学海无涯

It was the last day of final examination in a large Eastern university. On the steps of one building, a group of engineering seniors huddled, discussing the exam due to begin in a few minutes. On their faces was confidence. This was their last exam-then on to commencement and jobs.

这是东部一所大学期终考试的最后一天。在一栋建筑物的台阶上，一群工程学高年级学生围在一起，对即将开始的考试议论纷纷。自信洋溢在他们的脸上。这将是他们求学时期的最后一场考试了，前面等待着他们的将是毕业并迈向各自的工作岗位。

Some talked of jobs they already had; others talked of jobs they would get. With all the assurance of four years of college, they felt ready and were able to conquer the world.

他们有的议论着已经获得的工作，有的则议论即将参加的工作。经过四年大学教育，他们觉得自己已经为征服这个世界做足了准备。

The approaching exam, they knew, would be a snap. The professor had said they could bring any books or notes they wanted. Requesting only that they did not to each other during the test.

他们知道面临的考试只不过是小菜一碟而已。教授已经说过他们可以带任何书籍或笔记进入考场，唯一的要求是在考试期间不能讨论。

Jubilantly they fielded into the classroom. The professor passed out the papers. And smiles broadened as the students noted there were only five essay-type questions.

随后他们兴冲冲地涌入考场。教授开始发试卷。当学生们看到试卷上只有五条问答题时，他们发出舒心的微笑。

Three hours passed. Then the professor began to collect the papers. The students no longer looked confident. On their faces was a frightened expression. No one spoke. As papers in hand, the professor faced the class.

三小时的考试时间过去了，教授开始收试卷。学生们脸上的自信这时已经荡然无存了，显出手足无措的样子。没有人说话。教授手持试卷，低头扫视着整个班。

He surveyed the worried faces before him, then asked: “How many completed all five questions?”

他审视着面前一张张惶恐的脸，问：“有多少人完成了这五道题？”

Not a hand was raised.

没有人举手。

“How many answered four?”

“那么四道呢？”

Still no hand.

仍然无人举手。

“Three? Two?”

“三道……两道呢？”

The students shifted restlessly in their seats.

学生们这时在座位上发出了一阵不安的骚动。

“One, then? Certainly somebody finished one.”

“那么一道呢？肯定有人能完成一道吧。”

But the class remained silent. The professor put down the papers. “That is exactly what I expected, ”he said, “I just want to impress upon you that, even though you have completed four years of engineering, these are still many things about the subject you don’t know. These questions you could not answer are relatively common in everyday practice.” Then, smiling, he added, “you will all pass this course, but remember—even though you are now college graduates, you education has just begun.”

回答教授的仍然是沉默。“这正如我先前所想到的，”教授放下试卷说，“我只是想让你们谨记，虽然你们已经完成了四年的工程学课程，但是这个科目中仍然有很多东西是你们所不懂的。其实你们在日常的操作中不懂怎么解决这些问题并不奇怪。”他又微笑着加了一句：“这次考试你们将全部通过，但请大家记住：大学毕业仅仅表示你们的教育才刚开始。”

The years have obscured the name of this professor, but not the lesson he taught.

岁月流逝，教授的名字已经被淡忘，但是他的教导却为学生所铭刻于心。