习作健身房第二十辑

　　Read the following written exercise carefully, Amend the imperfections in meaning expression, vocabulary usage or sentence construction so as to make the language not only correct and comprehensible but also good and cffective. Refer to the REVISED VERSION only after you have made the necessary amendments to the ORIGINAL TEXT.

Don't Throw Out the Baby with the Bath Water

　　Once, there were two furniture shops on one street. The two shops were close to each other. The carpenter in the northern one was black, while in the southern shop was white. The two carpenters were both well-skilled and hard-working. They bought timber from the same supplier. What was more, the chairs and tables they made were both popular in their town. But the difference was that the black carpenter always made money, whereas the white one always ran business at a loss.

　　One day, the white carpenter asked the man, “You become richer and richer. I take if for granted I would also become richer and richer. However, the fact is just the opposite. Can you tell me what stands you in good stead?”

　　“Well, my friend,” replied the black carpenter.”There is only one difference between us. When I am making the chair, firstly, I make sure how much wood I need. Next, I choose a proper piece of wood, and cut it into several pieces of proper size. Then, I begin making them into suitable shapes. However, my friend, your steps are: firstly, choose a piece of wood and make it into certain shapes. Secondly , choose another and make it into certain shapes. As a result, you throw away much material that can be used better. That is the reason why you cannot make both ends meet. So, remember, my friend, DON'T THROW OUT THE BABY WITH THE BATH WATER!”

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《联合早报》

（编辑：冯玉君）

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