The Tortoise and the Hare
A free B1-level English story for language learners, readable online in 7 languages, with an option to listen via the free Storyteller app.
A boastful hare challenges a slow tortoise to a race — and learns a lesson about patience.
A Hare was making fun of a Tortoise one day for being so slow.
一天,一只野兔嘲笑一只乌龟走得太慢。
"Do you ever get anywhere?" he asked with a mocking laugh.
“你到底能不能走到什么地方去啊?”它带着讥讽的笑问道。
"Yes," replied the Tortoise, "and I get there sooner than you think. I will run you a race and prove it."
“能,”乌龟回答说,“而且我到达的时间会比你想象的要早。我要跟你赛一场跑,来证明这一点。”
The Hare was much amused at the idea of running a race with the Tortoise, but for the fun of the thing he agreed. So the Fox, who had been asked to be the judge, marked the distance and started the runners off.
野兔觉得跟乌龟赛跑这个主意实在太可笑了,不过为了好玩,它还是答应了。于是,被请来当裁判的狐狸量好了距离,让两位赛跑者出发了。
The Hare was soon far out of sight, and to make the Tortoise feel very deeply how ridiculous it was for him to try a race with a Hare, he lay down beside the course to take a nap until the Tortoise should catch up.
野兔很快就跑得没了影子,为了让乌龟深切体会到跟野兔赛跑是多么荒唐可笑,它就在路旁躺下打盹,等乌龟赶上来。
The Tortoise meanwhile kept going slowly but steadily, and, after a time, passed the place where the Hare was sleeping. But the Hare slept on very peacefully; and when at last he did wake up, the Tortoise was near the goal.
与此同时,乌龟不紧不慢却一直坚持向前走,过了一段时间,竟经过了野兔睡觉的地方。可野兔仍然睡得很安稳;等它终于醒来时,乌龟已经快到终点了。
The Hare now ran his swiftest, but he could not overtake the Tortoise in time.
野兔这时拼尽全力狂奔,却再也无法在终点前追上乌龟了。
Slow and steady wins the race.
稳扎稳打,才能赢得比赛。