现代大学英语精读1课本内容及翻译.pdfVIP

LessonEightTheKindnessofStrangers

MikeMclntyre

1。OnesummerIwasdrivingfrommyhometownofTahoeCity,Calif，toNewOrleans。Inthemiddleofthedesert，I

byhim。

areafoolforhelping.Withgangs,drugaddicts,murderers,rapists,thieveslurkingeverywhere，Idon’twanttoget

involved”hasbecomeanationalmotto.

2。SeveralstateslaterIwasstillthinkingaboutthehitchhiker。Leavinghimstrandedinthedesertdidnotbothermeso

much。WhatbotheredmewashoweasilyIhadreachedthedecision。Ineverevenliftedmyfootofftheaccelerator。

3。Doesanyonestopanymore？Iwondered.IrecalledBlancheDuBois’sfamousline:Ihavealwaysdependedonthe

kindnessofstrangers。

kindofAmericanswouldhefind?Whowouldfeedhim,shelterhim，carryhimdowntheroad？

4。Theideaintriguedme。

5。TheweekIturned37,IrealizedthatIhadnevertakenagambleinmylife。SoIdecidedtotravelfromthePacifictothe

Atlanticwithoutapenny.Itwouldbeacashlessjourneythroughthelandofthealmightydollar。Iwouldonlyaccept

allthefearsIdhavetoconquerduringthetrip。

6.IroseearlyonSeptember6,1994，andheadedfortheGoldenGateBridgewitha50—poundpackonmybackandasign

displayingmydestinationtopassingvehicles:America.”

7.ForsixweeksIhitched82ridesandcovered4223milesacross14states。AsItraveled,folkswerealwayswarningme

helpastranger,evenwhenitseemedtoruncontrarytotheirownbestinterests.

8.OnedayinNebraskaacarpulledtotheroadshoulder。WhenIreachedthewindow，Isawtwolittleoldladiesdressedin

theirSundayfinest.”Iknowyourenotsupposedtopickuphitchhikers,butitssofarbetweentownsouthere，youfeel

badpassingape