[美文欣賞]

The word, friend, covers a wide range of meanings. It can be a nodding acquaintance, a comrade, a confidant, a partner, a playmate, an intimate colleague, etc.

Everyone needs friendship. No one can sail the ocean of life single-handed. We need help from, and also give help to, others. In modern society, people attach more importance to relations and connections. A man of charisma has many friends. His power lies in his ability to give.

As life is full of strife and conflict, we need friends to support and help us out of difficulties. Our friends give us warnings against danger. Our friends offer us advice with regard to how do deal with various situations. True friends share not only our joys but also our sorrows.

With friendship, life is happy and harmonious. Without friendship, life is sad and unfortunate. I have friends in high positions and friends in the rank and file. Some are rich and in power. Some are relatively poor and without power. Some are like myself, working as a teacher, reading and writing, content with a simple life. We all care for each other, love and help each other. We feel we are happiest when we chat and exchange ideas with one another. With my friends, I know what to treasure, what to tolerate and what to share.

I will never forget my old friends, and I'll keep making new friends. I will not be cold and indifferent to my poor friends, and I will show concern for them, even if it is only a comforting word.

[參考譯文]

“朋友”這個詞的意義很廣。朋友可以是點頭之交、同志、知已、伙伴、玩伴、親密的同事等。

人人都需要友誼，沒有人能獨自在人生的海洋中航行。我們給人以幫助，也需要別人的幫助。在現代社會，人們更重視關系和聯系。一個有非凡魅力的人有許多朋友，他的力量在于他的奉獻能力。

生活充滿矛盾和斗爭，我們需要朋友的支持，以幫助我們擺脫困境。朋友提醒我們警惕險灘。朋友主動給我們以忠告，告訴我們如何應付各種不同的局勢。真正的朋友與我們同甘共苦。

有了友誼，生活幸福、和諧;沒有友誼，生活變得悲傷、不幸。我有地位高的朋友，也有地位低的朋友;有的有錢有權，有的較窮且無權無勢。有的和我一樣教書，讀讀寫寫，滿足于簡樸的生活。我們都互相關心，互相愛護，互相幫助。我們覺得朋友們在一起閑談交流思想時感到最開心。對我的朋友們，我知道該珍惜什么，容忍什么，分享什么。

我決不會忘記老朋友，同時繼續結交新朋友。我對窮朋友絕不冷漠，而是關心他們，哪怕只是一句安慰的話。