英语散文欣赏:平等的爱

 　　The following story took place long ago in Israel. One day when government officials were rebuilding a barn, they found a mouse hole in a corner and used smoke to force the mice inside the hole to come out. A while later they indeed saw mice running out, one after another.

　　Then, everyone thought that all the mice had escaped. But just as they just about to start to clean up, they saw two mice squeezing out at the exit of the hole. After some endeavor 1, the mice finally got out. The strange thing was that after they came out of the hole, they did not run away immediately. Instead, one chased after the other near the exit of the hole. It seemed that one was trying to bite the tail of the other. Everyone was puzzled, so they stepped closer to take a look. They realized that one of the mice was blind and could not see anything, and the other one was trying to allow the blind mouse to bite on his tail so he could pull the blind one with him to escape.
　　After witnessing what happened, everyone was speechless and lost in thought. During meal time, the group of people sat down in a circle and started to chat about what happened to the two mice. One serious Rome official said: “I think the relationship between those two mice was that of emperor and minister.” The others thought for a while and said: “That was why!” Thus the Rome official showed his arrogance 2 superciliously 3. A smart Israeli said: “I think the relationship between those two mice was husband and wife.” Again the others thought for a while, and all felt it made sense; so they expressed assent 4. Therefore, the Israeli’s countenance 5 showed self-satisfaction. A Chinese, who was accustomed to the firm tradition of loyalty 6 to parents, said: “I think the relationship between those two mice was that of mother and son.” Once again the others thought for a while, and felt this was more reasonable. So they expressed assent yet another time. Therefore, the face of the Chinese conveyed professional humility 7. At that moment, one pure-minded Samaritan who was squatted 8 on the ground resting his chin in his palms, bewilderedly 9 looked at other people, and asked: “Why did those two mice have to have a certain relationship?”
　　Suddenly, the atmosphere froze. Stupefied, the group looked back at the Samaritan and remained speechless. The Rome official, the Israeli and the Chinese who had spoken earlier all lowered their heads in shame, and did not dare to respond.
　　In fact, the true love is not established on benefit, friendship and loyalty or blood relationship. Instead, it is based on no relationship.
　　很久以前，在以色列发生了以下一段故事：有一天当政府人员在翻新谷仓时，发现墙角有一个老鼠洞，于是众人用烟熏的方式，希望逼使里面的老鼠出来。待了一会，果然看到老鼠一只只地逃窜出来。
　　众人正忖度老鼠大概已经逃光了，可以上前打扫之际，却见还有两只老鼠在洞口处推挤，经过一番努力，双双才逃出来。但很奇怪的是，两只老鼠出了洞口以后，却不立时逃走，而是在洞口附近互相追赶，像是要咬对方的尾巴似的。众人都很纳闷，便走上前去细看，这才发现原来其中一只老鼠瞎眼看不见，而另一只正设法使对方咬着自己的尾巴，然后带领同伴一起逃走。
　　众人见状，都默然不语，陷入沉思中。吃饭的时候，众人又围着坐下，并开始讨论刚才的两只老鼠。严肃的罗马官长说：「我认为刚才的两只老鼠是君臣主仆的关系。」众人思考一会后说：「原来如此！」于是罗马官兵摆出一副高傲的模样。聪明的以色列人说：「我认为刚才的两只老鼠是夫妇关系。」众人又思考了一会，觉得不错，连声称是。于是以色列人露出一副飘飘然得意的嘴脸。强调孝义的中国人说：「我认为刚才的两只老鼠是母子关系。」众人又思考了一会，更觉合理，又连声称是。于是中国人的脸上立时堆满了专业的谦虚。此时，单纯的撒玛利亚人蹲在地上托着下巴，呆呆地望着众人，问道：「为什么两只老鼠一定要有什么关系呢？」
　　空气在刹那之间凝固了，众人呆呆地望着这个撒玛利亚人，不发一语。先前说话的罗马官长、以色列人和中国人都面露惭色地低下头不敢作声。
　　事实上，真正的爱并非建基于利益、情义或血缘的关系上，而是建基于「没有任何关系」上。