PAGE 24: READING
Two Geniuses
Many people regard Albert Einstein(1879-1955) as one of the 20th century's greatest geniuses. His attempt to explain the working of the universe helped create such things as nuclear energy,space travel and television. The modest Einstein used to say that the only gift he had was curiosity,but stories about him show that he also had a sense of humour. One tells that, as a young man with a growing reputation he received many invitations to go to universities to explain his theories. On these trips, his driver was always the same a man called Hans. Hans often said to him, 'It's a pleasure to drive a genius like you, Dr Einstein One evening, on their way to a remote university, Einstein said'I wish I didn't have to give my lecture tonight, Hans. I'm so tired.But I can't let my audience down, can I? You don't need to said Hans. 'We'll change places and I'll give the lecture for you. I've listened to it dozens of times.I don't understand it but I know it by heart And no one knows you at the university do they? No one will find out. Einstein eventually agreed with Hans, but said to him'Don't try to answer any questions whatever you do. They changed places and at the university Hans was greeted and led to the platform of a great hall crowded with professors and students. Einstein took a seat in the audience listened to Hans give his lecture perfectly and joined in the applause at the end. However, before Hans could get off the platform a professor shouted from the audience'I'd like to ask you a question. It's very difficult but please answer it. He then asked a question so difficult that Hans had no idea what he was talking about. Einstein thought Oh dear, now we're in trouble. But Hans just laughed and said, That's not a difficult question sir. In fact, it's so easy even my driver knows how to answer it. Hans, stand up and ...Einstein stood up and answered the question perfectly They left the university, with Einstein driving. A little later, Hans offered to take over from him. 'No, my friend.'laughed Einstein. 'It's a pleasure to drive a genius like you, Hans.'
兩位天才 很多人認(rèn)為阿爾伯特·愛因斯坦（1879-1955） 是二十世紀(jì)最偉大的天才。 他試圖解釋宇宙運(yùn)作的原理，對核能 宇宙航行和電視機(jī)的發(fā)明有很大幫助。 謙虛的愛因斯坦最常說的一句話就是我擁有的唯一天賦就是好奇心 但是他的故事也顯示出他是個很有幽默感的人。 有人曾經(jīng)說過，當(dāng)一個年輕人擁有持續(xù)升漲的名望 他就會收到很多大學(xué)請他去講解他的理論的邀請。 在去大學(xué)演講的路上一直都是同一個人做他的司機(jī)，這個人叫做漢斯。 漢斯經(jīng)常跟他說，“能做您這樣一個天才的司機(jī)，我感到很高興，愛因斯坦博士?！?一天夜里，他們正在去一所路途遙遠(yuǎn)的大學(xué)的路上， 愛因斯坦說“我今天晚上不想去做講座，漢斯?！?我很累。但是我不能讓我的觀眾們失望，不是嗎？ 你不用跟他們說你是漢斯。 我們換個講座地點(diǎn)，在那里我讓你來替我做這個講座。 這個講座我已經(jīng)聽過很多次了。雖然我不明白是什么意思，但是心里卻記下了它的內(nèi)容。 沒有人知道你在這所大學(xué)里不是嗎？不會有人發(fā)現(xiàn)的。 愛因斯坦最后讓漢斯妥協(xié)了， 但是告訴他，不論你做什么，千萬不要回答任何問題。 他們換了個講座地點(diǎn)，在大學(xué)里漢斯受到了熱烈歡迎并被引向了 一個擠滿了教授和學(xué)生的大禮堂的舞臺上。 愛因斯坦在觀眾中坐下，聽著漢斯完美地做著講座 最后和眾人一起鼓掌。 然而，就在漢斯準(zhǔn)備走下舞臺的時候， 以為坐在觀眾中的教授大聲說道：“我想請問您一個問題。” 這個問題很難，但是麻煩您回答我這個問題。 隨后，這位教授提出的問題的確很難 以至于漢斯完全不知道他在說什么。 愛因斯坦心想：“天哪，現(xiàn)在我們有麻煩了?！?但是漢斯只是笑笑，并說道：“這個問題一點(diǎn)都不難，先生。 實(shí)際上，這個簡單的問題我的司機(jī)就會回答。” 漢斯站起來然后...愛因斯坦站起來很完美的回答了教授提出的問題 他們離開學(xué)校的時候，是愛因斯坦開的車。 走了一陣，漢斯提出要跟愛因斯坦調(diào)換回來。 “不用了，我的朋友?！睈垡蛩固剐Φ?。 “很高興能為你這樣一位天才開車，漢斯。”