出租车司机的爱心ＬoveＡndＣabbie

文章作者 100test 发表时间 2007:03:25 21:57:30
来源 100Test.Com百考试题网

I was in New York the other day and rode with a friend in a taxi. When we got out, my friend said to the driver, "Thank you for the ride. You did a superb job of driving."

The taxi driver was stunned for a second. Then he said, "Are you a wise guy or something?"

"No, my dear man, and Im not putting you on. I admire the way you keep cool in heavy traffic."

"Yeah," the driver said and drove off.

"What was that all about?" I asked.

"I am trying to bring love back to New York," he said. " I believe its the only thing that can save the city."

"How can one man save New York?"

"Its not one man. I believe I have made that taxi drivers day. Suppose he has 20 fares. Hes going to be nice to those 20 fares because someone was nice to him. Those fares in turn will be kinder to their employees or shopkeepers or waiters or even their own families, Eventually the goodwill could spread to at least 1,000 people, Now that isnt bad, is it?"

"But youre depending on that taxi driver to pass your goodwill to others."

"Im not depending on it," my friend said. "Im aware that the system isnt foolproof so I might deal with ten different people today. If out of ten I can make three happy, then eventually I can indirectly influence 3,000 more people."

"It sounds good on paper," I admitted, "but Im not sure it works in practice."

"Nothing is lost if it doesnt. It didnt take any of my time to tell that man he was doing a good job. He neither received a larger tip nor a smaller tip. If it fell on deaf ears, so what? Tomorrow there will be another taxi driver I can try to make happy."

"Youre kind of a nut," I said.

"That shows how cynical you have become. I have made a study of this. The thing that seems to be lacking, besides money of course, for our postal employees, is that no one tells people who work for the post office what a good job theyre doing."

"But theyre not doing a good job."

"Theyre not doing a good job because they feel no one cares if they do or not. Why shouldnt someone say a kind word to them?"

We were walking past a structure under construction and passed five workmen eating their lunch. My friend stopped. "Thats a magnificent job you men have done. It must be difficult and dangerous work."

The workmen eyed my friend suspiciously.

"When will it be finished?"

"June," a man grunted.

"Ah. That really is impressive. You must all be very proud."

We walked away. I said to him, "I havent seen anyone like you since the man from LaMancha."

"When those men digest my words, they will feel better for it. Somehow the city will benefit from their happiness."

"But you cant do this all alone!" I protested. "Youre just one man."

"The most important thing is not to be discouraged. Making people in the city become kind again is not an easy job, but if I can enlist other people in my campaign ..."

"You just winked at a very plain-looking woman," I said.

"Yes, I know," he replied. "And if shes a schoolteacher, her class will be in for a fantastic day."