You have probably many times said, I pledge allegiance to my flag and to the Republic for which it stands. 这句话你或许已经说了很多次，我宣誓效忠国旗和它所代表的美利坚合众国。

Did you mean what you said? And if you meant it, did you understand what you were promising? 你知道这句话的含义吗？如果你知道什么意思，那你明白你在承诺什么吗？

You promised to be faithful to your country. What can you do to show that you are faithful? 你承诺效忠你的国家，你如何展现你的效忠？

What are your duties as a young American citizen? You cannot vote; you cannot be an officer of your city, county, or state. 作为年轻的美国公民，你有什么样的义务？你无法投票，你无法成为城市、县或州的公务员。

But you have duties that are just as important. You are a partner with your parents in making your home a happy place in which to live. 但你的义务同样重要，你和父母要共同将这个家变成欢乐的生活之地。

You have important lessons to learn at school, lessons that will help you and make you happier all through your life. 你需要在学校学习重要的课程，这些课程会帮助你永远快乐。

Even in sports and games there are ways in which you can show what kind of citizen you are. 即使在体育和游戏中，都有方法来展现你是哪种公民。

When you help cheerfully at home, do your school-work faithfully, and play games just as hard as you can and with good sportsmanship, 在家你热情帮忙，勤勤恳恳地完成作业，投入地完成游戏，拥有很强的体育精神。

you are doing the things your country most needs of you. The stories in this part of your book tell you of young American citizens, 你在做这个国家最需要你的做的，本书的这一部分故事将告诉你一些年轻公民的故事，

boys and girls like yourself. You will read of Joseph and Priscilla Harris, who thought quickly and acted bravely. 像你一样的男孩和女孩，你会听到约瑟夫和普莉希拉·哈里斯的故事，他们的头脑灵敏，行动果敢。

You will see Washington and Lincoln in their boyhood days. You will meet Marion Andrews, 你会看到孩童时期的华盛顿和林肯，你会遇见马里昂·安德鲁斯，

who never allowed difficulties to stop her, and Rodney, a true captain and leader of his team. 她从不会向困难低头，还有露德尼，他是真正的队长，一个团队的指挥。

What duties may you, as a citizen, be called upon to perform, and how can you prepare for them? 作为公民，你会被召唤去做什么呢，你该如何准备呢？