One day an old, old lion realized that he was too old to hunt for food.
The lion was sure he would soon die.
He was very sad and went home.
As he walked slowly home, the lion told a bird about his sad situation.
Soon everyone in the forest heard about the lion's sad situation.
The other animals all felt sorry for the lion.
So one by one they came to visit the lion.
The lion was old and weak, but very wise.
As each animal came into his home, they were easy to catch and eat.
Soon the old lion became happy and fat.
One day, early in the morning, the fox came.
The fox was very wise, too.
He slowly came close to the lion's home.
Standing outside, he asked if the lion was feeling better.
"Hello, my best friend," said the lion.
"Is it you? I can't see you very well. You're so far away.
Come closer, please, and tell me some kind words because I am old, and will die soon."
While the lion was talking, the fox was looking closely at the ground in front of the lion's home.
Finally the fox looked up, and said to the lion, "I am sorry, but I must go.
I am very nervous because I see the footsteps of many animals going into your home, but I see none coming out again!"
He is wise who is warned by the misfortunes of others.
能借鉴别人不幸经历的人是明智的。
KEY WORDS
realize v. 意识到
hunt v. 捕猎;猎取
sure adj. 对……有把握的;确信的
die v. 死亡
slowly adv. 慢慢地;缓慢地
situation n. 情形;境遇
feel sorry 感到难过
(feel-felt-felt)
one by one 一个接一个地
visit v. 拜访
weak adj. 虚弱的;无力的
wise adj. 狡猾的;聪明的
fat adj. 肥;胖的
early adv. 早
outside adv. 在外面
if conj. 是否
feel better 感觉好些了
far (away) 远
while conj. 当……的时候
closely adv. 仔细地
ground n. 地面;土地
in front of 在……的前面
look up 抬头望
nervous adj. 紧张的
footstep n. 脚印
none pron. 没有一个
warn v. 警告
misfortune n. 不幸;灾祸
One Point Lesson
He was too old to hunt for food.
他已经老得不能捕食猎物了。
too... to :太……而不能……
e.g. I'm too busy to play with my baby sister.
我太忙了,不能和我的小妹妹一起玩。
He asked if the lion was feeling better.
他问狮子是否感觉好些了。
if :是否
e.g. He wants to know if she loves him.
他想知道她是否爱他。
My mother asks me every day if I finished my homework.
我妈妈每天都问我,是否做完作业了。