My Great Friend

  As I am now a senior high school student, I have a great many friends, but there is one whom I prize over all the rest. I first made his acquaintance when I began to go to school. He has been my constant companion ever since.

  Though he is serious in appearance, he never fails to be interesting. Often he is clever, sometimes even merry and gay. He is the most knowledgeable friend a person could have. He knows virtually every language of the world, all the events of history , and the words of all the great poets and philosophers. A kindly benefactor, he is admired and enjoyed by everyone who makes his acquaintance.

  To me, he has been a great teacher as well as a friend. He first taught me the secrets of my own language and then those of others. With these keys he showed us how to unlock all the arts and sciences of man.

  My friend is endlessly patient. Dull though I may be, I can return to him again and again, and he is always ready to teach me. When I am bored, he entertains me. When I am dispirited, he lifts me up. When I am lonely, he keeps me company. He is a friend not only to me but to millions around the world. Shall I tell you his name? His name is “Reading.”

译文:

    由于我现在是高中生,因此有很多朋友, 但我最看重其中一位。我一开始求学就认识他了。从此以后他便是我永远不变的他朋友。

虽然他外表严肃，但他总能令人感兴趣。他平时挺聪明，有时甚至是一副欢喜愉悦的模样。他可称得上是我们最有学问的朋友。世界各国的语言，历史上所有的大事，以及所有伟大的诗人与哲学家的话语，他几乎所有伟大的诗人与哲学家的话语，他几乎无所不知。他是个乐善好施的大好人，认识他的人个个都赞赏与喜爱他。

对我而言，他一直是个伟大的老师和朋友。他先后教会我母语和其他语言的奥秘。接着这些秘诀，他教我们如何开启人类所有的艺术与科学之门。

我的朋友有无限的耐心。虽然我可能很迟钝，但我可以一再地求助于他，而他也随时准备要教导我。当我感到厌烦时，他会逗我开心。当我气馁时，他会使我振作。当我孤独时，他会陪伴我。他不止是我的朋友，同时也是世界各地成千上万人的朋友。要我告诉你他的名字吗？他的名字是“阅读”。