Unusual jobs – the Ravenmaster（在线收听） |
| BBC Learning EnglishPeople and PlacesUnusual jobs – the RavenmasterAndrea: Welcome to "People and Places" – where we meetinteresting people and find outabout more about them – right here onbbclearningenglish.com. Hello, I'm AndreaRose. Derrick Coyle & raven(Sound of bird and Derrick saying good morning)Andrea: That’s Derrick Coyle and he has a rather unusualjob. Derrick is a Yeoman Warder or‘Beefeater’ at the Tower of London. He’s also a ravenmaster which means he’s dedicated to looking after the Tower’s unique feature – ravens. His job is to feed them andclip their wings so that they don’t fly away. Because ifthey did, it would be a terrible omen or sign. Derrickexplains. Derrick CoyleIt all begins with Charles the Second. At the time of hiscoronation, when he arrived at the Tower he was visiting tosee how his newly appointed Astronomer Royal was getting onwith his duties. The Astronomer Royal complained bitterlyabout the mess they were making and ruining his equipment. Sohe asked the king’s permission to get rid of the birds andshoot them. And that’s when the king replied ‘oh no – youcan’t do that’ because he’d heard this legend that shouldthey leave, the White Tower would crumble and the monarchywould fall. So ever since that day, by royal command, we haveto keep six birds on compliment. But we don’t take anychances here. We keep two more in reserve. Andrea: So Derrick’s job is very important. If the ravensleave it means that the monarchy, the queen and princes, willfall or collapse. Let me explain the legend. When Charles theSecond was made king – at his coronation – his astronomercomplained that therewere birds or ravens at the Tower of London that weredestroying his astronomyequipment. The astronomer complained bitterly – hecomplained a lot because his telescopes and instruments tolook at the stars were being messed up or ruined by thesebirds. So he asked permission from the king to remove thebirds. But the King had heard that it was bad luck to chaseravens away. Ever since, by royal command – that’s on theorders of the Queen of England, there must always be sixravens at the Tower. And it’s Derrick’s job to look afterthem! In this next clip, he talks us through where the ravensare kept inside the Tower. Derrick CoyleWell this is the upper portion of the Brick Tower and as youcan see we’ve got four spacious cages. They’ve got theirown nesting boxes or night boxes, bathing bowls, food bowls. Each cage is the same so no raven can get jealous of anotherone – saying they’ve got more space than us. They’ve gotlots of light. And I think they’d be just as happy in hereas they would be outside. Andrea: Derrick takes us into the Tower of London to show uswhere the ravens stay when they need to be kept inside. Theyhave very spacious or roomy cages. They have lots of space. They also have nesting boxes or places where they can sleep,as well as bathing bowls – where they can wash themselves –and food bowls. Apparently the ravens eat a lot of raw meatand biscuits soaked in blood. Derrick makes sure they eatwell. But he insists that they are all treated fairly so thatno raven can get jealous or envious of another. He thinksthat their home inside the Tower is as nice as where theyperch outside during the day. But what is it like to look after the ravens? Does Derrickhave any funny stories aboutHardey, Thor, Odin, Gwyllum, Credic, Hugine and Munin? Derrick CoyleWhen President Putin came, he came with a huge entourage, andThor normally when he’s not in this cage, sits on thosesteps. And as the party went up the wooden staircase, Thorquite politely said‘good morning’ to every one of the party going up thesteps. And I believe President Putin was very very amazed atthat. Andrea: Derrick tells a funny story about one of the ravenscalled Thor. It was a time when Russia’s President, VladimirPutin, came on an official visit to the Tower of London. Putin arrived with his entourage – that’s all his officialsand security. And as they all went into the Tower, Thor said‘good morning’ to every one of them. Derrick believes thatPutin was very impressed by it all. So Derrick has managedto train some of the birds to speak. Of course, it could gethim into a lot of trouble if he’s not careful! Derrick CoyleThe only thing is he sounds like me so if he starts swearing,someone knows whose taught him. So that’s one thing. I don’ t swear around the bird. Andrea: Derrick has to be careful when he’s looking afterthe birds. They are very clever and they’ve learnt to speakand sound just like him. So if he’s not careful, they maypick up bad habits, like swearing and then everyone wouldknow it was Derrick who taught them! So he makes sure hedoesn’t ever use swear words around the birds. Ok, a quick recap of some of the words Derrick used today: coronationto complain bitterly permissionlegend monarchy spacious jealous entourageUntil the next time, it’s goodbye frombbclearningenglish.com |
| 原文地址：http://www.tingroom.com/lesson/rydf/70336.html |