One night，at 11：30PM，an older African America2） woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing3） rainstorm.Her car had broken down and she desperately4） needed a ride.Soaking5） wet，she decided to flag down the next car.A young white man stopped to help her——generally unheard of in those conflict－filled 1960s.The man took her to safety，helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab.She seemed to be in a big hurry.She wrote down his address，thanked him and drove away.Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door.To his surprise，a giant console color TV was delivered to his home.A special note was attached.It read：“thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night.The rain drenched6） not only my clothes but my spirits.Then you came along.Because of you，I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away.God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others.

    Sincerely，

    Mrs.Nat King Cole.

    一天午夜11：30分，一位年长的黑人妇女在阿拉巴马的一条高速公路旁站着，忍受着暴风雨的鞭笞。她的车坏了，她急切地等待搭乘别人的车。她浑身湿透，决心一定拦住下一辆车。这时，一位白人青年停下车，帮了她的忙——在那充满种族冲突的60年代，这实属闻所未闻。那位男子开车把她送到安全地方，找人帮她的忙并为她叫来了一辆出租车。她似乎急急忙忙要去什么地方。她记下他的地址，谢了他便让司机开走了。7天过去了，这天忽然有人敲了那位年轻人的房门。让他吃惊的是，来人给他送来了一台大型的落地式彩色电视机。上面附着一张纸条：非常感谢您那天晚上在高速公路上帮了我的忙。当时大雨不仅湿透了我的衣服，也摧垮了我的精神。但你来了。由于你的帮助，我才得以在老伴咽气前赶到他的病床前见了他一面。你帮了我的忙并无私地为他人服务。愿上帝保佑您。

    娜特·金·科莱夫人谨上。

    pickup n. 中途搭车

    African America 黑人的

    lashing n. 大量， 许多

    desperately adv. 拼命地， 失望地

    soaking adj. 湿透的

    drench v. 湿透