A pretty, rich younglady came to see the doctor and complained that her whole life was empty:
It had no meaning.
The doctor said to therich lady, "I'm going to ask old Mary who cleaned the office floors hereto tell you how she found happiness. All I want you to do is to listen."
So the old lady putdown her broom(笤帚) and began her story:"Good afternoon, madam. I'm a cleaner in this hospital. Now let me tell yousomething about my life experience. Well, my husband died of heart disease andthree months later my only son was killed by a car. I had nobody. I had nothingleft. I couldn't sleep. I couldn't eat. My husband and son died, and this mademe never smile at anyone. I even thought of taking my own life because I didn'twant to live alone in the world. Then one evening a little cat followed me homefrom work. Somehow I felt sorry for it. I decided to let the cat in. I got itsome milk, and it licked the plate clean. Then it purred and rubbed(蹭) against my leg, and for the first time in months, I smiled. Then Ibegan to think: If helping a little cat could make me smile, maybe doingsomething for people could make me happy. So the next day I took some rice,vegetables and meat to my neighbor who was sick in bed. Every day I feel sohappy by doing something nice for others. Today I've found happiness by givingit to others."
When she heard that,the rich young lady cried. She realized she was too selfish (自私的) before. She had everything that money could buy, but she had lostthe things which money couldn't buy.
