英文短故事：The Donkey Who Would Sing

A wild donkey once lived in the woods. He had no friends and lived all alone. 

 

One day a jackal passing by saw the donkey. He went up to the donkey and said, “What is the matter? Why do you look so sad my dear fellow?" 

 

The donkey turned to the jackal and said, “I have no friends and am very lonely." 

 

“Well, don't worry. I will be your friend from today," the jackal comforted him. 

 

From that day, the donkey and jackal became very good friends. They were always seen together. 

 

One moonlit evening, the jackal and the donkey were strolling through the woods. It was a cool and pleasant evening. As they walked on, they came to the outskirts¹ of a village bordering the woods. There in front of them was a grove² of fruit trees. 

 

“Ah. Look! How wonderful and delicious the fruits look," said the donkey. “Let’s eat some of them." 

 

“Okay," said the jackal. “But let’s do it very quietly." 

 

They entered the grove and silently started to eat the fruits. After eating enough, they lay under a tree happy and content. “That was delicious, but there is something missing tonight," said the donkey. 

 

“What is that?" asked the jackal. “Why, music of course," answered the donkey, looking a little surprised. 

 

The jackal asked, “Where are we going to get music from?" The donkey said. “Don’t you know that I am an accomplished³ singer?" 

 

The jackal was alarmed. "Remember, we are in an orchard⁴. If the farmer hears us, we will be in trouble. If you want to sing let us go away from here," he advised the donkey. 

 

"You think I can't sing, don't you?" asked the donkey in a hurt voice. 

 

“Wait till you hear me." 

 

The jackal realised that the donkey was not willing to take his good advice. He moved away and hid himself behind a clump⁵ of trees. The donkey threw back his head and started his song. “He …haw, hee-haw," he brayed⁶ aloud. 

 

The farmers hearing the loud braying⁷ came rushing with sticks and gave the foolish donkey a severe beating that left the donkey feeling sore all over. 

 

After the farmers had left, the jackal went over to his friend. He said. “Is this the prize you won for your singing?" 

 

“They don’t appreciate good music," replied a hurt and ashamed donkey. 

 

The jackal replied. “This is what happens when you don’t listen to the advice given by a good friend. I hope you have learnt a lesson." 

1 outskirts   

n.郊外，郊区

参考例句：

• Our car broke down on the outskirts of the city.我们的汽车在市郊出了故障。
• They mostly live on the outskirts of a town.他们大多住在近郊。

2 grove   

n.林子，小树林，园林

参考例句：

• On top of the hill was a grove of tall trees.山顶上一片高大的树林。
• The scent of lemons filled the grove.柠檬香味充满了小树林。

3 accomplished   

adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的

参考例句：

• Thanks to your help,we accomplished the task ahead of schedule.亏得你们帮忙,我们才提前完成了任务。
• Removal of excess heat is accomplished by means of a radiator.通过散热器完成多余热量的排出。

4 orchard   

n.果园，果园里的全部果树，(美俚)棒球场

参考例句：

• My orchard is bearing well this year.今年我的果园果实累累。
• Each bamboo house was surrounded by a thriving orchard.每座竹楼周围都是茂密的果园。

5 clump   

n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走

参考例句：

• A stream meandered gently through a clump of trees.一条小溪从树丛中蜿蜒穿过。
• It was as if he had hacked with his thick boots at a clump of bluebells.仿佛他用自己的厚靴子无情地践踏了一丛野风信子。

6 brayed   

v.发出驴叫似的声音( bray的过去式和过去分词 )；发嘟嘟声；粗声粗气地讲话（或大笑）；猛击

参考例句：

• He brayed with laughter. 他刺耳地大笑。
• His donkey threw up his head and brayed loudly. 他的驴扬起头大声叫。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 braying   

v.发出驴叫似的声音( bray的现在分词 )；发嘟嘟声；粗声粗气地讲话（或大笑）；猛击

参考例句：

• A donkey was braying on the hill behind the house. 房子后面的山上传来驴叫声。 来自互联网
• What's the use of her braying out such words? 她粗声粗气地说这种话有什么用呢？ 来自互联网