Story Brief

The Lion and the Bulls

Three bulls fed in a field together in the greatest peace and amity. A lion had long watched them in the hope of making a prize of them, but found there was little chance for him so long as they kept all together. He therefore began secretly to spread evil and slanderous reports of one against the other, till he had fomented a jealousy and distrust amongst them.

No sooner did the lion see that they avoided one another and fed each by himself apart, than he fell upon them singly, and so made an easy prey of them all.

The quarrels of friends are the opportunities of foes.

 

三头公牛与狮子

红牛、黑牛和黄牛是三兄弟，他们从小一起在大草原上长大，十分要好。

有一天，一头狮子盯上了他们，瞅准机会就发起了进攻。正在吃草的黄牛发现了这一幕，赶紧招呼兄弟们围成一圈。狮子刚冲上来，就被红牛用角一挑，摔出很远。。。

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Explanation Now

Meaning of Words

词语	华文解释	英文解释
要好	意思是指感情融洽；也指对人表示好感。 例句：他俩从小就要好，几乎天天见面。	be close friends
瞅（chǒu）准	意思指看准确；看中。 例句：他瞅准了目标，直接开枪打到了猎物。	aim at
招呼	意思是用语言或动作对他人进行的简单交流。 例句：他在招呼你，快去看看怎么了?	greeting
盘算	对事情的经过或结果进行仔细而从容的反复思考、考虑。 例句：他不动声色，静静地坐在那儿盘算着下一步计划。	plan
挖空心思	形容费尽心思，想尽一切办法。 例句：他们总是挖空心思，想出些捞钱的点子。	think hard
左思右想	指多方面想了又想。 例句：小明左思右想，还是不能决定明天是不是要去露营。	ruminate
钦佩之情	意思是令人尊敬、敬重的感情。 例句：得知了他一直默默帮助这些穷苦的人，不由的让大家心中充满了钦佩之情。	admiration
崇拜	指尊重敬佩。 例句：小刚非常崇拜一名意大利球星。	adore; worship
疑惑	意思是对人和事物有疑虑和困惑。 例句：他的行为让妻子非常疑惑，但又不敢细问。	doubt
挑拨	意思是播弄是非，调唆。 例句：这个人存心要兄弟俩分开，经常挑拨他们的关系。	instigate
掀翻	意思是推翻、翻转。 例句：他一怒之下，冲过去掀翻了客人的饭桌。	overturn
刨（páo）地	刨，挖掘。刨地意思是挖地。 例句：小狗为了找到地鼠，不停的在院子里刨地。	dig
一触即发	意思是比喻事态发展到了十分紧张的阶段，稍一触动就会立即爆发。 例句：这两个邻居为了围栏争执已久，矛盾一触即发。	on the verge of breaking out
筋疲力尽	形容非常疲乏，一点力气也没有了。 例句：迷路的人在森林里已经转了几天，当他找到出路的时候已经筋疲力尽了。	be tired
不费吹灰之力	形容事情做起来非常容易，不花一点力气。 例句：他做什么事都不费吹灰之力。	effortlessly

 

 

Story Brief

The Two Frogs

Two frogs dwelt in the same pool. The pool being dried up under the summer’s heat, they left it, and set out together to seek another home. As they went along they chanced to pass a deep well, amply supplied with water. One of the frogs said to the other, “Let us descend and make our abode in this well; it will furnish us with shelter and food.” The other replied with greater caution; “But suppose the water should fail us, how can we get out again from so great a depth?”

Do nothing without a regard to the consequences.

 

青蛙搬家

池塘里住着两只青蛙，有一年夏天特别炎热，池水也干涸了。两只青蛙只好离开家，背起行囊寻找新的住处。

走了很远，他们也没有找到合适的地方，青蛙们又累又热。这时一只青蛙发现路边有一口井，他把头探进去看了看，井太深了，什么也看不到。。。

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Explanation Now

Meaning of Words

词语	华文解释	英文解释
炎热	意思是天气极热。 例句：现在是一年中最炎热的时期，进行长时间的户外运动很容易中暑。	very hot
干涸（hé）	指河流、池塘等干枯无水。 例句：很久没有下雨了，一些池塘已经干涸，河马和鳄鱼只能离开寻找新的水源。	dry
行囊（xíng náng）	意思是出行时所带的背包。 例句：这个流浪汉除了一个简单的行囊，几乎一无所有。	travelling bag
凉意	形容清冷的感觉。 例句：湖上微风吹来，令人感到一丝凉意。	slight chill in the air
迫不及待	意思是急迫得不能等待。形容心情急切。 例句：他迫不及待地推开门，走进屋去。	can’t wait

 

 

Story Brief

A Hard-working Bee

A hard-working bee is busy to collect nectar every day.

A eagle moved by his effort and selflessness.

Then, they became good friends.

 

勤劳的小蜜蜂

阳光下，一只小蜜蜂正辛勤地采花酿蜜。鹰在树上看了很久，终于忍不住说话了：“蜜蜂，你长得那么小，却整日辛劳，我真可怜你！”

听到鹰的感叹，蜜蜂笑了：“鹰大哥，谢谢你的关心！“鹰又说：”你这不是白忙活吗？你辛苦地采蜜，到头来却吃不了多少，最后不全都被别人拿走了吗？而且谁都不会记得你。“。。。

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Explanation Now

Meaning of Words

词语	华文解释	英文解释
辛勤	意思是勤劳而肯于吃苦。 例句：农民每日辛勤的在田间劳作，到了秋天就有满满的收获。	hard-working
酿蜜	指工蜂将采集到的花蜜转化、浓缩成蜂蜜的过程。 例句：一到春天，花园里到处飞舞着采花酿蜜的蜜蜂。	ripening nectar
白忙活	指白费力气，徒劳无益。 例句：一场暴雨打湿了我洗完晾在院子里的衣服，这一天算是白忙活了。	doing things for nothing
仰望	意思是抬头向上看。 例句：我仰望天空中闪缀的星光，默默地想着。	look up at
充实	意思是内容充足不虚，非常丰富。 例句：每天繁忙的工作让他这段时间过得很充实。	substantial; rich
自豪	是指自己感到光荣，非常有成就感。 例句：他对自己在计算机领域获得的成就感到自豪。	proud, pride
震撼	意思是指土地剧烈摇动，比喻心理受到的巨大冲击。 例句：阿波罗登月的成功震撼了全世界。	shock

 

 

Story Brief

The Angry Ass

A muleteer started on a journey with both an Ass and a Mule, both loaded. 

The ass were so angry that they had as many carried as they did, but the mule eaten twice than him.

But when the ass began to ascend the steep path of the mountain, felt his load to be more than he could bear. The muleteer took some of a small portion from the ass‘ back and added it to the mule’s back.

After a while, the muleteer saw that the ass was too tired to carry the goods, he put the entire burden upon the mule’ back.

At this time, the mule turned back to the ass and said,

“Hey, my friend, are you still angry that I eat twice as much as you ? ”

 

气愤的驴子

商人养了一头驴子和一头骡子。一天，他贩卖了些货物，想到城里去卖，就把货物平均分成两份，分别放到驴子和骡子的背上。

走了没多久就到中午了，商人停下来休息，并且给他们喂了些草料。就在这个时候，驴子意外的发现，骡子吃的草料比他多出了一倍。。。

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Explanation Now

Meaning of Words

词语	华文解释	英文解释
意外	指的是意料之外、料想不到的事件，也指突如其来的不好的事件。 例句：为了防止发生意外，水塘边建起了围栏。	unexpected; accident
呼哧(hū chī)	象声词。多形容哭声、气喘声等。 例句：等小明爬完了几百个台阶后，就已经累的呼哧呼哧的了。	sound of puffing and blowing
卸下	意思是分拆而取下，也可比喻解放了精神负担。 例句：为了方便修理水管，爸爸先卸下了洗手池。	unload; unsnatch
羞愧	对自己的过失感到内疚、后悔。 例句：他为自己的偷窃行为感到十分羞愧。	ashamed

 

 

Story Brief

The Ass in the Lion’s Skin

An ass, having put on a lion’s skin, roamed about, frightening all the silly animals he met with. Seeing a fox, he tried to alarm him also. But Reynard, having heard his voice, said, “Well, to be sure! And I should have been frightened too, if I had not heard you bray.”

They who assume a character that does not belong to them generally betray themselves.

 

披着狮皮的驴

草原上生活着一头驴子。他生性胆小，经常被其他小动物们嘲笑。可是，森林里处处都是陷阱，还有可怕的猛兽，驴子只有每天小心翼翼地生活，他经常幻想：“如果我变成一头狮子该有多好啊！那样我就是这个森林里最厉害的大王，什么也不用害怕了。

这一天，小驴子正在草地上吃草。突然，他发现前面趴着一头狮子。。。

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Explanation Now

Meaning of Words

词语	华文解释	英文解释
陷阱	用各种技巧设计的用来捕获动物的装置。 例句：那个老猎人在山脚下设置了几个陷阱，希望能抓到一些猎物。	trap
小心翼翼	形容言行举动十分谨慎，丝毫不敢疏忽大意。 例句：水流很急，我小心翼翼地伸出左脚去探那块岩石，然后踩了上去。	cautiously
幻想	意思是没有道理的想象，或无根据的看法或信念。 例句：弟弟是个太空迷，总幻想自己有一天乘坐宇宙飞船在太空遨游。	fantasy
撒腿就跑	撒腿：放开脚步；撒腿就跑，表示立刻就开始跑。 例句：小明小时候被狗咬过，所以每一次看见狗的第一反应都是撒腿就跑！	make off at once scamper
虚惊一场	指事后才知道是不必要的惊慌。 例句：我们发现小林说的蛇只是一个玩具，真是虚惊一场。	a false alarm
丢弃	指放弃，抛弃。 例句：车票被使用后，很多人就直接丢弃了。	discard
迫不及待	意思是急迫得不能等待。形容心情急切。 例句：一听到叫到自己的名字，小雨迫不及待地推开门，走进屋去。	can’t wait
趾高气扬	意思是走路时脚抬得很高，神气十足。形容得意忘形的样子。 例句：小刚在学习上刚刚取得一点儿成绩，就趾高气扬起来，让人很反感。	cocky
四处逃窜	指快速向各个方向逃跑的样子。 例句：猎犬从草丛中冲出来，追的狐狸四处逃窜。	run around
惧怕	形容对某种事物和人的恐惧与害怕。 例句：小武这个人讲话很大声，不熟悉他的人会有些惧怕他。	fear
大摇大摆	意思是指由于心态轻松或得意，走路时身子摇晃的幅度比平时大。 例句：大家等了半天，他才大摇大摆地走进礼堂，却丝毫没歉意。	to swagger
毕恭毕敬	意思是指十分地认真和尊敬，形容态度很恭敬，后来也形容十分端庄有礼。 例句：他毕恭毕敬地将书递给了老师，请求解答两个疑难问题。	reverent and respectful
灰溜溜	颜色暗淡；形容精神懊丧或消沉。 例句：他挨了一顿训斥，灰溜溜地从经理办公室走出来。	gloomy

 

 

Story Brief

The Countryman and the Snake

A countryman returning home one winter’s day found a snake by the hedge-side, half dead with cold.

Taking compassion on the creature, he laid it in his bosom and brought it home to his fireside to revive it. No sooner had the warmth restored it, than it began to attack the children of the cottage.

Upon this the countryman, whose compassion had saved its life, took up a club and laid the snake dead at his feet.

 

农夫和冻僵的蛇

一个寒冷的冬天，刚下过大雪。天气冷极了，风吹在脸上就像刀割一样。一位农夫急匆匆地赶着路，走累了，他就在路边找个地方坐下来休息。

突然，他发现身边地上有个东西，拨开雪仔细一看，竟然是一条毒蛇！它已经冻僵了。。。

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Explanation Now

Meaning of Words

词语	华文解释	英文解释
冻僵	是指由于寒冷环境而引起体温过低，导致身体僵硬的生理反应。 例句：圣诞夜里，卖火柴的小女孩一根火柴也没有卖掉，她已经快冻僵了。	be frozen
自言自语	指自己对自己说话。 例句：他想的入神了，就自言自语起来。	say to myself
嘀咕	指的是小声说，私下里说，形容人说话声音很小。 例句：老师念出了一个名字，他听到后就小声嘀咕起来。	whisper
恩将仇报	意思是拿仇恨回报所受的恩惠。指忘恩负义。 例句：东郭先生救了狼，那只狼却恩将仇报想要吃掉他。	bite the hand that feeds one
思想斗争	意思是自己脑海中的两个想法相互斗争。 例句：经过激烈的思想斗争，他终于把这件事说了出来。	fierce tussle with oneself
蠕动	意思是指爬行的昆虫，泛指像虫类爬行一样地动。 例句：他仔细一看，发现花盆里有蚯蚓在蠕动。	wriggle
察觉	意思是发觉，看出来。 例句：我已察觉出小陈神色不对。	detect; perceive; become aware of; remark
致命	意思是可使生命丧失，比喻为最厉害、最严重的结果。 例句：流感对于健康的年轻人是小病，但对于有慢性病的老人却可能是致命的。	deadly; mortal; fatal
报答	指用实际行动来表示感谢。 例句：父母总是无微不至地关心照顾我，供我上学读书，等我长大了一定要报答父母的养育之恩。	repay
本性	即天性，指固有的性质或个性。 例句：虽然阿立为了保护家人而犯了罪，但他本性并不坏。	natural instincts
怜悯（lián mǐn）	意思是同情。 例句：她看着这个乞讨的穷孩子，怜悯之心油然而生。	commiseration

 

 

Story Brief

The Stag in the Ox Stall

A hunted stag, driven out of the thicket and distracted by fear, made for the first farmhouse he saw and hid himself in an ox stall which happened to be open. As he was trying to conceal himself under the straw, “What can you mean,” said an ox, “by running into such certain destruction as to trust yourself to the haunts of man?” “Only do you not betray me,” said the stag, “and I shall be off again on the first opportunity.”

Evening came on; the herdsman foddered the cattle, but observed nothing. The other farm-servants came in and out. The stag was still safe. Presently the bailiff passed through; all seemed right. The stag, now feeling himself quite secure, began to thank the oxen for their hospitality. “Wait a while,” said one of them, “we indeed wish you well, but there is yet another person, one with a hundred eyes; if he should happen to come this way I fear your life will be still in jeopardy.”

While he was speaking, the master, having finished his supper, came round to see that all was safe for the night, for he thought that his cattle had not of late looked as well as they ought. Going up to the rack, “Why so little fodder here?” says he. “Why is there not more straw?” And “How long, I wonder, would it take to sweep down these cobwebs!” Prying and observing, here and there and everywhere, the stag’s antlers, jutting from out the straw, caught his eye, and calling in his servants he instantly made prize of him.

 

牛栏里的小鹿

有一头小鹿被猎狗追赶，他慌里慌张地逃进一个农家大院。看到院子一角有个牛栏，他连忙钻了进去。

一头好心地奶牛提醒他：“我亲爱地朋友，我地主人指使猎狗去追捕你，你却自己跑到这里来，这不是自投罗网吗？“。。。

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Explanation Now

Meaning of Words

词语	华文解释	英文解释
慌里慌张	指焦急不安或精神慌乱. 例句：一看到警察走进房间，他慌里慌张不知如何是好。	be flustered
指使	意思是指挥；支使。 例句：你为什么总是理直气壮地指使别人帮你做事。	incite
自投罗网	像鸟一样自己投到罗网里去；比喻自己送死。 例句：绑架犯没察觉这是一个圈套，很快就自投罗网被警察逮捕了。	hurl oneself willingly into the net
不以为然	然：表示是，对。不以为然指不认为是正确的。表示不同意或否定。 例句：小文对同学的批评不以为然。	object to
沾沾自喜	意思是形容自以为不错而得意的样子。 例句：有一点儿小成绩，他就沾沾自喜起来。	be pleased with oneself
心细	意思是细心，仔细。 例句：她是个心细的人，总记得朋友的生日。	careful

 

 

Story Brief

The Frog and the Ox

An ox, grazing in a swampy meadow, chanced to set his foot among a parcel of young frogs and crushed nearly the whole brood to death. One that escaped ran off to his mother with the dreadful news; “And, O mother!” said he, “it was a big four-footed beast that did it!”

“Big?” quote the old frog. “How big? Was it as big”?and she puffed herself out to a great degree?”as big as that?” “Oh!” said the little one, “a great deal bigger than that.” “Well, was it so big?” and she swelled herself out yet more.

“Indeed, mother, but it was; if you were to burst yourself, you would never reach half its size.” Provoked at such a disparagement of her powers, the old frog made one more trial, and burst herself indeed.

Men are ruined by attempting a greatness to which they have no claim.

 

牛和蛙

小青蛙们第一次走出家门，看到什么都觉得新鲜。突然一只青蛙尖叫起来：“有怪物！大家快跑！”其他青蛙回头一看，果然发现河岸上站着一个庞然大物，他们吓得四散逃走。

回到家，小青蛙们争先恐后地向妈妈描述着：“他是世界上最可怕的妖怪！”“他有一条长尾巴！”。。。

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Explanation Now

Meaning of Words

词语	华文解释	英文解释
尖叫	意思是细而高地叫声。 例句：歌星一走上舞台，前排的粉丝立刻尖叫起来。	scream
庞然大物	意思是指高大笨重的东西。 例句：这头非洲象跟其他动物相比，已经算的上庞然大物了。	huge monster
争先恐后	意思是指争着向前，唯恐落后。 例句：在学校举行的运动会上，各班同学都争先恐后 ，积极拼搏。	scramble for the first time
犄角	动物的角。 例句：很多草食动物都长有犄角，可以作为防身的武器。	horn
比画	也作“ 比划 ”。意思是用手或拿着东西做出姿势来帮助说话或代替说话。 例句：他一边给我们讲解每一个动作，一边用手比画着示范。	gestures
拨浪鼓	古老又传统的民间乐器和玩具，由一面两侧缀有两枚弹丸的带把小鼓组成，转动鼓柄弹丸击鼓可以发出声音。 例句：父亲小时候，有一个拨浪鼓的玩具。	a drum-shaped rattle

 

 

Story Brief

The Ant and the Grasshopper

On a cold frosty day an ant was dragging out some of the corn that he had laid up in summer time, to dry it. A grasshopper, half-perished with hunger, besought the ant to give him a morsel of it to preserve his life.

“What were you doing,” said the ant, “this last summer?”

“Oh,” said the grasshopper, “I was not idle. I kept singing all the summer long.”

The ant, laughing and shutting up his granary, said, “Since you could sing all summer, you may dance all winter.”

Winter finds out what summer lays by.

 

蚂蚁与蝉

炎热的夏天，蝉躲在树梢的阴凉处，悠闲地唱着歌：“知了——知了——”

树下，一群小蚂蚁正匆匆忙忙地赶着路，每人身上背着一个大包袱。蝉十分好奇，忍不住问道：“嗨！小蚂蚁，这么热的天，你们不在家里躲着，干吗在这里跑来跑去？”一只蚂蚁停下脚步。。。

Reading The Paragraphs!

Explanation Now

Meaning of Words

词语	华文解释	英文解释
炎热	意思是气候极热。 例句：今年的夏天少雨干旱，非常炎热。	burning hot
树梢	意思是树的顶端，指树的枝条上远离树干的那一端。 例句：今晚天气很好，树梢的月亮十分明亮。	treetop
悠闲	意思是悠然自在的样子。 例句：这是个美好的假期，每天他都悠闲的在湖边钓鱼。	leisure
匆匆忙忙	意思是指做事匆促忙碌。 例句：这一天下午，小文突然匆匆忙忙到宿舍来找他，并交给他一封信。	bustle up
好奇	指对自己所不了解的事物觉得新奇而感兴趣，充满新鲜感。 例句：孩子天性好奇，什么事都想知道个究竟。	curious
嘲笑	意思是取笑、开玩笑。含有讽刺、不满意等意味的笑。 例句：从他们的笑容和声调上，她也知道是在嘲笑她。	laugh at
理会	指懂得；理睬。 例句：对于祖母讲的这些话，他完全不能理会。	understand; take notice of
不屑	意思为认为不值得；形容轻蔑、轻视。 例句：看到她的水彩画，他只是不屑的看了一眼就转身离开了。	scorn
不知不觉	意思是没有意识到，没有觉察到。 例句：听到他们的谈话，小林手里的笔，不知不觉就停下来了。	unconsciously
乞讨	意思是乞求施舍或救济。 例句：洪水过后，地上找不到一粒谷子，他们只好跟着父母一起出门乞讨。	beg

 

 

Story Brief

The Ass, the Fox, and the Lion

An ass and a fox, having made a compact alliance, went out into the fields to hunt. They met a lion on the way.

The fox, seeing the danger, made up to the lion and whispered that he would betray the ass into his power if he would promise to bear him harmless. The lion agreed and the fox contrived to lead the ass into a snare.

The lion no sooner saw the ass secured than he fell at once upon the fox, reserving the other for his next meal.

 

驴子狐狸和狮子

驴子和狐狸是一对好朋友。一天，他们出去觅食，不小心遇上了狮子。饥肠辘辘的狮子立刻扑了上来，驴子受了惊吓，眨眼间就跑的无影无踪。狐狸还没反应过来，就被狮子按在地上。眼看着就要被狮子吞进肚中，狡猾的狐狸突然眉头一皱，计上心来。。。

Reading The Paragraphs!

Explanation Now

Meaning of Words

词语	华文解释	英文解释
觅(mì)食	意思是寻找食物，指动物到处搜寻食物吃。 例句：春天来了，熊妈妈第一次带着小熊从冬眠的山洞里出来，到森林里觅食。	look for food
饥肠辘辘（lù lù）	意指肚子饿得咕咕直响，形容十分饥饿。 例句：经过了几个小时的颠簸，大家终于到达了营地，每个人都饥肠辘辘的。	rumblings of an empty stomach
无影无踪	没有一点踪影。形容完全消失，不知去向。 例句：听到这个消息，他连日来的疲劳一下子消失得无影无踪。	not the least trace was found
计上心来	意思是指心里突然有了计策。 例句：正在大家这灰心绝望的时刻，他忽然灵机一动，计上心来。	an idea strikes someone
讨好	意思是指为得到好感或讨人喜欢而去迎合某人。 例句：每次爷爷来我家，大黑狗就一直围着爷爷转，讨好的要摸摸。	play up to
盘算	指对事情进行仔细而从容的反复思考、考虑。 例句：他仔细盘算了一番，还是决定去先找个工作安顿下来。	plan
甜言蜜语	意思是像蜜糖一样甜的话。比喻为了讨人喜欢或哄骗人而说好听的话。 例句：他被那个骗子的甜言蜜语给愚弄了。	honey-tongued
哆哆嗦嗦	形容因受外界刺激而身体不由自主的颤动。 例句：她又冷又饿，哆哆嗦嗦向前走。	trembling