英语小达人 357 Poor Baby Turtle

 　　Poor Baby Turtle可怜的小乌龟Deep within a forest, a baby turtle was standing¹ at the bottom of a large tree and with a deep sigh, started to climb.

　　森林深处，一只小乌龟站在一棵大树脚下。它深深地叹了一口气，开始往上爬。

　　After hours of effort, he reached a very high branch and walked along to the end. He turned and spread all four flippers and jumped into the air.

　　几个小时后，它终于爬到了一根很高的树杈上，沿着树枝走到尽头。它转过身，伸展四肢，跳了出去。

　　On landing² at the bottom in a pile of soft, dead leaves, he shook himself off, walked back to the bottom of the tree and with a sigh started to climb.

　　掉到树下一堆松软的枯叶中，它抖了抖身子，走回到大树脚下，叹了一口气，又开始往上爬。

　　Hours later, he again reached the very high branch, walked along, turned, spread his flippers and launched³ himself off the branch.

　　几个小时过去了，它又爬到那根高高的树杈上，走到尽头，转身，伸展四肢，跳了出去。

　　Again, he fell to the ground, shook himself off, went to the bottom of the tree, sighed and started climbing.

　　它再一次掉到地上，抖了抖身子，走回到大树脚下，叹了一口气，再一次开始往上爬。

　　Watching these proceedings⁴ on the branch were a couple of birds. Mummy bird turned to Daddy bird and said, "Dear, I think it's time to tell him he's adopted."一对鸟夫妻站在树枝上看着小乌龟。鸟妈妈转头对鸟爸爸说：“亲爱的，我想我们该告诉它它是我们收养的孩子了。”

1 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

2 landing   

n.登陆；着陆；楼梯平台

参考例句：

• Owing to engine trouble,the plane had to make a forced landing.由于发动机出了毛病，飞机不得不进行迫降。
• When are we landing?我们什么时候着陆？

3 launched   

v.发射( launch的过去式和过去分词 )；[计算机]开始（应用程序）；发动；开展（活动、计划等）

参考例句：

• He launched a bitter diatribe against the younger generation. 他对年轻一代发起了猛烈的抨击。
• The product was launched amid much fanfare worldwide. 这个产品在世界各地隆重推出。

4 proceedings   

n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报

参考例句：

• He was released on bail pending committal proceedings. 他交保获释正在候审。
• to initiate legal proceedings against sb 对某人提起诉讼