毛毛虫 Caterpillars
【作者:取材自Dr. James Dobson代祷信 / 顾美芬译】剪下一方暖和--喻道小故事 2013.08.18
The great French naturalist Jean-Henri Fabre once conducted a fascinating experiment with processionary caterpillars, so called because they tend to march in unison. He lined them around the inner edge of a flowerpot and then monitored them carefully as they marched in a circle. At the end of the third day, he placed some pine needles, which is the favorite food of caterpillars, in the center of the pot. They continued walking for four more days without breaking rank. Finally, one at a time, they rolled over and died of starvation , just inches from their ideal food source.
These furry little creatures remind me in some ways of today's moms. Most of them are trudging around in circles from morning to night, exhausted and harried, wondering how in the world they can get everything done. Many are employed full-time while also taking care of families, chauffeuring kids, fixing meals, cleaning the house and trying desperately to maintain their marriages, friendships, family relationships and other commitments. It is a backbreaking load. Sadly, this overcommitted and breathless way of life, characterizes the vast majority of people in our society. If you are one of them, what is your favorite food, and how long have you been working without eating?
字汇 processionary 列队行进的
starvation 饥饿
trudge 用沉重步伐行走
chauffeur 司机(动词作开车接送)
法国大博物学家法皮耶有次用列队行进的毛虫，做一项引人注意的实验。之所以这样称这些毛虫，是因为它们有步伐一致的习性。他把毛虫排在花盆里面的边缘，然后仔细观察它们绕着圈子游行。在第三天末了，他放了些毛虫最爱吃的松针在花盆中心。毛虫继续走了四天，排列依旧。最后，一只一只相继翻身死于饥饿，离食物来源只有一寸之遥。
这些毛茸茸的小生物让我想起今天作妈妈的人，大多用沉重的步伐不停地从早忙到晚，精疲力竭，苦恼着怎么把该做的事情都办妥。许多人全职上班还同时照顾家庭，当司机接送小孩，做饭，打扫，努力维持婚姻、友谊、家人关系和其他的委身之事。这真是辛苦的负担啊。可悲的是，这种过度委身、令人喘不过气来的生活，却是今天社会中多数人的写照。如果你是其中之一，什么是你最喜爱的食物，你又有多久一直工作而没有进食了呢？
思考与应用
1.毛虫怎么会饿死呢？
2.除了妈妈，还有什么人是这样埋头苦干的？送份饮料和点心到他面前吧!
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