《剪下一方暖和--喻道小故事》

朋友或仇敌？ Friend or Foe?

Peter Miller, a Baptist pastor during the American Revolution, lived in Ephrata, Pennsylvania and enjoyed the friendship of George Washington.

In Ephrata also lived Michael Wittman, an evil-minded man who did all he could to oppose and humiliate the pastor.

One day Wittman was arrested for treason and sentenced to die. Pastor Miller traveled 70 miles on foot to Philadelphia to plead for the life of the traitor .

“No,” General Washington said, “I cannot grant you the life of your friend.”

“My friend!” exclaimed the pastor. “He is my harshest critic and enemy.”

When Washington learned the truth, he granted the pastor’s request. Peter Miller took Michael Wittman home ----no longer an enemy, but a friend.

..

字汇
humiliate 羞辱
treason 叛国罪
traitor 卖国贼，背叛者
critic 批评者

在美国革命期间，一位浸信会牧师彼得米勒住在宾西法尼亚州的以法他，他和乔治华盛顿是好朋友。

以法他也住着一个坏心肠的人麦可惠曼，他极尽所能地反对并羞辱牧师。

有一天惠曼因叛国罪被捕，判处死刑。米勒牧师步行了七十英里到费城，为这卖国贼请命。

「不，」华盛顿将军说，「我无法应允救你朋友的性命。
」 「朋友！」牧师惊叫，「他对我批评得最厉害，是我最凶的仇敌。」

华盛顿知道真相后，他允准了牧师的请求。彼得米勒把麦可惠曼带回家----不再是仇敌，而是朋友。

思考与应用
1. 华盛顿为什么改变主意？
2. 仇敌被处死不是大快人心吗，牧师为什么要替他求情？我能做什么使仇敌变朋友？

about 【剪下一方暖和】专栏译者：顾美芬