【老路灯的故事】老路灯读后感_老路灯作者

Down in the gutter there were three who were ready to take over the job of lighting up the street as soon as it became vacant; and thinking that the lamp could appoint his own successor, they presented them selves to him. The first was a rotten herring head, which can shine in the dark, as you know. It pointed out that his appointment would mean a great saving in oil. The second was an old piece of dry rotten wood. It can also glow and that a lot brighter than an old codfish, as it said itself. Besides, it was the last piece of a tree that had been the pride of a whole forest. The third was a glowworm. The old street lamp could not imagine where it could have come from, but there it was shining like the others. The herring head and the piece of old, dry, rotten wood claimed that the worm did not glow all the time but only when it had fits, which ought to disqualify it.

The old lamp tried to explain to them that none of them had sufficient light to become a street lamp. But none of the three would believe that; and when they were told that the lamp could not, in any case, appoint his own successor, they all declared that this was good news, for--as they all agreed--the old lamp was too senile to make such an important decision.

Just then the wind came around the corner and whistled through the cowl of the lamp. "What's this I hear about your leaving us tomorrow? Will this be the last evening that I shall find you here? Well, let me give you a farewell present, since we must part. I shall blow your brain clean of all cobwebs, so that you will not only be able to remember everything you have ever heard or seen, but you will be able to see clearly anything that is told or read aloud in your presence, as well."

"What a marvelous gift!" said the old lamp. "If only I am not melted down."

"It hasn't happened yet," replied the wind. "And now I'll blow on your memory. If you can get a few more presents like mine, your retirement and old age will be a pleasure."

"But what if I am melted down?" sighed the lamp. "Can you ensure my memory then too?"

"Be reasonable, old lamp," said the wind, and blew with all its might. Just then the moon came out from behind a cloud. "What will you give the old lamp?" asked the wind.

"Me? I will give him nothing," said the moon. "I am on the decline; besides, the lamp has never shone for me, though I have shone for him." And the moon hid behind the clouds because it hated anyone who made demands on it. A drop of water fell upon the cowl. It announced that it had been sent by the gray clouds above and that it brought a valuable gift. "Now that I am inside of you, you can rust into dust in one night--any night that you choose, even tonight." The lamp thought that a very poor present and the wind agreed with him. "Hasn't anyone anything better to offer . . . anything better to offer?" screeched the wind as loudly as it could. A shooting star fell from the sky, making an arch of fire.