石匠的故事The stonecutter
There was once a stonecutter, who was dissatisfied with himself and with his position in life.
從前有一個(gè)石匠，他對自己和自己在生活中扮演的角色都感到非常不滿意。
One day, he passed a wealthy merchant's house, and through the open gateway, saw many fine possessions and important visitors. "How powerful that merchant must be!" thought the stonecutter. He became very envious, and wished that he could be like the merchant. Then he would no longer have to live the life of a mere stonecutter.
有一天，他路過一個(gè)很有錢的商人的家門口。透過敞開著的大門，他看到了許多華麗的家具和重要的客人。英語小故事“那個(gè)商人真威風(fēng)啊!”石匠想。他的心里充滿了嫉妒，并希望有一天自己也能成為像那個(gè)商人那樣的人。
To his great surprise, he suddenly became the merchant, enjoying more luxuries and power than he had ever dreamed of, envied and detested by those less wealthy than himself. But soon a high official passed by, carried in a sedan chair, accompanied by attendants,xiaogushi8.com and escorted by soldiers beating gongs. Everyone, no matter how wealthy, had to bow low before the procession. "How powerful that official is!" he thought. "I wish that I could be a high official!"
讓他吃驚的是，突然間他真的變成了那個(gè)商人，享有的奢華與權(quán)力比想象中的要大得多，但同時(shí)也成為了沒他那么富裕的人嫉妒和憎恨的對象。不久以后，一位高管坐著轎子路過此地，仆從如云，前呼后擁，還有士兵鳴鑼開道。所有的人，無論多么有錢，見到了這隊(duì)人馬都要鞠躬致意�！澳莻�(gè)高官真有權(quán)有勢啊!”他想，“真希望我也能成為那樣的高官!”
老人與死神The old man and
An old man cut himself a bundle of faggots in wood and started to carry them home.
有一個(gè)老人在森林里砍了一些柴，準(zhǔn)備運(yùn)回家。
He had a long way to go, and was tired out before he had got much more than half-way.
他十分吃力地挑著走了很遠(yuǎn)的路，還沒走到一半，就已經(jīng)累得走不動(dòng)了。
Casting his burden on the ground, he called upon Death to come and release him from his life of toil. xiaogushi8.com The words were scarcely out of his mouth when, much to his dismay, Death stood before him and professed his readiness to serve him. He was almost frightened out of his wits, but he had enough presence of mind to stammer out, “Good sir, if you you’d be so kind, pray help me up with my burden again.”
他便將擔(dān)子放在地上，要求死神快點(diǎn)來，讓他盡快擺脫這個(gè)痛苦的生命，更令他沮喪的是，還沒等話說出口，死神便站在他面前，聲稱已經(jīng)準(zhǔn)備好為他服務(wù)了。英語小故事老人幾乎嚇呆了，但卻保持著沉著鎮(zhèn)定，結(jié)結(jié)巴巴地說：“好人呀，你行行好，幫忙把那擔(dān)子再放到肩上吧。”
口渴的螞蟻The Thirsty Ant
There was once an Ant that was very thirsty.
有只螞蟻口渴了.
It ran here and there looking for some water but could not find any.
它到處找水喝, 可就是找不著.
Then suddenly, when the Ant was almost ready to die of thirst, a large drop of water fell on it.
突然, 就在螞蟻快要渴死的時(shí)候, 一大滴水落了下來.
The Ant drank the water, which saved its life.
螞蟻喝了水, 得了救.
The water was actually a tear from a young girl who was crying.
這滴水實(shí)際上是一個(gè)正在哭泣的年輕姑娘的淚水
The Ant looked up and saw the young girl sitting in front of a huge pile of seeds.
螞蟻抬起頭, 看見一個(gè)年輕姑娘正坐在一大堆種子前.
"Why are you sad?" xiaogushi8.com asked the Ant.
" 你為什么這么傷心啊?"螞蟻問道.
