许国璋英语听力第二册 Lesson 2

　　Lesson 2
Word to the Text
touch
Greece
king
Midas
gold
world
punish
overenjoyed
turn to
delighted
rose
pick
happen
milk
immediately
piece
a piece of
unhappy
hungry
drink
fond
be fond of
kiss
tenderly¹
then and there
statue
feel
tear
beg
pretty
happiness
Word to the Dialogue
bed time
fetch
boil
boiled
plenty of
ferrous
bottle
thanks
thirsty
just now
steam
fault
wonder
no wonder
icebox
box
ring
Text
The Golden² Touch
Long long ago, there lived in Greece a king whose name was Midas. He was a great man and loved gold better than anything else in the world.
One day, he asked the God to give him still more gold. The God decided³ to punish him and said, "Very well. In the morning everything that you touch will become gold." Midas was overenjoyed when he heard this. "I shall be the richest man in the world." he said to himself. He got up early the next morning. When he touched his bed, it turned to gold. He began to dress, and his clothes became gold. Midas was delighted.
Midas loved flowers and kept a beautiful garden. He went in to the garden to look his flowers.The day was fine! The sun was bright! And the roses were lovely! The king picked one of them, but it turned to gold in his hand. He picked another and the same thing happened. He was sorry that the flowers changed as soon as he touched them for he loved their rich colors. The king went to have his breakfast. He took a cup of milk, but it immediately turned to gold. Then he took a piece of bread and that also changed into gold. Midas now began to feel unhappy. It was good to be the richest man in the world but he was hungry and he could not eat or drink gold.
Midas went out into the garden again. His little daughter was there. When she saw her father, she ran up to him. King Midas was very fond of his daughter and he kissed her tenderly. Then and there she turned to a golden statue.
Midas was now very unhappy. He went into his palace. His eyes filled with tears and he begged the God to take away the golden touch. "I was very foolish to love gold so much." he said, " Take all my gold and give me back my daughter." "Go." said the God, "and wash your hands in the river near your garden. And the water will take away the golden touch."
Midas went to the river and washed his hands. Then he ran quickly to the golden statue of his little girl. He kissed her again and she changed back into his pretty little daughter.
Midas never forgot this lesson. He knew now that gold didnot bring happiness.
Dialogue
Bed Time
It's nearly time to go to bed. What are you going out for, comrade⁴?
I am going to fetch some boiled water.
Why? There is still plenty in this ferrous bottle here.
Is there? Thanks. I was a bit thirsty, just now.
By the way, is the steam on? I feel rather cold.
Oh, it's my fault. I forgot to turn it on when I came in.
No wonder, the room is like a icebox.
How much is there before the bell? Is there enough time to wash a few things?
The bell will ring in a minute. Oh. There it goes. Time for bed, everybody. I will turn the lights off.

1 tenderly   

adv.温柔地，亲切地

参考例句：

• She tidied her hair and looked at him tenderly.她梳了梳头发，温柔地看着他。
• The old lady tenderly cherished her dog.老妇人十分爱她的狗。

2 golden   

adj.金的，含金的，可贵的，金色的，贵重的，繁盛的

参考例句：

• My teacher is an Englishman with golden hair.我的老师是一个金黄色头发的英国人。
• It's a balmy evening,the golden time for lovers.这是一个暖和的夜晚，是恋人们的黄金时光。

3 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。

4 comrade   

n.同志，同事，同伴，朋友

参考例句：

• We can't remain indifferent when any comrade is in difficulty.同志们有困难我们不能不闻不问。
• Whenever a comrade needs help,he is ready to give it.但凡同志们有困难，他没有不热情帮助的。