A few decades ago in New York, there was a girl named Emily, whose ideal was like each young girl's: to find a handsome ideal lover to marry and live to an old age. But the girls around her had married successively and she was still alone. She was always full of remorse all day, firmly believing that her dream would never come true.
After her family's persuasion, Emily went to see a famous psychologist. When they shook hands, her cold fingers made the psychologist quiver, and her sad eyes and pale gaunt face were telling him, “I'm hopeless, and what way will you have?”
After pondering for a long while, the psychologist said, “Emily, I want to ask you to help me. I really need your help. Can you?” Emily nodded doubtfully.
“My family will have a family party on Tuesday, but my wife has more work than she can cope with alone. You come to help me entertain the guests. Tomorrow morning, you first go to buy a new set of clothes, and then do your hair. You will help me entertain the guests, saying that you welcome them on behalf of me and help them, particularly the lonely people.” Emily looked uneasy, so the psychologist encouraged her, “It doesn't matter. In fact, it is very simple. For example, when you find someone doesn't carry a cup of coffee, hand it to him or her; if it is too sultry , open the window or something.” Emily finally agreed to try it.
On Tuesday, Emily came to the party with decent hairstyle and dress. According to the psychologist's requirement, she fulfilled her duty, doing nothing but help others. Her eyes lively and smiling, she completely forgotten her worry and became the most popular one at the evening party. After the party, three young men offered to escort her home.
Week by week, the three young men were pursuing Emily ardently. She eventually agreed with the proposal of one of them. The psychologist was invited as a guest to attend their wedding. Looking at the happy bride, the people said that the psychologist created a miracle.
故事发生在几十年前的纽约。有个名叫埃米莉的姑娘，她的理想和每个年轻姑娘都一样：那就是找到一位帅气的如意郎君，相爱结婚，白头偕老。眼看身边的女孩都相继嫁作人妇，她还是孑然一身。对此，她终日感到懊悔不已，坚信自己的梦想永远不会实现了。
在家人的劝说下，埃米莉去找一位著名的心理学家求助。见面握手的时候，她冰凉的手指让医生打起了冷战，悲伤的眼神和苍白憔悴的脸色都在诉说着：“我算是没希望了，你有什么办法吗？”
心理学家沉思良久，对她说：“埃米莉，我想请你帮我个忙。我真的需要你的帮助。可以吗？”埃米莉满腹狐疑地点点头。
“星期四我要在家里办一场家庭聚会，我太太一个人忙不过来。你来帮我们招呼客人吧。明天上午，你先去买一套新衣服，然后再做做头发。你就帮我招呼客人，替我说声欢迎光临，然后再帮帮他们，特别是那些独自前来的人们。”埃米莉看上去不太自在，心理学家就鼓励她说：“没关系的。其实，你要做的很简单。比方说，如果看到有人没有端着咖啡，你就把咖啡端给他们；如果屋里太闷热，就开个窗户什么的。”埃米莉终于同意试试看。
星期四这天，埃米莉梳着优雅的发型，穿着体面的衣服，来到聚会现场。根据心理学家的要求，她完成着自己的任务，那就是全力帮助别人。她的眼睛充满活力，笑意盎然，完全忘记了自己的心事，成了当晚聚会最受欢迎的人。会后，有三个年轻男子主动要求送她回家。
之后的几个礼拜，三位男士对埃米莉展开了热情的追求攻势。最终她答应了其中一位的求婚。这位心理学家应邀参加了他们的婚礼。看着这位幸福的新娘，人们都说这位心理学家创造了一个奇迹。
-remorse [rɪˈmɔːs] n. 懊悔
-gaunt [ɡɔːnt] adj. 憔悴的
-sultry [ˈsʌltrɪ] adj. (指天气)湿热难耐的
只要你肯敞开心扉，知己就不再难寻。