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杨柳风 05

时间:2009-11-26 05:26:38

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(单词翻译)

Chapter Five Home Sweet Home

It was almost Christmas time. The sheep that lived in the fields were outside eating hay1. It was very cold so they stood close together for warmth2.

Mole3 and Rat were walking across the field laughing and talking.

It was a cold but sunny day. Mole and Rat were returning home from an exploring trip with Otter4. All day they had explored parts of the river. Now, they were returning home to have dinner and they still had a long distance to travel.

“It looks as if we’re near a village.” said Mole.

Generally animals try to stay away from humans. So Mole was a little worried about seeing people.

“Oh, don’t worry about the people.” said the Rat. “At this time of the year all the men, women and children are inside their houses. No one will see us as we pass by.”

They continued to make the long walk home. Each animal was thinking his own thoughts and they weren’t talking much.

Mole was thinking about dinner and how nice it would be to sit by a fire. Rat was walking ahead of Mole, staring at the road ahead of him.

Suddenly Mole stopped walking. He looked very surprised, but Rat didn’t notice.

Mole had suddenly realized that his old house was nearby. It was very close. All Mole had to do was find it. All of a sudden5, he deeply6 wanted to see his old home again. Mole’s house was small and not as nice as his friends’ houses, but it was his and he wanted to see it.

“Rat!” Mole called excitedly. “Come back, Rat. Wait a minute.”

“Oh, come on, Mole.” called the Rat cheerfully7. He didn’t stop walking. “We’ve got a long way to go before we get home.”

“Rat, you don’t understand. It’s my home, my old home. It’s nearby and I really want to see it again. Please come back.”

But Rat was too far ahead. He could not hear what his friend was saying. Rat looked at the sky and decided8 that it was going to snow.

“Mole, we’ll come back and look for it tomorrow whatever it is. We shouldn’t stop now. It’s late and I think it’s going to snow. We really have to get home. Now, hurry up and come here. I need your help.”

Mole stood there and suddenly felt terribly sad. He missed his old home, but even now he was very loyal9 to Rat. So very sadly, he ran to catch up with his friend.

The Rat didn’t notice how unhappy Mole was. He talked cheerfully about the big fire they would build at home and the large dinner they would eat. Mole didn’t say anything.

Finally the Rat said kindly10, “Why, Mole, you seem very tired. You’re not talking and you’re walking so slowly. We’ll sit down here for a moment and rest. We’re almost home and it hasn’t snowed yet.”

They sat down for a minute. Mole felt himself wanting to cry. He missed his old home so much. Finally he couldn’t help it. The tears ran down his face and he cried and cried.

Rat didn’t say anything for a little while. Finally he said very gently.

“What is it, Mole? What is the matter? Tell me your trouble and I’ll see what I can do to help.”

“Oh, Rat,” cried Mole. “I know it’s a small poor little house, not like yours or Toad’s. But when I realized we were near my house, all the memories came back to me and I wanted to see it. But when you wouldn’t come back, Rat, I had to leave it and it broke my heart. We might have gone and had just one look at it. But you wouldn’t turn back, Rat.”

And he began to cry again.

The Rat stood there and looked serious and sad.

“I understand now. Oh, dear, how selfish11 I have been! How terrible of me!”

After a moment Rat said, “Well, come on then, Mole. It’s getting late. We’ve got to hurry.”

But he did not walk towards the river. He began to walk back the way they had come.

“Rat, where are you going?” cried the Mole.

“We’re going to find your house, of course.” said Rat. “So you’d better come along. It would take some time to find and only you know the way.”

“Oh, come back, Rat.” cried Mole.

He got up and hurried after his friend.

“It’s late and dark. My house is too far from here. And I never meant to tell how I was feeling. It’s all right, really.” He said. “Besides, what about your house by the river and your dinner?”

“Forget about my house and dinner, too.” said the Rat cheerfully. “I’m going to find your nice old house if I have to stay out all night. Now, no more talking. If we want to find it, we have to concentrate12.”

So Mole and Rat went back the way they had come. It wasn’t long before Mole remembered the way to his house. He searched around on the ground and used all his senses to find the way.

The Rat followed him. He was very interested and excited to see Mole’s house.

Suddenly Mole saw a small hole in the ground. It was almost hidden by grass. It was the underground path that led to his house.

He and Rat crawled13 into the passage. It seemed like a long time before they reached the end of the passage. Finally they saw a door with a sign on it that said “Mole End”.

This was Mole’s house.

Next to the door, there was a little bench and some garden statues. Mole had made himself an underground garden with a little fish pond. It was a very nice-looking place.

Mole smiled happily at the sight of all these familiar things. When he opened the door, however, he began to feel sad again. His house was so dirty, dark and dusty14. He had not been there for a long time. He sat down in a chair and put his face in his paws15.

“Oh, Rat, why did I do it? Why did I bring you to this poor cold little place on the night like this? You could be sitting by your nice warm fire by now.”

The Rat wasn’t listening. He was walking around the house.

“What a wonderful house this is!” he said, “You did an excellent job of building it, Mole. We’ll have a wonderful night here. The first thing to do is build a nice fire in the fireplace16. I’ll go and get the wood. Why don’t you clean things up a little.”

Mole suddenly felt much better. While Rat made a fire, Mole swept the floors and cleaned the house. When the fire was ready, Rat told Mole to come and get warm. Suddenly Mole had another upsetting thought.

“Rat,” he cried. “you poor hungry animal, I don’t have anything to give you for dinner, not even a crumb18!”

“Oh, don’t be silly!” said the Rat. “There is lots of food. I saw a can of fish in the kitchen. I’m sure there are other things, too. Now, come with me and look.”

Besides the can of fish, they found a sausage and some biscuits.

“This would be an excellent meal.” said the Rat as they sat down. “I know lots of animals who would love to be eating this.”

“But we don’t have any bread.” said the Mole sadly. “No butter, either.”

“I’m sure there is lots more food in the cellar19.” interrupted20 the Rat. “I’ll go and see.”

He came back a few minutes later with two bottles of beer.

“Really, Mole, you’re ridiculous21. There is lots of beer in the cellar. And this house is the nicest little house I was ever in. Where did you get those nice pictures on the wall? And the tables and chairs? Tell me all about it.”

Rat found forks, knives and plates for their meal. Mole told Rat all about his house. His story went on for so long that the Rat became extremely22 hungry.

They were finally ready to sit down to dinner when Mole’s doorbell rang. They heard voices outside and the sound of small feet.

“Who do you think that is?” asked Rat.

“It’s the field mice.” said Mole. “At this time of the year they go to everybody’s houses and sing songs. I used to give the mice hot drinks and dinner too when I could afford it.”

“Let’s go and see!” said the Rat, running to the door.

Mole opened the door. They saw eight or nine young mice just in little red coats. For a moment the little mice stood there and looked shy. Then an adult mouse said “one two three” and the mice began to sing a Christmas song.

After it was over everyone clapped.

The Rat said, “Now then boys, come in and have something hot to eat and drink.”

“Yes, come in, field mice.” said the Mole. “This is just like old times. Shut the door after you and sit down by the fire.”

“Oh, no, Rat!” he said suddenly, “We don’t have anything to give them. What are we doing?”

“Don’t worry about that.” said the Rat. He called to one of the field mice. “Hello, there. Are your stores open at this time?”

“Yes, sir.” said the mouse.

“Well then, take this basket and go and buy some things.”

Rat gave the mouse a rather long list of foods he wanted. Then he gave the mouse some money and a large basket. Mole wondered what the mouse would bring back.

Meanwhile, the rest of the mice were sitting by the warm fire. Mole could not think of interesting things to talk to them about, so he asked the mice the names of all their parents and brothers and sisters. The Rat was examining the bottles of beer in Mole’s cellar.

“Intelligent Mole, wonderful Mole, you’ve got the best kind of beer right here. Now get the glasses ready while I open the bottles.”

Everyone sat around the fire for a while and sipped23 beer and hot apple juice.

Soon the field mouse came back with all the food. Following Rat’s directions, everyone was busy setting17 the table.

Finally Mole went to sit at the table with his friends. He felt that he was in a happy dream. As they ate, they talked about old times. The field mice told Mole all the news of the neighborhood. Mole had many questions for them.

Rat didn’t say much. He was busy making sure that each animal had what he wanted. Mole did not worry about anything

Finally the field mice left. They were very grateful24 warm and happy. Mole and Rat had one last drink by the fire.

And then Rat said, “Mole, old friend, I’m ready for a sleep. I can’t tell you how tired I am. I’ll just climb into this little bed here.”

In a minute, the Rat was asleep.

As Mole lay in his own bed by the fire, he looked around his house happily. Mole felt very happy and at home. This was what his good friend, Rat, wanted. It was true that Mole didn’t want to leave his new life with Rat. The fresh air, the river and the sunshine were very exciting. He wanted to have more adventures. But it was very nice to know that his little home would be waiting for him whenever he

wanted it.


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点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 hay WeVxZ     
n.(用作饲料或覆盖的)干草
参考例句:
  • Cows feed on hay.奶牛以干草为生。
  • They usually keep the hay in the barn.他们通常将干草存放在谷仓中。
2 warmth hHFyV     
n.温暖,温情,暖和,激动,生气
参考例句:
  • He answered with warmth.他热情地回答。
  • We felt the warmth of the sun.我们感受到太阳的温暖。
3 mole 26Nzn     
n.胎块;痣;克分子
参考例句:
  • She had a tiny mole on her cheek.她的面颊上有一颗小黑痣。
  • The young girl felt very self- conscious about the large mole on her chin.那位年轻姑娘对自己下巴上的一颗大痣感到很不自在。
4 otter 7vgyH     
n.水獭
参考例句:
  • The economists say the competition otter to the brink of extinction.经济学家们说,竞争把海獭推到了灭绝的边缘。
  • She collared my black wool coat with otter pelts.她把我的黑呢上衣镶上了水獭领。
5 sudden YsSw9     
n.突然,忽然;adj.突然的,意外的,快速的
参考例句:
  • All of a sudden he turned about and saw me.他突然转过身来看见了我。
  • The horse was badly frightened by the sudden noise.那匹马被突然而来的嘈杂声吓坏了。
6 deeply Ru7zyZ     
adv.深刻地,在深处,深沉地
参考例句:
  • I do feel deeply the strength of the collective.我确实深深地感到了集体的力量。
  • We're deeply honoured that you should agree to join us.您能同意加入我们,我们感到很荣幸。
7 cheerfully jUhyR     
adv.高兴地,愉快地
参考例句:
  • The train rolled cheerfully into the station.火车欢呼着驶进车站。
  • He takes our advice quite cheerfully.他欣然接受我们的劝告。
8 decided lvqzZd     
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的
参考例句:
  • This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
  • There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。
9 loyal VAtxw     
adj.忠诚的,忠心的
参考例句:
  • He is a loyal friend.他是一位忠诚的朋友。
  • I judge him to be loyal.我认为他很忠诚。
10 kindly tpUzhQ     
adj.和蔼的,温和的,爽快的;adv.温和地,亲切地
参考例句:
  • Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable.她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲、热情好客。
  • A shadow passed over the kindly face of the old woman.一道阴影掠过老太太慈祥的面孔。
11 selfish 5z5ww     
adj.自私的,利己主义的,自我中心的
参考例句:
  • You must learn to share and not be so selfish.你一定要学会与他人分享,不要那么自私。
  • She is a selfish person.她是一个自私自利的人。
12 concentrate Ia8yy     
vt.集中;聚集;浓缩;vi.集中;全神贯注
参考例句:
  • You should concentrate on the road when you're driving.开车时注意力应集中在路上。
  • Concentrate your mind on study,Don't look around.专心学习,别东张西望的。
13 crawled a78e9c621de0ba13445c28d21d24a6d3     
v.爬( crawl的过去式和过去分词 );(昆虫)爬行;缓慢行进;巴结
参考例句:
  • They crawled along on their bellies. 他们匍匐前进。
  • She crawled onto the river bank and lay there gulping in air. 她爬上河岸,躺在那里喘着粗气。 来自《简明英汉词典》
14 dusty NuczPf     
adj.积满灰尘的;无聊的,含糊的,粉末状的
参考例句:
  • He was pulling dead roots from the dusty earth.他正在从土中拔出枯死的根茎。
  • One spring it was very windy and dusty here.有一年春天这里风沙很大。
15 paws b78b84c2e20f17cb70ffcff9430ca0ea     
n.爪子( paw的名词复数 );手
参考例句:
  • Take your filthy paws off me! 把你的脏手从我身上拿开!
  • Take your dirty little paws off me! 别用你的小黑手抓着我。 来自《简明英汉词典》
16 fireplace YjUxz     
n.壁炉,炉灶
参考例句:
  • The fireplace smokes badly.这壁炉冒烟太多。
  • I think we should wall up the fireplace.我想应该封住壁炉。
17 setting 7i5zmt     
n.背景
参考例句:
  • The play has its setting in Vienna.该剧以维也纳为背景。
  • Where and when a story takes place is called the setting.故事发生的地点和时间称为故事背景。
18 crumb ynLzv     
n.饼屑,面包屑,小量
参考例句:
  • It was the only crumb of comfort he could salvage from the ordeal.这是他从这场磨难里能找到的唯一的少许安慰。
  • Ruth nearly choked on the last crumb of her pastry.鲁斯几乎被糕点的最后一块碎屑所噎住。
19 cellar JXkzo     
n.地窖,地下室,酒窖
参考例句:
  • He took a bottle of wine from the cellar.他从酒窖里拿出一瓶酒。
  • The little girl hid away in the cellar.小姑娘藏在地下室里。
20 interrupted interrupted     
adj. 中断的 动词interrupt的过去式和过去分词
参考例句:
  • He could not conceal his annoyance at being interrupted. 他因受扰而难掩怒色。
  • She was interrupted by the entrance of an attendant. 服务员进来,打断了她的话。
21 ridiculous RCTzv     
adj.荒谬的,可笑的;荒唐的
参考例句:
  • It is simply ridiculous to attempt such a thing.试图干这种事,简直可笑。
  • It's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard in my life.这是我有生以来听到的最为荒唐可笑的事。
22 extremely 2tJzAz     
adv.极其,非常,极度
参考例句:
  • The film is extremely good,I just cannot miss it.这部电影太精彩了,我非看不可。
  • The old man was extremely difficult to get along with.这个老人极难相与。
23 sipped 22d1585d494ccee63c7bff47191289f6     
v.小口喝,呷,抿( sip的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句:
  • He sipped his coffee pleasurably. 他怡然地品味着咖啡。
  • I sipped the hot chocolate she had made. 我小口喝着她调制的巧克力热饮。 来自辞典例句
24 grateful meZz5     
adj.感谢的,感激的,受欢迎的,表示谢意的
参考例句:
  • If you will help us, we shall be very grateful.如果你愿意帮助我们,我们会很感激你。
  • He closed his letter with expression of grateful thanks.他在那封信的结尾表达了自己的感激之情。

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