The Maidens on the River Bank

    On the river bank lived a number of maidens²．One of them was very poor and could not afford a lamp．The others talked about it among themselves and wanted her to leave．When the one who could not afford a lamp was about to go，she said to the other girls，“Because I have no lamp I have often been here before you，cleaning up the place and getting the mats ready for you to sit on．Why do you grudge³ a little extra light that shines on these four walls？If you benefit me with a little light，what have you got to lose？I think I am of some use to you all．Why do you want me to leave？”
    The maidens discussed among themselves and decided⁴ that she was right in her arguments．Therefore she was asked to stay．Exercises：
    判断对（T）、错（F）：
    ①The other maidens wanted the poor maiden¹ to leave because she got no lamp．②The poor maiden did more work than the others because she got no lamp．③The others agreed to have her stay there．

1 maiden   

n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的

参考例句：

• The prince fell in love with a fair young maiden.王子爱上了一位年轻美丽的少女。
• The aircraft makes its maiden flight tomorrow.这架飞机明天首航。

2 maidens   

处女( maiden的名词复数 )； 少女； 未婚女子； （板球运动）未得分的一轮投球

参考例句：

• stories of knights and fair maidens 关于骑士和美女的故事
• Transplantation is not always successful in the matter of flowers or maidens. 花儿移栽往往并不成功，少女们换了环境也是如此。 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹

3 grudge   

n.不满，怨恨，妒嫉；vt.勉强给，不情愿做

参考例句：

• I grudge paying so much for such inferior goods.我不愿花这么多钱买次品。
• I do not grudge him his success.我不嫉妒他的成功。

4 decided   

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。