The Mice In Council
Once upon a time all the Mice met together in Council, and discussed the best means of securing themselves against the attacks of the cat. After several suggestions had been debated, a Mouse of some standing and experience got up and said, "I think I have hit upon a plan which will ensure our safety in the future, provided you approve and carry it out. It is that we should fasten a bell round the neck of our enemy the cat, which will by its tinkling warn us of her approach." This proposal was warmly applauded, and it had been already decided to adopt it, when an old Mouse got upon his feet and said, "I agree with you all that the plan before us is an admirable one: but may I ask who is going to bell the cat?"
词汇
council n. 市议会,委员会
means n. 方式
secure ... against ... 保护......免受......
standing n. 地位
hit upon/ on sth. 突然想到好主意
provided conj. 假如,如果=if
fasten a bell 系铃铛
enemy n. 敌人
tinkle v. 发出叮当声
approach n. 接近,靠近
proposal n. 提议
applaud v. 鼓掌,赞许
adopt v. 采纳,收养
get upon one's feet 站起身来
admirable adj. 令人钦佩的,令人羡慕的
bell n. 铃铛(用作动词,表示系铃铛)
翻译
老鼠开会
曾经,所有的老鼠聚在一起开会,讨论保护自己免受猫攻击的最佳方法。讨论完几条建议,一只有一定地位和经验的老鼠站起来说:“我想我想出了一个方案,只要你同意并执行,就能保证我们以后的安全。就是我们应该在我们的敌人猫的脖子上系一个铃铛,它会通过叮当声警告我们她的到来。” 这个提议受到了热烈的掌声,并且已然决定采纳,就在这时,一只老老鼠站起来说:“我同意你们所有人的看法,我们面前的计划是一个令人钦佩的计划:但我可以问一下谁去给猫系铃挡呢?”
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