学海无涯

It was the last day of final examination in an Eastern university. On the steps of one building, a group of engineering seniors huddled, discussing the exam due to begin in a few minutes. On their faces was confidence. This was their last exam — then on to commencement and jobs.

Some talked of jobs they already had; others of jobs they would get. With all this assurance of four years of college, they felt ready and able to conquer the world.

The approaching exam, they knew, would be a snap. The professor had said they could bring any books or notes they wanted. Requesting only that they did not talk to each other during the test.

Jubilantly they field into the classroom. The professor passed out the papers. And smiles broadened as the students noted there were only five essay-type questions.

Three hours passed. Then the professor began to collect the papers. The students no longer looked confident. On their faces was a frightened expression. No one spoke as, papers in hand, the professor faced the class.

He surveyed the worried faces before him, then asked: “How many completed all five questions?

Not a hand was raised.

“How many answered four?

Still no hands.

“Three? Two?

The students shifted restlessly in their seats.

“One, then? Certainly somebody finished one.

But the class remained silent. The professor put down the papers. “That is exactly what I expected, he said.

“I just want to impress upon you that, even though you have completed four years of engineering, there are still many things about the subject you don’t know. These questions you could not answer are relatively common in everyday practice. Then, smiling, he added: “You will all pass this course, but remember — even though you are now college graduates, your education has just begun.

The years have obscured the name of this professor, but not the lesson he taught.

这是一所东部大学期末考试的最后一天，在一座大楼的台阶上，一群工程学的大四学生正聚集在一起，讨论着几分钟后就要开始的考试。他们脸上带着自信。这是最后一场考试了——接着就要举行毕业典礼和开始工作了。

有些学生谈论着他们已经找好的工作，其他人谈论他们正找的工作，凭着对四年大学生活的把握，他们觉得已经做好了准备，能够征服世界了。

他们知道，马上就要进行的考试，只是小菜一碟。教授说了，他们可以带任何想带的书或纸条进来，只要求他们在考试过程中不能互相讲话。

他们欢快地进了考场，教授把考卷发给他们。当同学们看到只有5个问答题时，他们简直要裂开嘴笑了。

三个小时过去了。教授开始收卷子。学生们看起来不再自信了，他们脸上带着害怕的表情。当收齐试卷，教授面向全班同学时，没有一个人说话。

他环视了一下面前这些忧郁的脸，问道：“有多少人完成了这5道题？

没有一个人举手。

“多少人完成了4道？

仍然没有人举手。

“有完成3道的吗？2道的？

同学们在椅子上不安地移动着。

“那么，一道呢？总有人做完一道题吧。

但是，教室里仍是寂静无声。教授放下了试卷。“这就是我所期望的。他说。

“我只是想让你们留下一个深刻印象，尽管你们学完了四年工程学，仍然有很多这个专业的东西你们还不懂。你们回答不了的这些问题在日常应用中是相当普遍的。接着，他微笑着说：“你们都将通过这门课，但是要记住——即使你已经大学毕业，你的教育也只不过是刚刚开始。

岁月模糊了这位教授的名字，但他教的这堂课却一直留在记忆里。

Notes：
jubilantlyadv.欢欣地，喜气洋洋地
obscurevt.使暗，使变模糊