The Cook and the Cat

    A certain cook，rather more educated than his fellows，went from his kitchen one day to a neighbouring tavern—he was of a serious turn of mind，and on that day he celebrated¹ the anniversary of a friend's death－leaving a cat at home，to guard his viands² from the mice．On his return，what did he see？The floor was strewed³ with fragments of a pie，and Vaska the cat crouching⁴ in a corner behind a vinegar-barrel，purring with satisfaction，was busily engaged in disposing of a chicken．“Ah，glutton！Ah，evil－doer！”exclaimed the reproachful cook．“Are you not ashamed of being seen by these walls，let alone livingwitnesses？What！Be an honourable⁵ cat up to this time－one who might be pointed⁶ out as a model of discretion⁷！And now，ah me！How great a disgrace！Now all the neighbours will say，“The cat Vaska is a rogue，the cat Vaska is a thief．Vaska must not be admitted into a kitchen，not even into the courtyard，any more than a ravenous⁸ wolf into a sheep fold．He is utterly⁹ corrupt；he is a pest，the plague of the neighbourhood．”
    Thus did our orator，letting loose the current of his words，lecture away without stopping．But what was the result？While he was delivering his discourse，Vaska the cat ate up the whole of the chicken．I would advise some cooks to inscribe¹⁰ these words on their walls：“Don't waste time in useless speeches，when it is action that is needed．”
    Exercises：
    判断对（T）、错（F）：
    ① The cook was more educated than his fellows．② The cat did something against the cook's will．③ The cat ate up the chicken because the cook let it do that．④ Sometimes we should take quick actions．

1 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

2 viands   

n.食品，食物

参考例句：

• Greek slaves supplied them with exquisite viands at the slightest nod.只要他们轻轻点点头希腊奴隶就会供奉给他们精美的食品。
• The family sat down to table,and a frugal meal of cold viands was deposited beforethem.一家老少，都围着桌子坐下，几样简单的冷食，摆在他们面前。

3 strewed   

v.撒在…上( strew的过去式和过去分词 )；散落于；点缀；撒满

参考例句：

• Papers strewed the floor. 文件扔了一地。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Autumn leaves strewed the lawn. 草地上撒满了秋叶。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

4 crouching   

v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• a hulking figure crouching in the darkness 黑暗中蹲伏着的一个庞大身影
• A young man was crouching by the table, busily searching for something. 一个年轻人正蹲在桌边翻看什么。 来自汉英文学 - 散文英译

5 honourable   

adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的

参考例句：

• I don't think I am worthy of such an honourable title.这样的光荣称号，我可担当不起。
• I hope to find an honourable way of settling difficulties.我希望设法找到一个体面的办法以摆脱困境。

6 pointed   

adj.尖的，直截了当的

参考例句：

• He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
• She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。

7 discretion   

n.谨慎；随意处理

参考例句：

• You must show discretion in choosing your friend.你择友时必须慎重。
• Please use your best discretion to handle the matter.请慎重处理此事。

8 ravenous   

adj.极饿的，贪婪的

参考例句：

• The ravenous children ate everything on the table.饿极了的孩子把桌上所有东西吃掉了。
• Most infants have a ravenous appetite.大多数婴儿胃口极好。

9 utterly   

adv.完全地，绝对地

参考例句：

• Utterly devoted to the people,he gave his life in saving his patients.他忠于人民，把毕生精力用于挽救患者的生命。
• I was utterly ravished by the way she smiled.她的微笑使我完全陶醉了。

10 inscribe   

v.刻；雕；题写；牢记

参考例句：

• Will you inscribe your name in the book?能否请你在这本书上签名？
• I told the jeweler to inscribe the ring with my name.我叫珠宝商把我的名字刻在那只戒指上。