英文幽默故事：The Iron Box

This Short Story The Iron¹ Box is quite interesting to all the people. Enjoy reading this story. 

 

Mohan Das was the son of a rich businessman. When his father died, Mohan Das was left with an iron box with valuables in it. One day, Mohan Das had to go to the city on some work. So, he took the iron box and handed it over to his moneylender friend. His name was Ramasewak. 

 

“Please keep this box. My father gave it to me. I will return from city after few days and collect it from you," said Mohan Das to Ramasewak. 

 

“You do not have to worry. I will keep this box safely," said Ramasewak. 

 

Mohan Das started off his journey happily. He knew that his valuable iron box was safe with Ramasewak. A few days later he returned. He went to his friend Ramasewak and asked for the iron box. Ramasewak pretended² to look a little surprised, “Oh, the iron box! The rats ate it up. I just could not stop them," he said. 

 

Mohan Das realized that his friend had become greedy and dishonest. Ramasewak was trying to cheat him. Being an intelligent man, he kept quite. “I must figure out a way to get my iron box back from Ramasewak," thought Mohan Das. 

 

Next day, Mohan Das went to Ramasewak and said, “Friend! Can you send your son with me? I need someone to look after my property³." 

 

Ramasewak thought for a while. He brooded⁴. “Mohan Das seems to be a fool. May be he will reward⁵ my son for looking after his property," thought Ramasewak. Then, immediately he agreed and sent his son with Mohan Das. 

 

Next morning, Mohan Das came running to Ramasewak and said, “Dear friend, a terrible thing has happened. A hawk⁶ has carried your son away." 

 

Ramasewak was furious⁷ and demanded, “How can a hawk carry off my son?" 

 

“In the same way as the rats can eat up the iron box," answered Mohan Das. 

 

“I am sorry, my friend. I realize my mistake," Ramasewak said with a bit of concern in his voice. He felt ashamed⁸ of having tried to cheat his friend. He gave the box back to his friend. Both of them were happy and remained good friends forever.  

1 iron   

n.铁，熨斗，坚强，烙铁，镣铐；vt.烫平，熨，用铁包；vi. 烫衣服

参考例句：

• The iron has lost its magnetic force.这块铁已失去了磁力。
• We need an electrician to mend the iron.我们要请电工修理熨斗。

2 pretended   

adj.假装的；徒有外表的；传说的；号称的v.假装( pretend的过去式和过去分词 )；伪装；（尤指儿童）（在游戏中）装扮；自诩

参考例句：

• He pretended that resigning was part of his long-term career strategy. 他假装辞职是他长远事业规划的一部分。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He politely pretended not to have heard this remark. 他有礼貌地假装没有听到这句话。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 property   

n.财产，所有物，所有权，性质，特性，（小）道具

参考例句：

• He has made over his property to a hospital.他已将财产转交给了一家医院。
• Oil has the property of floating on water.油有浮在水上的特性。

4 brooded   

孵蛋( brood的过去式和过去分词 )； 沉思

参考例句：

• He brooded on whether she should commIt'suicide. 他想她是不是死于自杀。
• For years he brooded vengeance. 多年来他一直在盘算报仇。

5 reward   

n.报酬，酬谢，赏金；vt.奖赏，酬谢，报应

参考例句：

• He will expect some reward after working so hard.他工作很努力，会得到报偿的。
• I didn't do it for reward;I did it for love.我做这件事不是为了报酬，而是出于爱好。

6 hawk   

n.鹰，骗子；鹰派成员

参考例句：

• The hawk swooped down on the rabbit and killed it.鹰猛地朝兔子扑下来,并把它杀死。
• The hawk snatched the chicken and flew away.老鹰叼了小鸡就飞走了。

7 furious   

adj.狂怒的，暴怒的，强烈的，激烈的

参考例句：

• I was furious at his making such an accusation.我对他的这种责备非常气愤。
• His wife was furious with him.他妻子对他大发雷霆。

8 ashamed   

adj.感到惭愧，感到害臊，因为羞耻或勉强作某事

参考例句：

• He is ashamed to show his face at the club.他不好意思在俱乐部露脸。
• You ought to be ashamed of your foolish behaviour.你应当为自己的愚蠢行为而感到羞耻。