【儿童英文读物】The Tale of Major Monkey.docx

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1、【儿童英文读物】The Tale of Major MonkeyI Strange Whispers The wild folk in Pleasant Valley were whispering strange stories to one another. If the stories were true, they were most amazing. And if they were merely made up to cause talk, certainly they succeeded. Perhaps if somebody less tricky than Peter Mi

2、nk and Tommy Fox had started these odd tales, the rest of the wild folk might have been quicker to believe them. Anyhow, the news offered the best of excuses for gossip. And many of the field- and forest-people repeated it so often that they almost began to believe it themselves. All but old Mr. Cro

3、w. He declared stoutly that the whole thing was nothing but a hoax. You cant fool me! he told people. But when they said that they had no intention of trying to, he had to change his statement. I meanhe explainedI mean that neither Tommy Fox nor Peter Mink can fool me. They cant make me believe that

4、 theyve seen anybody hanging by his tail in a tree-top. Why not? asked Mr. Crows cousin, Jasper Jay. Becaws said Mr. Crow. And then he corrected himself once more. Because, he replied, no possum ever came so far North as this. Ive spent a good many winters in the South, and I ought to know. And besi

5、des, he added, although a possum can hang by his tail, there never was one that could throw a stick or a stone. And I ought to know, for Ive spent a good many winters in the South, where the possums live. Everybody had to admit that old Mr. Crow must know what he was talking about. And people began

6、to feel rather foolish when they realized how near they had been to letting those two rascalsPeter Mink and Tommy Foxdeceive them. As for old Mr. Crow, having persuaded his neighbors to his way of thinking, he began to be more pleased with himself than ever. And he spent a good deal of time sitting

7、in a tall tree near the cornfield, with his head on one side, hoping that his friends would notice how wise he looked. He was engaged in that agreeable pastime one afternoon whenthump!something struck the limb on which he was perched. Mr. Crow gave a squawk and a jump. And then he glanced quickly to

8、ward the ground. There was no one anywhere in sight. So Mr. Crow looked somewhat silly. For a moment he had thought that Johnnie Green had thrown something at him. But he saw at once that he was mistaken. Of course it could have been nothing more than a dead branch falling. He settled himself again,

9、 trying to appear as if he hadnt been startled, whenplump!something gave him a smart blow on his back. Old Mr. Crow flopped hastily into a neighboring tree. And this time he looked up instead of down. At first he could see nothing unusual. And he had almost made up his mind that something had fallen

10、 out of the sky, when a head showed itself from behind a limb and a queer, wrinkled face peered at him. Mr. Crow did not recognize the face. It was an odd one. In fact, he thought he had never seen an odder. But if he thought the face a queer one, it was not half as peculiar as the strangers actions

11、. For, as Mr. Crow watched him, the stranger slipped into full view, hanging by his tail and one hand from a limb, while with the other hand he waved a red cap. Old Mr. Crows mouth fell open. For a time he said never a word. And for him, that was quite out of the ordinary. II No Possum At first old

12、Mr. Crow could scarcely believe his eyes. He stared and stared. Certainly it was no possum that he saw. And yet the stranger was hanging by his tail. There could be no doubt about that. Even as Mr. Crow watched him he waved both hands at Mr. Crow, and swung by his tail alone. The old gentleman was t

13、erribly upset. During all the summers he had spent in Pleasant Valley he had never seen any such person there before. For a moment Mr. Crow was worried about himself. He wondered if he was not ill. He knew he had eaten a good deal of corn that day. And he half hoped that that was the troublethat per

14、haps he saw something that wasnt really in the tree at all. Then he remembered the blow on his back. Had the queer person in the tree-top struck him?. Mr. Crow grew angry. Did you hit me? he called. Im not sure, said the stranger. But I think I did, for I saw you jump. Then you threw something at me

15、! Mr. Crow screamed. Oh, no! the other replied. I didnt throw anything at you, sir. I merely dropped something on your back. Mr. Crow choked. Perhaps it was as well that he could not speak just then. He coughed and spluttered and swallowed and swayed back and forth, trying to get his breath. And he

16、had begun, at last to feel better, whenbiff!something struck him again and all but knocked him over. The stranger gave a shrill whistle. I threw something that time! he jeered. Old Mr. Crow felt that he had been terribly insulted. He looked as dignified as he could. And he would have turned his back

17、 on the strangerhad he dared. While he was wondering whether he had better fly away, or stay and quarrel with the rude person who had pelted him, the boorish stranger leaped from the tall tree into the smaller one where Mr. Crow was sitting. Then, dropping nimbly from limb to limb, with the help of

18、his hands and his feet and his tail, he stopped at last when he had reached Mr. Crows level. One thing was certain. The stranger was bold as brass. He looked Mr. Crow up and down. And then he said: Youre a gay old bird! Whats your name? Now, no doubt some people would have been angry. But Mr. Crow r

19、ather liked to be called gay, because he couldnt help looking solemn. And most people knew he was very old. And everybody was aware he was a bird. So he said hoarsely: My name is Mister Crowand please dont forget the Mister. The stranger put on his flat-topped red cap and touched the visor smartly w

20、ith his right hand, in a military manner. Old Mr. Crow couldnt help admiring the newcomers clothes. He wore a red coat trimmed with gold braid, and bright blue trousers. Thats a handsome suit that you have on, Mr. Crow observed. I shouldnt mind having one like it myself. The stranger seemed pleased.

21、 And he touched his cap again. Im afraid you cant have a suit like this, he said. Its a uniformthats what it is. And, of course, a plain Mister like you cant wear a uniform. But I wear one because Im a soldier. Old Mr. Crow was disappointed. But he soon brightened up. Though he wasnt a soldier himse

22、lf, at least it was pleasant to know one. So he decided to forget that he had been angry with the stranger. Whats your name? he asked. Major Monkey, said the newcomer, knocking off his cap with one hand and catching it with the other as it fell. When you speak to me, please dont forget the Major, he

23、 added.III Getting Acquainted Major Monkey and old Mr. Crow had a long talk. They got on famously together, because the old gentleman liked to pry into other peoples affairs and the Major loved to talk about himself. In reply to Mr. Crows questions, Major Monkey explained that he was a great travell

24、er. And having found himself in the village a few miles away, he had taken a notion to see the surrounding country. This is a delightful spot, the Major remarked. And if your neighbors are half as pleasant as you are, I think Ill stay right here for the present. Naturally, old Mr. Crow was flattered

25、. He couldnt remember when anybody had said he was pleasant. I hope you will settle in Pleasant Valley, he told Major Monkey. As for the neighborswell, youll find them a queer lot, mostly. Whats the matter with them? the Major asked him. Thereupon old Mr. Crow shook his head. Theyre not at all like

26、me, he replied slowly. Of course, theres my cousin, Jasper Jay. Hes not a bad sortexcept that hes rude, noisy, and a good deal of a rascal. But the otherswell, most of them are too greedy. If I didnt watch this cornfield closely some of them wouldnt care if they didnt leave a single kernel for anybo

27、dy else. Do you like corn? the Major inquired. Mr. Crow swallowed once or twice before answering. I can eat it, he said finally. It keeps one alive, you know. But if youve never had any, I advise you not to touch it. Major Monkey thanked him. Dont mention it! said Mr. Crow. Im delighted to be of hel

28、p to a stranger. And if there is anything else I can do, dont hesitate to call on me. Major Monkey thanked him again. And then he said: Id like to get acquainted with all the neighborssuch as they are. And I would suggest that you give a party and invite me and a lot of people to come to it, so I ca

29、n meet them. Old Mr. Crow bit his tongue. It struck him that Major Monkey was just the least bit too forward. What about refreshments? Mr. Crow asked him. Its easy to see that you dont know the neighbors. I can tell you that they have enormous appetitesevery one of them. Oh! thats easily arranged, s

30、aid Major Monkey. Tell everybody to be sure to have his refreshments before he comes to the party. A good idea! Mr. Crow exclaimed. With that difficulty removed he was willing to give a party, for he quite liked the prospect of introducing everybody to his old friend, Major Monkey. Youre sure you do

31、nt know anybody in this valley except me? Mr. Crow asked. He didnt want to divide with anyone else the honor of being a friend of anybody so imposing as the Major. I havent spoken to a soul but you, Major Monkey assured him. Mr. Crow said he was glad of that. And then he asked the Major to keep out

32、of sight until the time came for the party to begin. At first Major Monkey objected. And not until Mr. Crow promised to have the party that very dayan hour before sunsetdid he consent to hide himself. Wheres a good place? he asked Mr. Crow. That tree is hollow, said Mr. Crow, pointing to the one in

33、which he had first seen the Major. Just slip inside that hole there, about half way up the trunk, and dont come out till I call you! Major Monkey scrambled back into the tall tree. And Mr. Crow watched him narrowly until he was out of sight. Indeed, the old gentleman even continued to stare at the h

34、ole after his friend had vanished inside it.IV WantedA Lodging Afterward old Mr. Crow had to admit that he must have been forgetful. He had told Major Monkey to hide inside the hollow tree. And being a total stranger in the neighborhood, of course the Major didnt know that an owl lived there. So he

35、entered the dark hole boldly. And soon he came dashing out of it much faster than he had gone in, shrieking at the top of his voice. Old Mr. Crow was poised on a branch, as if he were waiting for something. And he almost smiled as he looked at the Major and saw that he was shaking. The poor fellows

36、teeth were chattering, too. Whats the matter? Mr. Crow called to him. Therestheres a Tiger inside this tree! Major Monkey stammered. I know its a Tiger, for I saw his eyes. Nonsense! Mr. Crow exclaimed. And he burst into a loud haw-haw. Its nothing but an old Owl. I forgot all about him. A fine sold

37、ier you areafraid of an old Owl! Major Monkey straightened his cap and looked as soldierly as he could. Youre mistaken, in a way, he told Mr. Crow. I admit I was afraid. I was afraid I had frightened him, waking him up so suddenly. So I retreated. Old Mr. Crow stopped laughing and looked very though

38、tful. It occurred to him that Major Monkey was a somewhat slippery person. Certainly he could slip out of a hole about as easily as anybody Mr. Crow knew. Youll have to find some other place for me to hide, the Major announced. I dont want to stay in this tree all day, for I shouldnt like to disturb

39、 a gentlemans rest. Mr. Crow pondered for a few moments. You see that old haystack? he said at last, pointing across the fields. Go and burrow under that. And be back here exactly an hour before sunset. Major Monkey saluted. That suits me, he said. And then he turned and scurried down to the ground,

40、 leaped quickly upon the fence, and galloped off along the topmost rails. Mr. Crow spent a very busy day inviting everybody to his party, to meet his old friend, Major Monkey.Hes a famous soldier, Mr. Crow explained, when people asked him questions. And I hope youll all wear your best clothes, becau

41、se the Major himself is very handsomely dressed. Theres gold braid on his coat, and on his cap, too. The old gentleman talked so much about the Majors uniform that a good many of the neighbors thought that Mr. Crow ought to postpone his party for a few days, until they could get Mr. Frog, the tailor

42、, to make them some new clothes. But Mr. Crow wouldnt listen to them. No! he said. We mustnt wait. My friend the Major is a great traveller. Theres no knowing when he will take it into his head to move on. And if you want to meet him theres no time like the present. Well, people were so busy getting

43、 ready for the party that there was a great flurry everywhere all day longexcept at the haystack, where Major Monkey was hiding. And even he did not have so dull a time as you might suppose. Luckily, he had discovered a lone apple tree near-by. And being fond of fruit he crept out of the haystack ev

44、ery few minutes and gathered apples. What he could eat, he ate greedily. And what he couldnt he hid under the stack. And on the whole, he had rather a pleasant time. V Meeting Major Monkey Everybody was prompt when the hour came for Mr. Crows party. In fact, everybody was ahead of time. Old Mr. Crow

45、 had talked so much about his old friend Major Monkey and the Majors gold-braided uniform that people simply couldnt wait to see the stranger and his fine clothes. There was just one difficulty: the Major himself was not on hand. Old Mr. Crow began to be terribly worried. But he tried not to let any

46、body know that he was disturbed. Hell be here soon, he said when people asked him where Major Monkey was. Ive never known my friend the Major to break an engagement. Hes a bit latethats all. I only hope he isnt lost. You know hes a stranger in these parts. Now, Mr. Crow was sitting in a tree, gazing

47、 toward the haystack in the distance, where he had told the Major to hide. And he had hardly finished speaking when a big red apple struck the tree just above his head with a loud smack and broke into bits. Mr. Crow jumped. And so did everybody else. But before the party had time to scatter, Major Monkey peeped from behind a neighboring tree and uttered a piercing whistle. Dont go, friends! Mr. Crow cried to his companions. Here he is now! Heres Major Monkey himself. Thats only one of his jokes, he added, for he no