You're driving down the interstate on a Saturday morning still sleepy as you head on to St. Louis for a business conference. You're driving along when you see an old 1996 Honda Accord parked on the side of the road; its owner in obvious distress and in desperate need of help. You glance briefly then continue without one moment's hesitation…why?
Steve Marlow sits under a passover, lonely, hungry, cold, and destitute in his makeshift shelter. Things weren't always so bad for him; once upon a time he could support himself, once upon a time he was content with his meager income, once upon a time his life was that of a not so homeless man. July 3, 2003: Steve drives home from work on a Wednesday night to the sight of firemen battling endless flames. The flames licked at the burned and charred support beams of Steve's little home. The hoses of the firemen douse the flames, all too late; it's gone…all of it. He sleeps in his car, anxious of what's to come. The next morning he drives to work with the intent of explaining his situation to his boss. Too late; he's been replaced by a “certified” contractor. With no money, no family, and a car without gas he sits, waiting for someone to extend their hand, but no one does…why?
Why is it that when one is in need, and we are the cup of sufficiency, we scoff and ridicule, not taking one moment's time to think of the plight of the guy next to you? Why is it that when trouble befalls us we stare out into space and cry, curse the world and feel hurt when no one comes, when no one cares? Why does man expect from his brother that which his brother cannot expect from him? “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”…why is this so hard? In truth it isn't, if we listen with our eyes, follow with our ears, and think with our heart. Should one follow this one simple guide then maybe, just maybe, the why's of life will become the ties of hope.
译文:
如此无家可归
周六的早晨，你满是倦意得沿着洲际公路往南行驶，就好像你正驱车去圣·路易斯参加商务会议一样。当你沿路行驶的时候正巧看见路边停着一辆1996年产的老式本田雅阁；本田车的车主显然正处在悲痛之中，他几近绝望得祈求着他人的帮助。你粗略地撇了撇，继而又毫无迟疑得开走了。为什么？
斯蒂夫·马龙坐在一个通道底下，在他那间简陋的居所里，他感到孤独，饥饿，寒冷以及贫穷。对他来说，以前的情况并不总是那么糟糕的；他曾一度可以养活自己，他曾一度有着一份微薄的收入，他也曾一度有家可回。2003年7月3日，一个周三的晚上，斯蒂夫下班驾车回家看到消防员正在与凶猛燃烧着的大火作战。火焰将斯蒂夫家小屋子上的横梁烧焦了。消防员们用消防水管浇大火，但一切都太晚了……完了，全完了。他睡在他的车子里，对于即将要面临的处境非常焦虑。第二天早上，他开车去上班，急切得想要向他的老板解释他的处境。太晚了：他的职位被一个所谓的有“执照”的合同工取代了。他没有钱，没有家，坐在一辆没有汽油的汽车里，等待有人向他伸出援手，但是没有人……为什么？
为什么当有人需要帮助，而我们又是力所能及的时候，我们嘲笑和挖苦别人，却不愿花一点点的时候去设身处地得想想你身边这人所处的困境呢？为什么当厄运降临我们头上，却无人愿意帮助，无人关心我们的时候，我们凝视远处，哭泣，咒骂整个世界，感觉伤透了心？为什么有人会期望从他的兄弟那里得到一些他自己无法给予他兄弟的东西呢？“用你希望别人对你的方式对待别人。”为什么这是那么的难？事实上这并不难，如果我们用我们的耳朵去聆听，跟随我们的眼睛，用我们的内心去思考。如果人们遵照这个简单的守则，那么也许，仅仅是也许，这些个生活中的为什么会变成希望的纽带。