The Pickle Jar|装着满满的爱

The Pickle Jar

by Rebecca A. Say

A father's love can be measured in many ways.


  One of my earliest memories as a child is of an old pickle jar my parents had in their bedroom. It sat on the floor by the bed and was where my father deposited change from his pockets each night before going to bed. I eagerly watched him drop the coins and listened in delight to the pings and tings they made as they hit the glass. As I got older, I understood more about the jar and the significance of my father's nightly ritual. You see, I grew up in a small town where most people worked in the local factory. It was hard, honest work, but it took its toll on everyone's health much more than it filled their pockets. The pickle jar was my father's fight against the factory and for his dream of putting me through college. Each time the jar was full, my father and I would ride off to the bank to deposit our collected treasure. On the way, he would tell me that college would bring me more opportunities than I could imagine and that there was more to life than that rickety old town could offer.


  Years later, after I had finished college, I was at my parents' house when they were having trouble installing their new carpet. While moving things into their bedroom, I noticed the pickle jar was gone. Part of me felt sad not to see that precious memory from my childhood, yet its absence was proof that my father's determination had paid off. Now a mother myself, I keep my own pickle jar, and night by night, I fill it with the hopes and dreams I have for my children a few coins at a time.


     1.     What is the main idea of the article?

(A) A memory the writer has from a young age.

(B) A goal the writer has set to achieve.

(C) The hopes the writer has for her children.

(D) The struggles the writer's parents faced while she was growing up.

     2.     In the first paragraph, what does collected treasure refer to?

(A) The dreams the writer's mother had for her young family.

(B) The money that had been put into the pickle jar.

(C) The jars of pickles the family made and sold.

(D) Objects of high value the writer's father had bought at an auction.

     3.     What is the significance of the pickle jar to the writer today?

(A) It is the only thing she has left of her father now that he has passed away.

(B) It is a sign of where she came from compared to where she is going.

(C) She uses it to keep the remains of her father.

(D) It is a tradition she is carrying on in her own home.

     4.     Which is NOT true of the author?

(A) She has a family of her own and children she cares for.

(B) Her hometown was centered around a factory that employed most of the residents.

(C) She never finished college as her father had hoped.

(D) She still remains close to her parents even in her adult life.


装着满满的爱

一位父亲的爱可以从许多方面来衡量。


  我在孩提时代最早的记忆之一,就是摆在我父母卧房的一个泡菜罐。它就立在床边的地板上,而我老爸每晚上床睡觉前都会将口袋里的零钱存进去。我热切地看着他把硬币丢进去,高兴地听着那些硬币撞击玻璃罐所发出的声音。当我慢慢长大,我愈来愈了解这个罐子与我老爸每晚存入零钱这个习惯的重要性。你知道的,我就在这个小镇里长大,而住在这里的大多数人都在当地的工厂工作。这是一份很辛苦却很正当的工作,但它会损害你的健康,其程度远比你赚的钱还多。这个泡菜罐让我老爸得以去对抗工厂辛苦的工作,并完成他要让我上大学的梦想。每次只要这个罐子满了,我和老爸就会搭车到银行去存下这笔我们辛苦收集的财富。在路上,他就会告诉我,读大学所带来的机会远比我想象的还多,同时还能提供比生活在这座摇摇欲坠的小镇更丰富的人生。


  几年后,我已从大学毕业,父母安置新地毯有困难时,我又重新回到这栋房子。当把东西搬到卧室时,我发现那个泡菜罐不见了。我觉得有点难过,因为没有见到我童年时的珍贵回忆,但它的消失也证明了我老爸的决心已有了代价。如今我自己身为一个母亲,我拥有了自己的泡菜罐,每天晚上,我一次又一次带着希望和梦想为我的孩子将硬币投入罐中。

答案: 1.   A   2.   B   3.   D   4.   C

 

  随着自己愈长大,看着父母亲从年轻变苍老,从乌丝变白发,行动从敏捷变得缓慢,多么令人心疼!父母总是将最好、最宝贵的留给孩子,像蜡烛一样不停地燃烧自己!而做孩子的呢?有没有腾出一个空间给父母?或者只有在当我们需要安慰时,才会想起父母呢。其实父母亲要的真的不多,哪怕只是一句简单的问候『爸、妈,你们今天好吗?』


  随意买的宵夜,煮一顿再普通不过的晚餐,睡前帮他们盖盖被子,天冷时帮他们添衣服、戴上手套等,这些很平常的动作都能让他们高兴许久。有时,我们会在心里暗自希望以后子女会如何对待我们。想想现在,我们有没有如此对待我们的父母呢?我相信家庭是环环相扣的;现在你如何对待你的父母,以后你的子女就会如何对待你。


  生命不要求我们成为最好的,只要求我们作最大的努力!亲情往往是最重要但也最容易被忽视,当你不再享有亲情的温暖时,将会是你一生最大的遗憾。(数据源:亲情原来是这么伟大)




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The Pickle Jar|装着满满的爱

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