2021大学英语四级美文赏析：Building Your Own House思维导图

Anelderlycarpenterwasreadytoretireafteryearsofwork.Hetoldhisemployer-contractorofhisplanstoleavethehouse-buildingbusinesstoliveamoreleisurelylifewithhiswifeandenjoyhisextendedfamily.Hewouldmissthepaycheckeachweek,buthewantedtoretire.Withthemoneythecarpenterhadputasideduringtheyearsheworkedfortheemployer-contractor,theycouldgetby.

Thecontractorwasverysorrytoseehisgoodworkergoandaskedifhecouldpossiblybuildjustonemorehouseasapersonalfavorforhim.Thecarpentersaidyes,butovertimeitwaseasytoseethathisheartwasnotinhisworkatall.

Heresortedtoshoddyworkmanshipandusedinferiormaterials.Yousee,itwasanunfortunatewaytoendadedicatedcareer.Whenthecarpenterfinishedhiswork,hisemployercametoinspectthehouse.Thenhehandedthefront-doorkeytothecarpenterandsaid,“Thisisyourhouse...mygifttoyou.”Thecarpenterwasshocked!Whatashame!

Ifhehadonlyknownhewasbuildinghisownhouse,hewouldhavedoneitallsodifferently.Soitiswithus.Webuildourlives,adayatatime,oftenputtinglessthanourbestintothebuilding.Then,withashock,werealizewehavetoliveinthehousewehavebuilt.Ifwecoulddoitalloveragain,wewoulddoitmuchdifferently.

Butyoucannotgoback.Youarethecarpenter,andeverydayyouhammeranail,placeaboard,orerectawall.Someoneoncesaid,“Lifeisado-it-yourselfproject.”Yourattitudeandthechoicesyoumaketodayhelpstobuildthe“house”youwillliveintomorrow.Therefore,buildwisely!