The Story of Florence Nightingale (1)

• The value of compassion
• What was Ms. Nightngale named after?

The value of compassion

Florence Nightingale was named after her birthplace, Florence, Italy. When almost a year old, she returned with her family to England.

Their house was always full of friends and family. Florence would look after the children by inventing games and making sure they didn't get hurt. She also did whatever she could to help injured horses or sick calves. She cared for wounded birds until they could manage themselves. Her father reminded her not to let her compassionate heart make her forget about her lessons.

Florence often helped her mother deliver food to the poor around their estate. Her heart ached at the misery in which some of them lived. As she grew older, she visited them on her own, especially the sick. She wanted to make them well. So Florence decided to become a nurse. Her family was shocked because nursing was not a respected profession.

But Florence was determined and studied books on medicine. One day she persuaded a doctor to show her around a London hospital. She was shocked at the dirty and uncared for patients, the filthy wards and beds and the rats. Florence vowed to change all of this.

Language Lab
compassion n. [com一起]
a feeling of wanting to help someone who is sick, hungry, in trouble, etc.
- The news coverage was written with compassion.
compassionate adj.
feeling or showing concern for someone who is sick, hurt, poor, etc.
- This doctor is not only skillful, but also compassionate.
- The movie is deeply compassionate.

calf n. [calves]
/ˈkæf/
a very young cow
- Only some of the cow's calves survived the first few months.

filthy adj.
/ˈfɪlθi/
very dirty
- The homeless boy's clothes were filthy and smelly.
- The reporter revealed the officer's filthy conduct in his article.
filth n.
- The floor was covered with filth and beer cans.

ward n.
/ˈwoɚd/
a section in a hospital for patients needing a particular kind of care
- The patient still remains under observation in the emergency ward.
- Peter was put in a four-bed ward.
a section in a prison
- The escape was planned by the inmates of the same ward.

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