A man bought a donkey at the market one day and took him home on approval. Now the man owned several donkeys already and he knew each one's character very well.One of the donkeys was very strong and brave.Another was eager to please but quickly exhausted.One donkey was very lazy.He hated going to work in the morning and he did as little as he possibly could all day long.When the other animals were being loaded up he always tried to be the last so that he would get the lightest load.
The man led the new donkey into the stable. For a moment he stood sniffing at his new companions.Then, without hesitation, he trotted up to the lazy donkey and began feeding comfortably at his side.
Though it was late in the day, the man immediately led the new donkey out of the yard, straight back to the market.
“You cannot have given him a fair triaI yet,”said the merchant.“It is only ten minutes since you bought him.”
“I don't need to try him any more,”replied the man.“I know just what he is like from the friend he chose for himself. Take him away and give me my money back.I can do without donkeys like him.”
一天,有個(gè)人在集市上買了一頭驢,想把驢牽回家先試用一下。這個(gè)人已經(jīng)有好幾頭驢了,他深知每頭驢的習(xí)性。有一頭驢又強(qiáng)壯、又勇敢;還有一頭驢急于討人喜歡,可一會(huì)兒就累了;另外一頭驢非常懶,它不愿意一大早就去干活,一整天它都盡可能地少干活。別的驢馱東西時(shí),它總是盡量排在最后一個(gè),這樣馱的東西會(huì)最輕。
這個(gè)人把新買的驢牽進(jìn)牲口棚里。驢站了一會(huì)兒,聞了聞它的新伙伴們。然后,毫不猶豫地跑到那頭懶驢跟前,在它旁邊悠閑自得地吃起草來。
天色已經(jīng)很晚了,這個(gè)人還是馬上把新買的驢牽出了院子,徑直返回集市上。
“你不可能已經(jīng)好好地試用過了,”賣驢的人說,“你買了它才十分鐘呀?!?/p>
“我不用再試了,”這個(gè)人回答道,“從它為自己挑選的朋友我就知道它是頭什么樣的驢了。把它牽走,把錢還給我。沒有這樣的驢我也能過日子?!?/p>
Practising&Exercise 實(shí)戰(zhàn)提升篇
單詞注解
venture['vent??]v.冒險(xiǎn)
turbuIent['t?:bjul?nt]a.洶涌的
thriIIing['θrili?]a.令人興奮的;毛骨悚然的
character['k?rikt?]n.性格
exhaust[ig'z?:st]v.耗盡;精疲力竭
triaI['trai?l]n.試驗(yàn);考驗(yàn)
實(shí)用句型
He was surprised to see the Lobster preparing to set sail in his boat.
它看到龍蝦準(zhǔn)備揚(yáng)帆出海,很是吃驚。
“I will come with you,”said the crab.“I will not let you face such danger alone.”
“我和你一起去吧,”螃蟹說,“我不能讓你獨(dú)自面對這樣的危險(xiǎn)?!?/p>
A man bought a donkey at the market one day and took him home on approval.
一天,有個(gè)人在集市上買了一頭驢,想把驢牽回家先試用一下。
智慧點(diǎn)津
Even the taking of small risks will add excitement of life.
即使是小小的冒險(xiǎn),也能增加人生的樂趣。
Birds of a feather flock together.
物以類聚,人以群分。