THE AMERICAN RED CROSS IN TIMES OF PEACE

Of course, in times of war the Red Cross is very busy helping¹ the soldiers, but do you think that it is idle in times of peace?

No, indeed. The Red Cross is always listening for a call of distress², and is ready to aid any people who are suffering.

One day in 1912 the Red Cross heard the people who lived along the banks of the Mississippi[212] River calling for help, for the river had been so swollen³ by rains that it had risen high and overflowed⁴ its banks in a dangerous flood.
people on overflowing⁵ raft full of bundles; house roof just sticking up out of water
Picture from a photograph

Do you know what happens during a flood?

Name all the different things you see on the little island in this picture.

Why do you suppose the people are all staying there instead of rowing off in the boats?

Because they are expecting the relief launch of the Red[213] Cross to come and take them to a safe place. The water is flowing too swiftly for the little boats to cross in safety. They would probably be carried against a tree and upset.

Many houses have been carried down the river during this flood, so you can understand how glad the people will be to see help coming. In this next picture you will see how the Red Cross answered the people’s cry for help.
photo of tent village around a large buildin; tree drawn⁶ as decoritve border
Picture from a photograph

This picture shows a Carnegie Library which was used by the Red Cross as a relief station during the Mississippi flood.

The Red Cross spent thousands of dollars during this flood, saving many lives and helping hundreds of flood victims.

Can you name some of the things the people needed?

What do you suppose they think of the Red Cross?

Imagine that a great wind storm or cyclone⁷ should come very suddenly whirling through your city, tearing down houses, uprooting⁸ trees, and leaving thousands of people homeless—who would be the first to help the people who were hurt?

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This is just an example of the way the Red Cross is standing⁹ ready to help in time of need.

If you read the Red Cross Magazine you will learn about hundreds of golden deeds which the Red Cross is doing, for the work of the Red Cross in times of peace and at all times is to help people in distress and need.

1 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

2 distress   

n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛

参考例句：

• Nothing could alleviate his distress.什么都不能减轻他的痛苦。
• Please don't distress yourself.请你不要忧愁了。

3 swollen   

adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀

参考例句：

• Her legs had got swollen from standing up all day.因为整天站着，她的双腿已经肿了。
• A mosquito had bitten her and her arm had swollen up.蚊子叮了她，她的手臂肿起来了。

4 overflowed   

溢出的

参考例句：

• Plates overflowed with party food. 聚会上的食物碟满盘盈。
• A great throng packed out the theater and overflowed into the corridors. 一大群人坐满剧院并且还有人涌到了走廊上。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 overflowing   

n. 溢出物,溢流 adj. 充沛的，充满的 动词overflow的现在分词形式

参考例句：

• The stands were overflowing with farm and sideline products. 集市上农副产品非常丰富。
• The milk is overflowing. 牛奶溢出来了。

6 drawn   

v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的

参考例句：

• All the characters in the story are drawn from life.故事中的所有人物都取材于生活。
• Her gaze was drawn irresistibly to the scene outside.她的目光禁不住被外面的风景所吸引。

7 cyclone   

n.旋风，龙卷风

参考例句：

• An exceptionally violent cyclone hit the town last night.昨晚异常猛烈的旋风吹袭了那个小镇。
• The cyclone brought misery to thousands of people.旋风给成千上万的人带来苦难。

8 uprooting   

n.倒根，挖除伐根v.把（某物）连根拔起( uproot的现在分词 )；根除；赶走；把…赶出家园

参考例句：

• He is hard at work uprooting wild grass in the field. 他正在田里辛苦地芟夷呢。 来自互联网
• A storm raged through the village, uprooting trees and flattening crops. 暴风雨袭击了村庄，拔起了树木，吹倒了庄稼。 来自互联网

9 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。