正文
The son of a businessman had agreed to join the family business,
一个商人的儿子答应子承父业，
and on his veryfirst day at the factory his father took him on to the roof and said, “Now, my son, I am not about to give you your first lesson in business. Stand on the edge of the roof.”
到工厂上班的第一天，父亲就带着儿子上了天台：“儿子，我没打算给你上经商第一课。你站到天台边上去。”
“On the edge, Dad?” asked the puzzled youth. “On the very edge.” “Very well, Dad,” and the obedient son did as he was told.
“边上，爸爸？”年轻人感到困惑。 “就站到最边上。” “好的，爸爸。”儿子很听话。
“Now, when I say "Jump!"” said his father, “I want you to jump.” “But it"s a twentyfoot drop!” “My boy,”
“我一喊"跳！"”父亲说，“你就给我跳。” “可这儿离地有二十英尺高啊！”
said the father. “You want tolearn the business, don"t you?” “Yes, Dad.” “ And you trust me?” “Yes, Dad.”
“孩子，”父亲说，“你不是要学经商吗？”是啊，爸爸。” “那你相信我吗？” “我信，爸爸。”
“Right, then do as I say — Jump!” And the boy jumped, only to crash painfully to the ground twenty feet below.
“那就好，我说什么，你做就是了——跳！” 男孩果真跳了，重重跌落在距离天台二十英尺的地面上。
His father ran down the stairs to where the youth was lying, bruised, battered and winded. “Now, my son,” said the father. “You have just learned your first lesson in business — never trust anybody!”
父亲跑下楼梯，看到儿子躺在那儿，浑身瘀青、气喘吁吁，整个人伤得不轻。 “来，儿子，”父亲说，“你已经学到了经商第一课——别相信任何人！”
生词
bruised [bru:zd] adj.<医>青肿瘀紫的
battered [ˈbætəd] adj. 磨损的
winded [ˈwɪndɪd] adj. 喘气的
人常说“无商不奸”，原来背后的隐情是“商场如战场”。
