lesson．This untidy man walked up to my register(收款机) with a box of biscuits．He said he was out of cash(现金), had just moved into his room, and had nothing in his cupboards．He asked if we could let him have the food on trust．He promised to repay me the next day．

　　I couldn't help staring at him．I wondered what kind of person he had been ten or twenty years before, and what he would be like if luck had gone his way．I had a hurt in my heart for this kind of human soul, all alone in the world．I told him that I was sorry, but store rules didn't allow me to do so．I felt stupid and unkind saying this, but I valued my job．

　　Just then, another man, standing behind the first, spoke up．If anything, he looked more pitiable．"Charge it to me," was all he said．

　　What I had been feeling was pity．Pity is soft and safe and easy．Compassion, on the other hand, is caring in action．I thanked the second man but told him that was not allowed either．Then I reached into my pocket and paid for the biscuits myself．I reached into my pocket because these two men had reached into my heart and taught me compassion.

　　解析：故事采用顺叙的叙事方法，主要情节发展如下：One aged gentleman begged me to have the food on trust and promised to repay the next day.---- I told him the store rules didn't allow me to do so.---- Another man wanted me to charge the food to him.----I paid for the biscuits myself. 作者用第一人称讲述自己亲身经历的这段故事，让人觉得亲切可信，同时也增强了文章的感染力。作者说自己通过这段故事学会了compassion（同情），事实上也是在号召读者多伸出同情之手，共建和谐社会。

　　抓住了故事的情节，了解了作者的写作意图。再来做理解题，就容易多了。请看看下面几道理解题：

　　41．The aged gentleman who wanted to buy the biscuits ______.

　　 A．promised to obey the store rules

　　 B．forgot to take any money with him

　　 C．hoped to have the food first and pay later

　　 D．could not afford anything more expensive

　　42．Which of the following best describes the old gentleman?

　　 A．kind and lucky B．poor and lonely

　　 C．friendly and helpful D．hurt and disappointed

43．The writer acted upon the store rules because ______.