Краткий рассказ по английскому языку

Чтение коротких рассказов на английском – один из самых эффективных методов изучения языка. Интересные истории на английском языке с переводом помогают расширить словарный запас и улучшить грамматику. Кроме того, это лучшая практика для тренировки изученных слов и закрепления правил.

Вот какую пользу дает чтение рассказов и историй на английском:

• чтение историй на английском расширяет словарный запас, позволяет понять специфику употребления многих идиом, разговорных оборотов, художественных приемов;
• во время работы с историями на английском развивается умение понимать главную идею написанного;
• чтение историй на английском языке позволяет увидеть практическое применение грамматических структур;
• при чтении историй на английском у читателя появляется возможность научиться понимать оценить стиль автора.

Читая истории на английском можно значительно повысить мотивацию к изучению: понимание текста на иностранном языке вдохновляет на дальнейшее обучение. Изучая английский, истории полезно читать для проверки своих знаний и умения понимать и интерпретировать иноязычную речь.

Методика работы с историями

Выбранную историю первый раз нужно прочитать бегло: попытаться понять общую идею прочитанного, не стремиться понять каждое слово;
во время чтения истории на английском во второй раз обратить внимание на интересные слова и структуры, употребление грамматики;
интересные фразы и слова из истории можно выписывать в отдельную тетрадь для того, чтобы в дальнейшем иметь возможность возвращаться к ним.

Если вы испытываете трудности с пониманием прочитанного или не понимаете большую часть, то скорее всего вам не хватает теоретических знаний. В таком случаем рекомендуем подтянуть ваш уровень пройдя бесплатный курс английского с нуля до разговорного уровня для занятых.

Для начинающих подходят истории на английском с простым сюжетом и несложными грамматическими конструкциями. Это могут быть истории-сказки, шуточные истории, простые сюжеты и рассказы о животных, детях, путешествиях. Мы подготовили для вас короткие, но интересные истории на английском языке с переводом. Но перевод находится под хайдом, чтобы вы не подглядывали во время чтения. Постарайтесь самостоятельно понять о чем история, и только потом открывать перевод.

A Good Lesson (Хороший урок)

Once a rich Englishwoman called Mrs Johnson decided to have a birthday party. She invited a lot of guests and a singer. The singer was poor, but he had a very good voice.
The singer got to Mrs Johnson’s house at exactly six o’clock as he had been asked to do, but when he went in, he saw through a door that the dining-room was already full of guests, who were sitting round a big table in the middle of the room. The guests were eating, joking, laughing, and talking loudly. Mrs Johnson came out to him, and he thought she was going to ask him to join them, when she said, «We’re glad, sir, that you have come. You will be singing after dinner, I’ll call you as soon as we’re ready to listen to you. Now will you go into the kitchen and have dinner, too, please?»

The singer was very angry, but said nothing. At first he wanted to leave Mrs Johnson’s house at once, but then he changed his mind and decided to stay and teach her and her rich guests a good lesson. When the singer went into the kitchen, the servants were having dinner, too. He joined them. After dinner, the singer thanked everybody and said, «Well, now I’m going to sing to you, my good friends.» And he sang them some beautiful songs.
Soon Mrs Johnson called the singer.
«Well, sir, we’re ready.»
«Ready?» asked the singer. «What are you ready for?»
«To listen to you,» said Mrs Johnson in an angry voice.
«Listen to me? But I have already sung, and I’m afraid I shan’t be able to sing any more tonight.»
«Where did you sing?»
«In the kitchen. I always sing for those I have dinner with.»

The Shoebox (Коробка от обуви)

A man and woman had been married for more than 60 years. They had shared everything. They had talked about everything. They had kept no secrets from each other except that the little old woman had a shoebox in the top of her closet that she had cautioned her husband never to open or ask her about.

For all of these years, he had never thought about the box, but one day the little old woman got very sick and the doctor said she would not recover.

In trying to sort out their affairs, the little old man took down the shoebox and took it to his wife’s bedside. She agreed that it was time that he should know what was in the box. When he opened it, he found two knitted dolls and a stack of money totaling $95,000.

He asked her about the contents.

‘When we were to be married,’ she said, ‘ my grandmother told me the secret of a happy marriage was to never argue. She told me that if I ever got angry with you, I should just keep quiet and knit a doll.’

The little old man was so moved; he had to fight back tears. Only two precious dolls were in the box. She had only been angry with him two times in all those years of living and loving. He almost burst with happiness.

‘Honey,’ he said, ‘that explains the dolls, but what about all of this money?

Where did it come from?’

‘Oh,’ she said, ‘that’s the money I made from selling the dolls.’

Hit the Floor! (Мордой в пол!)

Jenny and Robert Slater were on holiday in America. They were young and it was their first time away from home in England. They had a car and visited many famous and interesting places.

‘I want to see New York,’ Jenny said one morning. ‘Let’s go there.’

‘Mmm, I don’t know, love. Everybody says New York’s a dangerous place and there are a lot of very strange people there,’ her husband answered.

‘We’ll be careful,’ said Jenny. ‘Then we won’t have any problems.’

So they arrived in New York early in the evening and found a hotel. Later they went out and drove round the streets. They didn’t have any problems. ‘See,’ Jenny said. ‘Nothing to be afraid of.’

They had dinner in a good restaurant and then went to a cinema. They arrived back at their hotel at midnight. Under the hotel was a garage so they drove into it and left the car. It was quite dark there and they couldn’t see very well.

‘Where’s the lift?’ Jenny asked.

‘Over there, I think, near the door,’ Robert answered. ‘Come on, let’s go. I don’t like this dark place.’

Suddenly they saw a very tall young man with a big black dog. They were nervous and walked past him as fast as they could to the lift. The door of the lift opened and Jenny and Robert got in. Before the doors closed the man and the dog jumped in – three people and one big black dog in the lift.

‘On the floor, Girl!’ the tall man said. Jenny and Robert were afraid now, so they quickly got down on the floor. When the lift stopped at the next floor, they stood up, gave the man all their money and got out fast.

‘That man was a robber! Perhaps he had a gun… It’s dangerous here!’ Robert said. ‘We’re going to leave New York now!’

‘Yes, you’re right.’ Jenny answered. ‘There are some dangerous people in New York.’

First thing next morning they took their room key to the desk and gave it to the woman.

‘There’s nothing to pay, Mr Slater,’ she said. ‘A tall young man with a nice dog came to the desk late last night and paid for your room. Oh, wait a minute – he left this for you, too.’ She gave Robert an envelope.

He opened it carefully and took out a letter. They read it together: ‘Here’s your money and I’m very sorry you were afraid in the lift last night. “Girl” is the name of my dog.’

Will’s experience at the airport (Случай с Уиллом в аэропорту)

After his return from Rome, Will couldn’t find his luggage in the airport baggage area. He went to the lost luggage office and told the woman there that his bags hadn’t shown up on the carousel.

She smiled and told him not to worry because they were trained professionals and he was in good hands.

Then she asked Will, “Has your plane arrived yet?”

Fortune and the man (Фортуна и мужик)

One day a man was walking along the street. He carried an old bag in his hands. He was wondering why people who had so much money were never satisfied and always wanted more. “As to me,” he said, “if I had enough to eat, I should not ask for anything else.”Just at this moment Fortune came down the street. She heard the man and stopped.

“Listen,” she said, “I want to help you. Hold your bag, and I shall pour diamonds into it. But every diamond which falls on the ground will become dust. Do you understand?”

“Oh, yes, I understand,” said the man. He quickly opened his bag and stream of diamonds was poured into it. The bag began to grow heavy. “Is that enough?” asked Fortune. “Not yet.” The man’s hand’s began to tremble.

“You are the richest man in the world now.” Said Fortune.

“Just a few more, and a few more,” said the man. Another diamond was added and the bag slipped. All the diamonds fell on the ground and became dust.

Fortune disappeared, leaving the man in the street.

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Сер Артур Конан Дойль)
Everyone has heard of Sherlock Holmes. Everyone has read stories about Sherlock Holmes at one time or another. Sherlock Holmes was a famous detective. Actually, he was the most famous detective of all times.The author of the Sherlock Holmes stories was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
Once Sir Arthur arrived in Paris. He took a cab and asked the cabman to take him to the Ritz, the hotel where he was going to spend the night.The cabman brought him to the hotel. When he received the fare he said:
“Thank you very much, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.”
“How do you know who I am?” asked Sir Arthur. He was very much surprised.“Well, sir, I read in the newspaper yesterday that you were coming to Paris from the South of France. I also noticed that your hair was cut by a barber in the South of France. Your clothes and especialy your hat told me that you were English. I put all the information together and quessed that you were Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.”

“That is wonderful,” said Sir Arthur.
“You could recognize me though you knew very few facts.”

“Besides,” added the cabman. Your name is on both of your travelling bags. That also helped.”

So, the cabman played a good joke on Conan Doyle.

A present from the son (Подарок от сына)
Long ago there lived an old woman in England. She had a son who was a sailor. He went to different countries and always brought presents for his old mother.Once he went to China and brought some tea from that country.
At that time tea was very expensive and only rich people could buy and drink it. So the old woman was very happy to have such a nice present. But she didn’t know what to do with it as she had never bought tea before. She thought it was a vegetable. She told her friends about her son’s present and invited them to taste it with her. At last the day of the tea-party came. The woman called her guests to the dining-room and put a big dish of tea leaves on the table. The guests began to eat the leaves with salt just as they ate vegetables. Nobody liked it but didn’t tell the woman about it and continued to eat the leaves.Some tome later the sailor came into the room. When he saw that all the guests were eating leaves, he smiled.“What are you doing? Why are eating these leaves? Where is the tea?”
“Here it is, my son,” the old woman said.
“And where is the water in which you have boiled the leaves?” asked the man laughing.
“I threw it away, of course,” answered the woman.

Wrong car (Не та машина)

It happened about a year ago. Our family bought a new car, and parents decided to celebrate it all together in the cafe. We enjoyed great food, had a conversation and a lot of fun. Dad was happy and he told us many jokes, everybody laughed more and more. We played the fools and couldn’t stop.When it was time to go, Dad paid and left cafe to warm up the car, and Mom, her friend, my brother and I lingered in the cafe. When we went out, we realised that it was already dark outside — so we couldn’t see well. And the second thing we reailsed was the fact, that nobody can remember exactly, what our new car looks like! But Mom confidently went toward the black car, that was standing nearly. «Oh, Dad is waiting inside, it’s ours. Come on».
Just imagine: the company of four very noisy people, singing, talking loudly, laughing out, get into car. Mum turn to driver and exclaimed cheerfully: «Sasha, let’s go!»…The driver looked at us with eyes full of fear and cried out desperatly: «I am not Sasha, I am Egor!!! Who are you?!»Then we, absolutly confused and quiet, get in the right car, we told Dad about it. He couldn’t drive for 5 minutes becouse of laughing.

A Magic Ring (Волшебное кольцо)

Once upon a time there lived a young farmer. He worked very hard but was very poor. One day when he was far from home in the forest, an old woman looking like a peasant came up to him and said, «I know you work very hard, and all for nothing. I will give you a magic ring! It will make you rich, and your work won’t be in vain. When you turn the ring on your finger and say what you wish to have, you’ll have it at once! But there is only one wish in the ring, so think carefully before you wish.»

The astonished farmer took the ring given to him by the peasant woman, and went home. In evening he came to a big city. There he went to a merchant and showed him the magic ring. When the merchant heard the astonishing story, he thought of a plan. He invited the farmer to stay in his house for the night. At night he came up to the sleeping peasant, carefully took the ring off the man’s finger, and put on another ring, which looked exactly like the one he had taken off.

In the morning when the farmer had gone away, the merchant ran into his shop, shut the door, and said while turning the ring on his finger, «I wish to have a hundred thousand pieces of gold.» And down they came, on his head, shoulders, and arms, like a rain of gold! The frightened merchant tried to get out of the shop, but in vain. In a few minutes he was dead.

When the farmer returned home, he showed the ring to his wife. «Take a look at this ring,» he said. «It’s a magic ring! It will make us happy.”

The astonished woman could hardly say a word «Let’s try. Maybe the ring will bring us more land,» she said at last.

“We must be careful about our wish. Don’t forget there’s only one thing that we may ask for,» he explained. «Let’s better work hard for another year, and we’ll have more land.”

So they worked as hard as they could and got enough money to buy the land they wished to have.

Then the farmer’s wife thought of asking for a cow and a horse. They discussed the matter more than once.
“My good wife”, — said the farmer, — “we shall get a horse and a cow without the ring.”
They went on working hard for a whole year and again bought the things they wished to have.

«What happy people we are!» said the farmer.

“I don’t understand you,» answered his wife angrily. «There’s nothing in the world that we can’t have, and still we spend days and nights working as hard as before, because you don’t want to use your magic ring!”

Thirty, then forty years had gone by. The farmer and his wife had grown old. Their hair became as white as snow. They were happy and had everything they wanted. Their ring was still there. Although it was not a magic ring, it had made them happy. For you see, my dear friends, a poor thing in good hands is better than a fine thing in bad hands.

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Художественная литература очень помогает развивать владение языком, и когда мы читаем рассказы на английском, то эффективно повышаем свой уровень и интересно проводим время.

 

Книги на английском

Книги играют большую роль в изучении языка. При чтении литературы мы узнаем новые слова, усваиваем конструкции. Конечно, значимости устной языковой практики никто не отменял, но в разговоре мы только оттачиваем то, что получили ранее, переводим теорию в практику. В беседе у нас нет времени проработать лексику, а при чтении есть возможность обратиться к словарю, во всем разобраться и при необходимости перечитать непонятное.

 

Литература развивает хороший вкус и формирует у нас представление о правильном языке. К тому же, через книги на английском вы погружаетесь в иноязычную культуру, начинаете лучше понимать носителей языка.

 

На начальном этапе, когда словарный запас совсем небольшой, очень помогают разобрать лексику специальные истории на английском для начинающих. Их также называют адаптированными. В таких книгах информация разбита по определенным тематикам, и приложены словарики употребленных в тексте слов. Адаптированные тексты упрощены по лексике и по построению предложений, их можно читать тем, кто недавно начал обучение. Но в них теряется то, что дает неадаптированная литература — язык носителей, который не подстраивается под уровень владения иностранцев.

 

Чем хороши короткие рассказы

Конечно, читать литературу важно для каждого, кто учит язык. Но какую? Браться сразу за огромные романы не стоит: такой путь не будет эффективен, да и может отбить желание читать английскую литературу в оригинале — не всем по плечу такие амбициозные цели.

 

Очень полезно читать рассказы на английском языке. Короткие рассказы — это ступенька от чтения адаптированных учебных текстов к большим произведениям художественной литературы.

 

Язык в небольших текстах более лаконичен, поскольку нужно уместить все события в малый объем произведения. Большую роль в рассказах играют детали, они позволяют емко описать ситуацию. Для изучающих язык такие яркие, значимые для сюжета штрихи гораздо легче запомнить, а значит, проще усвоить соответствующие им слова.

 

При разборе рассказов удобно заучивать грамматику и слова. У вас всегда есть возможность перечитать текст еще раз, после того, как вы разобрали перевод слов и конструкции предложений. Ведь чтение рассказа не занимает много времени, а при повторном прочтении новые фразы отложатся в памяти гораздо лучше.

 

Читая интересные рассказы на английском, мы сразу видим свой прогресс. Ведь каждый текст здесь — законченное произведение, которое служит ступенькой в освоении английского. Прочитав рассказ, мы усваиваем лексику на определенную тему, после чего можем перейти к другой тематике и таким образом быстро совершенствовать свой язык.   

 

Как работать с текстами

Нужно знать не только, что читать, но и как эффективнее читать английские рассказы для начинающих, чтобы получить максимум пользы и усвоить весь материал:

 

1. Прочитайте текст без перевода. Не нужно сразу переводить каждое слово по словарю. Вначале мы просто знакомимся с текстом, и наша задача — понять, о чем история. О значении многих слов вы сможете догадаться по контексту.
2. Теперь можно переводить незнакомые слова. Когда вы поняли суть истории, то у вас уже есть догадки — так новая лексика запомнится гораздо лучше. К тому же, вам будет легче сориентироваться в нужных значениях многозначных слов.
3. Обратите внимание на конструкцию предложений, выбор грамматических времен. Чтение неадаптированных текстов — это хорошая проверка вашего понимания, почему ставятся те или иные грамматические формы. Посмотрите также на стилистические особенности, отметьте, в каких ситуациях могут быть уместны выражения из рассказа.
4. Отталкиваясь от истории, поразмышляйте о прочитанном. Подумайте, почему герои поступают именно так и почему автор выстроил сюжет таким образом. Интересные рассказы на английском языке дадут хороший толчок к формулированию вашего мнения на те или иные темы, что крайне важно для языковой практики.
5. Перескажите историю. Старайтесь использовать слова и конструкции, которые вы выучили из текста, чтобы научиться применять то, что узнали. Короткие рассказы очень удобны для пересказа: вы можете быстро прочитать произведение и сразу получить законченную историю.

Какой текст выбрать

Мы уже говорили об эффективности чтения рассказов. Но в этом жанре есть очень разные по сложности произведения, и нужно выбрать текст в соответствии со своим уровнем знания языка.

 

Оцените свои силы. Подберите текст, в котором умеренное количество новых слов. Если же вы давно изучаете язык, то легкие рассказы на английском языке для начинающих окажутся для вас просто бесполезными: вы не узнаете ничего нового. Если весь текст состоит для вас из незнакомых слов, значит, вы переоценили свои возможности. В таком случае лучше выбрать более простой материал.

 

Когда текст не переполнен незнакомой лексикой, усвоить ее гораздо проще. Вы сможете догадаться о значениях из контекста, а именно так проще всего запомнить новые слова и выражения. К тому же, у вас будет возможность обратить внимание на построение предложений и употребление грамматических показателей. И удовольствия от прочтения вы получите гораздо больше, ведь беспрерывное заглядывание в словарь помешает вам наслаждаться литературой.

 

Если вы недавно начали учить язык, возьмите рассказы на английском для начинающих с переводом, сказки или детские истории. Произведения для детей проще, при этом вы сможете почерпнуть для себя много полезного. Когда вы будете уверенно чувствовать себя, переходите к более сложной литературе.

Рассказы на английском можно найти у самых разных писателей. Всегда есть возможность выбрать, кто из авторов вам ближе: О. Генри, Конан Дойл, Эдгар Аллан По, Джек Лондон, Рэй Брэдбери, Редьярд Киплинг, Марк Твен, Чарльз Диккенс, Курт Воннегут.

 

Рассказы для начинающих

Чтобы вы получили представление о текстах, мы приведем в качестве примера рассказ-притчу Марка Твена “The Five Boons Of Life” («Пять даров жизни»). Рассказ короткий, состоит из пяти небольших отрывков. Первый фрагмент выглядит так:

 

In the morning of life came a good fairy with her basket, and said: “Here are gifts. Take one, leave the others. And be wary, chose wisely; oh, choose wisely! for only one of them is valuable”.

The gifts were five: Fame, Love, Riches, Pleasure, Death.

The youth said, eagerly: “There is no need to consider”; and he chose Pleasure.

He went out into the world and sought out the pleasures that youth delights in. But each in its turn was short-lived and disappointing, vain and empty; and each, departing, mocked him.

In the end he said: “These years I have wasted. If I could but choose again, I would choose wisely”.

 

Перевод на русский:

На заре жизни к человеку пришла фея с корзиной в руках и сказала: «Вот дары. Возьми один, другие оставь. Будь осторожен, выбирай мудро, очень мудро! Только один из них по-настоящему ценен».

Даров было пять: Слава, Любовь, Богатство, Удовольствие, Смерть.

Молодой человек ответил со страстью: «И думать нечего» — и выбрал Удовольствие.

Он вышел в мир и искал те наслаждения, которыми восхищается молодость. Но каждое оказалось недолговечно и несло разочарования, суету и пустоту, каждое покидало его с насмешками.

В конце концов человек сказал: «Я зря потратил эти годы. Если бы мог выбрать снова, я бы был мудрее».

 

Не будем приводить весь английский рассказ, но разберем его концовку: юноша перепробовал все дары, кроме смерти, и каждый раз его ждало разочарование. Тогда он вновь оказался перед феей:

 

The fairy came, bringing again four of the gifts, but Death was wanting.

She said: “I gave it to a mother’s pet, a little child. It was ignorant, but trusted me, asking me to choose for it. You did not ask me to choose”.

“Oh, miserable me! What is left for me?”

“What not even you have deserved: the wanton insult of Old Age”.

 

Фея пришла и принесла вновь четыре дара, но Смерти среди них не было.

Она сказала: «Я отдала ее младенцу. Он ничего не знал и доверился мне, попросил выбрать за него. Ты же не просил меня выбирать».

«О я несчастный! Что же мне осталось?»

«То, чего даже ты не заслужил: бессмысленное оскорбление Старости».

 

Из этих двух фрагментов можно заметить, что на протяжении рассказа повторяется ключевая лексика, поэтому ее можно запомнить уже в процессе чтения. Здесь также нет сложных конструкций и многозначных предложений. Рассказ служит ярким примером, какой тип текста подойдет начинающим, чтобы читать английскую литературу в оригинале.

 

Выбирая истории на английском для начинающих, можно остановиться на сказках. При этом не обязательно выбирать именно английские произведения: можно читать истории и в переводе на английский. Если взять произведение, с которым вы уже знакомы, то воспринимать текст будет гораздо легче, и вы быстрее освоите новую лексику. Например, можно прочесть английские переводы все знакомых сказок Ганса Христиана Андерсена или Шарля Перро.

 

Рассказы на английском для продолжающих

Не нужно считать, что все рассказы просты для чтения: небольшой объем не обязательно говорит о простоте. Короткие тексты могут быть написаны с употреблением сложных грамматических конструкций.

 

Приведем начало рассказа Эдгара Алана По “The Oval Portrait” («Овальный портрет»). Его стиль написания гораздо богаче, но и намного сложнее для восприятия.

 

The chateau into which my valet had ventured to make forcible entrance, rather than permit me, in my desperately wounded condition, to pass a night in the open air, was one of those piles of commingled gloom and grandeur which have so long frowned among the Appennines, not less in fact than in the fancy of Mrs. Radcliffe. To all appearance it had been temporarily and very lately abandoned. We established ourselves in one of the smallest and least sumptuously furnished apartments. It lay in a remote turret of the building. Its decorations were rich, yet tattered and antique. Its walls were hung with tapestry and bedecked with manifold and multiform armorial trophies, together with an unusually great number of very spirited modern paintings in frames of rich golden arabesque.

 

Замок, в который мой лакей отважился ворваться, чтобы я в своем плачевном состоянии не остался ночью на улице, был одним из примеров смешения мрачности и величия, которые до сих пор хмурятся среди Апеннин не меньше, чем в воображении госпожи Рэдклиф. По виду казалось, что замок временно и совсем недавно покинули. Мы обосновались в одном из самых маленьких и наименее пышно обставленных апартаментов. Он находился в дальней башне здания. Его убранство было богато, хотя и давно обветшало. Стены были обтянуты гобеленами и украшены множеством разнообразных военных трофеев вместе с необычайно большим количеством очень воодушевленных картин наших дней в золотых рамах с арабесками.

 

Другой пример того, что рассказы на английском часто не просты для восприятия — рассказ О.Генри “The Dream” («Сон»). Произведение начинается так:

 

Murray dreamed a dream.

Both psychology and science grope when they would explain to us the strange adventures of our immaterial selves when wandering in the realm of “Death’s twin brother, Sleep”. This story will not attempt to be illuminative; it is no more than a record of Murray’s dream. One of the most puzzling phases of that strange waking sleep is that dreams which seem to cover months or even years may take place within a few seconds or minutes.

 

Мюррею приснился сон.

И психологи и ученые теряются в объяснениях странных приключений нашего нематериального «я», когда мы блуждаем в царстве «близнеца смерти» — в царстве сна. Эта история не претендует на то, чтобы дать разъяснения, это всего лишь описание сна Мюррея. Один из самых сбивающих с толку аспектов этих странных грез — во сне, как нам кажется, проходят месяцы или даже годы, а в реальности лишь пара секунд или минут.

 

В статье мы разобрали небольшие отрывки, чтобы показать, как эффективно чтение рассказов на английском. Вы можете выбрать сборники вашего любимого автора или знакомиться с творчеством различных писателей через их рассказы: в многообразии произведений каждый найдет то, что ему по душе.

 

Если Вы заглянули на эту страничку, дорогой читатель, значит Вы хотите прочитать что-нибудь на английском языке. Вы можете выбрать книгу, рассказ или небольшое произведение, а заодно и посмотреть его экранизацию. Давайте вместе совершим путешествие во времени, скажем, в век XVIII, познакомимся с эпохой, ее типичными характерами, а заодно и с величайшими писателями, которые жили в то время. Они говорят с нами через несколько веков, вложив слова в уста героев своих произведений. Хорошая книга — понятие относительное. Ведь вкусы у нас разные, поэтому и произведения на нашем сайте Вы найдете разные. Однако несомненно одно — все книги, которые мы предлагаем, достойны того, чтобы их читать. Ведь это не просто лучшие книги на английском языке — это классика английской и американской литературы. Итак, открываем книгу и отправляемся в другой мир. Не потеряйтесь!

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Лучшие рассказы О. Генри на английском языке

Если вы еще не читали рассказы О. Генри, то самое время познакомиться с этим американским писателем. И начнем мы с его, пожалуй, самого лучшего рассказа «Последний лист» (The Last Leaf). Хотя О. Генри старался избегать плохих концов, чтобы не расстраивать своего читателя, конец этой истории неоднозначен… Рассказ адаптирован до уровня intermediate (для продолжающих). Читайте онлайн рассказ «The Last Leaf» на английском или на русском языке, а также смотрите его экранизации.

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Предлагаем прочитать на английском языке короткий рассказ известного американского писателя О. Генри. Рассказ называется «No Story» — что в переводе означает «Невыдуманная история» или «Без вымысла».  Рассказ адаптирован (уровень легкий). Для тех, кого интересует изучение английского языка, есть упражнения, комментарии и перевод трудных выражений.

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Предлагаем прочитать рассказ Рэя Брэдбери «Противотуманная сирена» (уровень средний — pre-intermediate) для продолжающих изучать английский язык из цикла «Ray Bradbury. Short Stories».

Действие рассказа в происходит в Туманном Альбионе. На берегу моря стоит одинокий маяк, свет которого помогает судам найти дорогу к гавани ночью и во время тумана. Туманы в этом месте особенно густые, поэтому маяк  оборудован еще и противотуманной сиреной.

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«Ночь. Мертвая тишина. Только дыхание ночи колышет траву на равнине. Горит в ночи одинокий костер», — так начинается эта история, которую написал еще в 1955 году великий фантазер и почти безумец Рэй Брэдбери. Читайте онлайн рассказ на английском языке, который называется The Dragon. Рассказ адаптирован для среднего уровня (intermediate). Прилагаются слова для изучения.

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Рассказ «Развести костер» — один из лучших рассказов Джека Лондона, американского писателя самобытные рассказы которого до сих пор производят сильное впечатление на людей. Они не только поражают воображение его читателей. Они вдохновляют. Видимо благодаря той огромной жизненной силе, которой обладал автор при жизни. Сила духа, любовь к жизни — это то, чем пронизаны все его произведения. Невероятный писатель, и невероятный человек. Мы в России любим и читаем Джека Лондона, чуть ли не больше, чем в самой Америке.

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This horror story «The Tell-Tale Heart» by Edgar Poe is one of my favourite ones. It is a little bit crazy and very tensive.
The plot of the story is rather simple. Two people, a young one and an old one, lived together. The young man helped the old man to keep the house. But with time the old man started to irritate the young. It was his pale blue eye that made him mad.  What happpened in the end you will know when you read the story.
Good luck with learning English through horror stories by Edgar Poe.

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This is a short English story for children and grown-ups. It may remind you about your childhood or  your velveteen rabbit. Or it may be a velveteen bear or some other toy. The story is adapted for pre-intermediate. You can also enjoy the original text of the story «The Velveteen Rabbit» by Margery Williams and its Russian translation.
Трогательный рассказ на английском языке, который называется «Плюшевый кролик». Этот рассказ адаптирован и будет интересен взрослым и детям. Озвученное видео и перевод на русский язык с подробным разбором текста прилагается. Еще одна история от Маджери Уильямс для тех, кто изучает английский язык на нашем сайте!

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Read online the touching story by Margery Williams «The Velveteen Rabbit» about how toys become real. The version is for advanced (in the original).

The animation based on the story follows the text. I think the plot is not new but for me the narration is wonderful. I love the writing style of Margery Williams and I hope so do you.

There is a version for beginners with audio — The Velveteen Rabbit (after Margery Williams)

 Enjoy this bit of both the English and the American Classics on Englishstory.ru

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This is one of the best stories from our collection of short stories by American writers and it is adapted for the intermediate level. It is a story about women and their understanding.

The story tells that one day two women, the policeman’s wife and the sheriff’s wife, happened to accompany their men to the place of a crime, which had been commited in the lonely house of their old friend — Minnie Foster. It was Minnie Foster’s husband who was dead.

The story «A Jury of her peers» to read in Russian online — Суд ее подруг (перевод с английского)

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Чтение историй на английском – один из основных методов изучения языка. Работа с историями на английском языке помогает расширить словарный запас, грамматическую грамотность.

Чем поможет чтение историй на английском?

Чтение историй на английском – это лучшая практика использования полученных знаний.

Оно имеет такую пользу:

• чтение историй на английском расширяет словарный запас, позволяет понять специфику употребления многих идиом, разговорных оборотов, художественных приемов;
• во время работы с историями на английском развивается умение понимать главную идею написанного;
• чтение историй на английском языке позволяет увидеть практическое применение грамматических структур;
• при чтении историй на английском у читателя появляется возможность научиться понимать оценить стиль автора.

Читая истории на английском можно значительно повысить мотивацию к изучению: понимание текста на иностранном языке вдохновляет на дальнейшее обучение. Изучая английский, истории полезно читать для проверки своих знаний и умения понимать и интерпретировать иноязычную речь.

Как правильно читать истории на английском?

Чтобы чтение историй принесло максимальную пользу и удовольствие, следует правильно выбрать тексты для чтения.

Нужно учитывать:

• уровень знания языка. Определить уровень языка можно в интернете с помощью специальных тестов или вместе со своим учителем/репетитором;
• литературные вкусы. Чтение должно приносить удовольствие и выбирать истории нужно исходя из своих интересов;

Неправильно выбранная история на английском может отбить желание не только читать, но и изучать язык.

Методика работы с историями:

• выбранную историю первый раз нужно прочитать бегло: попытаться понять общую идею прочитанного, не стремиться понять каждое слово;
• во время чтения истории на английском во второй раз обратить внимание на интересные слова и структуры, употребление грамматики;
• интересные фразы и слова из истории можно выписывать в отдельную тетрадь для того, чтобы в дальнейшем иметь возможность возвращаться к ним.

Постоянная работа с историями поможет улучшить навыки чтения.

Английские короткие истории для начинающих

Для начинающих подходят истории на английском с простым сюжетом и несложными грамматическими конструкциями. Это могут быть истории-сказки, шуточные истории, простые сюжеты и рассказы о животных, детях, путешествиях.

История на английском про мальчика, который научился видеть

В этой истории употребляются простые времена и базовая лексика, она доступна для понимания для носителей уровней А1-А2.

In the railway carriage, one boy was laughing all the time, when he was looking at the window. The man sitting in from of him was getting angry. He was very tired and he wanted to sleep. But the boy was laughing all the time and prevented him. The man could not stand it and said: — Mister, could you tell something to your son. Calm him down. The father didn’t say a word. Then the man said again: — I think, your son needs a doctor! His behavior is awful! — We have just been there. – smiled a father. The man surprised. Father continued: — My son started to see the world around him! His vision has been restored today.

В вагоне поезда один мальчик постоянно смеялся, когда смотрел в окно. Мужчина, который сидел напротив, начал злиться. Он был усталым и хотел спать. Но мальчик смеялся и мешал ему. Мужчина не выдержал и сказал: — Мистер, не могли бы вы успокоить своего сына. Отец промолчал. Мальчик продолжал смеяться. Тогда мужчина сказал еще: — Я думаю, вашего сына нужно показать врачу. — Мы только что там были. – Ответил отец. Мужчина удивился. Поведение мальчика его очень злило! Папа продолжил: — Мой сын впервые увидел мир! Ему восстановили зрение.

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История на английском про девочку и скрипку

Эта история подходит для чтения в контексте изучения простого и длительного настоящего времени английского языка.

One girl always wanted to learn how to play the violin. She was listening to music, watching concerts and was sitting sadly at the window. Her family was very poor. They couldn’t buy a violin for their daughter. But the girl tried not to be sad. She was happy when she heard the sound of a favorite musical instrument. She continued dreaming. Once she was walking on the street when she saw a homeless man, who was playing the violin. She has a few dollars with herself. She was so sorry for this man so she decided to give him her money. — Thank you, kind girl. – said the man. – What can I do for you? Blushed she came home without saying a word. The next morning she found a violin near the front door. There was a note: ‘The kindness is always regarded’.

Одна девочка всегда хотела научиться играть на скрипке. Она слушала музыку, смотрела концерты и грустила у окна. Ее семья была очень бедной. Они не могли купить скрипку своей дочери. Но девочка не грустила. Она радовалась, когда слышала звук любимого инструмента и продолжала мечтать. Однажды она шла по улице и увидела бездомного, который играл на скрипке. У нее с собой было несколько долларов. Ей стало так жаль бедного, что она отдала ему все свои деньги. — Спасибо, добрая девочка. – улыбнулся мужчина. – Что я могу сделать для тебя? Покраснев, она молча пошла домой. На следующее утро она нашла возле дверей скрипку. Возле нее была записка: «Доброта всегда вознаграждается».

История на английском о соловье и розе

Для закрепления знаний о простом и длительном прошлом времени в английском языке подойдет эта история с простым сюжетом и несложной базовой лексикой.

There was a rose in the garden. She was very sad and often cried. Other flowers had people who loved them. They were presented all the time. But rose wasn’t. She had thorns. Once the Nightingale sat near rose. He started to sing a beautiful song. She was looking at the rose and his song was perfect. The rose revived. She understood that somebody needs her. The bird always was sitting near here and singing its song. Once he flew up very close and the rose was frightened: — Fly away! – Cried she, — you can be pricked! — I’m not afraid. – said the nightingale. – You are very beautiful and I’m not afraid to be pricked. She heard such good words for the first time. She was pleased. And she understood that there is always somebody who will not be afraid of you.

В саду росла красивая роза. Она была грустной и часто плакала. Другие цветы находили себе хозяев – их срывали и дарили друг другу люди. А розу никто не трогал. У нее были острые шипы. Однажды на соседний куст сел соловей. Он начал красиво петь. Он смотрел на розу и пел прекрасную песню. Роза ожила. Она поняла, что она кому-то нужна. Птица постоянно сидела рядом и пела песенки. Однажды он подлетел близко и роза испугалась: — Улетай! – сказала она. – Ты можешь уколоться! — Я не боюсь. – Ответил соловей. – ты очень красивая и я не боюсь уколоться. Первый раз роза слышала такие слова. Ей было приятно. И она поняла, в этом мире всегда найдется кто-то, кто не побоится к тебе приблизиться.

История на английском про счастье

В этой истории много прилагательных, которые можно выписать и практиковать в разных контекстах на английском.

The little bird decided to learn what happiness is. She asked the wind, sun, sky, and water. But all of them answered differently. The wind said that happiness is freedom. The sky said that happiness is silence. The water said that happiness is the speed. The bird was frustrated. She thought that she got confused. Then she decided to ask the wise Owl. Owl answered: — Happiness is when you are happy. You are happy when you fly and sing. The bird was pleased. It was true! She was always happy when she was flying and singing! She understood that every creature has their own happiness.

Маленькая птичка решила узнать, что такое счастье. Она спросила у ветра, солнца, неба и воды. Но все они отвечали по-разному. Ветер сказал, что счастье – это свобода. Небо сказало, что счастье – это тишина. А вода сказала, что счастье – это скорость. Птичка растерялась. Она подумала, что запуталась. Потом она решила спросить мудрую сову. А сова ответила: — Счастье – это то, что делает тебя счастливой. А счастлива ты тогда, когда хочешь петь и летать. Птичка обрадовалась. Это была правда! Она радовалась, когда летала. Она поняла, что каждый сам определяет свое счастье.

История на английском о дружбе

В этой истории много употреблений простого прошедшего времени в единичном и множественном числе. Она подходит для тренировки этой грамматической конструкции, а используемые в истории прилагательные помогут расширить словарный запас.

In the big forest lived a fox and a hare. They were unusual. The fox and the hare were friends. Everyone was surprised because foxes and hears cannot be friends! But those animals were unusual. They helped each other, they gave advises to each other in different situations. The fox always protected the hare, and the hare made the fox laugh. Once a big bear said: — You mustn’t be friends with the hare! It is not right! — But why? – asked the fox. — Read the fairytales! This kind of friendship doesn’t exist! The fox thought about it. And then answered: — Not everything in the fairytale is true. Real life is more complicated and we can choose who we want to be friends with.

В одном большом лесу жили лиса и заяц. Они были необычными. Заяц и лиса дружили. Все удивлялись этому, ведь никогда не дружат лиса и заяц, но эти животные были особенными! Они помогали друг другу, советовали, как поступить в разных ситуациях. Лиса защищала зайца, а заяц смешил лису. Однажды большой медведь сказал лисе: — Ты не должна с ним дружить! Это неправильно! — но почему? – Удивилась лиса. — Почитай сказки! Нигде нет такого, чтобы лиса и заяц дружили. Лиса задумалась. А потом ответила: — Не все, что пишут сказки – правда. Настоящая жизнь намного сложнее и мы сами можем выбирать, кем быть и с кем дружить.

История на английском про живой лес

Once a boy was walking in the forest. He broke branches, frightened animals, chopped the grass. In the evening, when he went to bed, someone knocked at the window. He looked out and saw a tree. «You did very badly!» The boy heard the words. He was frightened. — Who is it? — He asked. — Never mind. I am a part of nature. And you are too. What you did is bad. — You’re not alive! The tree lowered its branches and sadly replied: — That’s what you think. But I’m alive. And the grass is alive. And the animals feel pain. The boy pondered. He felt ashamed. — Forgive me, tree. — He answered. But the tree was silent. The next day the boy went to the forest and behaved quietly. He realized that the forest is alive.

Одни мальчик гулял в лесу. Он ломал ветки, пугал животных и мял траву. Вечером, когда он ложился спать, в окно кто-то постучал. Он выглянул и увидел дерево. — Ты поступил очень плохо! – услышал мальчик слова. Он испугался. — Кто это? – спросил он. — Неважно. Я – часть природы. И ты тоже. То, что ты сделал — плохо. — Ты же неживое! Дерево опустило свои ветки и грустно ответило: — Это ты так думаешь. Но я живое. И трава живая. И животные ощущают боль. Мальчик задумался. Ему стало стыдно. — Прости меня, дерево. – Ответил он. Но дерево промолчало. На следующий день мальчик пошел в лес и вел себя тихо-тихо. Он понял, что лес живой.

История на английском про мамину любовь

The boy tore his jacket and was crying for a long time. He thought that his mother would stop loving him. This jacket was presented to him for his birthday. He was sitting on the steps and crying. He was ashamed and sad. He did not want to go home. Evening came. And the boy did not want to go home. — Son, we’ve been looking for you! What are you doing here? — Mom came to him. He began to cry again. And then mother noticed that the jacket was torn. The boy noticed this and said: — Sorry! Mom, I’m sorry! I’m not on purpose! I know that you will stop loving me! — Stop. Said mother and smiled. — Why do you think so? — She’s so expensive. — Whispered the boy. Mom once again smiled and tenderly replied: — You are the most expensive. Nothing can kill my love.

Мальчик порвал свою куртку и очень долго плакал. Он думал, что мама его разлюбит. Эту куртку подарили ему на день рождения. Он сидел на ступеньках и плакал. Ему было стыдно и грустно. Он не хотел идти домой. Наступил вечер. А мальчик все не хотел идти домой. — Сынок, мы тебя искали! Что ты здесь делаешь? – к нему подошла мама. Он снова начал плакать. И тут мама заметила, что куртка порвана. Мальчик заметил это и начал говорить: — Прости! Мама, прости! Я не специально! Я знаю, что ты меня разлюбишь! — Стоп. – Сказала мама и улыбнулась. – С чего ты взял? — Она такая дорогая. – Прошептал мальчик. Мама еще раз улыбнулась и нежно ответила: — Ты – самое дорогое. Мою любовь ничто не может убить.

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Страшные истории на английском языке с переводом

История на английском про черную комнату

The black-black company had a black-and-black table. In the black-black desk was a black-black box. In this box was a black folder. And in the black folder were some black sheets of paper. There were written some gory story. Everyone who read this story began to see terrible dreams. Nobody knew who wrote this story. The man who kept this story was very lonely. He wrote it for a very long time and every time someone insulted him, he threw a folder in his bag with this story. Loneliness sometimes makes people very angry.

В черной-черной компании был черный-черный стол. В черном-черном столе был черный-черный ящик. В этом ящике лежала черная папка. А в черной папке на черных листах бумаги была написана страшная история. Все, кто читали эту историю, начинали видеть страшные сны. Никто не знал, кто написал эту историю. Человек, который хранил эту историю, был очень одиноким. Он писал ее очень долго и каждый раз, когда кто-то его обижал, он подкидывал ему в сумку папку с этой историей. Одиночество иногда делает людей очень злыми.

История на английском про привидение и замок

В этой истории на английском использовано много разных грамматических конструкций, которые изучаются на уровнях В1-В2. Те, кто учат английский на уровне А2, тоже могут читать ее, если хотят изучить более сложные слова и фразы.

In the castle lived a ghost. The castle stood empty for a long time and the ghost was sad. But one day the family moved there. And the ghost came to life. It began to walk the corridors, frighten new tenants and scared to howl in the middle of the night. The family was very frightened. One day she woke up a little girl, and she cried out loud. Dad decided to do something with this ghost. They tried to catch him, summoned the priest, and the ghost hunters. But nothing helped. And the family left this castle. Ghosts stayed alone again. Nobody found out about his loneliness. For thousands of years of emptiness in the castle, it has forgotten how to talk with people and is only able to frighten them.

В одном замке жило привидение. Замок долго стоял пустым и приведение грустило. Но однажды туда переехала семья. И привидение ожило, начало гулять коридорами, пугать новых жильцов и страшно выть посреди ночи. Семья была очень напугана. Однажды привидение разбудило маленькую девочку, и она громко закричала. Папа решил что-то сделать с этим привидением. Они пытались поймать его, вызывали священника, и охотников за привидениями. Но ничего не помогало. И семья покинула этот замок. Привидения снова осталось само. Никогда так и не узнал о его одиночестве. За тысячи лет пустоты в замке привидение разучилось разговаривать с людьми и умело только пугать их.

История на английском про Хеллоуин

Jessica never believed in spirits. She was always skeptical about any holidays and beliefs. It was Halloween. All around bought suits, prepared strange dishes and decorated their homes. Only Jessica sat sadly by the window. She was dreaming about a miracle! Suddenly, something knocked at her window. Jessica winced: she lived on the 9th floor. The knock repeated. The girl opened the window and looked out — the fresh air flew into the room, but there was no one there. Jessica closed the window. Suddenly she felt something behind her. She froze and turned slowly: big green eyes were looking at her. The girl cried out loud and suddenly … woke up. It turned out that she dozed off at the window and she dreamed it.

Джессика никогда не верила в духов. Она всегда скептически относилась к любым праздникам и верованиям. Настал Хеллоуин. Все вокруг покупали костюмы, готовили странные блюда и украшали свои жилища. Только Джессика грустно сидела возле окна. Ей так хотелось чуда! Вдруг что-то постучало ей в окно. Джессика вздрогнула: она жила на 9 этаже. Стук повторился. Девочка открыла окно и выглянула – свежий воздух залетел в комнату, но там никого не было. Джессика закрыла окно. И вдруг почувствовала, как что-то стоит у нее за спиной. Она замерла и медленно повернулась: на нее смотрели большие зеленые глаза. Девочка громко закричала и вдруг… проснулась. Оказалось, что она задремала у окна и это ей приснилось.

История на английском о двух мужчинах

Two men were driving in the car on the road. They were returning from their parents. Suddenly a fox ran to the road. The driver was frightened and stopped the car. The men got out of the car and looked around — there was a dark forest around, a howl of a wolf could be heard. Suddenly something big appeared from the bushes, a roar was heard. One man was frightened and quickly returned to the car. — Get in the car! — He shouted. But his brother froze and did not move from his place. — Faster! — Cried the driver. He was very scared, he pressed the gas and the car drove off. In the rear view, he saw how something black and big dragged his brother into the forest.

Двое мужчин ехали в машине по дороге. Они возвращались от родителей. Вдруг на дорогу выбежала лиса. Водитель испугался и остановил машину. Мужчины вышли из авто и осмотрелись – вокруг был темный лес, слышалось завывание волка. Вдруг из кустов показалось что-то большое, послышался рык. Один мужчина испугался и быстро вернулся в авто. — Cадись в машину! – кричал он. Но его брат застыл и не двигался с места. — Быстрее! – кричал водитель. Ему было очень страшно, он нажал на газ и машина поехала. В стекло заднего вида он видел, как что-то черное и большое утащило его брата в лес.

История на английском: «Злая собака и мальчик»

The family gave the boy a dog. The child was happy and very fond of his pet, played with him. But the dog was dull — she did not like to play with the ball, toys. When it grew up, the boy saw that the dog was getting very angry. And one day he began to be afraid of it. The dog began to growl at him. In one day it bites him. But the parents did not see this and did not believe the boy when he told about it. — It is just bored with you — Said, my mother. — You grew up and do not want to play with it. Answered my father. The boy was scared. One night he woke up because someone was breathing on him. He opened his eyes and saw a dog sitting on his stomach and looking into his eyes. He saw its big teeth. The boy screamed and ran to his parents. The next day the dog disappeared. Parents did not believe the boy, and the boy all his life expected that the dog will return one day.

Семья подарила мальчику собаку. Ребенок был счастлив и очень любил своего питомца, играл с ним. Но собака была унылой – она не любила играть с мячиком, игрушками. Когда она выросла, мальчик увидел, что собака стает очень злой. И однажды он начал ее бояться. Собака начала на него рычать. В один день она его укусила. Но родители этого не видели и не верили мальчику, когда он рассказывал об этом. — Она тебе просто надоела. – говорила мама. — Ты вырос и не хочешь с ней играть. – отвечал папа. Мальчику было страшно. Как-то ночью он проснулся от того, что на него кто-то дышал. Он открыл глаза и увидел пса, который сидел у него на животе и смотрел ему в глаза. Было видно ее большие зубы. Мальчик закричал и побежал к родителям. На следующий день собака исчезла. Родители так и не поверили мальчику, а мальчик всю жизнь ожидал возвращения собаки.

История на английском: «Девочка на дороге»

The driver was driving along the road and suddenly stopped. In the middle of the road, there was a girl in white. He went out, but the figure disappeared. Every time he returned from work, he saw this figure. But she quickly disappeared. The driver decided to look for something. He found some information. The girl had been killed on this road, and the killer has not yet been punished. Since then, the girl frightens the drivers. The man became frightened and he began to go round this road. But he never stopped thinking about a girl in a white dress.

Водитель ехал по дороге и вдруг остановился. Посреди дороги стояла девочка в белом. Он вышел, но фигура исчезла. Каждый раз, когда он возвращался с работы, он видел эту фигуру. Но она быстро исчезала. Водитель решил что-то поискать. Он нашел информацию о том, что на этой дороге была убита девочка, и убийца до сих пор не наказан. С тех пор девочка пугает водителей. Мужчине стало страшно и он начал объезжать эту дорогу. Но никогда не прекращал думать о девочке в белом платье.

История на английском: «Монстр и подвал»

Alice was afraid of going to the basement. Mom often asked her to go down there and get some things. But the girl knew that there was a monster in the basement. She saw his terrible eyes and big teeth. But she was afraid to tell anyone about it. So she wrote about it in her diary. Once the mother asked Alice to bring the book from the cellar. The girl went down there, she trembled and was very afraid. Since then, no one saw the girl. All the people were looking for a girl in the forests, fields, meadows. Once the mother found Alice’s diary. She cried loudly, ran out of the house and began to cry. After that, she poured a house on kerosene and set fire to it.

Алиса боялась ходить в подвал. Мама часто просила ее туда спуститься и достать какие-то вещи. Но девочка знала, что в подвале живет монстр. Она видела его страшные глаза и большие зубы. Но она боялась говорить кому-то об этом. Поэтому она писала об этом в своем дневнике. Как-то мама попросила Алису принести книгу из подвала. Девочка спустилась туда, она дрожала и очень боялась. С тех пор девочку никто не видел. Все искали девочку в лесах, полях, лугах. Однажды мама нашла дневник Алисы. Она громко закричала, выбежала из дома и начала плакать. После этого она облила дом керосином подожгла его.

Смешные истории на английском языке с переводом

История на английском про кота, который боялся мышей

In one house a mouse started to live. The hosts decided to get a cat to catch this mouse. The cat was named Timothy. But this cat was very shy. He was afraid of the mouse and hid behind the fridge. — Catch the mouse, please. — asked the landlady at home. Everyone realized that he was timid. Once he was lying under the table and was afraid. Suddenly he saw a mouse. She came to him curiously and asked: — Why do not you catch me? The cat cried and answered: — I’m afraid of you, mouse. The mouse laughed and answered: — I can not live with you in the same house! I want to run and hide. And you lie here and cry. And the mouse has gone. Everyone thought that Timothy had caught it.

В одном доме завелась мышь. Хозяева решили завести кота, чтобы он поймал эту мышь. Кота назвали Тимоти. Но этот кот был очень пугливым. Он боялся мыши и прятался за холодильником. — Поймай мышь, пожалуйста. – Попросила хозяйка дома. Все поняли, что он пугливый. Однажды он лежал под столом и боялся. Вдруг он увидел мышь. Она любопытно подошла к нему и спросила: — Почему ты меня не ловишь? Кот заплакал и ответил: — Я боюсь тебя, мышка. Мышь рассмеялась и ответила: — Я не смогу жить с тобой в одном доме! Я хочу убегать и прятаться. А ты лежишь тут и плачешь. И мышь ушла. Все думали, что Тимоти ее поймал.

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История на английском: «Почему кенгуру так называется?»

One large expedition arrived in Australia. There they saw a big animal with a bag on its stomach. Nearby stood a tribe. Researchers asked them: — Tell me, natives, who is this? What a wondrous animal with a bag on his stomach? People answered: — Ken gu ru. The freight forwarders did not know the language of the tribe, and they thought it was the name of the animal. — Kangaroo, a kangaroo. — the researchers nodded. Since then, an animal with a bag is called a kangaroo. But only now we know that the tribe answered: «We do not know.»

Одна большая экспедиция приехала в Австралию. Там они увидели большое животное с сумкой на животе. Рядом стояло племя. Исследователи спросили у них: — Скажите, коренные жители, кто это? Что за дивное животное с сумкой на животе? Люди ответили: — Кен гу ру. Экспедиторы не знали языка племени, и они подумали, что это название животного. — Кенгуру, кенгуру. – закивали исследователи. С тех пор животное с сумкой называют кенгуру. Но только сейчас мы знаем, что племя ответило: «Мы не знаем».

История на английском: «В темноте»

Many years ago, two friends, Joe and Peter arrived in a small hotel. They asked for a room. They were given keys and a candle. While they were going there, the candle went out. They groped for the door and went into the room. They undressed and went to bed, but they did not see that it was one big bed. Joe said: — Peter, there’s someone in my bed. Peter replied: — Joe, in mine, too. — I can feel his legs. — Let’s push him, — suggested Joe. They began to shove each other and both fell into bed. The men got angry and said: — We need to go to the owner and complain to him!

Много лет назад два друга Джо и Петер приехали в маленькую гостиницу. Они попросили номер. Им дали ключи и свечу. Пока они шли туда, свеча погасла. На ощупь они пришли к двери, и зашли в комнату. Они разделись и легли в постель, но они не видели, что это одна большая кровать. Джо сказал: — Петер, в моей кровати кто-то есть. Петер ответил: — Джо, в моей тоже. Я чувствую его ноги. — Давай столкнем его, — предложил Джо. Они начали пихать друг друга и оба свалились в кровати. Мужчины разозлились и сказали: — Нужно пойти к владельцу и пожаловаться ему!

История на английском: «Вы разозлились?»

Короткая история с элементами шутки:

One day a famous man was traveling to France by an old train. He was going to a small village. He went to sleep very late. He asked the conductor to wake him up when they got to the town. He woke up in the morning. The train was already near Paris. The man was very angry. He ran up to the conductor and cried: — Why didn’t you do it? I am very angry with you! The conductor looked at him for a moment and then said: — You may be angry, but not so angry as the another man whom I put off’ the train instead of you at night

Однажды мужчина путешествовал на поезде. Он был в пути в маленький город. Было поздно, когда он лег спать. Он попросил кондуктора разбудить его, когда будет нужна остановка. Он проснулся рано уже возле Парижа. Мужчина разозлился. Он подбежал к кондуктору и закричал: — Как вы могли? – сказал он кондуктору, — я очень зол! Кондуктор посмотрел на него и сказал. — Вы очень злы. Но американец, которого я разбудил вместо вас и высадил из поезда, еще злее.

История на английском: «В маленьком городе»

One little girl was crying all day. She was really sad. Mother came to her and asked: — Darling, why are you crying so long? What happened? Are you hurt? — No, — said the girl. — Maybe you have your toys broken? — No! — So tell me, why? The girl looked at her mother’s eyes and said: — Because my brother has holidays, and I don’t. — But why? – Mother was surprised. — Because I don’t go to school! – Cried the girl.

Одна маленькая девочка плакала весь день. Она была очень грустной. Мама подошла к ней и спросила: — Дорогая, почему ты плачешь? Что случилось? Тебя кто-то обидел? — Нет, ответила девочка. — Может, твои игрушки сломались? — Нет! — Так скажи же, почему? Девочка посмотрела в мамины глаза и сказала: — Потому что у моего брата каникулы, а у меня нет. — Но почему? – удивилась мама. — Потому что я еще не хожу в школу! – Разрыдалась девочка.

История на английском: «Великий доктор и великий писатель»

Смешная история про ответ великого доктора на действия великого писателя:

One big artist’s dog broke its leg. He decided to call the doctor. But he didn’t want to ask for help an ordinary vet. So he called the best doctor in the world. — Doctor, — said he, — it is very important for me. Help my dog. The doctor said nothing but did his job. Later he called this artist. — Dear artist, — said he. – I called you to ask for your help. Paint my door, please. This is very important for me.

У великого художника собака сломала ногу. Он решил вызвать врача. Но он не хотел простого ветеринара, поэтому вызвал самого лучшего врача в мире. — Доктор, это важно для меня. Помогите моей собаке. Доктор промолчал, но сделал свою работу. Позже доктор вызвал художника. — Милый художник, — сказал он, улыбаясь, — я вызвал вас покрасить мою дверь. Это важно для меня! Вы можете это сделать?

История на английском: «Полицейский и вор»

Небольшая история, похожая на анекдот про вора и полицейского:

Young policeman was asked to get the thief to the prison. While they were walking to that place, the thief said: — I need to go to the shop to buy some food. The policeman was waiting for him for 30 minutes. After he realized that he was fooled. After some time thief was caught again. Young policeman was asked to do the same job. Walking through the shop thief said: — I need to go to the shop, wait for me. — No! – Cried policeman. – You won’t do the same again. Now I will go to the shop and you will wait for me.

Молодого полицейского попросили сопроводить вора в тюрьму. По дороге вор сказал: — Я должен зайти в магазин и купить еды, подождите меня здесь. Полицейский ждал полчаса. Потом зашел в магазин и понял, что вор убежал. Вскоре вора снова поймали. И молодого полицейского снова попросили выполнить работу. Проходя мимо магазина, вор снова сказал: — Я зайду в магазин, а вы подождите меня. Полицейский ответил: — Нет уж! Один раз я уже попался. Теперь я пойду в магазин, а вы ждите меня здесь.

Заключение

Изучая английский, можно использовать истории на различные темы с переводом на русский в качестве дополнительного источника лексического и грамматического материала.

Jack London. To Build a Fire (part 1)

Слова и выражения:

trail — тропа

cover — покрывать

expected to reach — ожидал, что достигнет

to freeze— замерзать

frozen stream— замерзший ручей

snow-covered ice — покрытый снегом лед

underground springs — подземные источники

to break through — провалиться

sharp pain — острая боль

wet — мокрый

dry — сухой

to dry — высушить

branches — ветки

matches — спички

flame — пламя

heavy load — тяжелый груз

tremendous cold — страшный холод

the fear of death — страх смерти

The man walked down the trail on a cold, gray day. Pure white snow and ice covered the Earth for as far as he could see. This was his first winter in Alaska. He was wearing heavy clothes and fur boots. But he still felt cold and uncomfortable.

• as far as he could see — насколько он мог видеть

The man was on his way to a camp near Henderson Creek (ручей Гендерсона). His friends were already there. He expected to reach Henderson Creek by six o’clock that evening. It would be dark by then. His friends would have a fire and hot food ready for him.

• It would be dark by then. — К  тому времени уже стемнеет.
• would have a fire — разожгут костер

A dog walked behind the man. It was a big gray animal, half dog and half wolf. The dog did not like the extreme cold. It knew the weather was too cold to travel.

The man continued to walk down the trail. He came to a frozen stream called Indian Creek. He began to walk on the snow-covered ice. It was a trail that would lead him straight to Henderson Creek and his friends.

As he walked, he looked carefully at the ice in front of him. Once, he stopped suddenly, and then walked around a part of the frozen stream. He saw that an underground spring flowed under the ice at that spot. It made the ice thin. If he stepped there, he might break through the ice into a pool of water. To get his boots wet in such cold weather might kill him. His feet would turn to ice quickly. He could freeze to death.

• If he stepped there, he might … — Если бы он наступил туда, он мог бы …
• would turn — превратиться в
• could freeze — мог бы замерзнуть

At about twelve o’clock, the man decided to stop to eat his lunch. He took off the glove on his right hand. He opened his jacket and shirt, and pulled out his bread and meat. This took less than twenty seconds. Yet, his fingers began to freeze.

He hit his hand against his leg several times until he felt a sharp pain. Then he quickly put his glove on his hand. He made a fire, beginning with small pieces of wood and adding larger ones. He sat on a snow-covered log and ate his lunch. He enjoyed the warm fire for a few minutes. Then he stood up and started walking on the frozen stream again.

A half hour later, it happened. At a place where the snow seemed very solid, the ice broke. The man’s feet sank into the water. It was not deep, but his legs got wet to the knees. The man was angry. The accident would delay his arrival at the camp. He would have to build a fire now to dry his clothes and boots.

He walked over to some small trees. They were covered with snow. In their branches were pieces of dry grass and wood left by flood waters earlier in the year. He put several large pieces of wood on the snow, under one of the trees. On top of the wood, he put some grass and dry branches. He pulled off his gloves, took out his matches, and lighted the fire. He fed the young flame with more wood. As the fire grew , he gave it larger pieces of wood.

He worked slowly and carefully. At sixty degrees below zero, a man with wet feet must not fail in his first attempt to build a fire. While he was walking, his blood had kept all parts of his body warm. Now that he had stopped, cold was forcing his blood to withdraw deeper into his body. His wet feet had frozen. He could not feel his fingers. His nose was frozen, too. The skin all over his body felt cold.

Now, however, his fire was beginning to burn more strongly. He was safe. He sat under the tree and thought of the old men in Fairbanks.

The old men had told him that no man should travel alone in the Yukon when the temperature is sixty degrees below zero.  — Старики говорили, что нельзя путешествовать по Юкону при температуре -60 градусов ниже нуля.

Yet here he was. He had had an accident. He was alone. And he had saved himself. He had built a fire.

Those old men were weak, he thought. A real man could travel alone. If a man stayed calm, he would be all right. The man’s boots were covered with ice. The strings on his boots were as hard as steel. He would have to cut them with his knife.

• If a man stayed calm, he would be all right. — Если сохранять спокойствие, то все будет как надо.

He leaned back against the tree to take out his knife. Suddenly, without warning, a heavy mass of snow dropped down. His movement had shaken the young tree only a tiny bit. But it was enough to cause the branches of the tree to drop their heavy load. The man was shocked. He sat and looked at the place where the fire had been.

The old men had been right, he thought. If he had another man with him, he would not be in any danger now. The other man could build the fire. Well, it was up to him to build the fire again. This time, he must not fail.

• If he had another man with him, he would not be in any danger now.— Если бы с ним был еще кто-то, он не был бы сейчас в опасности.

Jack London. To Build a Fire Part 2.

The man collected more wood. He reached into his pocket for the matches. But his fingers were frozen. He could not hold them. He began to hit his hands with all his force against his legs.

After a while, feeling came back to his fingers. The man reached again into his pocket for the matches. But the tremendous cold quickly drove the life out of his fingers. All the matches fell onto the snow. He tried to pick one up, but failed.

The man pulled on his glove and again beat his hand against his leg. Then he took the gloves off both hands and picked up all the matches. He gathered them together. Holding them with both hands, he scratched the matches along his leg. They immediately caught fire.

He held the blazing matches to a piece of wood. After a while, he became aware that he could smell his hands burning. Then he began to feel the pain. He opened his hands, and the blazing matches fell on to the snow. The flame went out in a puff of gray smoke.

The man looked up. The dog was still watching him. The man got an idea. He would kill the dog and bury his hands inside its warm body. When the feeling came back to his fingers, he could build another fire. He called to the dog. The dog heard danger in the man’s voice. It backed away.

• would kill the dog — убьет собаку
• could build — сможет разжечь
  

The man called again. This time the dog came closer. The man reached for his knife. But he had forgotten that he could not bend his fingers. He could not kill the dog, because he could not hold his knife.

• could not kill — не сможет убить
• could not hold — не сможет держать нож

The fear of death came over the man. He jumped up and began to run. The running began to make him feel better. Maybe running would make his feet warm. If he ran far enough, he would reach his friends at Henderson Creek. They would take care of him.

• If he ran far enough, he would reach his friends at Henderson Creek.— Если он будет бежать далеко, он сможет достичь своих товарищей у ручья Гендерсона.
• would take care — позаботяться о нем

It felt strange to run and not feel his feet when they hit the ground. He fell several times. He decided to rest a while. As he lay in the snow, he noticed that he was not shaking. He could not feel his nose or fingers or feet. Yet, he was feeling quite warm and comfortable. He realized he was going to die.

Well, he decided, he might as well take it like a man. There were worse ways to die.

• he might as well take it like a man. — раз уж так случилось, надо принять это как подобает мужчине.

The man closed his eyes and floated into the most comfortable sleep he had ever known.

The dog sat facing him, waiting. Finally, the dog moved closer to the man and caught the smell of death. The animal threw back its head. It let out a long, soft cry to the cold stars in the black sky.

And then it tuned and ran toward Henderson Creek…where it knew there was food and a fire.

O. Henry. The Last Leaf (Part 1)

Слова и выражения:

• shared a studio apartment — делили однокомнатную квартиру
• This disease, pneumonia — Эта болезнь, пневмония
• She has one chance in — let us say ten — У нее один шанс из, скажем, десяти.
• Has she anything on her mind worth thinking? — Есть ли ей о чем стоит думать?
• to count the carriages at her funeral — считать кареты в своей похоронной процессии
• several times repeated — который повторялся несколько раз
• She was …. — counting backward — Она считала в обратном порядке.
• What was there to count? — Что там было считать?
• An old ivy vine — старый плющ
• When the last one falls — Когда последний упадет
• Then I’ll go, too.— Тогда я умру.

Many artists lived in the Greenwich Village area of New York. Two young women named Sue and Johnsy shared a studio apartment at the top of a three-story building. Johnsy’s real name was Joanna.

In November, a cold, unseen stranger came to visit the city. This disease, pneumonia, killed many people. Johnsy lay on her bed, hardly moving. She looked through the small window. She could see the side of the brick house next to her building.

One morning, a doctor examined Johnsy and took her temperature. Then he spoke with Sue in another room.

«She has one chance in — let us say ten,» he said. «And that chance is for her to want to live. Your friend has made up her mind that she is not going to get well. Has she anything on her mind?»

«She — she wanted to paint the Bay of Naples in Italy some day,» said Sue.

«Paint?» said the doctor. «Bosh! Has she anything on her mind worth thinking twice — a man for example?»

«A man?» said Sue. «Is a man worth — but, no, doctor; there is nothing of the kind.»

«I will do all that science can do,» said the doctor. «But whenever my patient begins to count the carriages at her funeral, I take away fifty percent from the curative power of medicines.»

After the doctor had gone, Sue went into the workroom and cried. Then she went to Johnsy’s room with her drawing board, whistling ragtime.

Johnsy lay with her face toward the window. Sue stopped whistling, thinking she was asleep. She began making a pen and ink drawing for a story in a magazine. Young artists must work their way to «Art» by making pictures for magazine stories. Sue heard a low sound, several times repeated. She went quickly to the bedside.

Johnsy’s eyes were open wide. She was looking out the window and counting — counting backward. «Twelve,» she said, and a little later «eleven»; and then «ten» and «nine;» and then «eight» and «seven,» almost together.

Sue looked out the window. What was there to count? There was only an empty yard and the blank side of the house seven meters away. An old ivy vine, going bad at the roots, climbed half way up the wall. The cold breath of autumn had stricken leaves from the plant until its branches, almost bare, hung on the bricks.

O. Henry. The Last Leaf (Part 2)

Слова и выражения:

• a failure — неудачник
• a work of art — произведение искусства
• a fierce old little man -злобный старикашка
• a blank canvas — чистый холст
• float away like a leaf — улетит как лист
• pulled the shade down — спустила штору

What is it, dear?» asked Sue.

«Six,» said Johnsy, quietly. «They’re falling faster now. Three days ago there were almost a hundred. It made my head hurt to count them. But now it’s easy. There goes another one. There are only five left now.»

«Five what, dear?» asked Sue.

«Leaves. On the plant. When the last one falls I must go, too. I’ve known that for three days. Didn’t the doctor tell you?»

«Oh, I never heard of such a thing,» said Sue. «What have old ivy leaves to do with your getting well? And you used to love that vine. Don’t be silly. Why, the doctor told me this morning that your chances for getting well real soon were — let’s see exactly what he said – he said the chances were ten to one! Try to eat some soup now. And, let me go back to my drawing, so I can sell it to the magazine and buy food and wine for us.»

«You needn’t get any more wine,» said Johnsy, keeping her eyes fixed out the window. «There goes another one. No, I don’t want any soup. That leaves just four. I want to see the last one fall before it gets dark. Then I’ll go, too.»

Old Behrman was a painter who lived on the ground floor of the apartment building. Behrman was a failure in art. For years, he had always been planning to paint a work of art, but had never yet begun it. He earned a little money by serving as a model to artists who could not pay for a professional model. He was a fierce old little man who protected the two young women in the studio apartment above him.

Sue found Behrman in his room. In one area was a blank canvas that had been waiting twenty-five years for the first line of paint. Sue told him about Johnsy and how she feared that her friend would float away like a leaf.

Old Behrman was angered at such an idea. «Are there people in the world with the foolishness to die because leaves drop off a vine? Why do you let that silly business come in her brain?»

«She is very sick and weak,» said Sue, «and the disease has left her mind full of strange ideas.»

«This is not any place in which one so good as Miss Johnsy shall lie sick,» yelled Behrman. «Some day I will paint a masterpiece, and we shall all go away.»

Johnsy was sleeping when they went upstairs. Sue pulled the shade down to cover the window. She and Behrman went into the other room. They looked out a window fearfully at the ivy vine. Then they looked at each other without speaking. A cold rain was falling, mixed with snow. Behrman sat and posed as the miner.

O. Henry. The Last Leaf. Part 3

Слова и выражения:

• pull up the shade — поднять штору
• the beating rain and fierce wind — проливной дождь и сильный ветер
• one ivy leaf — только один лист плюща
• It hung bravely from the branch — он храбро висел на ветке
• It is wrong to want to die.— Нельзя желать себе смерти.
• even chances — шансы равные
• another case — другого больного

The next morning, Sue awoke after an hour’s sleep. She found Johnsy with wide-open eyes staring at the covered window.

«Pull up the shade; I want to see,» she ordered, quietly.

Sue obeyed.

After the beating rain and fierce wind that blew through the night, there yet stood against the wall one ivy leaf. It was the last one on the vine. It was still dark green at the center. But its edges were colored with the yellow. It hung bravely from the branch about seven meters above the ground.

«It is the last one,» said Johnsy. «I thought it would surely fall during the night. I heard the wind. It will fall today and I shall die at the same time.»

«Dear, dear!» said Sue, leaning her worn face down toward the bed. «Think of me, if you won’t think of yourself. What would I do?»

But Johnsy did not answer.

The next morning, when it was light, Johnsy demanded that the window shade be raised. The ivy leaf was still there. Johnsy lay for a long time, looking at it. And then she called to Sue, who was preparing chicken soup.

«I’ve been a bad girl,» said Johnsy. «Something has made that last leaf stay there to show me how bad I was. It is wrong to want to die. You may bring me a little soup now.»

An hour later she said: «Someday I hope to paint the Bay of Naples.»

Later in the day, the doctor came, and Sue talked to him in the hallway.

«Even chances,» said the doctor. «With good care, you’ll win. And now I must see another case I have in your building. Behrman, his name is — some kind of an artist, I believe. Pneumonia, too. He is an old, weak man and his case is severe. There is no hope for him; but he goes to the hospital today to ease his pain.»

The next day, the doctor said to Sue: «She’s out of danger. You won. Nutrition and care now — that’s all.»

Later that day, Sue came to the bed where Johnsy lay, and put one arm around her.

«I have something to tell you, white mouse,» she said. «Mister Behrman died of pneumonia today in the hospital. He was sick only two days. They found him the morning of the first day in his room downstairs helpless with pain. His shoes and clothing were completely wet and icy cold. They could not imagine where he had been on such a terrible night.

And then they found a lantern, still lighted. And they found a ladder that had been moved from its place. And art supplies and a painting board with green and yellow colors mixed on it.

And look out the window, dear, at the last ivy leaf on the wall. Didn’t you wonder why it never moved when the wind blew? Ah, darling, it is Behrman’s masterpiece – he painted it there the night that the last leaf fell.»

O. Henry. No Story. Part 1

Слова и выражения:

• something — нечто
• look forty — выглядел на сорок лет
• miserable — несчастный
• borrow — занимать в долг
• manage — удаваться
• cost — стоить
• the stuff — материал (для рассказа)

I worked in a newspaper. One day Tripp came in and leaned on my table. Tripp was something. He was about twenty-five and looked forty. His face was covered with short, curly red hair. He was pale and unhealthy and miserableand always was borrowing money from twenty-five cents to a dollar. One dollar was his limit. When he leaned on my table he held one hand with the other to keep from shaking. Whisky.

“Well, Tripp,” said I, looking at him rather impatiently, “how is life?” He was looking more miserable than I had ever seen him.

“Have you got a dollar?” asked Tripp looking at me with his dog-like eyes.

That day I had managed to get five dollars for my Sunday story. “I have,” I said; and again I said, “I have,” more loudly, “and four besides. And I had hard work getting them. And I need them all.”

“I don’t want to borrow any,” said Tripp, “I thought you would like to get a good story. I’ve got a really fine one for you. It will probably cost you a dollar or two to get the stuff. I don’t want anything for myself.”

“What is the story?” I asked.

O. Henry. No Story. Part 2

Слова и выражения:

• set off for New York — отправиться в Нью Йорк
• to make his fortune — разбогатеть
• must have thought — должно быть думала
• has to — придется
• Long Island — Лонг Айлэнд (район Нью Йорка, который находится на острове)
• look disappointed — выглядел разочарованным
• what is known as the sense of duty — то, что называется чувством долга
• swore to myself (swear-swore) — поклясться себе (поклялся себе)

“It’s girl. A beauty. She has lived all her life on Long Island and never saw New York City before. I ran against her on Thirty-fourth Street. She stopped me in the street and asked me where she could find George Brown. She asked me where she could find George Brown in New York City! What do you think of that? I talked to her.It’s like this.

Some years ago George set off for New York to make his fortune. He didn’t come back. Now there is a young farmer named Dodd she is going to marry next week. But Ada — her name is Ada Lowery – couldn’t forget George, so this morning she saddled a horse and rode eight miles to the railway station to catch the 6.45 a.m. train. She came to the city to look for George.

She must have thought the first person she asked would tell her where her George was! You must see her! What could I do? She had paid her last cent for her railroad ticket. I couldn’t leave her in the street, could I? I took her to a cheap hotel. And she has to pay for the room, too. That is the price per day.”

”That’s no story,” said I. “Every ferry-boat brings or takes away girls from Long Island.”

Tripp looked disappointed. “Can’t you see what an amazing story it would make? You will get fifteen dollars for it. And it will cost you only four, so you will make a profit of eleven dollars.”

“How will it cost me four dollars?” I asked suspiciously.

“One dollar for her room and two dollars to pay the girl’s fare back home.”

‘And the fourth?’ I asked.

“ One dollar to me,” said Tripp. “Don’t you see,” he insisted, “That the girl has toget back home today?”

And then I began to feel what is known as the sense of duty. In a kind of cold anger I put on my coat and hat. But I swore to myself that Tripp wouldn’t get the dollar.

O. Henry. No Story. Part 3

Слова и выражения:

• felt ashamed of being introduced — было стыдно, что меня представили
• awkward — неловкий
• can’t help it — не могу справиться c этим
• must have happened — должно быть случилось
• a hammer and a chisel — молоток и зубило

Tripp took me to the hotel. I paid the money.

In a dark hall a girl sat crying quietly and eating sweets out of paper bag. She was a real beauty. Crying only made her eyes brighter.

“My friend, Mr. Chalmers. He is a reporter,” said Tripp “and he will tell you, Miss Lowery, what’s best to do.”

I felt ashamed of being introduced as Tripp’s friend to such a beauty. “Why- er — Miss Lowery,” I began feeling terribly awkward, “will you tell me what has happened?”

“Oh,” said Miss Lowery, ” You see, everything is ready for me to marry Hiram Dodd next Thursday. He’s got one of the best farms on the island. But last night I got to thinking about G – George — ”

“You see, I can’t help it. George and I loved each other since we were children. Four years ago he went to the city. He said he was going to be a policeman, a railroad president or something. And then he would come back for me. But I never heard from him anymore. And I – I – like him.”

“Now, Miss Lowery,” said Tripp, “you like this young man, Dodd, don’t you? He’s all right, and good to you, isn’t he?”

“Of course, I like him. And of course, he is good to me. He’s promised me a automobile and a motor-boat. But somehow I couldn’t stop thinking about George. Something must have happened to him or he would have written. On the day he left, he got a hammer and a chisel and cut a cent into two pieces. I took one piece and he took the other, and we promised to be true to each other and always keep the pieces till we saw each other again. I’ve got mine at home. I guess it was silly of me to come here. I never realized what a big place it is.”

O. Henry. No Story. Part 4

Слова и выражения:

• persuaded — убедили
• ferry — паром
• aboard — на борту
• handkerchief — носовой платок
• disappointment — разочарование
• unbuttoned — расстегнул
• watch-chain — цепочка для часов
• in halves — на половинки
• What’s the use? — А что толку?
• unhesitatingly — без колебаний

Then Tripp spoke with an awkward little laugh. “Oh, the boys from the country forget a lot when they come to the city. May be, he met another girl or something. You come back home, and you’ll be all right.”

In the end we persuaded Miss Lowery to go back home. The three of us hurried to the ferry, and there I found the price for the ticket to be but a dollar and eighty cents. I bought one, and a red, red rose with twenty cents for Miss Lowery. We saw her aboard her ferry-boat and stood watching her wave her handkerchief at us. And then Tripp and I faced each other.

“Can’t you get a story out of it?” he asked. “Some sort of a story?”

“Not a line,” I said.

“I’m sorry,” he said quietly. Then Tripp unbuttoned his shabby coat to get something that had once been a handkerchief. As he did so I saw something shining on his cheap watch-chain. It has the half of a silver cent that had been cut in halves with a chisel.

“What?!” I exclaimed. «Is that you?!!»

“Oh yes,” he answered. George Brown, or Tripp. What’s the use?

I took a dollar from my pocket and unhesitatingly put it in his hand.

Edgar Poe «The Tell-Tale Heart»

Part 1.

Nervous —very, very nervous I was and I am; but why will you say that I am mad? The disease made me very sensitive. All my senses were so sharp and above all was the sense of hearing. I heard all things in the heaven and in the earth. I heard many things in hell. So, am I mad? Listen and see yourself how calmly I can tell you the whole story.

It is impossible to say how the idea came to my mind; but it started to haunt me day and night. I loved the old man. He had never done me harm. He had never said me a bad word. I didn’t want to have his gold. So, I think it was his eye! Yes, it was this! He had a pale blue eye, with a film over it. Whenever it fell upon me, my blood ran cold; and so little by little I decided to kill the old man in order not to see the eye ever.

Now this is the point. You think I am mad. But you should see me. You should see how wisely I started to prepare for the work! I had been very kind to the old man during the whole week before. And every night, about midnight, I opened his door— oh, so quietly! And then I put a dark lantern into the opening, all closed, closed, so that no light shone out. And then I put in my head. Oh, you would laugh to see how carefully I put my head in! I moved it slowly —very, very slowly so that I would not disturb the old man’s sleep.

It took me an hour to put my whole head in the opening so that I could see him lying on his bed. And then, when my head was in the room, I opened the door of the lantern carefully — oh, so carefully — I did it just so much that light fell upon the old man’s eye. And this I did for seven long nights —every night just at midnight —but I found the eye always closed; and so it was impossible to do the deed; for it was not the old man who annoyed me, but his Evil Eye. And every morning I went into his room, and spoke to him in a friendly tone, and asked him how he had passed the night. So, you see, he would never suspect that every night, just at twelve, I looked in upon him while he slept.

Edgar Poe «The Tell-Tale Heart»

Part 2

On the eighth night I was more than usually careful in opening the door. I did it so slowly that a clock minute hand moved more quickly than did mine. And I could not hide my feelings of triumph. Just imagine that I was opening the door, little by little, and he didn’t even dream of my secret thoughts. I laughed at the idea; and perhaps he heard me; for he moved on the bed suddenly. You may think that I got out — but no. It was very dark in his room, for the shutters were closed, and so I knew that he could not see me, and I kept opening the door on little by little.

My head had been in the room already and I was going to open the lantern, when my finger slipped and I made a noise. The old man sat up in bed quickly, crying out —«Who’s there?»

I stood quite still and said nothing. For a whole hour I did not move a muscle, and at the same time I did not hear him lie down. He was still sitting up in the bed listening; —just as I have done, night after night, listening to the clock on the wall.

Soon I heard a cry, and I knew it was a cry of mortal terror. It was not a cry of pain or of grief —oh, no! —it was the low sound that comes from the soul when it is full of terror. I knew the sound well. Many nights, just at midnight, when all the world slept, it has come from my own soul. I say I knew it well. I knew what the old man felt, and pitied him, although I laughed at heart. I knew that he was awake ever since the first slight noise, when he turned in the bed. His fears were growing upon him. He was trying to stop worrying, but could not. He was saying to himself —«It is nothing but the wind in the chimney.» — or «it is only a mouse crossing the floor.» Yes, he was trying to calm himself but he couldn’t. All in vain, Because Death was coming nearer and nearer and already had his black shadow before him. And it was the shadow that made him feel —although he neither saw nor heard —feel the presence of my head in the room.

Then I waited a long time but didn’t hear him lie down. And I decided to open a door of the lantern — very, very little. So I opened it —you cannot imagine how slowly, very very slowly I did it —until some light like the thread of the spider fell full upon the old man’s evil eye. It was open —wide, wide open —and I looked upon it. I saw it very clearly — a dull blue eye, a terrible eye. And I could not see the old man’s face or person for I saw his damned eye only.

Edgar Poe «The Tell-Tale Heart»

Part 3.

I have told you already that I am not mad. It is only a keen sense of hearing — now, I say, there came to my ears a low sound, such as a watch makes when covered by some cloth. I knew that sound well, too. It was the beating of the old man’s heart. It increased my anger like the beating of a drum makes the soldier attack.

But even then I tried to keep still. I didn’t breathe. I held the lantern so that it could light the eye. But the sound of the heart increased. It grew quicker and quicker, and louder and louder every moment. The old man’s terror was great! It grew louder, I say, louder every minute! — do you think I was nervous. Yes, I was. And now at that hour of the night in the dead silence of that old house, so strange a noise made me wild. The beating grew louder, louder! I thought the heart must burst.

And now a new thought came to my mind — the sound could be heard by a neighbour! The old man’s hour had come! With a loud cry, I threw the lantern and ran into the room. He gave a terrible scream but once — once only. In a moment I put a pillow upon his face and held it for some time. For some minutes the heart beat on with a quiet sound. This, however, did not worry me because I knew it could not be heard through the wall. At last it stopped. The old man was dead. I removed the pillow and examined the corpse. Yes, he was stone, stone dead. I placed my hand upon the heart and held it there many minutes. There was no pulsation. He was stone dead. His eуe would trouble me no more.

If still you think me mad, you will think so no longer when I describe you how careful I was while hiding the body. It was night but I worked quickly, in silence. First of all, I cut off the head and the arms and the legs. I then took up three planks from the floor, and put all there. I then replaced the boards so cleverly, so cunningly, that no human eye —not even his —could have seen anything wrong. There was nothing to wash out —no stain of any kind —no blood-spot whatever. I had been too careful —ha! ha!

When I had finished, it was four o’clock —still dark as midnight. At about 1 o’clock, there came a knocking at the street door. I went down to open it with a light heart, —for what had I now to fear? There entered three men, who introduced themselves as officers of the police. A scream was heard by a neighbour during the night; information came to the police, and they (the officers) were send to search the house.

Edgar Poe «The Tell-Tale Heart»

Part 4.

I smiled, —for what had I to fear? I welcomed the gentlemen. The scream, I said, was my own in a dream. The old man, I mentioned, was absent in the country. I took my visitors all over the house. I led them to his room. I showed them his things. In the enthusiasm of my confidence, I brought chairs into the room, and invited them to rest from their work, while I myself, enjoying my perfect triumph, put my own chair upon the very spot beneath which was the body of the victim.

The officers were satisfied. My manner had convinced them. I was perfectly at ease. They sat, and while I answered cheerily, they chatted of familiar things. But, soon, I felt myself getting pale and wished them gone. My head ached, and I fancied a ringing in my ears: but still they sat and still chatted. The ringing continued and became more distinct: I tried to get rid of the feeling: but I couldn’t — and, soon, I found that the noise was not within my ears.

No doubt I now grew very pale; — I talked more loudly. Yet the sound increased —and what could I do? It was a low, dull, quick sound — like a sound as a watch makes when covered by some cloth. Yet the officers heard it not. I talked more quickly —more wildly; but the noise grew louder. I stood up, I talked, I gesticulated; but the noise grew louder. Why would they not leave? I went to and fro, as if excited—but the noise grew louder.

Oh God! what could I do? I raved —I swore! I took the chair upon which I was sitting, and grated it upon the boards, but the noise was everywhere. It grew louder —louder —louder! And still the men chatted pleasantly, and smiled. Was it possible they heard not? Almighty God! —no, no! They heard! —they suspected! —they knew! —they were laughing at my horror! — this I thought, and this I think. But anything was better than this agony! I could stand those smiles no longer! I felt that I must scream or die! and now —again! —hark! louder! louder! louder! louder!

«Villains!» I cried, «I hide no more! I admit the deed! —tear up the planks! here, here! —It is the beating of his hideous heart!»

THE END

The Black Cat. A Horror Story by Edgar Poe

Part 1.

Слова и выражения:

1. be fond of (любить) — love
2. creature (существо) — living thing
3. share (разделить) — have the same feeling
4. playmate (товарищ по играм) — friend who I like to play with
5. decease (заболевание) — here a bad habit
6. evil (злой) — angry
7. treat badly (обращаться плохо) — do harm
8. recover (поправляться) — feel better
9. hatred (ненависть) — strong dislike
1o. escape (спастись) — run away

I was a kind child. I was fond of animals and always had a lot of them. I spent my time with them and felt happy.

When I grew up, I still had my love for the living creatures. I married early and was happy to find a woman who I could share my love for animals. We had a lot of pets: birds, gold-fish, a fine dog, rabbits, a small monkey and a cat.

The cat was a large and beautiful animal, all black. His name was Pluto. It was my favourite pet and a playmate. I fed my cat myself and he followed me everywhere about the house.

But years passed and my character changed because I had a decease. The decease was drinking alcohol! Day by day I became more and more evil. I did not care about the feeling of the others. I became rude with my wife. My pets, of course, felt the change in my character as I treated them badly if they came in my way. But I still had my love for Pluto. But soon Pluto, who was old now,— even Pluto was afraid of me.

One night I came back home drunk. The cat got in my way and I caught him. He was frightened and bit my hand with his teeth. I got very angry. It seemed as if my soul left my body and a demon got there instead. I took a pen-knife, opened it and cut one of his eyes from the socket!

When I got up in the morning and saw the poor thing, I didn’t feel pity. My soul became calm and soon the wine helped me to forget all memory of it.

The cat slowly recovered. Now he was ugly, but he no longer felt any pain. He went about the house as usual but always ran away when he saw me. At first I felt uneasy about the creature which had loved me so much. But soon this feeling changed to dislike and then to hatred. So one morning I put a rope about his neck and hung him on a tree. The tears were in my eyes but I finished the cruel thing.

On the night of the next day, I woke up by the cry of fire. The curtains of my bed were in flames. The whole house was on fire. With great difficulty my wife, a servant, and myself escaped from the place. My house was in ruins. Now I was a poor man.

Did the fire happen because of the cruel thing I had done? The next day I visited the ruins. All the walls had fallen in. The only wall left was the wall of my bedroom. I saw people in front of the wall who were looking at something there. I came near. On the wall there was a figure of a gigantic cat with a rope on its neck. I was terrified.

The Black Cat. A Horror Story by Edgar Poe

Part 2.

Слова и выражения:
1. notice (заметить) — see
2. make up my mind (принять решение) – decide
3. wall up (замуровать) – put behind a wall
4. feel guilty (чувствовать вину) – feel sorry as if you have done something bad
5. disappear (исчезнуть) — not to be seen
6. search (обыскивать) — look for
7. hideous (отвратительный) – terrible and ugly

The time passed. One night when I was in a pub, I suddenly saw a black object on a barrel. I came to it and touched it with my hand. It was a black cat—a very large one — as large as Pluto. It was strange but it was one-eyed too but in the dark I didn’t notice it.

When I went home, the animal followed me. I decided to let him live in my house. At once he became a favourite pet of my wife. As for me, I felt some dislike for him. I tried not to meet the creature as he reminded me of the cruel thing I had done with Pluto.

Days passed and I started to hate the cat but he loved me very much. He followed me everywhere about the house. If I sat, he jumped upon my knees. If I wanted to go for walk, he got between my feet trying to stop me. At such times I wanted to hit him hard but the memory of Pluto always stopped me.

The cat never left me alone. When I went to sleep, I felt his large body upon my heart. When I woke up, I felt his whiskers upon my face. My hatred for the cat grew more and more. To tell the truth, at that time I was full of hatred to all the people in the world, even to my poor wife.

One day my wife and me went into the cellar of the old building where we lived. The cat followed us downstairs and got between my feet so I was about to fall down. I got angry, took the axe and aimed a blow at the animal. My wife was in my way and I buried the axe in her brain. She fell dead upon the floor.

After I killed my wife, I started thinking where to hide the body. I knew that I could not take it from the house because my neighbours would see me. At first, I thought to cut the body into parts and destroy them by fire. Then I decided to throw it in the well in the yard. Finally, I made up my mind to wall it up in the cellar.

There was a secret niche behind one of the walls. I could displace the bricks, put the dead body there, and place the bricks as before, so that nobody could see anything unusual.

It was a good idea. I easily displaced the bricks and carefully put the body inside the niche against the inner wall. Then I put the bricks back, the wall was the same as before. When I had finished, I felt glad that all was done. Then I looked for the cat. To tell the truth, at that moment I decided to kill him, too. But the cat disappeared.

The second and the third day passed and still the cat did not come. I felt like a free man. The cat, the monster, had left me forever! My happiness was great! As for my wife, I felt guilty but little.

But on the fourth day the police came into the house and started to search it everywhere. I felt no fear however. They went into the cellar but I was calm. The police found nothing and were going to leave. The happiness at my heart was so great that I could not but say a word of triumph.

«Gentlemen,» I said, «I am happy that you find me not guilty. I wish you all health. By the way, gentlemen, this—this is a very well constructed house. These walls are made of bricks and … Are you going, gentlemen?» and then I didn’t understand why I hit on that part of the wall behind which there was the dead body of my wife.

A terrible cry was heard from behind! It seemed as if it came out of hell!
For a moment the party stood still. In the next, they were working at the wall and soon the body of my wife was seen in the niche. Upon its head sat the hideous one-eyed monster!

THE END

Ray Bradbury. The  Fog Horn (part 1)

Слова и выражения:

• the fog horn — противотуманная сирена
• the Deep — пучина (поэтич. название моря)
• Something made them swim up. — Что-то заставило ее подняться на поверхность.
• It learned you can’t love anything too much in this world. — Он узнал, что в этом мире нельзя любить слишком сильно.

Every night MacDunn and Johnny waited for the fog. When it came, they lit the fog light in the lighthouse. Red, then white, then red again. They sent the light to the ships out in the sea but when the fog was too thick they switched on their Fog Horn!

One cold November evening they were having a quiet talk about their job, about the mysteries of the sea. The great eye of the light was shining into the sea. The Fog Horn was blowing once every fifteen seconds.

‘One night,’ said MacDunn, ‘years ago, I was here alone. Suddenly the fish came up. Something made them swim up. When I saw their funny eyes, I turned cold. They were like a big peacock’s tail in the moonlight.

Then, without a sound, they disappeared. Strange. Think how the lighthouse must look to them. It stands high above the water, the light comes out from it, and the tower speaks in a monster voice…’

Johnny was frightened. He was watching the grey sea going away into nothing and nowhere.

‘Oh, the sea’s full of life,’ he said.

‘Yes, it’s an old world,’ MacDunn smoked his cigar and looked worried. ‘Now, I’ve got something to tell you. The Fog Horn sounds like an animal, doesn’t it? A big lonely animal crying in the night. Calling out to the Deep, ‘I’m here, I’m here.’ Well, you have been here for three months, Johnny, so I’m going to tell you. Something comes to visit the lighthouse.’

‘Do you mean the fish?’

‘No, something else. First it happened three years ago. It usually happens about this time of the year. Let’s wait and watch.’

While they were waiting, MacDunn told some theories about the Fog Horn to Johnny.

‘One day a man walked along the cold shore. Then he stopped and said, «We need a voice to call across the water to the ships. I’ll make one like a voice of the fog. I’ll make a sound that’s so lonely that everybody listens to it. Everyone who hears it will start crying, and their hearts will become warmer.» I made up that story to explain why it keeps coming back to the lighthouse. The Fog Horn calls it, I think, and it comes…’

* * *

The  Fog Horn (part 2)

It was a foggy night and the light was coming and going, and the Fog Horn was calling through the air. In the high tower they watched the sea moving to the dark shore. And then, suddenly from the cold sea came a large dark head, and then a neck. And then more neck and more! The head was high above the water on a beautiful dark neck. Finally came the body, like a little island of black coral.

‘It’s impossible!’ said Johnny.

‘No, Johnny, we’re impossible. It has always been. It hasn’t changed at all!’

The silent monster was swimming slowly in the icy water with the fog around. One of its eyes caught the bright light of the tower, red, white, red, white.

‘But the dinosaurs died out long ago!’ Johnny cried.

‘No, they hid away in the Deep.’

‘What should we do?’

‘We’ve got our job. We can’t leave it. Besides, we’re safe here.’

‘But here, why does it come here’

The next moment Johnny had his answer. The Fog Horn blew. And the monster answered. A cry so sad and lonely! The Fog Horn blew. The monster cried again. The Fog Horn blew. The monster opened its great toothed mouth and the sound that came from it was the sound of the Fog Horn itself. It was the sound of unhappiness, of a cold night.

‘Imagine, all year long,’ whispered MacDunn, ‘that poor monster waits, deep in the sea. Maybe it’s the last of its kind. Think of it, waiting a million years! One day it hears the Fog Horn in his deep hiding-place. The sound comes and goes, comes and goes. Then the monster starts its way up to have a look at it. He does it very slowly because the heavy ocean is on its shoulders. It goes up and up for three autumn months and it can hear the voice better and better. And there it is, in the night, Johnny! And here’s the lighthouse. The monster can see that the lighthouse has got a neck as long as its neck, and a body like its body, and, most important of all, a voice like its voice. Do you understand now, Johnny?’

The  Fog Horn (part 3)

The Fog Horn blew. The monster answered. It was only a hundred yards off now.

‘That’s how it happens,’ said MacDunn. ‘You love something more than that thing loves you. And one day you want to destroy it, because it hurts you.’

The monster was swimming to the lighthouse. The Fog Horn blew.

‘Let’s see what happens,’ said MacDunn and switched the Fog Horn off.

It was a minute of silence and the men could hear their hearts. The monster’s eyes looked into the dark. Its mouth opened. It sounded like a volcano. It turned its head to the right and then to the left. It looked for the Fog Horn, for its deep sounds. Then its eyes caught fire. It swam towards the tower, its eyes filled with anger.

‘MacDunn!’ Johnny cried. ‘Switch on the horn!’

MacDunn switched the horn on and they saw its fish skin. It hit the tower with its gigantic paws and the tower shook.

MacDunn cried, ‘Downstairs! Quick!’

They ran down and hid in a small room at the bottom of the lighthouse. The next moment they heard the rocks raining down. The lighthouse fell. There was nothing but darkness and the wash of the sea on the stones. And then they heard the monster’s cry. There was no tower and no Fog Horn — the thing that had been calling to the monster for so many years. And the monster was opening its mouth and sending out great sounds. The sounds of a Fog Horn, again and again. And so it went for the rest of that night.

The next morning the people came and helped them to get out of the ruins.

‘It was a terrible storm,’ said Mr. MacDunn. ‘We had some bad knocks from the waves and the tower fell.’

The ocean was quiet and the sky was blue. The light house was in the ruins. The monster? It never came back. It returned back to the Deep. It learned you can’t love anything too much in this world.

THE  END

The Nightingale and the Rose. Part 1

Слова и выражения:

• depends so much on — так сильно зависит
• whispered- прошептал
• suffer from love- страдать от любви
• like a shadow -как тень (like — в данном случае предлог «как», а не глагол «нравится»)
• shook its head — покачало головой
• the storm has broken my branches — буря обломала мои ветки
• Is there no way? — Разве нет способа?
• There is a way! — Есть способ!
• compared to — по сравнению с

«She will dance with me if I bring her a red rose,» cried the young student, «but there is not a red rose in all my garden.»

In the oak-tree the Nightingale heard him, and looked out through the leaves.

«Not a red rose in all my garden!» cried the student, and his beautiful eyes were full of tears. «Happiness depends so much on such little things! I read a lot of books, I know all the secrets of philosophy, but my life is unhappy because I have no red rose.»

«At last here is a true lover,» said the Nightingale. «Night after night I sang about him, and now I see him.»

«The Prince gives a ball tomorrow night,» whispered the young student, «and my love will be there. If I bring her a red rose, I will dance with her and she will put her head on my shoulder. But there is no red rose in my garden, so I will sit alone, and she will go past me, and my heart will break.»

«Indeed he is a true lover,» said the Nightingale. «I sing about love. But hesuffers from love. It is joy to me. But to him it is pain.»

«The musicians will play, and my love will dance,» said the young student. «She will dance but not with me, for I have no red rose to give her,» and he lay on the grass and cried.

«Why is he crying?» asked a little green lizard, as he ran past him.

«He is crying for a red rose,» said the Nightingale.

«For a red rose? How funny.» The little lizard laughed.

But the Nightingale understood the secret of the student’s sorrow, and she sat silent in the oak-tree, and thought about love.

Suddenly she flew up into the air. She flew through the wood like a shadow, and like a shadow she flew over the garden.

In the centre of the garden there was a beautiful rose-tree, and when she saw it, she flew over to it and said, «Give me a red rose and I will sing you my sweetest song.»

But the rose-tree shook its head.»My roses are white,» it answered, «whiter than the snow upon the mountains. But go to my brother who grows near the old house, and perhaps he will give you what you want.»

So the Nightingale flew over to the rose-tree that was growing near the old house.

«Give me a red rose,» she cried, «and I will sing you my sweetest song.»

But the rose-tree shook its head. «My roses are yellow,» it answered. «But go to my brother who grows under the student’s window, and perhaps he will give you what you want.»

So the Nightingale flew over to the rose-tree that was growing under the student’s window.

But the rose-tree shook its head. «My roses are red,» it answered. «But the storm has broken my branches, and I will have no roses at all this year.»

«One red rose is all I want,» cried the Nightingale, «only one red rose! Is there no way how to get it?»

«There is a way,» answered the rose-tree, «but it is so terrible that I am afraid to tell you about it.»

«Tell me,» said the Nightingale, «I am not afraid.»

«If you want a red rose,» said the tree, «You must sing to me with your breast against a thorn. All night you must sing to me, and the thorn must run through your heart and your blood must flow into my branches and become mine.»

«Death is a great price to pay for a red rose,» cried the Nightingale, «Yet Love is better than life, and what is the heart of a bird compared to the heart of a man?»

The Nightingale and the Rose. Part 2

Слова и выражения:

• like a shadow — как тень
• build it out of my song — создать из мелодии своей песни
• crimson — окрасить в темно-красный цвет
• fell asleep — заснул
• appeared — появилась
• I have never seen — Я никогда еще не видел

So she flew into the air. She flew over the garden like a shadow and like a shadow she flew through the wood.

The young student was still lying on the grass where she left him, and his beautiful eyes were still full of tears.

«Be happy,» cried the Nightingale, «be happy. You will have your red rose. I will build it out of my song by moonlight, and crimson it with my own heart’s blood. I only ask you to be a true lover, for love is wiser than philosophy.»

The student looked up and listened, but he could not understand what the Nightingale was saying to him.

But the oak-tree understood, and felt sad, for he was very fond of the little Nightingale who lived in his branches. «Sing me one last song,» he whispered, «I will feel lonely without you.» So the Nightingale sang to the oak-tree.

When she finished her song, the student stood up and went through the wood to the house, lay down on his bed, and began to think of his love: «She is so beautiful,» he said to himself, «but has she got feeling? I must say that sometimes she has some selfish notes in her voice.» And then he fell asleep.

When the moon was in the sky, the Nightingale flew to the rose-tree, and pressed her breast against the thorn. All night long she sang, and the thorn went deeper and deeper into her breast and her blood flowed out.

She sang of the birth of love in the heart of a boy and a girl. And on the top of the rose-tree appeared a beautiful rose. Pale it was at first. But the rose-tree cried to the Nightingale, «Press closer, little Nightingale, or the day will come before the rose is finished.»

So the Nightingale pressed closer and closer against the thorn, and louder and louder grew her song, for she sang of the birth of passion in the soul of a man and a maiden.

The leaves of the rose became faintly pink. But the thorn had not yet reached the Nightingale’s heart, so the rose’s heart was white, for only a Nightingale’s blood can crimson the heart of a rose.

So the Nightingale pressed closer against the thorn, and the thorn touched her heart, and she felt a sharp pain. Bitter, bitter was the pain, and wilder and wilder grew her song, for she sang about the love that never dies.

And the beautiful rose became crimson. But the Nightingale’s voice grew weaker and her little wings began to beat. She gave one last burst of music. The red rose heard it and opened to the cold morning air.

«Look, look!» cried the rose-tree. «The rose is finished now!» But the Nightingale did not answer for she was lying dead in the long grass, with the thorn in her heart.

And at noon the student opened his window and looked out. «How wonderful!» he cried. «Here is a red rose! I have never seen any rose like this in all my life. It is so beautiful,» and he picked it with joy in his heart. Then he ran to the Professor’s house with the rose in his hand.

The daughter of the Professor was sitting in the doorway and her little dog was lying at her feet. «Will you dance with me? Because I brought you a red rose,» cried the student. «Here is the reddest rose in all the world. You will wear it on your dress next to your heart. We will dance together and I will tell you how I love you.»

But the girl answered, «I am afraid it will not go with my dress, and, besides, another man sent me some real jewels, and everybody knows that jewels are better than flowers.»

«Well, you are very ungrateful,» said the young student angrily and he threw the rose into the street.

«Ungrateful!» said the girl. «I’ll tell you what, you are rude; and, after all, who are you? Only a poor student!» and she stood up from her chair and went into the house.

«What a silly thing love is,» said the student as he went away. «It is about things that are not true. In fact, it is quite unpractical. In this age to be practical is everything, so I will go back and study philosophy.»

Нe came back to his room, took out a dusty book, and began to read.

The End

William Shakespeare. King Lear

Part One

Once upon a time there lived an old king of Britain. His name was Lear. He had three daughters:  Goneril, Regan and Cordelia.

One day King Lear called his daughters and said to them: «I am very old and tired. I cannot be the king of Britain any more. I want to divide the country into three parts and give one part to each of you. Each of you will be the queen of her part of the country. But first you must tell me how much you love me. Then I shall know which of you must get the better part.»

Goneril and Regan were not good daughters. They did not love their father. But they were very greedy. They wanted to become queens very much. They were glad to hear that their father wanted to divide his country into three parts. They only thought how to get the larger and better part of the country.

So Goneril said: «Dear Father, I love you very much. I love you more than my eyes, more than my beauty, more than my life. No child loves his father more than I  love you.»

Regan said the same, but in different words. King Lear was very glad. Then he asked his youngest daughter Cordelia to speak. She was his favourite daughter.

Cordelia knew that her sisters were bad daughters. She loved her father very much, but she did not want to repeat the words of her sisters. So she said nothing. Only when King Lear told her angrily that she must speak, she said: «I don’t understand why my sisters say that they love you more, than anything else. They are married. Don’t they love their husbands? You are my father, and of course I love you. But when I marry, I shall love my husband, too.»

King Lear did not like Cordelia’s words. He shouted at her and said that he did not want to have such a daughter. He divided the country between Goneril and Regan and gave Cordelia nothing.

 * * *

King Lear. Part Two

Cordelia went to France and married the French king, who loved her very much.

Old King Lear had nothing now. He wanted to rest. So he went to Goneril’s castle to stay there. But he did not stay long there. As we know, Goneril did not really love her father, and soon he understood it.

Goneril did not speak with him and was not kind to him. At last she said she was tired of him.

So King Lear decided to leave his eldest daughter’s castle and go to his other daughter, Regan. He wanted to tell her how bad her sister was, and to stay in her castle.

But Regan was no better than Goneril. King Lear and his followers had to stand at the gates of the castle and wait for a long time. At last he saw Regan, but she was not glad to meet her father. She asked him to return to Goneril’s castle.

The old king did not know what to do. He just stayed at the gates of the castle. Soon Goneril came to Regan’s castle, and the king saw his two elder daughters again. He tried to speak to them, but they did not let him speak. They laughed at him and called him an old fool. Nearly all his knights and his servants left him.

Lear felt very sad. He could not stay there any more and he left Regan’s castle. He was homeless now.

One night there was a terrible storm. The rain beat in the old man’s face. A strong wind was blowing. It was dark and cold, and Lear had no roof over his poor old head. He was all wet and cold. Sad and unhappy, cold and wet, Lear became mad.

A brave knight Kent remained true to the old king and was with him. Kent sent a man to France with a letter for Cordelia. In the letter he told her everything. When Cordelia read the letter, she quickly gathered an army and went to Britain to fight her sisters’ armies and make Lear king of Britain again. When Cordelia found her father, the old king was very happy and soon came to himself again. Now he understood who was his best daughter. But it was too late.

Goneril and Regan sent a great army to fight Cordelia’s soldiers. The French army was beaten. Lear and Cordelia became prisoners.

But Goneril and Regan were not happy. They were so wicked that they simply could not be happy. They had many enemies and were afraid of many people. They hated each other and there was a secret struggle between them. Finally Goneril poisoned Regan. Soon after that she killed herself with a knife.

Cordelia was hanged in prison.

When King Lear saw the death of Cordelia, his heart broke and he died too.