There was once a group of young people searching everywhere for happiness but what they got was only annoyance, grief and misery.
So they 36 Socrates for advice on where happiness 37 . But 38 giving any answers, Socrates asked them to help with building a 39 first. The group of guys had to 40 the task, laying aside their own business of seeking happiness. It took them a long time to cut down a tall tree, gouging out (挖空) the center. Through painstaking effort, they made a canoe out of the tree. They launched the canoe into a river, and then 41 together in it, singing with 42 .
Socrates asked, “My children, do you have happiness now?” They answered in chorus: “We 43 be happier!” Socrates 44 , “That’s it! 45 you are too busy pursuing something to notice anything bitter, happiness will occur.”
From the story I got to know that happiness 46 hides behind every tiny thing that you are involved in, and that you may only get pleasure through 47 work and creativity.
We may have to 48 pain in our daily life and in the process of 49 happiness. Sometimes we tend to look for happiness in 50 things, like a new car, clothes, etc. True long term happiness, however, comes from within our 51 and spirit. So why not turn suffering into 52 life, and 53 tears into the light in your heart? Only in this way can we make it through and find true happiness.
So my dear friends, just remember happiness is a state of mind and a matter of 54 , and I 55 you all a life of happiness.
36. A. pointed to B. referred to C. turned to D. kept to
37. A. lay B. belonged C. stood D. laid
38. A. apart from B. instead of C. other than D. for fear of
39. A. house B. boat C. bridge D. school
40. A. set about B. set down C. set out D. set up
41. A. sat B. stood C. got D. rowed
42. A. joy B. sorrow C. curiosity D. hope
43. A. mustn’t B. shouldn’t C. couldn’t D. needn’t
44. A. declared B. thought C. added D. assumed
45. A. Unless B. Whenever C. Until D. However
46. A. never B. always C. ever D. seldom
47. A. cautious B. endless C. hard D. effective
48. A. experience B. avoid C. enjoy D. deny
49. A. searching B. seeking C. hoping D. improving
50. A. spiritual B. nice C. new D. material
51. A. body B. part C. soul D. head
52. A. blaming B. praising C. ending D. cursing
53. A. turn B. put C. divide D. draw
54. A. time B. energy C. fact D. choice
55. A. wish B. promise C. bring D. require