纽约英语口语网新版
伊索寓言
第 18 课:The old man and Death 老人与死神

An old man was gathering sticks in a forest.有个老人在森林中砍了不少柴,十分吃力地挑着走了很远的路。

At last he grew very tired and hopeless. He threw down all the sticks and cried out, "I cannot bear this life any longer. Ah, I wish Death would come and take me!"一路上他累极了,实在挑不动了,便扔下柴担,叫喊起来:“这种日子我受不了了,死神啊,带我走吧。”

As he spoke, Death appeared, and said to him, "What would you do, old man? I heard you call me." 这时,死神来了,对他说:“老头,你想做什么,我听见你叫我?”

"Please, sir," replied the old man, "would you help me lift this bundle of sticks up to my shoulder?" “先生,”老人说,“您能帮忙将那担子放在我的肩上吗?”

寓意: 即使生活不幸,人们仍需爱惜生命。