3.Diogenes and Alexander(363)

Sixth grade rewrite

Diogenes and Alexander

Gilbert Highet

【1】In the heart of ancient Greece, there lived a man named Diogenes. He was a very special person who didn't care for the luxuries that most people desired. Instead, he chose to live in a large earthenware jar, which was like a big pot, and he didn't wear shoes or fancy clothes. Diogenes was like a dog in his way of living, simple and free from the worries that most people have.

【2】One day, a very important visitor came to see Diogenes. This visitor was none other than Alexander the Great, a powerful king who had conquered many lands and was very rich and famous. Alexander had heard about Diogenes and wanted to meet him.

【3】When Alexander arrived, he found Diogenes lying in the sun, enjoying the warmth. The king was surprised because Diogenes didn't stand up or show any signs of respect. Instead, he just asked Alexander to move a little because he was blocking the sunlight.

【4】Alexander was so impressed by Diogenes' simple and free way of living that he said, "If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes." This meant that if he wasn't a king, he would want to live like Diogenes, free and without many worries.

【5】Diogenes and Alexander were very different in many ways. Alexander had everything a person could want: power, wealth, and fame. But Diogenes had something that was even more valuable – his freedom. He didn't need a big house or fancy clothes to be happy. He was content with what he had and lived his life on his own terms.

【6】This story teaches us that true freedom isn't about having the most things or being the most powerful. It's about being able to live your life the way you want, without being controlled by what others think or by the things you own. Diogenes and Alexander both found their own paths to freedom, and their stories remind us that we can all choose to live in a way that makes us happy and true to ourselves.

六年级改写

第欧根尼和亚历山大

吉尔伯特·海耶特

【1】在古希腊的中心，住着一个名叫第欧根尼的人。他是一个非常特别的人，他不喜欢大多数人想要的奢侈品。相反，他选择住在一个大陶罐里，就像一个大锅，他不穿鞋，也不穿华丽的衣服。第欧根尼的生活方式就像一条狗，简单，没有大多数人的烦恼。

【2】一天，一位非常重要的客人来看第欧根尼。这位来访者不是别人，正是亚历山大大帝，他是一位强大的国王，征服了许多土地，非常富有和出名。亚历山大听说了第欧根尼的事，很想见见他。

【3】当亚历山大到达时，他发现第欧根尼躺在阳光下，享受着温暖。国王很惊讶，因为第欧根尼没有站起来，也没有表现出任何尊重的迹象。相反，他只是要求亚历山大稍微移动一下，因为他挡住了阳光。

【4】第欧根尼简朴自由的生活方式给亚历山大留下了深刻的印象，他说:“如果我不是亚历山大，我就是第欧根尼。”这意味着，如果他不是国王，他会想像第欧根尼那样生活，自由自在，无忧无虑。

【5】第欧根尼和亚历山大在许多方面都很不同。亚历山大拥有一个人想要的一切:权力、财富和名声。但是第欧根尼拥有更宝贵的东西，他的自由。他不需要大房子或华丽的衣服来快乐。他满足于他所拥有的一切，按照自己的方式生活。

【6】这个故事告诉我们，真正的自由不是拥有最多的东西，也不是拥有最强大的力量。它是关于能够以自己想要的方式生活，而不被别人的想法或自己拥有的东西所控制。第欧根尼和亚历山大都找到了自己通往自由的道路，他们的故事提醒我们，我们都可以选择一种让我们快乐、忠于自己的生活方式。