文學與人生 Dream sees the invisible, feels the intangible and achieves the impossible.

"Mom, what's that awful smell in the garage?" Courtney asked when she got home from school.

“媽,垃圾裡是甚麼惡臭呢?” 寇特妮從學校放學回家時問.

"It's the trash," replied Mom. "The city garbage collectors are still on strike."

“那是垃圾” 媽回答.”這城市的垃圾收集員工還在罷工.”

"Can't we take it away ourselves?" asked Courtney.

”我們可以自己拿去丟掉嗎?” 寇特妮問.

Mom sighed. "We'll have to if they don't get back to work soon," she said. "For now, we'll keep the kitchen door closed."

媽咪嘆氣.”如果他們再不快回來工作,我們就必須如此,”她說.”現今,我們要關緊廚房的門.”

"And when I go out, I'll use the front door instead of going through the garage!" declared Courtney.

”而我出門時，我要從前門,不要經過垃圾堆!” 寇特妮聲明.

After getting a snack, Courtney sat down to watch a TV program her friends at school had told her about. They said it was the best show on TV, so she had started watching it whenever her mother was busy-she knew Mom wouldn't like the program. At first, Courtney had been shocked by the things she saw and heard on the show, but before long she was so caught up with the story line that the many wrong words, actions, and attitudes no longer bothered her.

拿了一份點心, 寇特妮坐下來看同學告訴她的電視節目.他們說那是最棒的電視節目,所以她要趁媽咪忙碌時才看-她知道媽咪不喜歡這節目.剛開始, 寇特妮看到節目時受到一些驚嚇,但不久後她就被故事內容吸引了,即使有許多錯的字,行為或態度也不再困擾她.

Courtney, who hadn't noticed her mother come into the room, was startled when she heard Mom's voice. "Have you seen this before?" Mom asked.

寇特妮沒注意到媽咪進入房間,被媽咪的聲音嚇到.”妳以前看過這節目嗎?”媽咪問.

"Yes," Courtney admitted uncomfortably. "It's usually better than this," she added quickly. "Besides, the story is so interesting, I just ignore the bad stuff."

“有”,寇特妮不自在地承認.”節目通常比這個好,”她很快補充.”另外,這故事很有趣,我會忽略不好的部份.”

"Maybe you're just getting used to the bad stuff," suggested Mom. She watched a moment longer. "How would you feel about opening the garage door now, Courtney?" asked Mom. "I know bad odors would come in, but it would be nice to have the breeze blow through."

“也許你已經習慣這不好的部份,”媽咪暗示.她多看了一下.”妳覺得打開這垃圾的門如何,寇特妮?”媽咪問.”我知道壞味道會進來,但也許讓微風吹過也不錯.”

"No way!" exclaimed Courtney. "I don't want to smell that stuff."

“不行!”寇特妮大叫.”我不想聞那種怪味.”

"Oh, well, your nose will get used to the smell-I promise!" replied Mom.

“喔,那麼,妳的鼻子會習慣那味道-我保證!”媽咪回答.

"Mom! I don't want to get used to the smell of trash!" protested Courtney.

"媽咪!我不想習慣聞垃圾的味道呀!”寇特妮反駁.

"I don't blame you," said Mom. "You can try to ignore a bad smell or cover it up or even get used to it, but it's still trash-and so is this TV program."

“我不責怪妳,”媽咪說.”妳可以試著忽略壞味道、隱藏或甚至習以為常,但那仍是垃圾-就和這電視節目一樣"

Courtney sighed. "You're right," she admitted.

寇特妮嘆息.”妳說得沒錯,”她承認.

"Well, at least we don't have to wait for anybody to get back to work before we can get rid of this TV trash," said Mom. "Turn it off."

“那麼,至少我們不需要等任何人回來工作,才能將電視中的垃圾節目丟掉,”媽咪說.”關掉電視.”

HOW ABOUT YOU?

Have you allowed yourself to get used to wrong things in the TV programs you watch, the music you listen to, the books you read, or the websites you visit? Don't let your spiritual "nose" get used to trash. If it doesn't please God, turn it off!

Today’s key: Turn away from Satan.

你呢?

你曾經讓自己習慣於不好的電視節目、音樂、書或網站嗎?不要讓你靈裡的嗅覺習慣垃圾.如果那些不能討 神的喜悅,就關掉吧!

今日金鑰:遠離撒旦

Proverbs 4:14-18 (King James Version)

 ¹⁴Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.

 ¹⁵Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.

 ¹⁶For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.

 ¹⁷For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.

 ¹⁸But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

箴 言4:14-18