A teacher was always so involved in the text being studied that he never looked up . He would call on a student for translation and explanation, and-without realizing it-he often chose the same student day after day. Out of respect, the student wouldn't point this out to him.　　

After being called on four days in a row, a student named Goldberg asked advice from his friends. The next day when the teacher said "Goldberg, translate and explain," Goldberg replied, "Goldberg is absent today ." 　　

"All right," said the teacher. "YOU translate and explain.

一位老师对所讲课文总是非常投入，从不抬头。他常让一个学生来翻译和解释，并且----不自觉地----他常日复一日地叫同一个学生。出于尊敬，学生并不给他指出这一点。

一个叫古德伯格的学生，在被一连叫了四天之后，向他的朋友寻求建议。第二天，这位教师又说：“古德伯格，翻译并解释。”古德伯格回答说：“古德伯格今天缺席。” 　　

“那好吧，”教师说，“那就你来翻译并解释。”