If you put a buzzard in a pen six to eight feet square and entirely open at the top, the bird, in spite of its ability to fly, will be an absolute prisoner.The reason is that a buzzard always begins a flight from the ground with a run of ten to twelve feet.Without space to run, as is its habit, it will not even attempt to fly, but remain a prisoner for life in a small jail with no top.
The ordinary bat that flies around at night, who is a remarkable nimble creature in the air, cannot take off from a level place.If it is placed on the floor or flat ground, all it can do is to shuffle about helplessly and, no doubt, painfully, until it reaches some slight elevation from which it can throw itself into the air.Then, at once, it takes off like a flash.
A bumblebee if dropped into an open tumbler will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom.It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself.
In many ways, there are lots of people like the buzzard, the bat and the bumblebee. They are struggling about with all their problems and frustrations, not realizing that the answer is right there above them.
-entirely [ɪnˈtaɪəli]adv.完全地，彻底地
典型例句
I entirely agree with you.我完全同意你的看法。
联想记忆
altogether adv.完全，全然
completely adv.完整地，彻底地
totally adv.完全，整个地
-absolute [ˈæbsəluːt]adj.纯粹的，绝对的
典型例句
You’re an absolute fool！你是个十足的傻瓜！
最常用法
absolute majority 绝对多数，超过半数
absolute zero 绝对零度
联想记忆
complete adj.完整的，完成的
entire adj.全体的，全部的
essential adj.必要的，本质的
total adj.总计的，全体的
-attempt [əˈtempt]n.&v.尝试，企图，努力
典型例句
Don’t attempt the impossible.不要试图做不可能的事。
最常用法
attempt to do sth./at doing sth.试图做某事
联想记忆
try v.试，尝试
-painfully [ˈpeɪnfəli]adv.痛苦地，费力地
典型例句
He grew painfully aware that the family was divided in its attitude.
他痛苦地意识到一家人的看法有分歧。
联想记忆
pain n.痛苦 v.使烦恼，使痛苦
painful adj.痛苦的
-elevation [ˌelɪˈveɪʃn]n.高度，海拔
典型例句
The house is at an elevation of 2，000 metres.
那幢房子位于海拔两千米的高处。
最常用法
elevation to 升高到……
elevation of……的高度
联想记忆
altitude n.高，高度
height n.高度，高地，海拔
peak n.山顶，高峰，最高点
-flash [flæʃ]n.闪光，闪电
典型例句
This camera has a built-in flash.
这架照相机有内置闪光灯。
最常用法
a flash in the pan 昙花一现
in a/like a flash 很快，立刻
（as）quick as a flash 极快
联想记忆
flame n.&v.闪耀，发光
flare n.&v.闪光，闪耀
-persist [pəˈsɪst]v.坚持，持续
典型例句
If you persist, you will annoy them even more.
你若固执，他们就更恼火了。
最常用法
persist with sth.不畏困难继续做某事
persist in（doing）sth.坚持（做）某事
联想记忆
persistence n.坚持不懈
persistent adj.坚持的，不屈不挠的
如果把一只秃鹫放在一个6～8平方英尺的无顶围栏里，这只大鸟尽管会飞，也绝对会成为这栏中之囚。原因是秃鹫从地面起飞前总要先助跑10～12英尺的距离。这是它的习惯，如果没有了足够的助跑空间，它甚至不会尝试去飞，只会终身困囿于一个无顶的小囚笼中。
晚上飞来飞去的普通的蝙蝠，本是一种在空中极其敏捷的动物，但却无法在平地上起飞。如果被放在地板或平坦的地面上，它就只会无助地挪动，毫无疑问这样很痛苦。除非它到了稍高的位置，有了落差，才可以立刻闪电般地起飞。
一只大黄蜂如果掉进了一个敞口平底玻璃杯里，除非有人把它拿出来，否则它就会一直待在里边直到死去。它永远不知道可以从杯口逃出，只坚持试图从杯底的四壁寻找出路。它会在根本不存在出口的地方寻找出路，直到彻底毁了自己。
其实在很多方面，很多人也像秃鹫、蝙蝠和大黄蜂一样，使尽浑身解数试图解决问题、克服挫折，却没有意识到解决之道就在正上方。