文章大意:这是一篇记叙文,文章讲述了Al Nixon在八年前决定用坐在长凳上欣赏海滩风光来开始自己的一天,但是一年后他改变了想法,不仅仅只是欣赏风光,他开始对人们微笑,展开对话,学会倾听过往的人们,从而被人们称为“阳光市长”的故事。
Eight years ago. Al Nixon decided to begin each day from a bench with a spectacular view of St. Petersburg’s waterfront in Florida. “I call it ‘life rising’ because watching a sunrise makes me feel positive and centered before I start my day,” says Nixon, who works for the city’s water department. It is Nixon’s own version of daily motivation.
A year later, a woman stopped to say hello, and she said something that changed his perspective on his daily ritual. “She said, ‘You know, every morning when I see you sitting here, I know that everything is going to be OK,’” Nixon recalls. “That was when I knew: I needed to pay attention to the people walking past. I needed to make eye contact and let people know that we matter to each other.”
Instead of staring straight ahead at the waterfront, Nixon started smiling at people and striking up conversations. And pretty soon, more than a few early risers began joining him on the bench, sometimes unburdening themselves and telling him their relationship, career or personal problems. “I was happy to listen. I wanted them to walk away knowing they didn’t have to feel lonely,” Nixon, now 59, says. “When you’re in your 50s and 60s or beyond, a lot of people feel their purpose hasn’t been fulfilled. At this stage in life, this is definitely my purpose.”
So, every morning, weather permitting, Nixon rises at 4:30 a. m. He puts on a hat, sips a cup of coffee, and then drives seven miles to the waterfront, where he’ll stay for two hours. His presence, his openness to listen and his kindness towards strangers have led them to nickname him the Sunshine Mayor.
No matter what problem a person wants to air, Nixon lends an ear. But some people just sit down and don’t want to talk or share stories. They simply want to sit next to someone and share the silence. “A woman stopped once and said, ‘I just want to sit here with you,’” Nixon recalls. “We stared at the water for an hour, and then she said thank you and walked away. She just wanted a moment of peace and to know she wasn’t alone. And in that moment, in that hour, on that morning, she truly wasn’t.”
4. Why did Nixon decide to begin his day from the bench eight years ago?
A.To develop a habit. | B.To seek mental power. |
C.To enjoy seaside views. | D.To interact with strangers. |
5. How might Nixon feel after hearing the woman’s words in paragraph 2?
A.Inspired. | B.Relaxed. |
C.Touched. | D.Worried. |
6. What does Nixon’s nickname the Sunshine Mayor imply?
A.He is laughed at by others. |
B.He is a responsible official. |
C.He warms strangers’ hearts. |
D.He likes sunny days particularly. |
7. What can be learned from the last paragraph?
A.One has to learn to listen. |
B.Not everyone is a good storyteller. |
C.It’s not easy to fulfill different needs. |
D.Silent company matters to some people. |