100个儿童英语小故事: The Flax 亚麻

 

052 The Flax

A long time ago, there was a flower called 'Flax'. " I am so happy. No one is happier than me in the world."

A leaf of grass said to the Flax. "You don't know anything about the world. Do you know how painful it is to live here?" "That's not true! I've never seen more beautiful flowers than me. I am so happy now."

One day, people came and pulled up the Flax's stem¹. It hurt her badly, but she thought to herself, 'One good day, one bad day. It's okay. Just be brave!' But the people put her in water and broke her.

"Well, that's all right. I used to be happy. I can get over this little pain.'" After tolerating² all the pain, she became great linen³. "I am lucky! I became very beautiful because I endured⁴ the suffering. I am so happy."

A few days later, the linen was cut with scissors and pricked⁵ by needles. However, the linen endured the pain. After the pain, she became a great suit of clothes.

"Look at me! I am a great suit of clothes. Finally I became a useful thing." A few years later, she was almost worn-out.

She had to suffer the pain of being torn into pieces. Then, the Flax became a fine and white piece of paper. 'People write letters on my body. I am so lucky.' Next, she happened to be sent to a printing shop, and then, she was published as hundreds of books. 'I am going to live my life with everybody's respect and attention. I am very happy.'

After a while, she was thrown away into a bathtub. 'After hard work all day long, I should take a rest. Maybe I will be sent to a better place in the future like the way I have been in the past.'

One day, the paper was put into a fireplace⁶. 'Ouch! This is too hot! But I have to put up with this for more happy days.' The Flax lived with a joyful⁷ and appreciating attitude towards her life.

1 stem   

n.茎，干，船首，词干，血统；vt.堵住，阻止，抽去梗；vi.起源于，发生

参考例句：

• Cut the stem cleanly,just beneath a leaf joint.把茎切整齐点，正好切在叶根下。
• The ship was in a blaze from stem to stern.整艘船从头到尾都着火了。

2 tolerating   

v.容许( tolerate的现在分词 )；承认；忍受；容忍（不同意或不喜欢的事物）

参考例句：

• 'shao-Shao is tolerating the banding very well, "he said. “笑笑现在扎上绷带，一切正常，”他说。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The Sun Ray decision follows the federal pattern of tolerating broad delegations but insisting on safeguards. “阳光”案的判决仿效联邦容许广泛授权的做法，但又坚持保护措施。 来自英汉非文学 - 行政法

3 linen   

n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的

参考例句：

• The worker is starching the linen.这名工人正在给亚麻布上浆。
• Fine linen and cotton fabrics were known as well as wool.精细的亚麻织品和棉织品像羊毛一样闻名遐迩。

4 endured   

adj.吃苦耐劳的v.（长时间地）忍受，忍耐，容忍( endure的过去式和过去分词 )；持续，持久，坚持下去

参考例句：

• She endured her long illness with stoicism. 她默默忍受长期的病痛。
• He could not possibly have endured a whipping without a whimper. 他不可能一声不吭地忍受鞭打。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 pricked   

刺，扎，戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 )； 刺伤； 刺痛； 使剧痛

参考例句：

• The cook pricked a few holes in the pastry. 厨师在馅饼上戳了几个洞。
• He was pricked by his conscience. 他受到良心的谴责。

6 fireplace   

n.壁炉，炉灶

参考例句：

• The fireplace smokes badly.这壁炉冒烟太多。
• I think we should wall up the fireplace.我想应该封住壁炉。

7 joyful   

adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的

参考例句：

• She was joyful of her good result of the scientific experiments.她为自己的科学实验取得好成果而高兴。
• They were singing and dancing to celebrate this joyful occasion.他们唱着、跳着庆祝这令人欢乐的时刻。