一个老妇人的故事


1935年冬天是美国经济最萧条的一段日子。这天在纽约市一个穷人居住区内的法庭上，正在开庭审理一个案子。

The winter of 1935,is the American economy the most depression for some time.One day in New York City,a poor live in court is hearing a case.


被告是一位年近六旬，衣衫破旧，满面愁容的老妇人。她愁苦中更多的是羞愧的表情。她因偷盗面包被面包房的老板告上法庭。法官审问道：“被告，你为什么偷面包，是因为饥饿吗？”

The defendant is a nearly 60 years,were shabby,old lady sadly.she is more of a shame and sorrow.She was the bakery boss to court for stealing bread.Judge interogated a way:"the accused,why did you steal bread,because hungry?"

“是的。”老妇人抬起头看着法官，“我的确很饥饿，但我更需要面包来喂养我三个失去父母的孙子，他们已经几天没吃东西了。我不能眼睁睁看着他们饿死，他们还只是孩子呀！”

"Yes."The old woman looked up at the judge,but I need more bread to feed my three lost parents' grandson,they haven't been eating for a few days.I can't see them starve to death,they are only children.


法官严肃的说：“肃静，下面宣布判决！”法官把脸转向老妇人，“被告，我必须秉公办事执行法律。你有两种选择：处以十美元的罚金或者是十天的拘役？”

The judge seriously:"silence,announced the decision below!"The judge turned to the old lady,"the accused,I must impartially enforce the law.You have two choices:finded $10 or 10 days detention?"


老妇人一脸痛苦和悔过的表情，她面对法官为难的说：“法官大人我愿意接受处罚。如果我有十美元就不会去偷面包。我愿意拘役十天，可我那三个小孙子谁来照顾呢？”

The old woman face of pain and the expression of repentance.In the face of the judge,she said:"I am willing to accept the punishment of the judge.If I had ten dollar,I wouldn't have stolen the bread.I am willing to detention for ten days,but my three grandchildren who will take care of it?"


这时旁听席上站起一个四十多岁的男人，他向老妇人鞠了一躬，“请你接受十美元的判决。”他转向旁听席上其他人，掏出十美元摘下帽子放进去，说：“各位，我是现任纽约市市长拉瓜地亚，现在请诸位每人交十美元的罚金，这是为我们的冷漠付费，以处罚我们生活在一个需要老祖母偷面包来喂养孙子的城市。”

Then sit in seat stand a forty years old man,he to the old woman bowed,"will you please accept ten dollars judgment."He turned to sit on the seats of other people,fished out ten dollars off his hat and placed it inside,said:"Ladies and gentlemen,I'm the incumbent mayor of the city of New York LaGuardia.Now please everybody per person to pay a fine of ten dollars,which is pay for our indifference to penalties we live in a to old grandmother stole a loaf of bread to feed the grandson of the city."


法庭上所有人都惊讶了。片刻，所有的旁听者都默默起立每个人都认真得拿出五十美元放到市长的帽子里，包括法官。

Everyone in the courtroom was surprised.For a moment,all the spectators stood silent,and everyone took out fifty dollars in the mayor's hat,including the judge.


按理说，一个老妇人偷面包被罚款与外人何干？拉瓜地亚说的明白----为我们的冷漠付费。

Arguably,an old woman stole the bread is fine with the outsiders?LaGuardia said that for our indifference to pay.


善，并不仅仅是一种与冷漠、奸诈、残忍、自私自利相对的一种品质，还是一种精神的契约。

Good,and not just a cold and,treacherous and cruel,selfish a relative quality or a spirit of contract.