100个儿童英语小故事: Last Dream for an Old Oak Tree 老橡树的最后梦想

 

010 Last Dream for an Old Oak¹ Tree

Once upon a time, there was a large oak tree in the forest. This oak tree was very old. One day during the hot summer, a mayfly flew by and alighted on a leaf of the oak tree. 

"Mayfly, you must be so sad." "Why?" "You get to live only one day." The oak tree felt sorry for the mayfly. Mayfly asked, "Don't you live for one day?" "No. I live much longer than you do." 

The mayfly nodded and asked, "Really? Then, are you happy now?" "Yes, I am very happy," replied the oak tree.

Then the mayfly smiled and said, "I am very happy, too. Although I get to live only one day, it doesn't matter. You get to live much longer than I do, but we are both happy, aren't we?" The oak tree and the mayfly kept on talking to each other. 

Eventually, the mayfly leaned² on the oak tree and fell asleep. "Mayfly!" The oak tree called the mayfly, but the mayfly did not respond³.

It had died. "Mayfly, have a happy dream." The oak tree blessed the mayfly for the last time. 

Many weeks then passed. Spring, summer and fall went by, and winter came. Finally, the long-awaited day of Christmas came. The oak tree wanted to rest now.

The oak tree had a dream on Christmas day. In it, pretty flowers were abundant⁴ and butterflies were flying in a green forest. In this dream, the oak tree met the mayfly. The mayfly said, "Come play here. It is such a happy place." The oak tree was very pleased indeed to see the mayfly. 

While the oak tree was sleeping, its roots were cut. It was time for the oak tree to die. The oak tree went to a happy world, dreaming.

1 oak   

n.栎树，橡树，栎木，橡木

参考例句：

• The chair is of solid oak.这把椅子是纯橡木的。
• The carpenter will floor this room with oak.木匠将用橡木铺设这个房间的地板。

2 leaned   

v.（使）倾斜，屈身( lean的过去式和过去分词 )；倚；依赖；使斜靠

参考例句：

• He leaned forward, his hands clasped tightly together. 他俯身向前，双手十字交错地紧握着。
• He leaned back, exulting at the success of his plan. 他向后一靠，为自己计划成功而得意扬扬。

3 respond   

vi.回答，响应

参考例句：

• I offered him a drink but he did not respond.我请他喝酒，但他未作回答。
• I greeted him but he didn't respond.我跟他打招呼，他没答理我。

4 abundant   

adj.丰富的，充足的，大量的，多的

参考例句：

• Shandong province is famous for its abundant agricultural resources.山东省以其丰富的农业资源而闻名遐迩。
• China is abundant with natural resources.中国自然资源丰富。