The Old Hound

（单词翻译:单击）

    A hunter once had an old and faithful hound．For many years he had been the best dog in the pack，running more swiftly and catching¹ more wild animals than all the others．A day came，however，when he was really too old to carry on any more．After running half the day he managed to corner a wild boar in a clearing and to seize it firmly by the ear．The boar was young and strong and fought back hard，shaking its heavy head from side to side as it lunged at the dog with its tusks³．At last the old dog's teeth could hold on no longer and he was forced to let go．The huntsman，following some way behind，came up angrily and began to beat the old dog with his stick as he lay on the ground panting wearily．Looking reproachfully up，the dog said：“Master，don't beat me．I tried to fight but I am not as strong as I was．I have served you faith-fully for a long time．Can you not remember what I was while punishing me for what I am now？”
    Respect the aged²．Exercises：
    回答下列问题：
    ①Was the old hound the best one？Why do we say that？
    ②Who won at last，the hound or the wild boar？
    ③How did the dog respond to the master's beating？