Keeper of the Spring
An old man lived in a quiet forest high above an Austrian village along the eastern side of the Alps（阿尔卑斯山）. He had been hired many years earlier by a young man from the town council（委员会）to clear away the rubbish from the pools of water up in the mountain that fed the lovely spring flowing through their town. Faithfully and silently, he walked around in the hills every day, removed the leaves and branches, and wiped away the mud that would otherwise have choked and polluted the fresh flow of water. The village soon became a popular attraction for vacationers.
Years passed. One evening the town council met for its monthly meeting. As they reviewed the budget, one man's eye caught the salary being paid to the keeper of the spring. Said the keeper of the purse, “Who is the old man? Why do we keep him on year after year? No one ever sees him. For all we know, he is doing us no good. He isn't necessary any longer.” After a vote, they stopped the old man's services.
For several weeks, nothing changed.
By early autumn, the branches and leaves of trees began to fall into the pools, blocking the rushing flow of water. Within a few days, the water became darker and darker. Within another week, a terrible smell was detected（察觉）. Soon, fingers of disease reached deeply into the village.
Realizing their error of judgment, the council rehired the old keeper of the spring and within a few weeks, the river of life began to clear up.
Never become discouraged with the seeming smallness of your task, job, or life. The key to achievement is believing that what you can do will make a difference.
The old man was hired to_____.