在日常的学习、工作、生活中，许多人都写过美文吧？随着网络文化的发展，美文的概念已经不限定于某种文体，或某类内容。那么，你知道一篇好的美文要怎么写吗？下面是小编精心整理的英语美文欣赏，希望能够帮助到大家...
英语美文欣赏：On the seashore 在海滨 推荐度： 英语美文欣赏：我爱你胜过爱我自己 推荐度： 英语美文欣赏：生命需要抱负双语 推荐度：
英语美文欣赏(通用)
在日常的学习、工作、生活中，许多人都写过美文吧？随着网络文化的发展，美文的概念已经不限定于某种文体，或某类内容。那么，你知道一篇好的美文要怎么写吗？下面是小编精心整理的英语美文欣赏，希望能够帮助到大家。
by Joyce Grenfell
乔伊丝.格伦费尔
I think the center of my faith is an absolute certainty of good. Like everyone else, I get low and there are times when I feel as if I have my fins backwards and am swimming upstream in heavy boots.
我认为，对人性本善的绝对信仰便是我信仰的核心。同其他人一样，我也有遇到挫折、情绪低落的时候，那感觉就像是穿着沉重的靴子向上游，却被脚蹼拖着后腿一样。
But even in these dark times, even though I feel cut off, perhaps, and alone, I am aware - even if distantly - that I am part of a whole and that the whole is true and real and good.
然而，就算是在那些黑暗的日子里，即使我有一种被孤立或者孤独的感觉，我依然会隐隐意识到自己是真实、正确且善良的整体的一部分。
I have never had any difficultly in believing in God. I don't believe in a personal God and I don't quite see how it is possible to believe in a God who knows both good and evil and yet to trust in Him. I believe in God, Good, in One Mind, and I believe we are all subject to and part of this oneness.
我对上帝的信仰从未改变过。但我不相信肉身上帝，也难以明白怎么有可能去信仰一个善恶共存的神。我信仰上帝、善良、还有一神论，我也相信我们皆属于这个唯一，是它的一部分。
It's taken me time to understand words like "tolerance" and "understandind." I have given lip service to "tolerance" and to "understanding" for years but only now do I think I begin to understand a little what they mean.
为了理解“容忍”及“理解”这样的词，我花了好些时间。几年来，我一直口头信奉着“容忍”与“理解”，但我觉得，直到今天我才开始对他们的含义有了些许的了解。
If we are all one of another, and this, though uncomfortably, is probably the case, then sooner or later we have got to come to terms with each other. I believe in the inpiduality of man, and it is only by inpidual experience that we can, any of us, make a contribution to understanding.
如果我们都能够成为对方，虽然这很难但也许是有可能的，那么迟早我们都能学会互相谦让。我相信每个人都有自己的个性，也只有亲身经历，我们才会真正理解别人。
I've always been a bit confused about self and egotism because I instinctively felt both were barriers to understanding. And so in a sense they are.
对于自我及自负，我总是有些迷惑，因为我直觉上认为它们都会妨碍理解。而且从某种意义上来说，的确如此。
I used to worry a lot about personality and that sort of egotism. I noticed that certain artists - musicians, for instance - would allow their personalities to get between the music and the listener.
我过去常为个性以及那种自负担忧不已。我发现，某些艺术家，比如音乐家，总会让听众从音乐中了解他的个性。
But others, greater and therefore humbler, became clear channels through which the music was heard unimpeded.
而其他更伟大、也因此更谦逊的音乐家，则成为了使人们轻松了解音乐全貌的畅通渠道。
And it occurred to me, not very originally, that the good we know in man is from God so it is a good thing to try to keep oneself as clear as possible from the wrong sort of self. And it's not very easy, particularly if you are on the stage!
我们知道人性的善良来源上帝，因此最明智的做法就是，努力使自己远离自身不道德因素的玷污。我并非第一个有此想法的人，这实为难事，尤其是当你身在舞台上的时候。
I am one of those naturally happy people even when they get low soon bounce back. In minor things like housekeeping and keeping in sight of letters to be answered I am a Planny-Annie.
我是一个生性乐观的人，就算情绪低落，也会很快振作起来。我总会按计划来做一些小事，例如操持家务、查看需回复的信件。
That is to say I get through the chores in order to enjoy the space beyond. But I do find that, believing in the operation of good as I do, I cannot make plans - important ones, I mean - but I must prepare the ground and then leave the way free as far as possible.
这就是说我会做完这些事以便享受以后的空间。然而我发现，在对行善的信仰及实践上，我却无法做出任何计划，我的.意思是重要的计划，但我必须为之预留空间，并尽可能保持通道畅通无阻。
This, of course, means being fearless and isn't fatalistic, because you see I believe that when I am faithful enough to be still and to allow things to happen serenely, they do. And this being still isn't a negative state but an awareness of one's true position.
这自然就是说，要无所畏惧而不是听天由命。因为你明白，我相信当我满怀诚意，静静等待事情发生时，它们便会发生。这并不是一种消极的状态，而是对自己真正处境的了解。
Friends are the most important things in my life - that and the wonder of being necessary to someone. But these things pass and in end one is alone with God. I'm not nearly ready for that yet, but I do see it with my heart's eye.
在我的生命中，朋友最为重要，为人所需时的惊奇也同样重要。但是这一切都会消逝，最终只会留下你与上帝单独在一起。对此，我还没有做好准备，但我已在心中看到了那一幕。
I don't understand it entirely, but I believe there is only now and our job is to recognize and rejoice in this now.
这一点我并没有彻底明白，但我相信唯有的只是现在，我们必须认识并享受现在。
Now... Not, of course, the man-measured now of Monday, Friday, or whenever, but the now of certain truth. That doesn't change. Surely everything has been done - is done. Our little problem is to reveal and enjoy.
此刻……当然不是指人们规定的所谓的周一、周五或任何时候，而是确确实实的现在。这是不会改变的。所有的一切的确都已完成。发现与享受便是我们需要解决的小问题。
英语美文欣赏2A love of sport has been characteristic in Highland and Lowlands alike. It is inherent in the Scottish character，Of all the games played in Scotland in days gone by, three stand out as claiming Scottish in character-golf, curling, and slunty, and of these golf has now achieved world-wide popularity.
无论在苏格兰高地还是苏格兰低地，人们对体育的热爱是一样的，它已是苏格兰人内在性格的一部分。在英格兰人过去所玩过的 游戏中，有3种可以说是发源于此地，并具有典型的苏格兰特点 高尔夫球、冰上溜石游戏和简化曲滚球戏。在这3项运动当中，高尔夫球现已风靡全球。
Of all Scottish golfing centres, St. Andrews is the shrine of golfing traditions.
在苏格兰所有的高尔夫球场当中，圣安德鲁斯可以说是高尔夫传统的圣地。
The kings and queen of Scotland themselves shared their peoples enthusiasm for playing games. Mary Queen of Scots was accused by her enemies ofplaying golf shortly after her husbands murder.
苏格兰的.国王及王后和他们的臣民一样热衷体育。苏格兰的玛利女王就因为她在她的丈夫被谋杀后不久打高尔夫球，而遭到政敌的攻击。
Curling is a game played on a sheet ofice, and Scotland has been its real home since the early part of the seventeenth century . In principle the game very much resembles bowls, but curling is played with heavy flat stones to slide along the ice.
英语美文欣赏3For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
若要优美的嘴唇，要说友善的话；
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
若要可爱的眼睛，要看到别人的好处；
For a slim figure, share your foodwith the hungry.
若要苗条的身材，把你的食物分给饥饿的人；
For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.
美丽的`秀发，在于每天有孩子的手指穿过它；
For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone.
若要优雅的姿态，要记住行人不只你一个。
People, even more than things, have to be restored, revived, reclaimed and redeemed; never throw out anyone.
人之所以为人，是应该充满精力、能够自我悔改、自我反省、自我成长，而不是抱怨他人。
Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find them at the end of each of your arms. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.
如果你需要一只援助之手，你可以在自己的任何一只手臂下找到；随着年龄的增长，你会发现你有两只手，一只用来帮助自己，另一只用来帮助别人。
英语美文欣赏4What shall we do first
Now most of us are the only children in our families. Our parents love us very much and they try their best to do everything for us, but some of us become selfish. As students, I think first we should respect our parents and teachers and get on well with our classmates. We should also help people when they are in trouble and think more of others. I think it’s very important to communicate with others. Finally, I hope we have a good relationship with everyone around us.
英语美文欣赏5I'm hoping that this post will convince someone who is in the same boat that I was in that moving out of unhealthy habits is easier than you think. The body and mind is extremely resilient and wants to be active, so get out there and live life!
我希望这篇文章能够让和我一样沉迷电子游戏的你改变不健康的生活习惯。其实这比你想象得要简单，你的'身体和思想具有极大的可塑性，从(电子游戏的虚拟世界中)走出来，好好地感受生活。
英语美文欣赏6Long, long ago, there was a good and honest man,whose name was Yohyo.He lived in a small village and worked as a woodcutter.
One cold day in winter, when deep snow lay on the ground, Yohyo was returning home from his work in the forest. Over his shouider he carrid a sack of wood1, and as it was near evening and it was getting very cold, he hurried on across the snow-coverd fields. Suddenly he saw something black lying in the snow-something that moved and cried. He stopped, and putting down his sack, he went to see what it was. As he got near, the object in the snow cried again, and he could see that it was a crane-a large and beautiful bird with long legs.
When the crane saw Yohyo coming closer, it struggled to rise and he could see that one of its wings was hurt.
“You pour thing!” he cried. “Come2, let me help you. If you stay out here in the snow, you will die.”
The crane stopped struggling and let Yohyo pick it up3. Gently and carefully, he stroked the crane’s feathers, and carrying it under one arm, he set off for home again.
Yohyo was a kind man with a gentle heart and he felt sorry for the beautiful crane4. He looked after it until it was well again, and then he set it free to fly off into the sky.
One night, afew days later, Yohyo heard someone knocking ant the door. When he opened the door, he found a women standing in the snow. By the light of his lamp, Yohyo could see that she was young and beautiful, and shaking with cold. Yohyo stared at her in surprise.
“I have lost my way in the snow,” she said, in a sweet and gentle voice. “My I come into your house and stay for the night?”
“Yes, yes, of course! Come in at once, out of the snow,” cried Yohyo.
He build up the fire again with fresh wood, and brought the young woman rice an hot soup. Her name was Otsu and she was as king and gentle as Yohyo homself.
The next day there was a storm and so Otsu stayed on at the house and Yohyo grew to love her. Otsu, also, loved him for his gentle heart, and soon they were married.
Yohyo and Otsu were happy together, although Yohyo earned only a little money and they were very poor. One night, just before New Year’ Eve, they were sitting together as usual, when Otsu noticed that her husband was worrying about something.
“My dear husband,” she said. “What are you worrying about? Please tell me.”
“Well…” sighed Yohyo. “It is nearly New Year’ Eve, but I cannot make any preparation for the feast because I have no money. I have not even enough money to buy rice and cakes. How I wish I had some money…”
Otsu listened to him silently.
“Yohyo, I will weave for you,” she said. “You can take the cloth that I weave5 and sell it at the market to earn some money.”
“But, please do not look into the other room, while I am working, promise me that you will not look in?”
Yohyo promised, and Otsu went into the other room and began to weave some cloth. She was working for hours ang Yohyo get tired of waiting, but he was patient. At last Otsu came out with a piece of beautiful cloth in her hands. It was the most beautiful cloth that Yohyo had ever seen.
The next morning he set off to the market in the town, and sold the piece of cloth for a lot of maney. Yohyo had never had so much money in his life. He was very excited and he bought many things with it. Soon, in his excitement, he had spent all the money, so he went home and asked Otsu to weave another piece of cloth. So greedy did he become, that he did not notice that the more she worked, the thinner Otsu became. However, as she loved Yoho very much, she wove new cloth for him every time he asked for it.
One day Yohyo asked for some cloth once again, and Otsu said, as usual, “I will weave for you but remember your promise-don’t look into the other room while I am working.”
Yohyo promised and sat down to wait but he soon got tierd of waiting for her. He could hear the sound of weaving, and he began to ask himself why he could not look in at Otsu, while she was working. Once he began to have doubts he could not stop himself from looking in.
He thought, “Otsu won’t be angry with me if I look in only for a moment.”
Finally, he could wait no longer. He crept to the entrance of the other room and looked in. Otsu was not there at all! Instead, he saw a very thin crane which wass pulling off its feathers and weaving them into the cloth. Yohyorecognised it as the very same crane whose life he saved so many months ago.
He crept away again and sat thinking quietly. He felt very anxious-what would Otsu do, now that he knew her secret?
At last the sound of weaving stopped, and Otsu came out of the roomwith two pieces of cloth in her hands.
“Yohyo,” she said, sadly. “You have broken your promise to me. Now that you know that I am a crane, I cannot stay here any longer. Take these pieces of cloth, sell one, and keep the other. Perhaps it will remind you of me.”
“Please Otsu, don’t leave me,” cried Yohyo. “How can I manage to live without you? I love you!”
But Otsu only smiled gently and shook her head.
“No, Yohyo,” she said.”I came here to reply you for your kindness to me, and I stayed for love of your gentle heart. But since I have been weaving for you, you have changed and become greedy and hard.”
“I must go, goodbye.”
“Don’t go, please, Otsu!” cried poor Yohyo. “Don’t leave me alone! I won’t tell your secret. Iwon’t ask you for any more cloth. Don’t go!”
Otsu just smiled sadly again and waving goodbye, she stepped out of the door. At once she changed into a crane and opening her beautiful wings, she flew up into the sky. As Yohyo watched in despair, she rose higher and higher into the sky, until she could be seen no more.
Then there was only the sound of Yohyo’ voice calling,”Otsu! Otsu!…”
英语美文欣赏7Love makes the world go around.
爱开启了世界的转动之轮。
Love to us human is what water to fish. Love shines the most beautiful light of humanity, we born in it, we live by it. Too often we take it as granted, but we should know love is a priceless gift we should cherish. But how to cherish the love? I have heard a saying: the quickest way to receive love is to give it; the fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly; the best way to keep love is to give it wings.
爱对我们的意义来说就好比水对鱼的意义。爱照亮我们人性中最美好的部分。我们带着父母的爱出生，我们在爱的拥抱下成长。但我们经常把爱视作理所当然，事实上我们应该知道爱应该是无价的，它需要受到珍视。我曾听人说，想要得到爱的最快方法就是付出爱，失去爱的最快方法就是抓得太紧，保持爱的最好方法就是让爱自由飞翔。
When you are young, you may want several love experiences. But as time goes on, you will realize that if you really love someone, the whole life will not be enough. You need time to know, to forgive and to love. All this needs a very big mind.
年轻的时候会想要谈很多次恋爱，但是随着年龄的增长，终于领悟到爱一个人，就算用一辈子的`时间，还是会嫌不够。慢慢地去了解这个人，体谅这个人，直到爱上为止，是需要有非常宽大的胸襟才行。
It is important for us to learn to love as the first class in our life. Only when you know how to love than you will be a real man in this world. Love brings us warmth in the fearful coldness, love brings us bright when life gets hard and dark. Love brings us confidence toward life when we are tired out and want to give up.
学会爱是我们人生重要的第一课。只有当你知道如何去爱时你才会在这个世界中找到真正的自我。爱在我们恐惧时带给我们温暖，在我们疲惫气馁的时候带给对于生活的自信。
Love deserves all the admiring words, and love is even beyond the life and death. That is what love is all about in my eyes.
用一切言语来赞美爱情都不为过，爱超越了生死。这就是我眼中的爱。
英语美文欣赏8Someone once told me that never underestimate anyone who doesn't lose temper.
有人曾经对我说：永远不要小看一个不发脾气的人。
This kind of people usually possess great capacity.
这样的人通常深不可测。
They can be really resourceful friends.
他们可以成为你长袖善舞的朋友。
And they can be really fierce enemies.
也可以成为你可怕的敌人。
Humans are emotional animals.
人类是一种感情动物。
It's our nature to have temper.
脾气是我们的天性。
And it's totally natural to lose it when something or somebody irritates us.
而当有什么激怒我们的时候，发脾气也是完全自然的'事情。
But there are people who don't.
但是，就是有些人能做到不发。
And that's a fearsome skill.
这真的是一种令人生畏的技能。
The more incompetent a person is, the easier he is to get angry.
一个人越是无能，就越是容易动怒。
The stronger a person is, the less you see him throw away his calmness.
而一个人越是强大，你就越少能看到他失控。
Can you hold your temper?
你能管住自己的脾气吗？
If you want to achieve great things. Practice to do so.
如果你希望做成大事，就练习这么做吧。
英语美文欣赏9If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I thought like a child; when I became and adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.
就算我能说万人的方言和天使的话语，但如果没有爱，我不过就如鸣锣一般；就算我有预知未来的能力，就算我精通各种知识和奥秘，就算我有坚定的信念，但如果没有爱，我就什么都算不上；就算我拿所有的财物周济穷人，就算我能做出舍己为人的壮举，但如果没有爱，我仍将一无所有。
爱是一种忍耐，爱是一种友善；爱不是嫉妒，不是自大，不是鲁莽，不是固执己见，不是轻易发怒。爱意味着憎恶不义，赞赏真理；爱意味着包容一切，相信一切，对生活充满希望，并能忍受生活中的一切。
爱是永无止境的，但又是有尽头的；就像知识一样，必将归于乌有。我们现在搜掌握的知识很有限，当我们掌握了完整的.知识时，有限的知识必将归于乌有。当我还是一个孩子的时候，我像孩子一样说话，像孩子一样思考问题，像孩子一样推理；但我一旦成年，就不再像孩子一样了。现阶段，我们很多时候好像是从镜子里观看事物，对很多事物都看不清，但有朝一日我们会直面这些事物。现阶段，我知道的东西很有限，但有朝一日我会懂得一切。
如今，常存在人们心中的东西有三样：信念、希望和爱，而其中爱是最重要的！
英语美文欣赏10Friendship is a kind of human relations. It is a human instinct to make friends.When in trouble, we need friends to offer us help, support and encouragement. With success achieved, we also need friends to share our joys. Friendship is also one of the greatest pleasures that we can enjoy. It implies loyalty, cordiality, sympathy, affection,and readiness to help. No man can make the most of his life without carefully and conscientiously striving to win the right kind of friends as he goes along.
Knowing how valuable friendship is, we should be very careful in making friends. Real friends are those who have good character, superior ability and kindness of heart. Real friends can share all our sorrows and double all our joys.While making friends, we should take care to select those who have such fine qualities. Then we should treat our friends with courtesy, be careful not to interfere unreasonably with them,and not to ridicule their proceedings. We should forgive their failures and do our best to help them. In short, when we have established friendship, we ought to cherish and treasure it by means of words and deeds. Only thus, can we develop real friendship and keep the sacred lamp of friendship burning all our life.
英语美文欣赏11Travel, in the younger sort, is a part of education, in the elder, a part of experience. He that travelleth into a country, before he hath some entrance into the language, goeth to school, and not to travel. That young men travel under some tutor, or grave servant, I allow well; so that he be such a one that hath the language, and hath been in the country before; whereby he may be able to tell them what things are worthy to be seen, in the country where they go; what acquaintances they are to seek; what exercises, or discipline, the place yieldeth. For else, young men shall go hooded, and look abroad little.
It is a strange thing, that in sea voyages, where there is nothing to be seen, but sky and sea, men should make diaries; but in land-travel, wherein so much is to be observed, for the most part they omit it; as if chance were fitter to be registered, than observation. Let diaries, therefore, be brought in use. The things to be seen and observed are: the courts of princes, especially when they give audience to ambassadors; the courts of justice, while they sit and hear causes; and so of consistories ecclesiastic; the churches and monasteries, with the monuments which are therein extant; the walls and fortifications of cities, and towns, and so the heavens and harbors; antiquities and ruins; libraries; colleges, disputations, and lectures, where any are; shipping and navies; houses and gardens of state and pleasure, near great cities; armories; arsenals; magazines; exchanges; burses; warehouses; exercises of horsemanship, fencing, training of soldiers, and the like; comedies, such whereunto the better sort of persons do resort; treasuries of jewels and robes; cabinets and rarities; and, to conclude, whatsoever is memorable, in the places where they go.
After all which, the tutors, or servants, ought to make diligent inquiry. As for triumphs, masks, feasts, weddings, funerals, capital executions, and such shows, men need not to be put in mind of them; yet are they not to be neglected. If you will have a young man to put his travel into a little room, and in short time to gather much, this you must do. First, as was said, he must have some entrance into the language before he goeth. Then he must have such a servant, or tutor, as knoweth the country, as was likewise said. Let him carry with him also, some card or book, describing the country where he travelleth; which will be a good key to his inquiry. Let him keep also a diary.
Let him not stay long, in one city or town; more or less as the place deserveth, but not long; nay, when he stayeth in one city or town, let him change his lodging from one end and part of the town, to another; which is a great adamant of acquaintance. Let him sequester himself, from the company of his countrymen, and diet in such places, where there is good company of the nation where he travelleth. Let him, upon his removes from one place to another, procure recommendation to some person of quality, residing in the place whither he removeth; that he may use his favor, in those things he desireth to see or know. Thus he may abridge his travel, with much profit.
As for the acquaintance, which is to be sought in travel; that which is most of all profitable, is acquaintance with the secretaries and employed men of ambassadors: for so in travelling in one country, he shall suck the experience of many. Let him also see, and visit, eminent persons in all kinds, which are of great name abroad; that he may be able to tell, how the life agreeth with the fame. For quarrels, they are with care and discretion to be avoided. They are commonly for mistresses, healths, place, and words. And let a man beware, how he keepeth company with choleric and quarrelsome persons; for they will engage him into their own quarrels.
When a traveller returneth home, let him not leave the countries, where he hath travelled, altogether behind him; but maintain a correspondence by letters, with those of his acquaintance ,which are of most worth. And let his travel appear rather in his discourse, than his apparel or gesture; and in his discourse, let him be rather advised in his answers, than forward to tell stories; and let it appear that he doth not change his country manners, for those of foreign parts; but only prick in some flowers, of that he hath learned abroad, into the customs of his own country.
英语美文欣赏12My father was a self-taught mandolin player. He was one of the best string instrument players in our town. He could not read music, but if he heard a tune a few times, he could play it. When he was younger, he was a member of a small country music band. They would play at local dances and on a few occasions would play for the local radio station. He often told us how he had auditioned and earned a position in a band that featured Patsy Cline as their lead singer. He told the family that after he was hired he never went back. Dad was a very religious man. He stated that there was a lot of drinking and cursing the day of his audition and he did not want to be around that type of environment.
Occasionally, Dad would get out his mandolin and play for the family. We three children: Trisha, Monte and I, George Jr., would often sing along. Songs such as the Tennessee Waltz, Harbor Lights and around Christmas time, the well-known rendition of Silver Bells. "Silver Bells, Silver Bells, its Christmas time in the city" would ring throughout the house. One of Dad's favorite hymns was "The Old Rugged Cross". We learned the words to the hymn when we were very young, and would sing it with Dad when he would play and sing. Another song that was often shared in our house was a song that accompanied the Walt Disney series: Davey Crockett. Dad only had to hear the song twice before he learned it well enough to play it. "Davey, Davey Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier" was a favorite song for the family. He knew we enjoyed the song and the program and would often get out the mandolin after the program was over. I could never get over how he could play the songs so well after only hearing them a few times. I loved to sing, but I never learned how to play the mandolin. This is something I regret to this day.
Dad loved to play the mandolin for his family he knew we enjoyed singing, and hearing him play. He was like that. If he could give pleasure to others, he would, especially his family. He was always there, sacrificing his time and efforts to see that his family had enough in their life. I had to mature into a man and have children of my own before I realized how much he had sacrificed.
I joined the United States Air Force in January of 1962. Whenever I would come home on leave, I would ask Dad to play the mandolin. Nobody played the mandolin like my father. He could touch your soul with the tones that came out of that old mandolin. He seemed to shine when he was playing. You could see his pride in his ability to play so well for his family.
When Dad was younger, he worked for his father on the farm. His father was a farmer and sharecropped a farm for the man who owned the property. In 1950, our family moved from the farm. Dad had gained employment at the local limestone quarry. When the quarry closed in August of 1957, he had to seek other employment. He worked for Owens Yacht Company in Dundalk, Maryland and for Todd Steel in Point of Rocks, Maryland. While working at Todd Steel, he was involved in an accident. His job was to roll angle iron onto a conveyor so that the welders farther up the production line would have it to complete their job. On this particular day Dad got the third index finger of his left hand mashed between two pieces of steel. The doctor who operated on the finger could not save it, and Dad ended up having the tip of the finger amputated. He didn't lose enough of the finger where it would stop him picking up anything, but it did impact his ability to play the mandolin.
After the accident, Dad was reluctant to play the mandolin. He felt that he could not play as well as he had before the accident. When I came home on leave and asked him to play he would make excuses for why he couldn't play. Eventually, we would wear him down and he would say "Okay, but remember, I can't hold down on the strings the way I used to" or "Since the accident to this finger I can't play as good". For the family it didn't make any difference that Dad couldn't play as well. We were just glad that he would play. When he played the old mandolin it would carry us back to a cheerful, happier time in our lives. "Davey, Davey Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier", would again be heard in the little town of Bakerton, West Virginia.
In August of 1993 my father was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. He chose not to receive chemotherapy treatments so that he could live out the rest of his life in dignity. About a week before his death, we asked Dad if he would play the mandolin for us. He made excuses but said "okay". He knew it would probably be the last time he would play for us. He tuned up the old mandolin and played a few notes. When I looked around, there was not a dry eye in the family. We saw before us a quiet humble man with an inner strength that comes from knowing God, and living with him in one's life. Dad would never play the mandolin for us again. We felt at the time that he wouldn't have enough strength to play, and that makes the memory of that day even stronger. Dad was doing something he had done all his life, giving. As sick as he was, he was still pleasing others. Dad sure could play that Mandolin!
我父亲是个自学成才的曼陀林琴手，他是我们镇最优秀的弦乐演奏者之一。他看不懂乐谱，但是如果听几次曲子，他就能演奏出来。当他年轻一点的时候，他是一个小乡村乐队的成员。他们在当地舞厅演奏，有几次还为当地广播电台演奏。他经常告诉我们，自己如何试演，如何在佩茜?克莱恩作为主唱的乐队里占一席之位。他告诉家人，一旦被聘用就永不回头。父亲是一个很严谨的人，他讲述了他试演的那天，很多人在喝酒，咒骂，他不想呆在那种环境里。
有时候，父亲会拿出曼陀林，为家人弹奏。我们三个小孩：翠莎、蒙蒂和我，还有乔治通常会伴唱。唱的有：《田纳西华尔兹》和《海港之光》，到了圣诞节，就唱脍炙人口的《银铃》："银铃，银铃，城里来了圣诞节。"歌声充满了整个房子。父亲最爱的其中一首赞歌是《古老的十字架》。我们很小的时候就学会歌词了，而且在父亲弹唱的时候，我们也跟着唱。我们经常一起唱的另外一首歌来自沃特?迪斯尼的系列片：《戴维?克罗克特》。父亲只要听了两遍就弹起来了，"戴维，戴维?克罗克特，荒野边疆的国王。"那是我们家最喜欢的歌曲。他知道我们喜欢那首歌和那个节目，所以每次节目结束后，他就拿出曼陀林弹奏。我永远不能明白他如何能听完几遍后就能把一首曲子弹得那么好。我热爱唱歌，但我没有学会如何弹奏曼陀林，这是我遗憾至今的事情。
父亲喜欢为家人弹奏曼陀林，他知道我们喜欢唱歌，喜欢听他弹奏。他就是那样，如果他能把快乐奉献给别人，他从不吝啬，尤其是对他的家人。他总是那样，牺牲自己的时间和精力让家人生活得满足。父亲的这种付出是只有当我长大成人，而且是有了自己的孩子后才能体会到的。
我在1962年1月加入了美国空军基地。每当我休假回家，我都请求父亲弹奏曼陀林。没有人弹奏曼陀林能达到像我父亲那样的境界，他在那古老的曼陀林上抚出的旋律能够触及你的灵魂。他弹奏的时候，身上似乎能发出四射的.光芒。你可以看出，父亲为能给家人弹奏出如此美妙的旋律，他是多么的自豪。
父亲年轻的时候，曾在农场为爷爷工作。爷爷是农场使用者，要向农场所有人交纳谷物抵租。1950年，我们全家搬离农场，父亲在当地石灰石采石场谋得职位。采石场在1957年倒闭，他只好另觅工作。他曾在马里兰州登多克的欧文斯游艇公司上班，还在马里兰州的洛斯的托德钢铁公司上过班。在托德钢铁公司上班期间，他遇到了意外。他的工作是把有棱角的铁滚到搬运台上，这样焊接工才能作进一步加工来完成整个工序。在那个特殊的日子里，父亲的
左手第三个手指被缠在两片钢铁中。医生对手指施手术，但未能保住那只手指，最后父亲只好让医生把那手指的指尖给切除了。那个手指并没有完全丧失拿东西的能力，但是却影响了他弹奏曼陀林的能力。
事故后，父亲不太愿意弹奏曼陀林了，他觉得再也不能像以前弹得那么好了。我休假回家请求他弹奏曼陀林，他以种种借口解释不能弹奏的原因。最后，我们软硬兼施逼他就范，他终于说："好吧，但是记住，我拨弦再也不能像过去一样了。"或者会说："这个手指出意外后，我再也不能弹得像过去那样好了。"对于家人来说，父亲弹得好不好并没有分别，我们很高兴他终于弹奏了。当他弹起那把陈旧的曼陀林，就会把我们带回昔日那些无忧无虑的幸福时光。"戴维，戴维?克罗克特，荒野边疆的国王"就会再次响彻西弗吉尼亚州的贝克顿小镇。
1993年8月，父亲诊断得了不宜动手术的肺癌。他不想接受化疗，因为他想体面地过完他生命最后的时光。大约在父亲去世的一周前，我们请求他能否为我们弹奏曼陀林，他说了很多借口，最后还是答应了。他知道这可能是他最后一次为我们弹奏了，他为老曼陀林调弦，弹了几个音。我环顾四周，家人个个都泪水满眶。我们看见在我们面前是一个安静的、谦虚的人，以生命最后的力量，用爱的力量支撑着。父亲再也没有足够的力量弹奏，这使我们对那天的记忆更加强烈。父亲做着他一生都在做的事情：奉献。即使生命已走到了尽头，他却仍尽力为他人创造欢乐。没错，父亲一定还能弹奏
英语美文欣赏13Gratitude doesn't always come naturally. Unfortunately, most children and many adults value only the thing given rather than the feeling embodied in it. We should remind ourselves and teach our children about the beauty and purity of feelings and expressions of gratitude. After all, gifts from the heart are really gifts of the heart.
感恩并不总是自然而来的。不幸的是，大多数儿童和成人只看重被赠予的东西本身，而不是它体现的情谊。我们应该提醒自己，并教导我们的.孩子，感情和对感激之情的表达是美丽而纯洁的。毕竟，发自内心给与的礼物才是真正的礼物。
英语美文欣赏14To Autumn
Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;
To bend with apples the moss'd cottage-trees,
And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;
To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells
With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,
And still more, later flowers for the bees,
Until they think warm days will never cease,
For summer has o'er-brimm'd their clammy cells.
Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store?
Sometimes whoever seeks abroad may find
Thee sitting careless on a granary floor,
Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind;
Or on a half-reap'd furrow sound asleep,
Drows'd with the fume of poppies, while thy hook
Spares the next swath and all its twined flowers:
And sometimes like a gleaner thou dost keep
Steady thy laden head across a brook;
Or by a cyder-press, with patient look,
Thou watchest the last oozings hours by hours.
Where are the songs of spring? Ay, where are they?
Think not of them, thou hast thy music too, -
While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day,
And touch the stubble-plains with rosy hue;
Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn
Among the river sallows, borne aloft
Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies;
And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn;
Hedge-crickets sing; and now with treble soft
The red-breat whistles from a garden-croft;
And gathering swallows twitter in the skies.
英语美文欣赏15The starting is the same, so you just have to write it out by yourselfFamily.What kind of thoughts cross your mind when I said this word? Career. And again, what cross your mind? Now why don‘t you relate this two topics together? true enough, you might be thinking " a diligent father working all day and earning a mere income of 100 dollars. He fails to be family orientated." What i would like to express is that no matter how busy you are or how important your job to you is, like as if you‘ll be losing your job the next day, please don‘t forget to spend some time with your family too! Always remember "family comes first‘!
【英语美文欣赏】