The Adventures of Tom Sawyer is one of the great works by Mark Twain. The book is so interesting. Even today, it is quite popular among kids. Although I am in my thirties, the book remains one of my favorites. After re-reading the book recently, I have learned an important lesson from Tom Sawyer.
In our daily lives, we are often given some boring or tiring work. What's in your mind when your mom tells you to clean the floor? Have you ever wanted to complain (抱怨)? I think most people have.
Tom Sawyer, however, thought "differently" when he was asked to do something boring. One Saturday morning, Aunt Polly told Tom to paint fence ( 篱 笆 ). Tom's friend Ben Rogers happened to walk past. Tom told Ben that he felt "excited" about the work. "Only one in a thousand — maybe even two thousand — boys can do this!" Tom said.
Tom's words made Ben interested in the work. He even gave Tom his apple so that he could have a chance to paint the fence. If Tom had thought about nothing but complaining, he would have had a bad day painting the fence.
This story teaches me an important lesson: Complaining is useless. The next time you are given boring or tiring work, don't complain. Unlike what happens in the story of Tom Sawyer, it is possible that nobody will come and do the work for you. However, without complaining, you'll feel better and perhaps even do a better job!
a. Ben Rogers walked past.
b. Aunt Polly told Tom to paint fence.
c. Tom said that he felt "excited" about painting fence.
d. Ben gave Tom his apple to get the chance to paint the fence.