Lesson 10　The Young Teacher　第10课　年轻的老师

sign marks parcels venture inquire

chalk ruling drawing pictures confused

Charles Rose lived in the country with his father, who taught him to read and to write.

Mr. Rose told his son that, when his morning lessons were over, he might amuse himself for one hour as he pleased.

There was a river near by. On its bank stood the hut of a poor fsherman, who lived by selling fsh.

His careful wife kept her wheel going early and late. They both worked very hard to keep themselves above want.

But they were greatly troubled lest their only son should never learn to read and to write. They could not teach him themselves, and they were too poor to send him to school.

Charles called at the hut of this fsherman one day, to inquire about his dog, which was missing.

He found the little boy, whose name was Joe, sitting by the table, on which he was making marks with a piece of chalk. Charles asked him whether he was drawing pictures.

"No, I am trying to write，"said little Joe，"but I know only two words. Those I saw upon a sign, and I am trying to write them."

"If I could only learn to read and write，"said he，"I should be the happiest boy in the world."

"Then I will make you happy，"said Charles."I am only a little boy, but I can teach you that.

"My father gives me an hour every day for myself. Now, if you will try to learn, you shall soon know how to read and to write."

Both Joe and his mother were ready to fall on their knees to thank Charles. They told him it was what they wished above all things.

So, on the next day when the hour came, Charles put his book in his pocket, and went to teach Joe. Joe learned very fast, and Charles soon began to teach him how to write.

Some time after, a gentleman called on Mr. Rose, and asked him if he knew where Charles was.Mr.Rose said that he was taking a walk, he supposed.

"I am afraid，"said the gentleman，"that he does not always amuse himself thus. I often see him go to the house of the fsherman.I fear he goes out in their boat."

Mr. Rose was much troubled.He had told Charles that he must never venture on the river, and he thought he could trust him.

The moment the gentleman left, Mr. Rose went in search of his son.He went to the river, and walked up and down, in hope of seeing the boat.

Not seeing it, he grew uneasy. He thought Charles must have gone a long way off.Unwilling to leave without learning something of him, he went to the hut.

He put his head in at the window, which was open. There a pleasant sight met his eyes.

Charles was at the table, ruling a copybook Joe was reading to him, while his mother was spinning in the corner.

Charles was a little confused. He feared his father might not be pleased；but he had no need to be uneasy, for his father was delighted.

The next day, his father took him to town, and gave him books for himself and Joe, with writing paper, pens, and ink.

Charles was the happiest boy in the world when he came home. He ran to Joe, his hands flled with parcels, and his heart beating with joy.

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查尔斯·罗斯和他的父亲住在乡下，他的父亲教他读书和写字。

罗斯先生告诉他的儿子，早上的课结束之后，他可以自己玩一个小时。

附近有一条河。贫穷的渔夫的小房子就在河岸边，渔夫以卖鱼为生。

他细心的妻子从早到晚都在纺纱。他们辛勤劳作，满足自己的生活。

但是他们很苦恼，担心自己唯一的儿子不会读书写字。他们自己不能教他，并且他们也太穷了，不能送他去上学。

查尔斯拜访了渔夫家，他来寻找自己走失的小狗。

他发现这个名叫乔的小男孩正坐在桌子旁，用一根粉笔做记号。查尔斯问他是否在画画。

“不，我在试着写字，”乔说，“但是我只认识两个字。那是我在一个牌子上看到的，我正试着把它们写下来。”

“只要我能读书写字，”他说，“我就会成为世界上最快乐的人。”

“那我可以让你变得快乐，”查尔斯说，“虽然我只是个小孩子，但是我能教你读书写字。”

“我父亲每天允许我玩一个小时。现在，只要你想学习，你很快就会读书写字了。”

乔和他的妈妈几乎要跪下来感谢查尔斯。他们告诉查尔斯，这就是他们最想要的东西。

第二天，当属于查尔斯的那一小时到来时，他把书放在口袋里，然后去教乔。乔学得很快，查尔斯很快开始教他写字了。

一段时间过后，一个男人找到罗斯先生，问他是否知道查尔斯在哪里。罗斯先生说，他可能在散步。

这个男人说：“恐怕他并没有自己一个人玩。我经常看见他去渔夫家，我担心他跟他们的船出海了。”

罗斯先生很担心。他早就告诉查尔斯不能在河边玩，他认为自己可以相信儿子。

这个男人一离开，罗斯先生就去找查尔斯了。他来到河边，沿着河岸来回踱步，希望能找到渔船。

没看到船，他变得不安起来，他想查尔斯一定已经跑很远了。没有了解到任何情况，他不愿意离开，他走向了那间小房子。

他探着脑袋向开着的窗户里看，他看到了令他欣喜的一幕。

查尔斯坐在桌子旁，向乔展示他正在读的字帖。乔的妈妈正在角落里纺纱。

查尔斯有一点困惑。他担心父亲会生气，但是他没必要不安，因为他父亲看起来很高兴。

第二天，他父亲带着他来到镇上，给他和乔买了书、纸、笔和墨。

当查尔斯回到家的时候，他觉得自己是世界上最开心的人。他跑向乔，手里拿着包裹，心里满是欢喜。