[ti:‘Stepping-Stone’ Is a Way Up and Out] [by:www.51voa.com] [00:00.00]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM [00:07.56]And now, welcome to Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English. [00:18.88]On this program we explore words and expressions in the English language. [00:26.76]Today we begin our story in nature. [00:31.52]Imagine you are walking in the woods, [00:35.36]and you come to a little creek. [00:39.40]You look over the water and spy some fat, ripe blackberries, [00:45.24]wild grown, and ready for harvesting. [00:50.12]You can't believe your good luck to find your favorite fruit, [00:54.64]free for the taking, just a few meters across the creek. [01:00.48]But then you look down and realize you're wearing your favorite shoes. [01:06.16]A walk through the water will ruin them! [01:09.48]But you are also very, very, berry-hungry. [01:14.56]Stepping-stones are what you need. [01:18.36]In a creek or river, stepping-stones are rocks [01:23.20]with flat tops that sit above the water line. [01:29.24]You can cross a creek by stepping from one rock top to another. [01:35.76]However, the term ‘stepping-stone' is not only for creek-crossings. [01:42.60]It is often used figuratively. [01:46.16]A worker, for example, can use stepping-stones [01:51.04]to reach a higher level or position in their company. [01:56.96]Let's say it is your dream is to become the chief financial officer [02:02.32]of a profitable and powerful investment firm. [02:06.56]Your first stepping-stone on that path [02:09.96]might be admission to a respected university. [02:15.24]After completing your studies, you step to another stone, [02:20.24]maybe it's a job as a teller at a small bank. [02:26.00]Some time later, the bank offers you a supervisory position. [02:33.28]That promotion is a third stepping-stone. [02:36.88]All of them are helping to make your dream come true. [02:42.80]Stepping-stones can be used to reach any kind of goal. [02:48.20]But not every stepping-stone is a good place to land. [02:53.60]For example, some goal-seekers treat people as stepping-stones. [03:00.20]And let's face it, most people do not enjoy being stepped on. [03:06.32]They may be happy to provide a stepping-stone [03:09.76]but usually do not want to serve as one. [03:14.36]Using someone as a stepping-stone could be seen as stealing help. [03:20.60]There is another way we use the term ‘stepping-stone.' [03:26.04]Stepping-stones can be parts of a process within a larger operation. [03:32.56]For example, learning how to write code [03:36.04]is a stepping-stone for many app developers. [03:41.40]Now, if your goal is to master the English Language, [03:46.24]feel free to use any VOA Learning English stepping-stones on your path. [03:53.68]And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories. [03:57.92]Until next time ... [03:59.40]I'm Anna Matteo. [04:00.96]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM