Once there was a boy, who listened to a wise old man, and thus began to learn about The Present. 从前有个男孩，他听了一位智慧老人的话，于是开始了解关于“现在 / 礼物”的事。 The old man and the boy had known each other for more than a year, and enjoyed talking together. 老人和男孩已经认识一年多了，两个人很谈得来。

　　One day the old man said, “It is called simply ‘The Present’ because, of all the gifts you might receive, you will find this present is the most valuable one.” 有一天老人说：“它就叫 ‘现在 / 礼物’，因为在所有你可能得到的礼物中，你会发现这个礼物是最有价值的。” “Why is it so valuable?” the boy asked. “为什么它那么有价值呢?”男孩问。 The old man explained. “Because when you receive this gift, you become happier and better able to do whatever you want to do.” 老人解释道：“因为当你得到这个礼物的时候，你会变得更快乐，你想做什么都能做得更好。”

　　“Wow!” the little boy exclaimed, although not fully understanding. “I hope someone gives me The Present someday. Maybe I’ll get it for my birthday.” “哇!”小男孩惊叫起来，尽管不是很明白，“我希望有一天会有人送我这个‘现在/ 礼物’。也许在我生日的时候会有人送给我。” Then the boy ran off to play. 然后小男孩就跑去玩了。

　　The old man smiled.He wondered how many birthdays would pass before the boy would realizethe value of The Present. 老人笑了起来。他在想，小男孩要过多少个生日才能明白“现在 / 礼物”的价值。

Vocabulary

　　present n. 现在; 礼物

　　wise a. 有智慧的

　　thus ad. 因此

　　learn about 得知， 了解

　　gift n. 礼物

　　valuable a. 珍贵的

　　wow int. 哇

　　exclaim v. 惊叫

　　run off 跑开

　　wonder v. 想知道

　　realize v. 体会， 明白