Сказка Лист с небес - A Leaf from Heaven [ Hans Christian Andersen ]

High up in the clear, pure air flew an angel, with a flower plucked from the garden of heaven. As he was kissing the flower a very little leaf fell from it and sunk down into the soft earth in the middle of a wood. It immediately took root, sprouted, and sent out shoots among the other plants. “What a ridiculous little shoot!” said one. “No one will recognize it; not even the thistle nor the stinging-nettle.” “It must be a kind of garden plant,” said another; and so they sneered and despised the plant as a thing from a garden. “Where are you coming?” said the tall thistles whose leaves were all armed with thorns. “It is stupid nonsense to allow yourself to shoot out in this way; we are not here to support you.” Winter came, and the plant was covered with snow, but the snow glittered over it as if it had sunshine beneath as well as above. When spring came, the plant appeared in full bloom: a more beautiful object than any other plant in the forest. And now the professor of botany presented himself, one who could explain his knowledge in black and white. He examined and tested the plant, but it did not belong to his system of botany, nor could he possibly find out to what class it did belong. “It must be some degenerate species,” said he; “I do not know it, and it is not mentioned in any system.” “Not known in any system!” repeated the thistles and the nettles. The large trees which grew round it saw the plant and heard the remarks, but they said not a word either good or bad, which is the wisest plan for those who are ignorant. There passed through the forest a poor innocent girl; her heart was pure, and her understanding increased by her faith. Her chief inheritance had been an old Bible, which she read and valued. From its pages she heard the voice of God speaking to her, and telling her to remember what was said of Joseph’s brethren when persons wished to injure her. “They imagined evil in their hearts, but God turned it to good.” If we suffer wrongfully, if we are misunderstood or despised, we must think of Him who was pure and holy, and who prayed for those who nailed Him to the cross, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.” The girl stood still before the wonderful plant, for the green leaves exhaled a sweet and refreshing fragrance, and the flowers glittered and sparkled in the sunshine like colored flames, and the harmony of sweet sounds lingered round them as if each concealed within itself a deep fount of melody, which thousands of years could not exhaust. With pious gratitude the girl looked upon this glorious work of God, and bent down over one of the branches, that she might examine the flower and inhale the sweet perfume. Then a light broke in on her mind, and her heart expanded. Gladly would she have plucked a flower, but she could not overcome her reluctance to break one off. She knew it would so soon fade; so she took only a single green leaf, carried it home, and laid it in her Bible, where it remained ever green, fresh, and unfading. Between the pages of the Bible it still lay when, a few weeks afterwards, that Bible was laid under the young girl’s head in her coffin. A holy calm rested on her face, as if the earthly remains bore the impress of the truth that she now stood in the presence of God. In the forest the wonderful plant still continued to bloom till it grew and became almost a tree, and all the birds of passage bowed themselves before it. “That plant is a foreigner, no doubt,” said the thistles and the burdocks. “We can never conduct ourselves like that in this country.” And the black forest snails actually spat at the flower. Then came the swineherd; he was collecting thistles and shrubs to burn them for the ashes. He pulled up the wonderful plant, roots and all, and placed it in his bundle. “This will be as useful as any,” he said; so the plant was carried away. Not long after, the king of the country suffered from the deepest melancholy. He was diligent and industrious, but employment did him no good. They read deep and learned books to him, and then the lightest and most trifling that could be found, but all to no purpose. Then they applied for advice to one of the wise men of the world, and he sent them a message to say that there was one remedy which would relieve and cure him, and that it was a plant of heavenly origin which grew in the forest in the king’s own dominions. The messenger described the flower so that is appearance could not be mistaken. Then said the swineherd, “I am afraid I carried this plant away from the forest in my bundle, and it has been burnt to ashes long ago. But I did not know any better.” “You did not know, any better! Ignorance upon ignorance indeed!” The poor swineherd took these words to heart, for they were addressed to him; he knew not that there were others who were equally ignorant. Not even a leaf of the plant could be found. There was one, but it lay in the coffin of the dead; no one knew anything about it. Then the king, in his melancholy, wandered out to the spot in the wood. “Here is where the plant stood,” he said; “it is a sacred place.” Then he ordered that the place should be surrounded with a golden railing, and a sentry stationed near it. The botanical professor wrote a long treatise about the heavenly plant, and for this he was loaded with gold, which improved the position of himself and his family. And this part is really the most pleasant part of the story. For the plant had disappeared, and the king remained as melancholy and sad as ever, but the sentry said he had always been so.

Смотреть далее | 27.04.2014 | Отправить ссылку друзьям

Сказка Человек с характером - A Cheerful Temper [ Hans Christian Andersen ]

Сказка на английском языке A Cheerful Temper - Человек с характером Ганс Христиан Андерсен (Hans Christian Andersen) From my father I received the best inheritance, namely a “good temper.” “And who was my father?” That has nothing to do with the good temper; but I will say he was lively, good-looking round, and fat; he was both in appearance and character a complete contradiction to his profession. “And pray what was his profession and his standing in respectable society?” Well, perhaps, if in the beginning of a book these were written and printed, many, when they read it, would lay the book down and say, “It seems to me a very miserable title, I don’t like things of this sort.” And yet my father was not a skin-dresser nor an executioner; on the contrary, his employment placed him at the head of the grandest people of the town, and it was his place by right. He had to precede the bishop, and even the princes of the blood; he always went first,—he was a hearse driver! There, now, the truth is out. And I will own, that when people saw my father perched up in front of the omnibus of death, dressed in his long, wide, black cloak, and his black-edged, three-cornered hat on his head, and then glanced at his round, jocund face, round as the sun, they could not think much of sorrow or the grave. That face said, “It is nothing, it will all end better than people think.” So I have inherited from him, not only my good temper, but a habit of going often to the churchyard, which is good, when done in a proper humor; and then also I take in the Intelligencer, just as he used to do. I am not very young, I have neither wife nor children, nor a library, but, as I said, I read the Intelligencer, which is enough for me; it is to me a delightful paper, and so it was to my father. It is of great use, for it contains all that a man requires to know; the names of the preachers at the church, and the new books which are published; where houses, servants, clothes, and provisions may be obtained. And then what a number of subscriptions to charities, and what innocent verses! Persons seeking interviews and engagements, all so plainly and naturally stated. Certainly, a man who takes in the Intelligencer may live merrily and be buried contentedly, and by the end of his life will have such a capital stock of paper that he can lie on a soft bed of it, unless he prefers wood shavings for his resting-place. The newspaper and the churchyard were always exciting objects to me. My walks to the latter were like bathing-places to my good humor. Every one can read the newspaper for himself, but come with me to the churchyard while the sun shines and the trees are green, and let us wander among the graves. Each of them is like a closed book, with the back uppermost, on which we can read the title of what the book contains, but nothing more. I had a great deal of information from my father, and I have noticed a great deal myself. I keep it in my diary, in which I write for my own use and pleasure a history of all who lie here, and a few more beside. Now we are in the churchyard. Here, behind the white iron railings, once a rose-tree grew; it is gone now, but a little bit of evergreen, from a neighboring grave, stretches out its green tendrils, and makes some appearance; there rests a very unhappy man, and yet while he lived he might be said to occupy a very good position. He had enough to live upon, and something to spare; but owing to his refined tastes the least thing in the world annoyed him. If he went to a theatre of an evening, instead of enjoying himself he would be quite annoyed if the machinist had put too strong a light into one side of the moon, or if the representations of the sky hung over the scenes when they ought to have hung behind them; or if a palm-tree was introduced into a scene representing the Zoological Gardens of Berlin, or a cactus in a view of Tyrol, or a beech-tree in the north of Norway. As if these things were of any consequence! Why did he not leave them alone? Who would trouble themselves about such trifles? especially at a comedy, where every one is expected to be amused. Then sometimes the public applauded too much, or too little, to please him. “They are like wet wood,” he would say, looking round to see what sort of people were present, “this evening; nothing fires them.” Then he would vex and fret himself because they did not laugh at the right time, or because they laughed in the wrong places; and so he fretted and worried himself till at last the unhappy man fretted himself into the grave. Here rests a happy man, that is to say, a man of high birth and position, which was very lucky for him, otherwise he would have been scarcely worth notice. It is beautiful to observe how wisely nature orders these things. He walked about in a coat embroidered all over, and in the drawing-rooms of society looked just like one of those rich pearl-embroidered bell-pulls, which are only made for show; and behind them always hangs a good thick cord for use. This man also had a stout, useful substitute behind him, who did duty for him, and performed all his dirty work. And there are still, even now, these serviceable cords behind other embroidered bell-ropes. It is all so wisely arranged, that a man may well be in a good humor. Here rests,—ah, it makes one feel mournful to think of him!— but here rests a man who, during sixty-seven years, was never remembered to have said a good thing; he lived only in the hope of having a good idea. At last he felt convinced, in his own mind, that he really had one, and was so delighted that he positively died of joy at the thought of having at last caught an idea. Nobody got anything by it; indeed, no one even heard what the good thing was. Now I can imagine that this same idea may prevent him from resting quietly in his grave; for suppose that to produce a good effect, it is necessary to bring out his new idea at breakfast, and that he can only make his appearance on earth at midnight, as ghosts are believed generally to do; why then this good idea would not suit the hour, and the man would have to carry it down again with him into the grave— that must be a troubled grave. The woman who lies here was so remarkably stingy, that during her life she would get up in the night and mew, that her neighbors might think she kept a cat. What a miser she was! Here rests a young lady, of a good family, who would always make her voice heard in society, and when she sang “Mi manca la voce,”1 it was the only true thing she ever said in her life. Here lies a maiden of another description. She was engaged to be married,—but, her story is one of every-day life; we will leave her to rest in the grave. Here rests a widow, who, with music in her tongue, carried gall in her heart. She used to go round among the families near, and search out their faults, upon which she preyed with all the envy and malice of her nature. This is a family grave. The members of this family held so firmly together in their opinions, that they would believe in no other. If the newspapers, or even the whole world, said of a certain subject, “It is so-and-so;” and a little schoolboy declared he had learned quite differently, they would take his assertion as the only true one, because he belonged to the family. And it is well known that if the yard-cock belonging to this family happened to crow at midnight, they would declare it was morning, although the watchman and all the clocks in the town were proclaiming the hour of twelve at night. The great poet Goethe concludes his Faust with the words, “may be continued;” so might our wanderings in the churchyard be continued. I come here often, and if any of my friends, or those who are not my friends, are too much for me, I go out and choose a plot of ground in which to bury him or her. Then I bury them, as it were; there they lie, dead and powerless, till they come back new and better characters. Their lives and their deeds, looked at after my own fashion, I write down in my diary, as every one ought to do. Then, if any of our friends act absurdly, no one need to be vexed about it. Let them bury the offenders out of sight, and keep their good temper. They can also read the Intelligencer, which is a paper written by the people, with their hands guided. When the time comes for the history of my life, to be bound by the grave, then they will write upon it as my epitaph— “The man with a cheerful temper.”

Смотреть далее | 26.04.2014 | Отправить ссылку друзьям

Текст и перевод песни Hit the road Jack - Проваливай, Джек. [ Ray Charles ]

Текст и перевод песни Hit the road Jack - Проваливай, Джек. В исполнении Ray Charles [ видео внизу ] Hit the road Jack Проваливай, Джек (Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.) (Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more.) What you say? (Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.) (Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more.) Woah Woman, oh woman, don't treat me so mean, You're the meanest old woman that I've ever seen. I guess if you said so I'd have to pack my things and go. (That's right) (Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.) (Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more.) What you say? (Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.) (Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more.) Now baby, listen baby, don't ya treat me this-a way Cause I'll be back on my feet some day. (Don't care if you do 'cause it's understood) (you ain't got no money you just ain't no good.) Well, I guess if you say so I'd have to pack my things and go. (That's right) (Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.) (Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more.) What you say? (Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.) (Hit the road Jack and don't you come back no more.) Well (don't you come back no more.) Uh, what you say? (don't you come back no more.) I didn't understand you (don't you come back no more.) You can't mean that (don't you come back no more.) Oh, now baby, please (don't you come back no more.) What you tryin' to do to me? (don't you come back no more.) Oh, don't treat me like that (don't you come back no more.) Проваливай, Джек, и больше не возвращайся, не возвращайся, не возвращайся) (Проваливай, Джек, и больше не возвращайся, не возвращайся.) Что ты говоришь? (Проваливай, Джек, и больше не возвращайся, не возвращайся, не возвращайся) (Проваливай, Джек, и больше не возвращайся, не возвращайся.) Вау! Женщина, о, женщина, не будь ко мне так жестока! Ты – самая жестокая старушка на свете. Но, если ты так сказала, То я соберу свои вещички и уйду. (И правильно сделаешь.) (Проваливай, Джек, и больше не возвращайся, не возвращайся, не возвращайся) (Проваливай, Джек, и больше не возвращайся, не возвращайся.) Что ты говоришь? (Проваливай, Джек, и больше не возвращайся, не возвращайся, не возвращайся) (Проваливай, Джек, и больше не возвращайся, не возвращайся.) А теперь, детка, послушай. Не поступай так со мной, Потому что однажды я вновь встану на ноги. (И так понятно, что это случится, но мне наплевать.) Ну, если ты так говоришь, То я соберу свои вещички и уйду. (И правильно сделаешь.) (У тебя нет денег, и, к тому же, ты не так уж и хорош.) (Проваливай, Джек, и больше не возвращайся, не возвращайся, не возвращайся) (Проваливай, Джек, и больше не возвращайся, не возвращайся.) Что ты говоришь? (Проваливай, Джек, и больше не возвращайся, не возвращайся, не возвращайся) (Проваливай, Джек, и больше не возвращайся, не возвращайся.) Ну (И больше не возвращайся) А? Что ты говоришь? (И больше не возвращайся) Я не понял тебя. (И больше не возвращайся) Не может быть, чтобы ты говорила это всерьёз! (И больше не возвращайся) Ну, детка, пожалуйста! (И больше не возвращайся) Что ты пытаешься со мной сделать? (И больше не возвращайся) Ну, не поступай со мной так. (И больше не возвращайся)

Смотреть далее | 25.04.2014 | Отправить ссылку друзьям

Сказка на английском языке Sadko - Садко

Сказка на английском языке Sadko - Садко In the fable of Sadko, a man appearing to be a poor psaltery player, has talents which are neglected by the merchants of the City of Novgorod. However Sadko, was indeed a very talented person. This was the reason that the beautiful Sea princess, Volkhova, daughter of Tsar Morskoi, the King of the Sea, was charmed by Sandko's music and songs. Eventually, the princess Volkhova fell in love with the psaltery player. Princess Volkhova gave Sadko a chance to redeem himself when betting on the incidence of golden fish in Lake Ilmen. Sadko won his wager, which had been his life against the wealth of all merchant ships. He took the ships and asked the townspeople to take care of his wife, Lubava, and set sail. On his journey, Sadko visited Venice , Scandinavia , Egypt , India and many other countries. But, as the ships sailed back to Russia , the wind ceased and the ships could not move. It was that then Sadko realized that because the people had not made proper sacrifices to the Tsar Morskoi, king of the Sea, the ships now stood still. In order to save the sailors Sadko sacrificed himself and jumped into the water. Instantly a brisk breeze filled the sails of the ships and they sailed away towards home. Sadko fell to the bottom of the sea and found himself in the palace of the Tsar Morskoi. The King and Queen of the Sea had heard about Sadko's musical talents and asked him to play and to sing for them. They were overjoyed and decided to make Sadko stay in Sea Tsardom and promised Volkhova to be his bride. But Sadko told Volkhova that he couldn't marry her, as he still loved his wife, Lubava. Upset, but still loving the psaltery player, she helped Sadko to pluck away with the help of a flock of sea-horses which took Sadko back to the shore of Lake Ilmen. Tired form the journey, Volkhova sings a lullaby to Sadko and he falls asleep. Volkhova kisses him quietly and disappears into the mist, thus becoming the river Volkhova which flows from Lake Ilmen to the sea. Sadko's wife, Lubava, who was waiting for her husband all that time, was overjoyed to see her beloved husband again. They lived happily aver after. Словарик: neglected - заброшенный indeed - в самом деле redeem - выкупать wager - ставка townspeople - городские жители brisk - оживленный quietly - спокойно overjoy - осчастливить flock - стадо

Смотреть далее | 24.04.2014 | Отправить ссылку друзьям

100 самых полезных фраз для путешественников

Sorry - Извините I don't understand. - Я не понимаю Hello/ good bye - Привет/ до свидания Good morning! / Good afternoon! / Good evening! - Доброе утро! / День / Ночь I need help. Мне нужна помощь. Good luck! - Удачи! Please и thank you - Пожалуйста/ спасибо Please speak more slowly. - Говорите, пожалуйста, медленнее. Could you repeat that? - Не могли бы вы повторить? What is your name? - Как вас зовут? My name is . . . . - Меня зовут... Nice to meet you! - Рад познакомиться How are you doing? - Как у Вас дела? Can you help me? - Не могли бы вы мне помочь? Let's go to... - Давай пойдём (сходим) в ... I'm looking for... - Я ищу... Where is . . . the bathroom, restaurant, museum, hotel, beach, embassy? - Где находится туалет, ресторан, музей, гостиница, пляж, посольство? Can I ask you a question? - Могу я задать вопрос? How do I get to ..? - Как мне добраться до...? How do you say this? - Как Вы называется этот предмет? How much is this? или How much is it? - Сколько это стоит? I am from . . . . - Я из... Can you help me practice English? - Могли бы вы помочь мне практиковать английский? Could you write it down on paper? - Вы могли бы написать это на бумаге? What does this word mean? - Что означает это слово? I am thirsty. - Меня мучает жажда. I am hungry. - Я проголодался. I am cold. - Я замерз. I am feeling sick. - Я плохо себя чувствую. How do you use this word? - Как используется это слово? I need to go now. - Мне пора. Did I say it correctly? - Я правильно это сказал? What time is it? - Который час? This food is amazing! - Эта еда - превосходная! Today, yesterday and tomorrow - Сегодня, вчера, завтра. Can you give me an example? - Могли бы вы мне дать пример? Please wait a moment. - Подождите секундочку. Excuse me! - Извините (для привлечения внимания) I'm sorry to bother you - Простите, что беспокою вас Does anybody here speak Russian? - Кто-нибудь говорит здесь по-русски? I don't speak English very well - Я не очень хорошо говорю по-английски. I speak English a little bit - Я немного говорю по-английски I need an interpreter. - Мне нужен переводчик. Where can I buy ...? - Где я могу купить ...? That's (too) expensive. - Это (слишком) дорого I'll take one / it / this. - Я беру вот это I like this. - Мне понравилось вот это I don't like that - Мне это не нравится Can I pay by credit-card? - Могу я оплатить пластиковой картой? Can I exchange this? - Могу я обменять это That's all, thanks - Это все, спасибо Excuse me, where can I get a taxi? - Простите, где здесь есть такси? This address , please - По этому адресу, пожалуйста! Drive me to the airport/hotel/city center - Отвезите меня в аэропорт/отель/центр города When does the bus to Boston leave? - Когда уходит автобус на Бостон? Stop here, please. - Остановите здесь, пожалуйста. I'd like a ticket to...- Я бы хотел билет до... When does the check-in begin? - Когда начинается регистрация? Where can i return my ticket? - Где я могу сдать свой билет? Here are my passport and custom declaration - Вот мой паспорт таможенная декларация Here is my luggage - Вот мой багаж It is a business trip - Это деловая поездка It is a turistic visit - Это туристическая поездка I travel with a group - Я еду в составе туристической группы I want to book a room. - Я хочу забронировать номер. I want a room with bed and breakfast. - Я хочу номер типа "ночлег и завтрак". Non-smoking, please. - Для некурящих, пожалуйста. Here you are. Вот, возьмите. Keep the change - Сдачи не нужно Could I have the bill? - Можно попросить счет? The сhange is not correct - Вы сдачу неверно посчитали Could you break this 100 (hundred) dollar bill? - Не могли бы Вы разменять 100-долларовую купюру? What size is this sweater? - Какого размера этот свитер? I need... - Мне нужно... I want to try it on. - Я хочу это примерить. I want to book a table. - Я хочу забронировать столик. I'd like... - Я хотел бы... I do not eat meat. - Я не ем мясо I agree. - Я согласен (согласна). With pleasure. - С удовольствием. I see. - Понятно. I am busy. - Я занят (занята). No, thank you. - Нет, спасибо. I am sorry, but I can’t. - Извините, но я не могу. Thank you so much!- Большое спасибо! You are welcome! - Пожалуйста (в ответ на спасибо). Happy birthday! - С днем рождения! Congratulations! - Поздравляю (-ем)! I wish you all the best! - Я желаю тебе всего хорошего! Have a good time! - Желаю тебе хорошо провести время! Have a good holiday! - Желаю хорошо отдохнуть! Have a good trip! - Счастливого пути! See you (later)! - Увидимся позже! See you soon! - Увидимся скоро! Best wishes! - Всего хорошего! Take care! - Береги себя! I'm lost. - Я потерялся. I have an emergency. Please call for help. - Это срочный случай. Позовите на помощь! Call the police! - Вызовите полицию! Call for a doctor. - Вызовите врача

Смотреть далее | 23.04.2014 | Отправить ссылку друзьям

Сказка Little Red Riding Hood - Красная шапочка

Сказка Little Red Riding Hood - Красная шапочка Once upon a time... in the middle of a thick forest stood a small cottage, the home of a pretty little girl known to everyone as Little Red Riding Hood. One day, her Mummy waved her goodbye at the garden gate, saying, "Grandma is ill. Take her this basket of cakes, but be very careful. Keep to the path through the wood and don't ever stop. That way, you will come to no harm." Little Red Riding Hood kissed her mother and ran off. "Don't worry", she said, "I'll run all the way to Grandma's without stopping". Full of good intensions, the little girl made her way through the wood, but she was soon to forget her mother's wise words. "What lovely strawberries! And so red..." Laying her basket on the ground, Little Red Riding Hood bent over the strawberry plants. "They're nice and ripe, and so big! Yummy! Delicious! Just another one. And one more. This is the last... Well, this one... Mmmm." The red fruit peeped invitingly through the leaves in the grassy glade, and Little Red Riding Hood ran back and forth popping strawberries into her mouth. Suddenly she remembered her mother, her promise, Grandma and the basket... and hurried back towards the path. The basket was still in the grass and, humming to herself, Little Red Riding Hood walked on. The wood became thicker and thicker. Suddenly a yellow butterfly fluttered down through the trees. Little Red Riding Hood started to chase the butterfly. "I'll catch you! I'll catch you!" she called. Suddenly she saw some large daisies in the grass. "Oh, how sweet!" she exclaimed and, thinking of Grandma, she picked a large bunch of flowers. In the meantime, two wicked eyes were spying on her from behind a tree... a strange rustling in the woods made Little Red Riding Hood's heart thump. Now quite afraid, she said to herself, 'I must find the path and run away from here!" At last, she reached the path again, but her heart leapt into her mouth at the sound of a gruff voice which said; "Where are you going, my pretty girl, all alone in the woods?" "I'm taking Grandma some cakes. She lives at the end of the path," said Little Riding Hood in a faint voice. When he heard this, the wolf (for it was the big bad wolf himself) politely asked: "Does Grandma live by herself?" "Oh, yes," replied Little Red Riding Hood, "and she never opens the door to strangers!" "Goodbye. Perhaps we'll meet again," replied the wolf. Then he loped away thinking to himself "I'll gobble the grandmother first, then lie in wait for the grandchild!" At last, the cottage came in sight. Knock! Knock! The wolf rapped on the door. "Who's there?" cried Grandma from her bed. "It's me, Little Red Riding Hood. I've brought you some cakes because you're ill," replied the wolf, trying hard to hide his gruff voice. "Lift the latch and come in," said Grandma, unaware of anything amiss, till the horrible shadow appeared on the wall. Poor Grandma! For in one bound, the wolf leapt across the room, in a single mouthful swallowed the old lady. Soon after, Little Red Riding Hood tapped on the door. "Grandma, can I come in?" she called. Now, the wolf had put on the old lady's shawl and cap and slipped into the bed. Trying to imitate Grandma's quavering little voice, he replied, 'Open the latch and come in!" "What a deep voice you have," said the little girl in surprise. "The better to greet you with," said the wolf. "Goodness, what big eyes you have." "The better to see you with." "And what big hands you have!" exclaimed Little Red Riding Hood, stepping over to the bed. "The better to hug you with," said the wolf. "What a big mouth you have," the little girl murmured in a weak voice. "The better to eat you with!" growled the wolf, and jumping out of bed, he swallowed her up too. Then, with a fat full tummy, he fell fast asleep. In the meanwhile, a hunter had emerged from the wood, and on noticing the cottage, he decided to stop and ask for a drink. He had spent a lot of time trying to catch a large wolf that had been terrorising the neighbourhood, but had lost its tracks. The hunter could hear a strange whistling sound; it seemed to be coming from inside the cottage. He peered through the window... and saw the large wolf himself, with a fat full tummy, snoring away in Grandma's bed. "The wolf! He won't get away this time!" Without making a sound, the hunter carefully loaded his gun and gently opened the window. He pointed the barrel straight at the wolf's head and ... BANG! The wolf was dead. "Got you at last!" shouted the hunter in glee. "You'll never frighten anyone again." He cut open the wolf's stomach and to his amazement, out popped Grandma and Little Red Riding Hood, safe and unharmed. "You arrived just in time," murmured the old lady, quite overcome by all the excitement. "It's safe to go home now" the hunter told Little Red Riding Hood. "The big bad wolf is dead and gone, and there is no danger on the path." Still scared, the little girl hugged her grandmother. "Oh, what a dreadrul fright!" Much later, as dusk was falling, Little Red Riding Hood's mother arrived, all out of breath, worried, because her little girl had not come home. And when she saw Little Red Riding Hood, safe and sound, she burst into tears of joy. After thanking the hunter again, Little Red Riding Hood and her mother set off towards the wood. As they walked quickly through -the trees, the little girl told her mother, "We must keep to the path and never stop. That way, we'll come to no harm".

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Сказка на английском языке Ilya Murometz

Сказка на английском языке: Ilya Murometz - Илья Муромец Ilya Murometz is the most famous of the mighty warriors, known as Bogatyrs, of the Russian "Bilyny" legends. This legendary hero was unable to move during his first 33 years of his life. Then one day he was visited in his house by the three Holy Old Men, who asked Ilya for some water. Ilya became furious, as he thought the Old Men were playing a joke on him when they commanded Ilya to get up, much to his own surprise, Ilya rose. From that moment on he became a warrior of extraordinary powers and the defender of the Holy Russia. Among his most famous deeds are: the single handed destruction of the Tatar army, sleight of the town of Chernigov and the capture of the Evil Bandit the Nightingale Whistler, (also known as Solovey Razboynik), who had the power of killing people with his whistle. Ilya of Murom, a defender of the Lands of Russia, is portrayed a friend of the simple folk, a symbol of liberty and fairness, and sometimes as a raging rebel who dared to quarrel with the Duke of Kiev, and who almost destroyed the City of Kiev. In the end he returned to his senses, and Ilya Murometz became the Best Warrior and the Wisest Adviser to Duke Vladimir of Kiev. Словарик: famous - известный unable to move - не мог двигаться warrior - воин destruction - разрушить sleight - ловкость whistle - свисток defender - защитник rebel - мятежник ragе - ярость fairness - справедливость sense - смысл, чувство

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Сказка Fenist the Bright Falcon - Финист - ясный сокол

Сказка Fenist the Bright Falcon - Финист - ясный сокол Once upon a time there lived a peasant. His wife died and left him three daughters. The old man wanted to hire a servant-girl to help about the house, but his youngest daughter Maryushka said: "Don't hire a servant, Father, I shall keep house alone." And so his daughter Maryushka began keeping house, and a fine housekeeper she made. There was nothing she could not do, and all she did she did splendidly. Her father loved Maryushka dearly and was glad to have such a clever and hard-working daughter. And how lovely she was! But her two sisters were ugly creatures, full of envy and greed, always paint-ed and powdered and dressed in their best. They spent all day putting on new gowns and trying to look better than they really were. But nothing ever pleased them long -- neither gowns, nor shawls, nor high-heeled boots. Now, one day the old man set out to market and he asked his daughters: "What shall I buy you, dear daughters, what shall I please you with?" "Buy us each a kerchief," said the two elder daughters. "And mind it has big flowers on it done in gold." But his youngest daughter Maryushka stood silent, so the father asked her: "And what would you like, Maryushka?" "Dear Father, buy me a feather of Fenist the Bright Falcon." By and by the father came back with the kerchiefs, but the feather he had not found. After a while the man went to market again. "Well, daughters, make your orders," said he. And the two elder daughters replied eagerly: "Buy each of us a pair of silver-studded boots." But Maryushka said again: "Dear Father, buy me a feather of Fenist the Bright Falcon." All that day the father walked about the market and bought the boots, but the feather he could not find. And so he came back without it. Very well, then. He set out on his way to the market for the third time and his elder daughters asked him: "Buy us each a new gown." But Maryushka said again: "Dear Father, buy me a feather of Fenist the Bright Falcon." All that day the father walked about the market, but still no feather. So he drove out of town, and who should he meet on the way but a little old man. "Good day, Grandfather!" "Good day to you, my dear man. Where are you bound for?" "Back to my village, Grandfather. And I don't know what to do. My youngest daughter asked me to buy her a feather of Fenist the Bright Falcon, but I haven't found it." "I have the feather you need; it is a charmed one, but I see you are a good man, so you shall have it, come what may." The little old man took out the feather and gave it to the girl's father, but it looked quite ordinary, so the peasant rode home and he thought: "What good can it be to my Maryushka?" In a while the old man came home and gave the presents to his daughters. And the two elder ones tried on their new gowns and kept laughing at Maryushka: "Silly you were, and silly you are! Stick it in your hair now -- won't you look fine with it!" But Maryushka made no answer, she just kept away from them. And when the whole house was asleep, she cast the feather on the floor and said softly: "Come to me, dear Fenist, Bright Falcon, my cherished bridegroom!" And there came to her a youth of wondrous beauty. Towards morning he struck the floor and became a falcon. And Maryushka opened the window and the falcon soared up into the blue sky. And so for three nights she made him welcome. By day he flew about in the blue heavens as a falcon; at nightfall he came back to Maryushka and turned into a handsome youth. But on the fourth day the wicked sisters caught sight of them and went and told their father. "Dear daughters," said he, "better mind your own business." "All right," thought the sisters, "we shall see what comes next." And they stuck a row of sharp knives into the window-sill and hid by watching. And after a while the Bright Falcon appeared. He flew up to the window, but could not get into Maryushka's room. So he fluttered and fluttered there, beating against the pane, till all his breast was cut by the blades. But Maryushka slept fast and heard nothing. So at last the falcon said: "Who needs me, will find me, but not without pains. You shall not find me till you wear out three pairs of iron shoes, and break three iron staffs, and tear three iron caps." Maryushka heard this and she sprang from her bed to the window. But the falcon was gone, and all he left on the window was a trace of red blood. Maryushka burst into bitter tears, and the little tear-drops washed off the trace of red blood and made her still prettier. And then she went to her father and said to him: "Do not chide me, Father, but let me go on my weary way. If I live to see you, I shall, but if I do not, then so must it be." The man was sorry to part with his sweet daughter, but at last he let her go. So Maryushka went and ordered three pairs of iron shoes, three iron staffs, and three iron caps. And off she set on her long weary way to seek her heart's desire Fenist the Bright Falcon. She walked through open fields, she went through dark forests and s he climbed tall mountains. The little birds cheered her heart with merry songs, the brooks washed her white face, and the dark woods made her welcome. And no one could do harm to Maryushka, for all the wild beasts -- grey wolves, brown bears and red foxes -- would come running out towards her. At last one pair of iron shoes wore out, one iron staff broke and one iron cap was torn. And Maryushka came to a glade in the woods and she saw a little hut on hen's feet spinning round and round. "Little hut, little hut," said Maryushka, "turn your back to the trees and your face to me, please. Let me in to eat bread within." The little hut turned its back to the trees and its face to Maryushka, and in she went. And there she saw Baba-Yaga, the witch with a broom and a switch, a bony hag with a nose like a snag. Baba-Yaga caught sight of Maryushka and growled: "Ugh, ugh, Russian blood, never met by me before, now I smell it at my door. Who comes here? Where from? Where to?" "Granny dear, I am looking for Fenist the Bright Falcon." "It's a long way off, pretty maid! You will have to pass through the Thrice-Nine Lands to the Thrice-Ten Kingdom to find him. A wicked sorceress, the queen there, has charmed him with a magic drink and made him marry her. But I shall help you. Here, take this silver saucer and golden egg. When you come to the Thrice-Ten Kingdom get hired as a servant to the Queen. After the day's work is done, take the silver saucer and put the golden egg on it. It will start to roll about all by itself. Should they want to buy it, do not sell it - ask them to let you see Fenist the Bright Falcon." Maryushka thanked Baba-Yaga and went off. The woods became darker, and she got too frightened to move, when all of a sudden there came a Cat. It jumped up to Maryushka and it purred: "Have no fear, Maryushka, it will be still worse farther on, but g o on and on and do not look back." And the Cat rubbed against her feet and was gone, while Maryushka went farther. And the deeper she went into the woods the darker it grew. She walked and she walked, till her second pair of iron shoes wore out, her second iron staff broke and her second iron cap got torn. And soon she came to a little hut on hen's feet with a strong fence all round and terrible glowing skulls on the pales. Maryushka said: "Little hut, little hut, turn your back to the trees and your face to me, please. Let me in to eat bread within." The little hut turned its back to the trees and its face to Maryushka, and Maryushka went in. And there she saw Baba-Yaga, the witch with a broom and a switch, a bony hag with a nose like a snag. Baba-Yaga caught sight of Maryushka and she growled: "Ugh, ugh, Russian blood, never met by me before, now I smell it at my door. Who comes here? Where from? Where to?" "I want to find Fenist the Bright Falcon." "And have you been to my sister?" "Yes, Granny dear, I have." "All right, then, my beauty, I shall help you. Take this gold needle and silver frame. The needle works all by itself and embroiders red velvet with silver and gold. Should they want to buy it, do not sell it - ask them to let you see Fenist the Bright Falcon." Maryushka thanked Baba-Yaga and went on her way. It crashed and it banged and it whistled in the forest, and a weird light shone from the skull, hanging round. How terrible it was! But suddenly up ran a Dog: "Bow-wow, Maryushka, have no fear, darling, it will be still worse, but you go on and never look back." So it spoke and was gone. Maryushka went on and on, and the woods got darker, scratching her knees and catching at her sleeves. But Maryushka walked and walked and never looked back. How long she walked is hard to say, but the third pair of iron shoes wore out, the third iron staff broke and the third iron cap was torn. And she came to a glade in the forest and saw a little hut on hen's feet with a tall paling all round and glowing horse skulls on the pales. Then said Maryushka: "Little hut, little hut, turn your back to the trees and your face to me, please." The hut turned its back to the trees and its face to Maryushka, and in she stepped. And there she saw Baba-Yaga, the witch with a broom and a switch, a bony hag with a nose like a snag. Baba-Yaga saw Maryushka and she growled: "Ugh, ugh, Russian blood, never met by me before, now I smell it at my door. Who comes here? Where from? Where to?" "I'm looking for Fenist the Bright Falcon, Granny!" "It is no easy task to find him, my beauty, but I shall help you. Here, take this silver distaff and this gold spindle. Hold the spindle in your hands and it will spin all by itself and the thread will come out all gold." "Thank you, Granny." "All right, save your thanks until afterwards, and now listen to me. Should they want to buy the gold spindle, don't sell it, but ask them to let you see Fenist the Bright Falcon." Maryushka thanked Baba-Yaga and went on her way. And it roared and rumbled and whistled in the forest. The owls wheeled round, the mice crawled out of their holes and rushed straight to Maryushka. Then all of a sudden a Grey Wolf ran up to her and said: "Have no fear, Maryushka. Get on my back and never look behind." So she sat on the Wolf's back and off they flashed out of sight. They passed wide steppes and velvet meadows, they crossed honey rivers with custard banks and they climbed tall mountains that touched the clouds. On and on raced Maryushka till she reached a crystal palace with a carved porch and fancy windows. And there was the Queen herself looking out of a window. "Well," said the Wolf, "we've come, Maryushka. Climb down from my back and get hired as a servant at the palace." Maryushka climbed off, took her bundle and thanked the Wolf. Then she went up to the Queen and bowed. "I beg your pardon," she said, "I don't know your name; aren't you in need of a servant-girl?" "Yes," said the Queen, "it is long I have looked for a servant, but the one I need must be able to spin, weave and embroider." "All that I can do," said Maryushka. "Then come in and set to work." And so Maryushka became a servant-girl. She worked all the day until night-time, and then she took out her golden egg and silver saucer and said: "Roll about, golden egg, on your silver saucer, show me my Fenist dear." And the golden egg rolled about till Fenist the Bright Falcon appeared before her. Maryushka gazed and gazed at him and her tears ran fast. "Fenist, my Fenist, why have you left poor me to shed tears without you?" And the Queen overheard her and said: "Maryushka, sell me your silver saucer and golden egg." "No," replied Maryushka, "they are not to be sold, but you may have them free if you let me see Fenist the Bright Falcon." The Queen thought for a while and then she said: "All right, let it be so. To-night, when he falls asleep, I will let you see him." So when night came, Maryushka went to his bedroom and saw Fenist the Bright Falcon. Her darling lay fast asleep and could not be awakened. She looked and she looked and she could not look enough, and she kissed him on his sweet mouth, and she pressed him to her white bosom, but her darling slept on and did not awaken. Morning set in, but still Maryushka could not rouse her beloved. All that day she worked and in the evening took her silver frame and gold needle. And as it sewed, Maryushka kept saying: "Get embroidered, little towel, get embroidered, little towel, let my Fenist the Bright Falcon wipe his face." The Queen overheard her and asked: "Maryushka, sell me your silver frame and gold needle." "Sell I will not," replied Maryushka, "but you may have them free if you let me see Fenist the Bright Falcon." The Queen thought hard, but at last she said: "All right, let it be so. Come and see him to-night." Night came on, and Maryushka entered the bedroom and she saw her Fenist the Bright Falcon lying fast asleep. "O my Fenist, Bright Falcon, arise, wake up!" But her Fenist slept on as fast as ever, and Maryushka could not wake him up, try as she might. At daybreak Maryushka set to work and took out her silver distaff and golden spindle. And the Queen saw her and began asking her to sell them. But Maryushka replied: "Sell them I will not, but you may have them for nothing if only you let me see Fenist the Bright Falcon." "All right," said the other and she thought to herself: "She won't wake him up anyhow." Night drew on and Maryushka entered the bedroom, but Fenist lay as fast asleep as ever. "O my Fenist, Bright Falcon, arise, wake up!" But Fenist slept on and would not awaken. Maryushka tried and tried again to wake him, but she could not. And soon it would be morning. So Maryushka burst out weeping and she said: "Dearest Fenist, arise and open your eyes, look at your Maryushka, press her close!" And a hot tear fell from Maryushka's eyes on the bare shoulder of Fenist and burnt it. Fenist the Bright Falcon stirred and he opened his eyes and saw Maryushka. And then he took her in his arms and kissed her. "Can it be you, my Maryushka? So you have worn out three pairs of iron shoes and broken three iron staffs and torn three iron caps? Cry no more. Let us go home, now." And they started getting ready for the homeward journey. But the Queen noticed it and she bade her trumpeters spread the news of her husband's betrayal through all the towns of the land. And the princes and merchants of her land came together to hold council and decide how to punish Fenist the Bright Falcon. And then Fenist the Bright Falcon stood up and said: "Who do you think is the real wife, the one who loves me truly or the one that sells and betrays me?" Everyone had to agree that only Maryushka was fit to be his wife. After that they went back to their own land. And they had a grand feast there, and all the guns fired and all the trumpets blew at their wedding. And the feast they had was so grand, it is still remembered. And they both lived happily ever afterwards.

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