小学英语英语故事童话故事TheRacers赛跑者.docVIP

PAGE / NUMPAGES The?Racers?赛跑者 A prize was offered - or rather two prizes, a large one and a small one - for the greatest speed shown, not in just one race, but by one who had been racing for the whole year. I won the first prize, said the Hare. Of course, one can expect justice when ones own family and good friends are members of the jury; but for the Snail to have received the second prize I consider almost an insult to me! No, assured the Fence Rail, who had been witness to the distribution of prizes. You have to consider diligence and good will. Several very worthy persons made that remark to me, and I quite agree with it. Of course, the Snail took a whole six months to cross the threshold, but he broke his thighbone in his haste, for haste it was for him. He devoted himself entirely to this race; and he even ran with his house on his back. All this is very commendable, and so he was awarded second prize. I think my claims ought to have received consideration, said the Swallow. I believe no one has shown himself swifter than I, in flight and motion. And where havent I been? Far, far away! Thats just your trouble, said the Fence Rail. You dont settle down enough. Youre always going somewhere, leaving the country when it begins to freeze here. You havent any love for your fatherland, so you cant claim any consideration in it. But suppose I slept the whole winter through on the moor, asked the Swallow, slept my whole time away. Then would I deserve to be considered? Get an affidavit from the old woman of the marsh that you slept a half year in your fatherland, and then your claims will be given consideration. I really deserved the first prize instead of the second, said the Snail. I know perfectly well that the Hare ran only because he was afraid, whenever he thought danger was near. On the other hand, I made the trial the task of my life, and I have crippled myself through my efforts. If anyone had a right to the first prize it was I; but Im no