No 30 The Antarctic Expedition 南极历险
Selfish, bad-tempered but full of vigour, my nephew Tom was enthusiastic about seeking recreation instead of running family corporation. He would play rugby until his hair was damp with sweat, chase a barking dog waving a tennis bat or stuff a stove with a banjo just to make a fire giving off black smoke. As Confucius creating Confucianism said, “Rotten wood can’t be carved.”
我侄子汤姆自私、脾气坏但却充满活力，他热衷于寻求娱乐而不是经营家族企业。他会打橄榄球直到头发被汗水弄湿，挥舞着网球拍追一只吠叫的狗，或者把一把班卓琴塞进炉子里只为了生火冒黑烟。正如创立儒家学说的孔子所说：“朽木不可雕也。”
Learning my resolution to organize an voyage to Antarctica, he resolved to join in the Antarctic expedition. I turned him down since his motive was to be envied by others. Unfortunately, this unqualified candidate went aboard my ship hiding in a cupboard. I had to assigned him to be a steward serving the crew. Approaching the South Pole, our ship got crushed by the ice and sank with our personal belongings: decent food, warm blankets, and cosy furniture. Fortunately, despite rough seas, bitter colds and cruel weather, my loyal navigator and motor expert persevered in saving us from this miserable place.
得知我决定组织以此前往南极洲的航行，他决心加入这次南极探险。我拒绝了他，因为他的动机是被别人嫉妒。不幸的是，这位不合格的候选人藏在一个橱柜里上了我的船。我不得分派他当为船员服务的服务员。临近南极点时，我们的船被冰块撞毁，然后连同我们的个人物品沉没了，包括体面的食物、温暖的毯子和舒适的家具。幸运的是，尽管海浪汹涌、寒风凛冽、天气恶劣，我忠诚的领航员和发动机专家仍然坚持，把我们从这个悲惨的地方救了出来。
This episode in his life made a thorough difference to him. “The crew's resolve, commitment, endurance, perseverance, and genuine concern for others taught me how to overcome adversity.” he recalled. Under the board’s guidance, he increased staff wage and launched an advertising campaign to promote corporate image. Then he abandoned cosy life and joined the navy.
这段人生经历对他产生了彻底的改变。他回忆道：“船员们的决心、献身、耐力、毅力以及对他人真诚的关心教会了我如何克服逆境。”在董事会的指导下，他提高了员工工资并发起了一场广告活动以提升公司的形象。随后他放弃了安逸的生活，加入了海军。