Сергей Александрович Матвеев
The Three Little Pigs / Три поросенка и другие сказки
Легко читаем по-английски –
«Три поросёнка и другие сказки / The Three Little Pigs»: АСТ; Москва; 2014
ISBN 978‑5‑17‑084154‑7
Аннотация
В книгу вошли всемирно известные «Три поросёнка» и другие английские сказки.
Тексты сказок подготовлены для уровня 1 (т. е. для начинающих учить английский язык) и снабжены комментариями.
Для проверки восприятия текстов предлагаются упражнения, а в конце книги дается англо‑русский словарь.
Три поросёнка и другие сказки / The Three Little Pigs
Подготовка текста, комментарии, упражнения и словарь С. А. Матвеева; иллюстрации М. М. Салтыкова
© Матвеев С. А., подготовка текста, комментарии, упражнения, словарь
© ООО «Издательство АСТ»
The Three Little Pigs
Once upon a time there were three little pigs and the time came for them to leave home and seek their fortunes.
Before they left, their mother told them, “Whatever you do, do it the best that you can because that’s the way to get along in the world.[1]”
So three little pigs left their mother to find homes for themselves.
The first pig met a man with the bundle of straw. “Please, man,” said the pig, “will you let me have that bundle of straw to build my house?” “Yes, here, take it,” said the kind man. The little pig was very pleased and at once built his house out of straw[2]because it was the easiest thing to do.
The second little pig said goodbye to his mother and set out.[3]Before long[4]he met a man with the bundle of sticks. “Please, man,” he said, “will you let me have that bundle of sticks to build my house?” “Yes, you can have it, here it is,” said the kind man. So the second little pig was very pleased and built his house out of sticks.[5]This was a little bit stronger[6]than a straw house. Then last of all the third little pig set out and met a man with load of bricks. “Please, man,” he said, “will you let me have that load of bricks to build my house?”
“Yes, here they are, all for you,” said the kind man. The third little pig was very pleased and built his house out of bricks.[7]
One night the big bad wolf, who dearly loved to eat fat little piggies, came along and saw the first little pig in his new house of straw. The wolf knocked on the door, and said, “Let me in, let me in, little pig or I’ll huff and I’ll puff[8]and I’ll blow your house in![9]”
“No, not by the hair of my chinny chin chin,[10]I’ll not let you in!” said the little pig.
“Now I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow your house down,” cried the wolf.
And of course[11]the wolf did blow the house in and ate the first little pig.
The wolf then came to the house of sticks and knocked at the door. “Little pig, little pig,” he said, “open up your door and let me in!”
Now the second little pig remembered what his mother had told him, so he too said, “No, not by the hair on my chinny chin chin, I’ll not let you in.”
“Now I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow your house down!” cried the wolf. But the little pig went on saying, “No, not by the hair on my chinny chin chin, I’ll not let you in.” So again the old wolf huffed and he puffed and he huffed and he puffed, this time it was much harder work, but finally down came the house. The wolf blew that house in too, and ate the second little pig.
The wolf then came to the house of bricks and again he said. “Little pig, little pig, open your door and let me in!”
But like his brothers the third little pig said, “No, not by the hair on my chinny chin chin, I’ll not let you in.”
“Now I’ll huff and I’ll puff and I’ll blow your house down!” cried the wolf. And when the third little pig wouldn’t open the door he huffed and he puffed and he huffed and he puffed, then he tried again but the brick house was so strong that he could not blow it down.
Well, the wolf huffed and puffed again and again, but he could not blow down that brick house.
This made the wolf very angry.
When he found that he could not, with all his huffing and puffing, blow the house down, he said, “Little pig, I know where there is a nice field of turnips.”
“Where?” said the little pig.
“Oh, in Mr. Smith’s home field, and if you are ready tomorrow morning I will call for you, and we will go together and get some for dinner.”
“Very well,” said the little pig, “I will be ready. What time do you mean to go?”
“Oh, at six o’clock.”
Well, the little pig got up[12]at five, and got the turnips before the wolf came (which he did about six) and who said, “Little pig, are you ready?”
The little pig said, “Ready! I have been and come back again, and got nice turnips for dinner.”
The wolf felt very angry at this, but thought that he would be up to the little pig somehow or other, so he said, “Little pig, I know where there is a nice apple tree.”
“Where?” said the pig.
“Down at Merry Garden,” replied the wolf, “and if you will not deceive me I will come for you, at five o’clock tomorrow and get some apples.”
Well, the little pig bustled up the next morning at four o’clock, and went off for the apples, hoping to get back before the wolf came; but he had further to go, and had to climb the tree, so that just as he was coming down from it, he saw the wolf coming, which, as you may suppose, frightened him very much.
When the wolf came up he said, “Little pig, what! Are you here before me? Are they nice apples?”
“Yes, very,” said the little pig. “I will throw you down one.” And he threw it so far, that, while the wolf was gone to pick it up, the little pig jumped down and ran home.
The next day the wolf came again, and said to the little pig, “Little pig, there is a fair this afternoon. Will you go?”
“Oh yes,” said the pig, “I will go. What time shall you be ready?”
“At three,” said the wolf. So the little pig went off before the time as usual, and got to the fair, and bought a butter churn, which he was going home with, when he saw the wolf coming. Then he could not tell what to do. So he got into the churn to hide, and by so doing turned it around, and it rolled down the hill with the pig in it, which frightened the wolf so much, that he ran home without going to the fair. He went to the pig’s house, and told him how frightened he had been by a great round thing which came down the hill past him.
Then the little pig said, “Ha, I frightened you, then. I had been to the fair and bought a butter churn, and when I saw you, I got into it, and rolled down the hill.”
Then the wolf was very angry indeed, and declared he would eat up the little pig! The wolf was a sly old wolf and he climbed up on the roof of the little brick house to look for a way into the brick house.
He roared down the chimney, “I’m coming down to eat you up!” The little pig saw the wolf climb up on the roof, so the pig had put a pot of boiling water on the fire and now he took off the lid.
When the wolf finally found the hole in the chimney he crawled down the chimney and – splash![13]right into the pot. Quickly the little pig put down the cover and boiled up the old wolf for his dinner. That was the end of his troubles with the big bad wolf.
The next day the little pig invited his mother to visit him. She said, “You see it is just as I told you.[14]The way to get along in the world is to do things as well as you can.” Fortunately for that little pig, he learned that lesson. And he just lived happily ever after![15]
Упражнения
1. Выберите правильный вариант:
1. A big bad wolf is unable to destroy the third pig’s house, made of straw.
2. A big bad wolf is unable to destroy the third pig’s house, made of sticks.
3. A big bad wolf is unable to destroy the third pig’s house, made of bricks.
4. A big bad wolf is unable to destroy the third pig’s house, made of glass.
2. How does the wolf attempt to trick the pig out of the house?
1. The wolf attempts to trick the pig out of the house by showing him turnips.
2. The wolf attempts to trick the pig out of the house by asking to meet him at various places.
3. The wolf attempts to trick the pig out of the house by giving him red apples.
4. The wolf attempts to trick the pig out of the house by offering him some help.
3. What is a chin?
1. one of the two channels of the nose
2. the organ of vision
3. the lowermost part of the face
4. the organ that detects sound
4. Where does the pig catch the wolf?
1. The pig catches the wolf in a cauldron of cold water.
2. The pig catches the wolf in a box.
3. The pig catches the wolf in a jar.
4. The pig catches the wolf in a cauldron of boiling water.
5. The most well‑known version of the story is an award‑winning cartoon, which was produced by ___________________.
1. Jack Elrod
2. Charles Gibson
3. Walt Disney
4. Benjamin Franklin
6. Выберите правильный вариант:
1. A big bad wolf is able to blow down the first two pigs’ houses, made of bricks and wood respectively.
2. A big bad wolf is able to blow down the first two pigs’ houses, made of straw and wood respectively.
3. A big bad wolf is able to blow down the first two pigs’ houses, made of straw and bricks respectively.
4. A big bad wolf is able to blow down the first two pigs’ houses, made of glass and wood respectively.
7. What does it mean, “to seek their fortune”?
1. to go in search or quest of luck
2. to ask for advice
3. to try to obtain some food
4. to attempt to do something
8. Why did the first pig build his house out of straw?
1. Because he was nervous.
2. Because he had much straw.
3. Because it was the easiest thing to do.
4. Because he did not know what to do.
9. Выберите нужный глагол:
The wolf then _____________ to the house of sticks and knocked at the door.
1. blew
2. gave
3. came
4. come
10. Выберите нужные глаголы:
When the wolf finally _____________ the hole in the chimney he ____________ down the chimney and ___________ right into the pot.
1. found, fell, crawled
2. crawled, fell, found
3. fell, found, crawled
4. found, crawled, fell
11. Выберите нужный послелог:
for – of – out – on
The third pig’s brick house turns _____________ to be the only one which is adequate to withstand the wolf.
12. Ответьте на вопросы:
1. How many animals are mentioned in the story?
2. What Merry Garden?
3. What have you learned about the piggies?
4. What do you like and what don’t you like in the story?
5. What would you do if you were[16]the main character of the story?
6. What is the end of the story?
7. Retell the story.
13. Заполните таблицу:
Ответы
1. A big bad wolf is unable to destroy the third pig’s house, made of bricks.
2. The wolf attempts to trick the pig out of the house by asking to meet him at various places.
3. the lowermost part of the face
4. The pig catches the wolf in a cauldron of boiling water.
5. The most well‑known version of the story is an award‑winning cartoon, which was produced by Walt Disney.
6. A big bad wolf is able to blow down the first two pigs’ houses, made of straw and wood respectively.
7. to go in search or quest of luck
8. Because it was the easiest thing to do.
9. The wolf then came to the house of sticks and knocked at the door.
10. When the wolf finally found the hole in the chimney he crawled down the chimney and fell right into the pot.
11.
out; The third pig’s brick house turns out to be the only one which is adequate to withstand the wolf.
13.
The Fish and the Ring
Once upon a time, there was a mighty Baron in the North Country who was a great magician and knew everything that would come to pass.[17]So one day, when his little boy was four years old, he looked into the Book of Fate[18]to see what would happen to him. And to his dismay, he found that his son would wed a lowly maid[19]that had just been born in a small house. Now the Baron knew the father of the little girl was very, very poor, and he had five children already. So he called for his horse, and rode to the father’s house, and saw him sitting by the door, sad and doleful. So he dismounted and went up to him and said, “What is the matter, my good man?” And the man said, “Well, your honour,[20]the fact is, I have five children already, and now the sixth one comes, a little girl, and where to get the bread from to fill their mouths, that’s more than I can say.”
“Don’t cry, my dear man,” said the Baron. “If that’s your trouble, I can help you. I’ll take away the last little one, and you won’t have to bother about her.”
“Thank you kindly, sir,” said the man; and he went in and brought out the little girl and gave her to the Baron, who mounted his horse and rode away with her. And when he got by the bank of the river, he threw the little girl into the river, and rode off to his castle.
But the little girl didn’t sink; her clothes kept her up for a time,[21]and she floated, and she floated, till she was cast ashore just in front of a fisherman’s hut. There the fisherman found her, and took pity on the poor little girl and took her into his house, and she lived there till she was fifteen years old. So she became a fine handsome girl.
One day it happened that the Baron went out hunting[22]with some companions along the banks of the river, and stopped at the fisherman’s hut to get a drink, and the girl came out to give it to them. They all noticed her beauty, and one of them said to the Baron, “You can read fates, Baron, whom will she marry, how do you think?”
“Oh! that’s easy to guess,” said the Baron; “some farmer or other. But I’ll cast her horoscope. Come here, girl, and tell me on what day you were born.”
“I don’t know, sir,” said the girl, “I was picked up just here. The river brought me down[23]about fifteen years ago.”
Then the Baron knew who she was, and when they went away, he rode back and said to the girl, “Listen to me, girl, I will make your fortune. Take this letter to my brother, and you will be settled for life.” And the girl took the letter and said she would go. Now this is what he had written in the letter:
“Dear brother,
Take the bearer and put her to death immediately.”
So soon after the girl left, and slept for the night at a little inn. Now that very night[24]a band of robbers broke into the inn, and searched the girl, who had no money, and only the letter. So they opened this and read it. The captain of the robbers took a pen and paper and wrote this letter:
“Dear brother,
Take the bearer and marry her to my son immediately.”
And then he gave it to the girl. So she went on to the Baron’s brother, a noble knight, with whom the Baron’s son was staying. When she gave the letter to his brother, he gave orders for the wedding to be prepared at once, and they were married that very day.[25]
Soon after, the Baron himself came to his brother’s castle, and what was his surprise! But he took the girl out for a walk, as he said, along the cliffs. And when he got her all alone, he took her by the arms, and was going to throw her over. But she begged hard for her life.[26]“I have not done anything,” she said, “please do not kill me, I will do whatever you wish. I will never see you or your son again till you desire it.” Then the Baron took off his gold ring and threw it into the sea, saying, “Never let me see your face till you can show me that ring”; and he let her go.[27]
The poor girl wandered on and on, till at last she came to a great noble’s castle,[28]and she said that she could do any work. So they gave her some kitchen work, and she began to cook food.
One day the Baron and his brother and his son, her husband, came up to the noble’s house. She didn’t know what to do; but thought they would not see her in the castle kitchen. So she went back to her work with a sigh, and set to cleaning a huge big fish that was to be boiled for their dinner. And, as she was cleaning it, she saw something shine inside it.[29]What do you think she found? Why, there was the Baron’s ring, the very one he had thrown over the cliff.[30]She was glad indeed to see it, you may be sure. Then she cooked the fish as nicely as she could, and served it up. Well, when the fish came on the table, the guests liked it so well that they asked the noble who cooked it. He said he didn’t know, but called to his servants, “Hey, there, send the cook who cooked that fine fish.” So they went down to the kitchen and told the girl she was wanted in the hall.
When the guests saw such a young and beautiful cook they were surprised. But the Baron was very angry. So the girl went up to him with her hand before her with the ring on it; and she put it down before him on the table. Then at last the Baron saw that no one could fight against Fate, and he handed her to a seat and announced to all the company that this was his son’s true wife. And he took her and his son home to his castle; and they all lived happy.
The Master and His Pupil
There was once a very learned man in the north‑country who knew all the languages under the sun, and who was acquainted with all the mysteries of the world. He had one big book bound in black calf and clasped with iron, and with iron corners, and chained to a table on the floor. When he read this book, he unlocked it with an iron key. This famous book contained all the secrets of the spiritual world. It told how many angels there were in heaven, and how they marched in their ranks, and sang, and what were their several functions, and what was the name of each great angel of might. And it told of the demons, how many of them there were, and what were their several powers, and their labours, and their names, and how they might be summoned,[31]and how tasks might be imposed on them,[32]and how they might be chained to be as slaves to man.[33]
Now the master had a pupil who was a foolish lad, and he acted as servant to the great master. The boy was never allowed[34]to look into the black book, hardly to enter the private room.
One day the master was out. The lad was very curious. So he hurried to the chamber where his master kept his wonderful apparatus for changing copper into gold, and lead into silver. There was his magic mirror in which he could see all that was passing in the world. There also was the shell which when held to the ear[35]whispered all the words that were spoken by anyone the master desired to know about. The lad tried in vain[36]with the crucibles to turn copper and lead into gold and silver. He looked long and vainly into the mirror; smoke and clouds passed over it, but he saw nothing plain. And the shell produced to his ear only indistinct murmurings, like the breaking of distant seas on an unknown shore. “I can do nothing,” he said; “as I don’t know the right words to utter, and they are locked up in that magic book.”
He looked round, and, see! the book was not locked. The master had forgotten to lock it before he went out. The boy rushed to it, and opened the volume. It was written with red and black ink, and much of it he could not understand. But he put his finger on a line and spelled it through.
At once the room was darkened, and the house trembled; a clap of thunder rolled through the passage and the old room, and there stood before him a horrible, horrible form, breathing fire, and with eyes like burning lamps. It was the demon, whom he had called up[37]to serve him.
“Set me a task![38]” said he, with a voice like the roaring of an iron furnace.
The boy only trembled, and his hair stood up.
“Set me a task, or I shall strangle you!”
But the lad could not speak. Then the evil spirit stepped towards him, and putting forth his hands touched his throat. The fingers burned his flesh. “Set me a task!”
“Water that flower,” cried the boy in despair, pointing to a geranium which stood in a pot on the floor. Instantly the spirit left the room, but in another instant he returned with a barrel on his back, and poured its contents over the flower; and again and again he went and came, and poured more and more water, till the floor of the room was ankle‑deep.[39]
“Enough, enough!” gasped the lad; but the demon did not hear him. The lad didn’t know the words by which to send him away, and still he fetched water.
It rose to the boy’s knees and still more water was poured. It mounted to his waist, and the demon still kept on bringing barrels full. It rose to his armpits, and he scrambled to the table‑top. And now the water in the room stood up to the window and washed against the glass, and around his feet on the table. It still rose; it reached his breast. The poor boy cried, but all was useless. The evil spirit was pouring and pouring and pouring water. But the master remembered on his journey that he had not locked his book, and therefore returned, and at the moment when the water was bubbling about the pupil’s chin, rushed into the room and spoke the words which cast the demon back into his fiery home.
Упражнения
1. Выберите правильный вариант:
1. A learned man had a book in which he had the knowledge to control angels.
2. A learned man had a book in which he had the knowledge to control demons.
3. A learned man had a book in which he had the knowledge to control people.
4. A learned man had a book in which he had the knowledge to control stupid pupils.
2. What is a demon?
1. a supernatural being, often depicted in humanoid form with feathered wings on the back and halo around the head
2. a mythological human with the ability to shapeshift into a wolf
3. a supernatural, malevolent being
4. an animated corpse raised by magical means
3. What is magic?
1. the act of producing musical sounds with the voice
2. a form of communication between two demons
3. a performing art that entertains audiences
4. the use of paranormal methods to manipulate natural forces
4. What did the foolish pupil one day do with the magic book?
1. The foolish pupil decided to burn it.
2. The foolish pupil brought it to the library.
3. The foolish pupil did absolutely nothing.
4. The foolish pupil began to study.
5. What did the demon do when the pupil summoned him?
1. The demon tried to steal the book.
2. The demon appeared and demanded a task from the foolish pupil.
3. The demon disappeared at once.
4. The demon wanted to play magic games.
6. Закончите предложение:
The demon went on watering the flower until _______________________________.
7. Выберите правильный вариант:
1. The master remembered that he had left his book unlocked, returned and dispelled the demon.
2. The master remembered that he had left his money at home and returned.
3. The master did not want to dispell the demon.
4. The master never returned.
8. Why did the pupil order the demon to water the flower?
1. Just in case.[40]
2. He wanted to have a good garden.
3. He liked plants very much.
4. He wanted to save his life.
9. Выберите правильный ответ:
“Enough, enough!” cried the lad; but the demon did not hear him. Why?
1. Because the demon was deaf.
2. Because the lad didn’t know the words by which to send the demon away.
3. Because the demon was angry with the boy.
4. Because the demon did not speak English.
10. Выберите нужный глагол:
The water _____________ to the boy’s knees and still more water was poured.
1. rise
2. rising
3. rose
4. risen
11. Выберите нужный предлог:
in – with – on – out
The master remembered _____________ his journey that he had not locked his book, and therefore returned.
12. Ответьте на вопросы:
1. How many persons are mentioned in the story?
2. What is the master’s occupation?
3. What do magicians usually do?
4. What do you like and what don’t you like in the characters?
5. What would you do if you were the main character of the story?
6. What is the end of the story?
7. Retell the story.
13. Заполните таблицу:
Ответы
1. A learned man had a book in which he had the knowledge to control demons.
2. A demon is a supernatural, malevolent being.
3: the use of paranormal methods to manipulate natural forces
4. The foolish pupil one day found it open and read a spell from it.
5. The demon appeared and demanded a task from the foolish pupil.
6. The demon went on watering the flower until the room was filling with water.
7. The master remembered that he had left his book unlocked, returned and dispelled the demon.
8. He wanted to save his life.
9. Because the lad didn’t know the words by which to send the demon away.
10. rose; The water rose to the boy’s knees and still more water was poured.
11.
The master remembered on his journey that he had not locked his book, and therefore returned.
13.
Jack the Giant‑Killer
When good King Arthur[41]reigned, there lived a farmer who had one only son called Jack. He was brisk and very smart, so nobody or nothing could worst him.
In those days the country was kept by a huge giant. He was eighteen feet in height, and about three yards round the waist, of a fierce and grim countenance, the terror of all the neighbouring towns and villages. He lived in a cave in the midst of the Mount, and whenever he wanted food he would go and furnish himself with whatever came in his way.[42]Everybody at his approach ran out of their houses, while he seized on their cattle. The Giant could carry a dozen oxen on his back at a time;[43]and as for their sheep and hogs, he would tie them round his waist. He had done this for many years, so that all the people were in despair.
One day Jack came to the town‑hall when the magistrates were sitting in council about the Giant. He asked, “What reward will be given to the man who kills the Giant?” “The giant’s treasure,” they said, “will be the reward.” Jack said, “Then let me undertake it.[44]”
So he got a horn, shovel, and axe, and went over to the Mount in the beginning of a dark winter’s evening, when he began to work. Before morning he had dug a pit twenty‑two feet deep, and nearly as broad, covering it over with long sticks and straw. Then he strewed a little mould over it, so that it appeared like[45]plain ground. Jack then sat on the opposite side of the pit, farthest from the Giant’s lodging, and, just at the break of day, he put the horn to his mouth, and blew very hard.
This noise roused the Giant, who rushed from his cave, crying, “Hey you, have you come here to disturb my rest? You shall pay dearly for this.[46]I will have satisfaction! I will take you whole and broil you for breakfast.”
He had no sooner uttered this, than he tumbled into the pit, and made the very foundations of the Mount to shake. “Oh, Giant,” said Jack, “where are you now? I can’t believe your threatening words: what do you think now of broiling me for your breakfast? Will no other diet serve you but poor Jack?” Then he gave him a very weighty knock with his axe on the very crown of his head, and killed him on the spot.
Jack then filled up the pit with earth, and went to search the cave, where he found much treasure. So he become rich and happy even more.
The Golden Arm
Here was once a man who travelled the land all over[47]in search of a wife. He saw young and old, rich and poor, pretty and plain, and could not meet with one to his mind.[48]At last he found a woman, young, fair, and rich, who possessed a right arm of solid gold. He married her at once, and thought no man so fortunate as he was.[49]They lived happily together, but, though he wished people to think otherwise, he was fonder of the golden arm[50]than of all his wife’s gifts besides.
At last she died. The husband put on black clothes, and pulled the longest face at the funeral. But in the middle of the night, he dug up the body, and cut off the golden arm. He hurried home to hide his treasure, and thought no one would know.
The following night he put the golden arm under his pillow, and was just falling asleep, when the ghost of his dead wife glided into the room. Stalking up to the bedside it drew the curtain, and looked at him reproachfully. Pretending not to be afraid, he spoke to the ghost, and said, “What have you done with your red cheeks?”
“All withered and wasted away,” replied the ghost, in a hollow tone.
“What have you done with your red rosy lips?”
“All withered and wasted away.”
“What have you done with your golden hair?”
“All withered and wasted away.”
“What have you done with your Golden Arm?”
“You have it!”
The Rose‑tree
There was once upon a time a good man who had two children: a girl by a first wife,[51]and a boy by the second. The girl was as white as milk, and her lips were like cherries. Her hair was like golden silk, and it hung to the ground. Her brother loved her dearly, but her wicked stepmother hated her. “Child,” said the stepmother one day, “go to the grocer’s shop and buy me a pound of candles.” She gave her the money; and the little girl went, bought the candles, and started on her return.[52]But there was a stile on her way. How to cross it? She put down the candles while she got over the stile. Suddenly a dog came and ran off with the candles.
The girl went back to the grocer’s, and the grocer gave her a second bunch. She came to the stile, set down the candles, and began to climb it over. Again came the dog and ran off with the candles.
The girl went again to the grocer’s, and the grocer gave her a third bunch. But the same thing happened![53]The big dog came again and ran off with the candles as usual.
Then the girl came to her stepmother crying, because she had spent all the money and had lost three bunches of candles.
The stepmother was angry, but she pretended not to mind the loss.[54]She said to the child, “Come, lay your head on my lap that I may comb your hair.” So the little girl laid her head in the woman’s lap, who proceeded to comb the yellow hair. And when she combed the hair fell over her knees, and rolled right down to the ground.
Then the stepmother hated her more for the beauty of her hair; so she said to her, “I cannot part your hair on my knee, fetch a billet of wood.” So she fetched it. Then said the stepmother, “I cannot part your hair with a comb, fetch me an axe.” So she fetched it.
“Now,” said the wicked woman, “lay your head down on the billet while I part your hair.”
Well! she laid down her little golden head without fear; and whist![55]down came the axe,[56]and it was off.[57]So the mother wiped the axe and laughed.
Then she took the heart and liver of the little girl, and she stewed them and brought them into the house for supper. The husband tasted them and shook his head. He said they tasted very strangely. She gave some to the little boy, but he would not eat. She tried to force him, but he refused, and ran out into the garden, and took up his little sister, and put her in a box, and buried the box under a rose‑tree; and every day he went to the tree and wept, till his tears ran down on the box.
One day the rose‑tree flowered. It was spring, and there among the flowers was a white bird. The bird sang, and sang, and sang like an angel out of heaven. Then it flew away. It went to a cobbler’s shop, and perched itself on a tree nearby; and thus it sang,
“My wicked mother slew me,
My dear father ate me,
My little brother whom I love
Sits below, and I sing above
Stick, stock, stone dead.”
“Sing again that beautiful song,” asked the shoemaker.
“Please give me those little red shoes that you are making.”
The cobbler gave the shoes, and the bird sang the song; then flew to a tree in front of a watchmaker’s,[58]and sang:
“My wicked mother slew me,
My dear father ate me,
My little brother whom I love
Sits below, and I sing above
Stick, stock, stone dead.”
“Oh, the beautiful song! sing it again, sweet bird,” asked the watchmaker.
“Please give me that gold watch and chain in your hand.” The jeweller gave the watch and chain. The bird took it in one foot, the shoes in the other, and repeated the song. Then the bird flew away to where[59]three millers were picking a millstone. The bird perched on a tree and sang:
“My wicked mother slew me,
My dear father ate me,
My little brother whom I love
Sits below, and I sing above
Stick!”
Then one of the men put down his tool and looked up from his work,
“Stock!”
Then the second miller’s man laid aside his tool and looked up,
“Stone!”
Then the third miller’s man laid down his tool and looked up,
“Dead!”
Then all three cried out with one voice: “Oh, what a beautiful song! Sing it, sweet bird, again.”
“Please put the millstone round my neck,” said the bird. The men did what the bird wanted and away to the tree it flew with the millstone round its neck, the red shoes in one foot, and the gold watch and chain in the other. It sang the song and then flew home. It rattled the millstone against the eaves of the house, and the stepmother said, “It thunders.” Then the little boy ran out to see the thunder, and down dropped the red shoes at his feet.
It rattled the millstone against the eaves of the house once more, and the stepmother said again: “It thunders.” Then the father ran out and down fell the chain about his neck.
Father and son came in, laughing and saying, “See, what fine things the thunder has brought us!” Then the bird rattled the millstone against the eaves of the house a third time; and the stepmother said, “It thunders again, perhaps the thunder has brought something for me,” and she ran out. But alas! When she stepped outside the door, the millstone fell down on her head; and so she died.
Упражнения
1. Выберите правильный вариант:
1. The girl was very beautiful, but her stepmother was nicer.
2. The girl was very beautiful, and although her brother loved her, his mother hated her.
3. The girl was very beautiful, and although her brother did not love her, his mother adored her.
4. The girl was not beautiful, but her brother loved her.
2. Who is a stepmother?
1. A stepmother is a woman who has raised a child, given birth to a child.
2. A stepmother is a person who is the sister or sister‑in‑law of a parent.
3. A stepmother is one’s father’s wife and not one’s natural mother.
4. A stepmother is the sister of one’s spouse.
3. Where did the stepmother send the little girl?
1. The stepmother sent the little girl to the village to bring some water.
2. The stepmother sent the little girl to the her father.
3. The stepmother sent the little girl to the forest to pick up some berries.
4. The stepmother sent the little girl to the store to buy candles.
4. How many times did the girl put down the candles to climb a stile, and a dog steal them?
1. Three times, the girl put down the candles to climb a stile, and a dog stole them.
2. Two times, the girl put down the candles to climb a stile, and a dog stole them.
3. Four times, the girl put down the candles to climb a stile, and a dog stole them.
4. Five times, the girl put down the candles to climb a stile, and a dog stole them.
5. What did the stepmother told the daughter when she returned?
1. When the daughter returned, her stepmother told her to go away.
2. When the daughter returned, her stepmother told her to prepare dinner.
3. When the daughter returned, her stepmother told her to come and let her comb her hair.
4. When the daughter returned, her stepmother told her to rest a little.
6. What is the millstone?
1. It is the iron support, usually four‑armed or cross‑shaped, for the turning stone.
2. It is the stone used in grist mills, for grinding wheat or other grains.
3. It is the common rock granite.
4. It is the colourless and transparent stone.
7. Выберите правильный вариант:
1. The stepmother stewed the daughter’s heart and liver, and her husband tasted them and said they were delicious.
2. The stepmother stewed the daughter’s heart and liver, and her husband tasted them and said they tasted strangely.
3. The stepmother stewed the daughter’s heart and liver, and her husband ate them all and asked some more food.
4. The stepmother stewed the daughter’s head and liver, and her husband tasted them and said they tasted strangely.
8. Why did the brother refuse to eat his sister’s heart and liver?
1. Because he was sorry for his sister.
2. Because they were not delicious.
3. Because he was not hungry.
4. Because he was vegetarian.
9. Выберите нужное прилагательное:
One day, the rose‑tree flowered, and a _____________bird appeared.
1. black
2. blue
3. red
4. white
10. Выберите нужные слова:
The bird sang to a cobbler and received _____________; it sang to a watchmaker and received _____________; it sang to three millers and received _____________.
1. a millstone; a pair of red shoes; a gold watch and chain
2. a gold watch and chain; a pair of red shoes; a millstone
3. a pair of red shoes; a gold watch and chain; a millstone
4. a millstone; a gold watch and chain; a pair of red shoes
11. Выберите нужные глаголы:
The stepmother _____________that it thundered, and the boy _____________.
1. ran out; said
2. ran out; say
3. said; ran out
4. said; run out
12. Выберите нужные слова:
The boy ran out, and the bird dropped _____________at his feet. The father went out, and the bird dropped _____________at his feet. The stepmother went out, and the bird dropped _____________on her head.
1. the millstone, the shoes, the watch and chain
2. the shoes, the watch and chain, the millstone
3. the watch and chain, the shoes, the millstone
4. the watch and chain, the millstone, the shoes
13. Ответьте на вопросы:
1. How many persons are mentioned in the story?
2. How many times did the bird sing?
3. Did you like the daughter?
4. What would you do if you were the main character of the story?
5. What is the end of the story?
6. Retell the story.
14. Заполните таблицу:
Ответы
1. The girl was very beautiful, and although her brother loved her, his mother hated her.
2. A stepmother is one’s father’s wife and not one’s natural mother.
3. The stepmother sent the little girl to the store to buy candles.
4. Three times, the girl put down the candles to climb a stile, and a dog stole them.
5. When the daughter returned, her stepmother told her to come and let her comb her hair.
6. It is the stone used in grist mills, for grinding wheat or other grains.
7. The stepmother stewed the daughter’s heart and liver, and her husband tasted them and said they tasted strangely.
8. Because he was sorry for his sister.
9. white; One day, the rose‑tree flowered, and a white bird appeared.
10. a pair of red shoes; a gold watch and chain; a millstone
The bird sang to a cobbler and received a pair of red shoes; it sang to a watchmaker and received a gold watch and chain; it sang to three millers and received a millstone.
11. said; ran out; The stepmother said that it thundered, and the boy ran out.
12. The boy ran out, and the bird dropped the shoes at his feet. The father went out, and the bird dropped the watch and chain at his feet. The stepmother went out, and the bird dropped the millstone on her head.
14.
Jack and His Golden Snuff‑Box [60]
Once upon a time, there lived an old man and an old woman. They had one son, and they lived in a great forest. And their son never saw any other people in his life, but he knew that there was some more in the world besides his own father and mother, because he had lots of books, and he read them every day. And when he read about pretty young women, he wanted to see some of them. One day, when his father was out cutting wood, he told his mother that he wished to go away to look for his living in some other country, and to see some other people besides them two. And he said, “I see nothing at all here but great trees around me. If I stay here, maybe I shall go mad[61]before I see anything.” The young man’s father was out all this time, when this talk was going on between him and his poor old mother.
The old woman says to her son before leaving, “Well, well, my poor boy, if you want to go, it’s better for you to go, and God be with you.[62]” (The old woman thought for the best when she said that.) “But stop a bit before you go. Which would you like best for me to make you, a little cake and bless you, or a big cake and curse you?”
“Dear, dear!” said he, “make me a big cake. Maybe I shall be hungry on the road.”
The old woman made the big cake, and she went on top of the house, and she cursed him as far as she could see him.
He presently meets with his father, and the old man says to him, “Where are you going, my poor boy?”
And he said, “I see nothing at all here but great trees around me. If I stay here, maybe I shall go mad before I see anything.”
“Well,” says his father, “I’m sorry to see you going away,[63]but if you decided to go, it’s better for you to go.”
The poor lad had not gone far, when his father called him back. Then the old man drew out of his pocket a golden snuff‑box, and said to him, “Here, take this little box, and put it in your pocket, and be sure not to open it[64]till you are near your death.”
And away went poor Jack upon his road,[65]and walked till he was tired and hungry, for he had eaten all his cake upon the road. By this time night was upon him, so he could hardly see his way before him. He could see some light a long way before him, and he came to it. He found the back door and knocked at it, till one of the maid‑servants came and asked him what he wanted. He said that night was on him, and he wanted to get some place to sleep. The maid‑servant called him in to the fire, and gave him plenty to eat, good meat and bread and beer. While he was eating his food by the fire, there came the young lady to look at him, and she loved him well[66]and he loved her. And the young lady ran to tell her father, and said there was a pretty young man in the back kitchen. Immediately the gentleman came to him, and questioned him, and asked what work he could do. Jack said, the silly fellow, that he could do anything.
“Well,” says the gentleman to him, “if you can do anything, at eight o’clock in the morning I must have a great lake and some big ships sailing before my mansion. And one of the largest ships must fire a royal salute,[67]and the last round must break the leg of the bed where my young daughter is sleeping. And if you don’t do that, you will have to forfeit your life.[68]”
“All right,” said Jack; and away he went to his bed. He said his prayers quietly, and slept till it was near eight o’clock. He had hardly any time to think what he was to do, till suddenly he remembered about the little golden box that his father gave him. And he said to himself, “Well, well, I never was so near my death as I am now;” and then he felt in his pocket, and drew the little box out.
When he opened it, out there hopped[69]three little red men, and asked Jack, “What is your will with us?[70]”
“Well,” said Jack, “I want a great lake and the biggest ships in the world before this mansion. And one of the largest ships must fire a royal salute, and the last round must break one of the legs of the bed where this young lady is sleeping.”
“All right,” said the little men; “go to sleep.”
It struck eight o’clock, when Jack jumped out of bed to look through the window. He saw the biggest ships in the world! It was a wonderful sight for him to see, after being so long[71]with his father and mother living in a wood. Bang! Bang! he heard the largest ships fire a royal salute. The last round broke one of the legs of the bed where the young lady was sleeping.
By this time Jack dressed himself, and said his prayers, and came down laughing. He was proud, he was, because the thing was done so well.[72]The gentleman comes to him, and says to him, “Well, my young man, I must say that you are very clever indeed. Come and have some breakfast.”
And the gentleman tells him, “Now there are two more things you have to do, and then you shall have my daughter in marriage.[73]” Jack gets his breakfast, and has a good squint at the young lady, and also she at him.
The other thing that the gentleman told him to do was to fell all the great trees for miles around by eight o’clock in the morning.
“All right,” said Jack; and away he went to his bed. He said his prayers quietly, and slept till it was near eight o’clock. He remembered about the little golden box that his father gave him. And he said to himself, “Well, well, I never was so near my death as I am now;” and then he felt in his pocket, and drew the little box out.
When he opened it, out there hopped three little red men, and asked Jack, “What is your will with us?” “Well,” said Jack, “I want to fell all the great trees for miles around.”
“All right,” said the little men; “go to sleep.”
It struck eight o’clock, when Jack jumped out of bed to look through the window. He saw that everything was done, and it pleased the gentleman well. The gentleman said to him, “The other thing you have to do”–(and it was the last thing)–“you must get me a great castle standing on twelve golden pillars. And there must come regiments of soldiers and go through their drill. At eight o’clock the commanding officer must say, ‘Shoulder up![74]’”
“All right,” said Jack; and away he went to his bed. He said his prayers quietly, and slept till it was near eight o’clock again. He remembered about the little golden box that his father gave him. And he said to himself, “Well, well, I never was so near my death as I am now;” and then he felt in his pocket, and drew the little box out.
When he opened it, out there hopped three little red men, and asked Jack, “What is your will with us?” “Well,” said Jack, “You must get me a great castle standing on twelve golden pillars. And there must come regiments of soldiers and go through their drill. At eight o’clock the commanding officer must say, ‘Shoulder up!’”
“All right,” said the little men; “go to sleep.”
It struck eight o’clock, when Jack jumped out of bed to look through the window. He saw the great castle standing on twelve golden pillars. And there came regiments of soldiers and went through their drill. At eight o’clock the commanding officer said, ‘Shoulder up!’ So Jack had the young daughter in marriage.
But, oh dear![75]Bad things happen.
The gentleman now makes a large hunting party, and invites all the gentlemen around the country to it, and to see the castle as well. And by this time Jack has a beautiful horse and a scarlet dress to go with them. On that morning his servant, when putting Jack’s clothes by, after changing them to go a hunting, put his hand in one of Jack’s waistcoat‑pockets, and pulled out the little golden snuff‑box.
That man opened the little box, and there hopped the three little red men out, and asked him what he wanted with them. “Well,” said the servant to them, “I want this castle to be moved from this place far and far across the sea.” “All right,” said the little red men to him; “do you wish to go with it?” “Yes,” said he. “Well, get up,” said they to him; and away they went far and far over the great sea.
Now the grand hunting party comes back, and the castle upon the twelve golden pillars had disappeared, to the great disappointment of those gentlemen as did not see it before. Jack’s father‑in‑law is threatening poor silly Jack to take his beautiful young wife from him. But the gentleman at last made an agreement with him: Jack would have twelve months and a day to look for it. And off he goes[76]with a good horse and money in his pocket.
Now poor Jack goes in search of his missing castle, over hills, dales, valleys, and mountains, through woolly woods and forests. Until at last he comes up to the place where lives the King of all the little mice in the world. There was one of the little mice on sentry[77]at the front gate going up to the palace, and did try to stop Jack from going in. He asked the little mouse, “Where does the King live? I want to see him.”
The little mouse sent another mouse with Jack to show him the place. When the King saw Jack, he began to question him, and asked him where he was going that way. Well, Jack told him all the truth, that he had lost the great castle, and was going to look for it, and he had a whole twelve months and a day to find it out. And Jack asked him whether he knew anything about it; and the King said, “No, but I am the King of all the little mice in the world, and I will call them all up in the morning,[78]and maybe they have seen something of it.”
Then Jack got a good meal and bed, and in the morning he and the King went on to the fields. The King called all the mice together, and asked them whether they had seen the great beautiful castle standing on golden pillars. And all the little mice said, No, nobody had seen it.
The old King said to him that he had a brother, “My brother is the King of all the frogs. And if you go there, maybe he knows something about the missing castle.” The King said to him, “Leave your horse here with me till you come back, and take one of my best horses under you, and give this cake to my brother; he will know then who you got it from.[79]” And then the King and Jack shook hands together.
And when Jack was going through the gates, the little mouse told him, “I will go with you; maybe I shall do some good to you some time.[80]” “Jump up, then.” And the little mouse ran up the horse’s leg, and Jack put the mouse in his pocket.
Now Jack continued his way. At last he found the place; and there was one of the frogs on sentry, and gun upon his shoulder. When Jack said to him that he wanted to see the King, he allowed him to pass; and Jack made up to the door. The King came out, and asked him his business; and Jack told him all from beginning to end. “Well, well, come in.” He gets good entertainment that night; and in the morning the King collected all the frogs in the world. And he asked them, if they knew anything of a castle that stood upon twelve golden pillars. All the frogs made a curious sound, Kro‑kro, kro‑kro, and said, No.
The old King said to him that he had a brother, “My brother is the King of all the birds in the world of all the frogs. And if you go there, maybe he knows something about the missing castle.” The King said to him, “Leave your horse here with me till you come back, and take one of my best horses under you, and give this cake to my brother; he will know then who you got it from.” And then the King and Jack shook hands together.
And when Jack was going through the gates, the little frog told him, “I will go with you; maybe I shall do some good to you some time.” “Jump up, then.” And the little frog ran up the horse’s leg, and Jack put the frog in his pocket.
Jack came to the King of all the birds of the air; and as Jack was going through the gates, there was a fine bird on sentry. And Jack passed him, and he never said a word to him; and he talked with the King, and told him everything, all about the castle. “Well,” said the King to him, “you will know in the morning from my birds, whether they know anything or not.”
Jack put up his horse in the stable, ate something, and then went to bed. And when he got up in the morning the King and he went on to some field, and there the King made some funny noise, and there came all the birds that were in all the world. And the King asked them; “Did they see the fine castle?” and all the birds answered, No.
“Well,” said the King, “where is the great bird?” The King asked the great bird, the eagle, Did he see the great castle? and the bird said: “Yes, I came from there where it now is.”
“Well,” says the King to him; “this young gentleman has lost it, and you must go with him back to it.”
The eagle began his journey over the seas, and carried Jack on his back. Now when they came in sight of the castle, they did not know what to do to get the little golden box. Well, the little mouse said to them, “Leave me down, and I will get the little box for you.” So the mouse stole into the castle,[81]and got hold of the box. The party went back again, and left the castle behind.
As they were all of them (Jack, mouse, frog, and eagle) passing over the great sea, the little box slipped down into the water. “Well, well,” said the frog, “Let me go down in the water.” And they let him go, and he was down for three days and three nights. Finally, the frog brings the little box.
Jack opens the little box, and told the little men to go back and to bring the castle here to them.
Three little men brought the castle back. It was the last day for Jack to return the castle! His wife met him with a young son, and they made a great feast. Everybody was happy, and Jack did not lose his golden snuff‑box anymore.