Hard by King Neptune’S realm，a shepherd came to graze．He builtupon the shore a cosy little hut，and fed his sheep around this pleasantspot；and happily he passed his days．He knew no pomp or pride，he knewno misery，indeed，his pleasure in his lot．Was such as，well may be，andthe most of kings have not． But day by day observing on the sea，the ships that carried in newstores of every treasure．The rich and divers wares piled up upon thequays，the warehouse packed beyond its measure．And how their ownerslived in luxury and ease——the smiles of fortune he was keen to court．Hesold his house and flock，bought wares of every sort，freighted a vesseland set out from port．
His venture was but short！How treacherous the sea，there’S nonebut knows，this he had to learn，the coast not out of sight，a fearful stormarose，the ship was wrecked，the cargo sank outright．He scarce could struggle to the shore．
Thanks to the hunger of the deep，once more，he takes a shepherd’Splace，but with this difference，no longer for himself he labours，the sheep he keeps are now his neighbour’S，a hireling！Yet although your losses be immense．There’S many a loss that time and patience can restore．Hesaves that，he saves on this，he saves，till in the end a second flock is his：the shepherd of his sheep is master as before．
One day，upon the sandy shore，the sun above him blazing，his flock beside him grazing．He sits and scans the ocean 0’er Now scarce a ripple shows on all that mighty tide，SO peaceful lies the main，and smoothly to the quay the stately vessels glide．
“My friend，”he cries，“you want more money，it is plain，but ifit S mine，you ask in vain，find some one else，whose mind is still unsteady． You’ve had your toll from me already．Fools，such as 1 were，there may be，but not a farting more you ever get from me．”
This tale I meant tO leave，as self—interpreted，but should the words remain unsaid？
Far better guard what’S yours for sure，than follow in the wake of Hope’S deceptive lure！It is thousands you will find left shivering in the cold，for one she has not cheated all the way；for me，no matter what they say，I’11 tell them，as I’ve always told“Tomorrow，come what may，but what I have．I hold．”
Neptune n．海王星
misery n．悲惨，穷困，不幸
luxury n．奢侈，豪华
adj．奢侈的，豪华的
restore v．恢复；使恢复健康，修复，整修
牧人和大海
在紧靠海神那浦东的国土上，一个牧人来这里放牧，他在海边建了一个舒适的小屋，这是一片肥沃的土壤，他喂养着羊群，过着幸福的生活。他不讲排场也不懂的什么荣耀，他也不知道什么是不幸。实际上，他一直很快乐，也许即使许多国王也无法享受到他的快乐。
可是，牧人每天遥望大海，看着海边停泊着各种运载财富的船只。许多各式各样的商品器具堆满码头，仓库里的货物难以计算，那些货物的主人们全都享受着奢侈安逸的生活。于是牧人很想去碰碰运气，房屋和羊群都被他卖掉了，随即买了花样繁多的货物，货物被装进船里后，他就从港口出发了。
可惜他的探险特别短暂。大海是无情无义的，这一点没有人不知道，但是牧人却毫不知情。船刚驶出港口不远，还能看见海滩的时候，一场可怕的风暴降临了。牧人坐的船只在风暴中遇难了，大海吞没了全部的货物。牧人侥幸挣扎着爬到岸边。
因为无情的大海，牧人再次成了牧羊人，但是不同的是，他这次放羊是为邻居而不是为自己，他做了别人的佣工。不管损失怎样惨重，时间和耐心总会医好～切伤痕。于是他极尽所能省吃俭用，终于又有了属于自己的羊群，又成了自己羊群的主人。
一个阳光灿烂的天气，牧人坐在沙滩上，羊群在旁边静静地吃草。他凝视大海，大海是那样的宁静安详，风平浪静。海面平静极了，一艘艘船只缓缓地驶进码头。
“朋友，”他喊道，“看来你又需要钱了。但是想要我的钱，那就做梦去吧！去找那些意志薄弱的人吧，我已经给你付过一次钱了。或许过去我是个十足的傻瓜，可是现在你别再想从我这里取走哪怕一个便士！”
我说的这个故事很简单，但是它的喻义却深刻。
小心把握你拥有的，而不是追逐希望的海市蜃楼。干百的人在寒冷中战栗，因为希望不总是欺骗。对于我无论别人怎么说，我会告诉他们，就是我经常说的话，明天，尽管来，但是我会紧紧抓住我现在所拥有的。
名人名言Wherever you are sincerely pleased，you aye nourished．
——Emerson无论何时只要你感到快乐，你就吸收了营养。
——爱默生