將軍和下士
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 the
sldiers 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.
從前，有一個對士兵既熱愛又嚴格要求的聰明將軍。一天上午內陸在制服上套了一件長大衣來到外面散步。正當
他從一群不認識的士兵們中間走過時，他注意到一隊正在用石頭壘一堵矮墻的士兵。他們正試圖將一塊大石頭舉上墻
頂。但這塊石頭太重了，士兵們就是舉不上去。而站在旁邊的下士卻命令他們再舉一次。
士兵們想盡了一切辦法來舉石頭，但又失敗了。他們實在是不能再舉，因為他們都已精疲力盡。但在下士的命令
之下，他們只好再舉一次。
就在石頭即將掉下來的瞬間，將軍沖上去，及時幫了士兵一把。在他的幫助下士兵們終于把石頭舉了上去。士兵
們非常感激，但下士只瞅了他一眼，繼續抽煙。 “這么重的活你為什么不幫助士兵們干？”將軍問這個下士。
“我為什么不幫助他們？”難道你沒有看見我是下士嗎？”
“噢，請原諒， 下士先生，”將軍一邊說一邊解開了他的大衣。
下士看見眼前這個人身上的制服，才明白他是將軍。他吃驚得說不出話來，預感到事情不妙。
將軍嚴肅地指出了他的錯誤并批評了他。下士向士兵們道歉并決心盡職盡責。
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