One early morning, I was cleaning the bathroom shower curtain and its liner (衬布) when it hit me. I had to clean a two-dollar plastic liner because I didn’t have a few extra dollars to buy a new one. I couldn’t believe it! Complaining wasn’t how I would start the day, especially when the sun was shining.
To continue the day optimistically, I left the cleaning for my daily walk at the beach. Along the way through the down town area, something on the sidewalk caught my attention. I walked over and picked it up. It was a small paper bag with no markings, so it wasn’t possible to figure out who it belonged to. I assumed someone must have dropped it, perhaps while loading other bags into his/her car. I turned it over for any identification. No store name, but the brand marking on the front clearly specified it was a shower curtain liner!
Speechless, I turned it over many times in my hands. Believe it or not, it was really an unopened shower curtain liner. I just happened to be the person who walked by and found it on the sidewalk. It took me a few minutes to decide what to do next, not wanting to claim something that wasn’t mine. If I brought it to the police station across the street, the police might just share a good laugh over a two-dollar shower curtain liner. I decided to keep it for myself.
But I was still surprised because the worthless plastic liner that had needed cleaning inspired my complaint and an early morning walk had suddenly transformed itself into a gift on the sidewalk for me. How that moment brightened my day!
At home, my focus was on myself, my anxieties, and my limits in being able to fix the problem. Once outside, I relaxed in the perspective of a much bigger picture. My personal complaint changed to thankfulness for the beauty that extended before my eyes in the form of a brand-new shower curtain liner, which matched perfectly with my bathroom!
【小题1】What is the purpose of the author going for a walk on the beach?| A．To seek a replacement for the liner. |
| B．To start her day in an optimistic way. |
| C．To get energetic for the day’s work. |
| D．To get relaxed after the heavy cleaning. |
| A．The curiosity of opening the bag. |
| B．The urge to keep it to herself. |
| C．The chance to find the owner. |
| D．The fear of being laughed at. |
| A．It was strange that a free liner should make her day. |
| B．The worthless liner turned out a gift from friends. |
| C．There was a special way for her financial support. |
| D．A chance meeting gave her confidence in life. |
| A．Learn to be grateful. | B．Fix the problem timely. |
| C．Avoid complaints. | D．Broaden your perspective. |
