Capa de The Rat Retired from the World

The ancients had a legend which told of a certain rat who, weary of the anxieties of this world, retired to a cheese, therein to live in peace. Profound solitude reigned around the hermit. He worked so hard with his feet and his teeth that in a few days he had a spacious dwelling and food in plenty. What more could he desire? He thrived well, growing large and fat. Blessings are showered upon those who are vowed to simplicity and renunciation!

Os antigos tinham uma lenda que falava de certo rato que, cansado das preocupações deste mundo, se retirou para dentro de um queijo, para ali viver em paz. Uma profunda solidão reinava ao redor do eremita. Ele trabalhou tanto com as patas e os dentes que, em poucos dias, já tinha uma morada espaçosa e comida em abundância. Que mais poderia desejar? Prosperou muito bem, engordando e crescendo. Bênçãos são derramadas sobre aqueles que se consagram à simplicidade e à renúncia!

One day a deputation from Rat-land waited upon him, begging that out of his abundance he would grant a slight dole towards fitting out a journey to a strange country where the rats hoped to get succour in their great war against the cat-tribe. Ratopolis was besieged, and owing to the poverty of the beleaguered republic they were forced to start with empty wallets. They asked but little, believing that in a few days help would arrive.

Certo dia, uma delegação vinda da Terra dos Ratos foi procurá-lo, implorando que, de sua abundância, concedesse uma pequena esmola para ajudar a custear uma viagem a um país estranho, onde os ratos esperavam obter socorro em sua grande guerra contra a tribo dos gatos. Ratópolis estava cercada, e, por causa da pobreza da república sitiada, foram obrigados a partir com as bolsas vazias. Pediam bem pouco, acreditando que em poucos dias o socorro chegaria.

"My friends," said the hermit, "earthly affairs no longer concern me. In what way could a poor recluse assist you? What could he do but pray for the help you need! My best hopes and wishes you may be assured of." With these words this latest among the saints shut his door.

"Meus amigos", disse o eremita, "os assuntos terrenos já não me dizem mais respeito. De que modo poderia um pobre recluso ajudá-los? O que poderia fazer senão rezar pelo socorro de que precisam! Podem ter a certeza de minhas melhores esperanças e votos." Com estas palavras, o mais recente entre os santos fechou a sua porta.

Whom have I in mind, do you think, when I speak of this rat, so sparing of his help? A monk?—Oh, no! A dervish rather, for a monk, I suppose, is at all times charitable.

Em quem estou pensando, vocês acham, quando falo desse rato, tão avarento com sua ajuda? Um monge? — Ah, não! Um dervixe, isso sim, pois um monge, suponho, é sempre caridoso.

🧠 Teste sua compreensão

  1. Where did the rat retire?

    Ver resposta

    Resposta: To inside a cheese

    The legend tells of 'a certain rat who, weary of the anxieties of this world, retired to a cheese, therein to live in peace.'

  2. How did the rat's life in the cheese turn out?

    Ver resposta

    Resposta: He thrived well, growing large and fat with plenty of food and peace

    The rat 'worked so hard with his feet and his teeth that in a few days he had a spacious dwelling and food in plenty' and 'He thrived well, growing large and fat.'

  3. What did other rats ask the hermit rat to do?

    Ver resposta

    Resposta: Help them in their war against the cat-tribe by providing supplies

    Rats 'begged that out of his abundance he would grant a slight dole towards fitting out a journey to a strange country where the rats hoped to get succour in their great war against the cat-tribe.'

  4. What did the retired rat do?

    Ver resposta

    Resposta: He refused to help, saying earthly affairs no longer concerned him

    The hermit rat said 'earthly affairs no longer concern me' and 'What could he do but pray for the help you need!' then 'shut his door.'

Gostou? Ouça a história completa e consulte qualquer palavra no app

  • Toque em qualquer palavra para ver o significado
  • Ouça cada história completa e leia offline
  • Revise vocabulário, pratique a pronúncia e faça quizzes
Disponível no Google Play