赖大师的精选---我的挚爱(以书为友)

第一弹：以书为友
                             A Great Friend
                                Anonymous

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 knowledgeable¹
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 kindly² benefactor³, 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”.

1 knowledgeable   

adj.知识渊博的；有见识的

参考例句：

• He's quite knowledgeable about the theatre.他对戏剧很有心得。
• He made some knowledgeable remarks at the meeting.他在会上的发言颇有见地。

2 kindly   

adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地

参考例句：

• Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable.她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲、热情好客。
• A shadow passed over the kindly face of the old woman.一道阴影掠过老太太慈祥的面孔。

3 benefactor   

n. 恩人，行善的人，捐助人

参考例句：

• The chieftain of that country is disguised as a benefactor this time. 那个国家的首领这一次伪装出一副施恩者的姿态。
• The first thing I did, was to recompense my original benefactor, my good old captain. 我所做的第一件事, 就是报答我那最初的恩人, 那位好心的老船长。