火烈鸟那些事儿（六）

古迪尔的感悟

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2008年8月1日，在TOP博客上，美国专栏作家史蒂夫·古迪尔Steve Goodier发表了一篇极具鼓动性的文章，题为Solving Our Greatest Problems（解决我们最大的难题），鼓励人们从自身做起，积极行动，努力保护地球大家园的生态环境。

在兰州出版的文摘期刊2009年第4期《读者》上，我看到了郑衍文先生的中文译作，使用的标题是《火烈鸟的启示》。译文忠于原作，用语规范、流畅、典雅，实属译作中的佳品。

为了彰显环保理念，也为了继续介绍火烈鸟的习性，现采用英汉对照的方式，将原文和译文逐段展示于后，供诸位博友各取所需：

Some of the greatest problems we face today are concerned with the gradual destruction of our environment through over-use and abuse of our resources. Unsightly brown clouds; wildlife extinctions; water that can’t be consumed; the disappearance of ancient glaciers... these  problems  all seem so huge.

当今我们所面临的一些重大问题中，有些是由于过度使用以及滥用资源而造成的环境不断恶化。大煞风景的褐色云团，野生动物的灭绝，无法饮用的水资源，古冰川的消失……这些问题似乎全都是那么严峻。

So my family does what we can. We take cloth bags to the grocery store instead of using paper or plastic grocery sacks. We buy organic foods when possible. We walk where we don't have to drive. Our home, like many of yours, is filled with fluorescent bulbs and we use water saving faucets.

于是，我们一家人做了些力所能及的事。去杂货店购物，我们带着布袋，而不使用杂货店的纸袋或是塑料袋。我们尽可能购买有机食品。我们步行前往那些不是非得开车才能去的地方。和很多家庭一样，我们家里装的都是荧光灯，水龙头也是节水型的。

But does it do any good? When I am the only one in line at the grocery store with cloth bags, am I doing any good? Does my walking to the store or shivering under the drizzle of my anaemic shower head make any real difference to the world?

可我们这样做到底有没有效果？在杂货店排队的长龙中，我是唯一一个用布袋的人，我的努力有效果吗？我步行去商店，我在淋浴头下的“毛毛细雨”中瑟瑟发抖，我这样做真的能改变世界吗？

I recently learned something about flamingos—which probably behave like many migrating birds. These exquisite birds flock in huge groups of a thousand or more. Every year, when the time comes for migration, a few flamingos start the process by taking off from the lake. But none of the others seem to notice, so the tiny group returns.

最近，我从火烈鸟的身上得到了一些启示。火烈鸟和其他很多候鸟的做法或许都是一样的。这些外形高雅的鸟儿会以上千甚至更多的数量聚集成群。每年到了迁徙的时候，总有少数火烈鸟率先飞离湖面，拉开迁徙的序幕。然而，其他的火烈鸟好像并没注意到，于是这一小群火烈鸟又飞回到湖面上。

However, the next day they try again. This time a few more struggle along with them, but the vast majority still pay no attention, so these pioneers come back.

可是第二天，这少数的先行者会继续进行尝试。这一次，更多的火烈鸟和它们一道奋飞，然而绝大多数的火烈鸟依然是毫不在意。所以，这些先驱者们又飞了回来。

The trend continues for several more days. Every time a few more birds join in but, since the thousands of others still take no notice, the great migration plan is once more aborted.

这样的尝试要持续好多天。每次都有更多的火烈鸟加入飞行的大军，可终因成千上万的火烈鸟依然没有注意，大迁徙的计划一再搁浅。

Then one day something changes. The same small group of birds once again takes wing and a tiny number more join in, just as before. And this time their total number, though still quite small, is enough to tip the balance. As one, the whole flock takes flight and the migration begins. What a spectacular sight it must be—thousands of flamingos taking to the sky at once!

但有一天，情况终于改变了。和以前一样，那些少数的火烈鸟再次扇动翅膀，有一小部分火烈鸟加入它们的行列。这一次飞起来的火烈鸟还是很少，但它们的数量已经足以起到决定性的作用。整群的火烈鸟都飞了起来，大迁徙开始了。那是多么壮观的一幕啊——数千只火烈鸟一道腾空而起！

A few CAN make a difference. It's true that all of the great problems of the world have been solved because of the persistent efforts of a few.

少数人的确能够改变世界。世界上所有重大的难题都是因为少数人坚持不懈的努力而最终得到解决的。

Anthropologist Margaret Mead put it like this: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

人类学家玛格丽特•米德是这样说的：“毋庸置疑，极富思想而又信念坚定的少数人可以改变这个世界。是的，这正是唯一可以改变世界的方法。”

If you believe in a cause, don't give up! Others will someday take notice and together we will solve even our greatest problems

如果你信仰一种事业，请不要放弃！总有一天别人会开始关注，携起手来，我们就能解决我们最大的难题。                   （全文完）