each morning. His grandson wanted to be just like his grandfather, so tried to emulate him every way he could.
One day the grandson asked, “Grandpa, I try to read just like you do, but I don't understand most of it, and I forget whatever I do understand immediately I close the book. So what good is it for me to read?”
The grandfather, who was putting coal on the fire, said, “Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water.”
The boy did as told to, but the water leaked out before he could get the basket home.
The grandfather laughed, saying, “You'll have to move a little faster.” This time he ran faster, but again the basket emptied. Out of breath, he decided it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket (桶). But the grandfather said, “I want a basket of water instead of a bucket of water. You're just not trying hard enough.”
The boy knew what he was trying to accomplish was impossible. However, he decided to show his grandfather a third time.
The boy dipped the basket into the river and ran as hard as he could. With the empty basket, he gasped (喘气说), “See Grandpa? It's useless!”
“So you think it useless?” the old man asked. ''Then look at the basket.” To his surprise, the boy found it washed clean of the dirty coal stains and now clean inside and out.
“My child, that's what happens when you read the book. You might not understand or remember everything, but the words will change you inside and out. That is the work of reading in our lives.”
