【英文原文】

  "And what, pray, is your idea of the duties of a devoted friend?" asked a Green Linnet, who was sitting in a willow-tree hard by, and had overheard the conversation.

  "Yes, that is just what I want to know," said the Duck; and she swam away to the end of the pond, and stood upon her head, in order to give her children a good example.

  "What a silly question!" cried the Water-rat. "I should expect my devoted friend to be devoted to me, of course."

  "And what would you do in return?" said the little bird, swinging upon a silver spray, and flapping his tiny wings.

  "I don't understand you," answered the Water-rat.

  "Let me tell you a story on the subject," said the Linnet.

  "Is the story about me?" asked the Water-rat. "If so, I will listen to it, for I am extremely fond of fiction."

  "It is applicable to you," answered the Linnet; and he flew down, and alighting upon the bank, he told the story of The Devoted Friend.

 

 

【词汇简析】

linnet n. 梅花雀

willow n. 柳树

applicable adj. 适合的，可用于的

alight v. 飞落