开口英语

Lesson 32:Coins for the Phone
Roy : Hi, Connie! Do you have any change?
Connie: What for?
Roy : 1 want some coins for the pay phone.
Connie: I see. Here you are.
Roy : Thank you.
Connie: You're welcome.
打投币电话
罗伊：嗨,康妮!你有零钱吗?
康妮：干嘛?
罗伊：我想要些硬币打投币电话。
康妮：找明白了。拿去吧!
罗伊：谢谢你。
康妮：别客气。

The Frog and the Ox 青蛙与牛

Two frogs are playing near a pond.
Baby Frog：Big Brother, rabbit, rabbit.
Why don’t we go home now?
Brother Frog: Let’s stay a little longer, Baby Frog.
Baby Frog：We should go home.
Mother Frog is waiting for us.
She told us to come home for lunch.
She will be worried.
Brother Frog: Don’t worry, Baby Frog.
It’s only noon.
I want to play a little longer.
Baby Frog：Come on, Big Brother Frog.
Let’s go home.
Brother Frog: Let’s play for five more minutes.
Just then, a Farmer and his Ox pass the pond. The two frogs jump into the pond to hide. They stick their heads out of the water and watch the Farmer and the Ox pass by. They have never seen such a big animal before.
Brother Frog: What was that, ribbit, ribbit?
Baby Frog：I don’t know, but it was very big.
Brother Frog: Yes.
It was very big.
It was bigger than Mother Frog.
Baby Frog：So what?
Let’s go home now.
Brother Frog: What is the name of that animal?
I am curious.
Baby Frog：I don’t know and
I don’t care, Big Brother Frog.
Let’s go now, huh?
Mother Frog will be waiting for us.
Brother Frog: No, let’s follow the animal.
It will be fun.
Come on!
Baby Frog：Oh…
Okay, but only for a little while.

The two Frogs follow the Ox from behind when suddenly the Ox turns around. Baby Frog doesn’t see the Ox’s hoofs.
Farmer: Let’s go back to the farm.
Ox: Moo…Moo…
Brother Frog: Watch out, Baby Frog!
Jump!
Quickly!
Baby Frog：What?
Ribbit, ribbit.
Uh…

Baby Frog is crushed by the Ox. He is dead.
Brother Frog: Baby Frog! Baby Frog!

There is no answer.
Brother Frog: Oh my goodness!
What shall I do?
I must hurry home.
I must tell Mother Frog.
She will be very sad.
Big Brother Frog hops home and tells Mother Frog what has happened.
Mother Frog: Why are you alone, Big Brother Frog.?
Where is Baby Frog, ribbit, ribbit?
Brother Frog: Don’t be too sad, Mother Frog.
Mother Frog: What do you mean?
Where is Baby Frog？
Brother Frog: Baby Frog is dead, Mother Frog.
Mother Frog: What?
How?
Why?
Brother Frog: A big monster crushed him.
Mother Frog: Boo-hoo! Boo-hoo!
My poor Baby Frog.
What did the monster look like?
Brother Frog: It had horns and a long tail.
And it was very, very big.
Mother Frog: You mean the Farmer’s Ox.
How big was it?
Brother Frog: It was as big as a mountain.
Mother Frog: An Ox isn’t that big.
Brother Frog: It looked really big to me.
Mother Frog: How big was it again?
Brother Frog: Bigger than you, Mother Frog.
Mother Frog: Bigger than me?
Are you sure?
Brother Frog: Yes.

The Mother Frog puffs up her belly.
Mother Frog: Was it this big?
Brother Frog: No, Mother Frog.
Much bigger.
Mother Frog: Much bigger?
Brother Frog: Yes, yes.

The Mother Frog puffs up her belly more than before.
Mother Frog: How about this?
Was it bigger than this?
Brother Frog: Oh, much bigger than that.
Mother Frog: Really?
How about this?
Brother Frog: You are not even close.
The Ox was much bigger than you.

The Mother Frog again puffs up her belly even more. Big Brother Frog keeps shaking his head.
Mother Frog: It can’t be bigger than this.
Brother Frog: Its legs are bigger than that.

By this time, Big Brother Frog gets a little worried. Mother Frog’s belly is already very swollen. It looks like it is going to burst any minute.
Mother Frog: Okay.
Wait just a minute.
I’ll try to puff myself up one more time.
Brother Frog: Please don’t, Mother Frog.
It is too dangerous.
Mother Frog: No, I’m fine.
I can become bigger.

The Mother Frog continues to puff up her belly. Her face is all red.
Brother Frog: Please stop, Mother Frog.
The Ox was much bigger than you.
Mother Frog: Don’t worry.
I can become bigger than Ox.
Was it this big?
Brother Frog: It was much, much, much bigger!

The Mother Frog takes in more and more air. Her belly is really about t burst.
Mother Frog: I’ll show you.

The Mother Frog is swollen like a balloon. Finally, it happens. The Mother Frog’s belly bursts! Pop!
Brother Frog: Oh my goodness!
Mother Frog! Mother Frog!
Wake up! Wake up!
Please！
What shall I do?
Boo-hoo.


MORAL
Don’t try to do the impossible.

Lesson 32:Coins for the Phone
Roy : Hi, Connie! Do you have any change?
Connie: What for?
Roy : 1 want some coins for the pay phone.
Connie: I see. Here you are.
Roy : Thank you.
Connie: You're welcome.
打投币电话
罗伊：嗨,康妮!你有零钱吗?
康妮：干嘛?
罗伊：我想要些硬币打投币电话。
康妮：找明白了。拿去吧!
罗伊：谢谢你。
康妮：别客气。

The Frog and the Ox 青蛙与牛

Two frogs are playing near a pond.
Baby Frog：Big Brother, rabbit, rabbit.
Why don’t we go home now?
Brother Frog: Let’s stay a little longer, Baby Frog.
Baby Frog：We should go home.
Mother Frog is waiting for us.
She told us to come home for lunch.
She will be worried.
Brother Frog: Don’t worry, Baby Frog.
It’s only noon.
I want to play a little longer.
Baby Frog：Come on, Big Brother Frog.
Let’s go home.
Brother Frog: Let’s play for five more minutes.
Just then, a Farmer and his Ox pass the pond. The two frogs jump into the pond to hide. They stick their heads out of the water and watch the Farmer and the Ox pass by. They have never seen such a big animal before.
Brother Frog: What was that, ribbit, ribbit?
Baby Frog：I don’t know, but it was very big.
Brother Frog: Yes.
It was very big.
It was bigger than Mother Frog.
Baby Frog：So what?
Let’s go home now.
Brother Frog: What is the name of that animal?
I am curious.
Baby Frog：I don’t know and
I don’t care, Big Brother Frog.
Let’s go now, huh?
Mother Frog will be waiting for us.
Brother Frog: No, let’s follow the animal.
It will be fun.
Come on!
Baby Frog：Oh…
Okay, but only for a little while.

The two Frogs follow the Ox from behind when suddenly the Ox turns around. Baby Frog doesn’t see the Ox’s hoofs.
Farmer: Let’s go back to the farm.
Ox: Moo…Moo…
Brother Frog: Watch out, Baby Frog!
Jump!
Quickly!
Baby Frog：What?
Ribbit, ribbit.
Uh…

Baby Frog is crushed by the Ox. He is dead.
Brother Frog: Baby Frog! Baby Frog!

There is no answer.
Brother Frog: Oh my goodness!
What shall I do?
I must hurry home.
I must tell Mother Frog.
She will be very sad.
Big Brother Frog hops home and tells Mother Frog what has happened.
Mother Frog: Why are you alone, Big Brother Frog.?
Where is Baby Frog, ribbit, ribbit?
Brother Frog: Don’t be too sad, Mother Frog.
Mother Frog: What do you mean?
Where is Baby Frog？
Brother Frog: Baby Frog is dead, Mother Frog.
Mother Frog: What?
How?
Why?
Brother Frog: A big monster crushed him.
Mother Frog: Boo-hoo! Boo-hoo!
My poor Baby Frog.
What did the monster look like?
Brother Frog: It had horns and a long tail.
And it was very, very big.
Mother Frog: You mean the Farmer’s Ox.
How big was it?
Brother Frog: It was as big as a mountain.
Mother Frog: An Ox isn’t that big.
Brother Frog: It looked really big to me.
Mother Frog: How big was it again?
Brother Frog: Bigger than you, Mother Frog.
Mother Frog: Bigger than me?
Are you sure?
Brother Frog: Yes.

The Mother Frog puffs up her belly.
Mother Frog: Was it this big?
Brother Frog: No, Mother Frog.
Much bigger.
Mother Frog: Much bigger?
Brother Frog: Yes, yes.

The Mother Frog puffs up her belly more than before.
Mother Frog: How about this?
Was it bigger than this?
Brother Frog: Oh, much bigger than that.
Mother Frog: Really?
How about this?
Brother Frog: You are not even close.
The Ox was much bigger than you.

The Mother Frog again puffs up her belly even more. Big Brother Frog keeps shaking his head.
Mother Frog: It can’t be bigger than this.
Brother Frog: Its legs are bigger than that.

By this time, Big Brother Frog gets a little worried. Mother Frog’s belly is already very swollen. It looks like it is going to burst any minute.
Mother Frog: Okay.
Wait just a minute.
I’ll try to puff myself up one more time.
Brother Frog: Please don’t, Mother Frog.
It is too dangerous.
Mother Frog: No, I’m fine.
I can become bigger.

The Mother Frog continues to puff up her belly. Her face is all red.
Brother Frog: Please stop, Mother Frog.
The Ox was much bigger than you.
Mother Frog: Don’t worry.
I can become bigger than Ox.
Was it this big?
Brother Frog: It was much, much, much bigger!

The Mother Frog takes in more and more air. Her belly is really about t burst.
Mother Frog: I’ll show you.

The Mother Frog is swollen like a balloon. Finally, it happens. The Mother Frog’s belly bursts! Pop!
Brother Frog: Oh my goodness!
Mother Frog! Mother Frog!
Wake up! Wake up!
Please！
What shall I do?
Boo-hoo.


MORAL
Don’t try to do the impossible.

Lesson 31 Poor Amy

Amy can't pay this month's rent. She needs some help. Unfortunately, none of her friends can help her. They don't have any money, either. Poor Amy is really depressed. She has no money, and the landlord is knocking at the door. Amy is very nervous. She shouts, “No one is home！”
可怜的艾米
艾米这个月的房租付不出来。她需要一些帮助。不幸的是，
她的朋友没有一个能帮助她。他们也没钱。可怜的艾米真地很沮
丧。她没钱，而房东这时正在敲门。艾米很紧张。她叫道：“没
入在家!”

Lesson 31 Poor Amy

Amy can't pay this month's rent. She needs some help. Unfortunately, none of her friends can help her. They don't have any money, either. Poor Amy is really depressed. She has no money, and the landlord is knocking at the door. Amy is very nervous. She shouts, “No one is home！”
可怜的艾米
艾米这个月的房租付不出来。她需要一些帮助。不幸的是，
她的朋友没有一个能帮助她。他们也没钱。可怜的艾米真地很沮
丧。她没钱，而房东这时正在敲门。艾米很紧张。她叫道：“没
入在家!”

The Golden Ax 金斧头

It is a hot summer’s day. A Woodcutter is cutting wood in the forest.
Woodcutter: It’s very hot today.
(He wipes his forehead.)
But I must cut more wood.
My mother is very sick.
I must buy her some medicine.

The Woodcutter is busy cutting wood. Suddenly, his ax slips from his hands and goes flying into a nearby pond.
Woodcutter: Oh, no! My ax fell into the pond!
That was my only ax!
I still have to cut more wood.
What shall I do? My poor mother!

The Woodcutter sits near the pond and just stares into the water. Then he starts to cry.
Spirit: Young man, why are you crying?
Woodcutter: My ax fell in the pond.
It was my only ax. I can’t get it out.
Spirit: You are crying because of an ax?
Woodcutter: No.
I am crying because of my poor mother.
I have to cut a lot of wood to buy my mother’s medicine.
But without my ax, I can’t cut any wood.
Spirit: Hmmm……Well then, I shall find your ax.
Just wait here.
The Spirit disappears into the pond for a few minutes and comes out with a shiny ax.
Spirit: Is this your ax?
Woodcutter: No, sir. That is not my ax.
That ax is made of gold.
Spirit: Are you sure? Look again!
Woodcutter: Yes, I am very sure. That is not my ax.
Spirit: Wait again. I will be back.

The Spirit disappears into the pond again and comes back with another ax.
Spirit: Is this your ax?
Woodcutter: No, no! that is not my ax, either.
That is a silver ax.
My ax is not made of silver.
Spirit: Look carefully!
Woodcutter: My ax is made of iron.
That one is not mine.
Spirit: I am very sorry.
This time I will get the right one.
Please wait.

The Spirit disappears and comes back with an iron ax.
Spirit: Is this your ax?
Woodcutter: Oh, yes, yes! That is mine!
That is my iron ax! You have found it at last.
Thank you so much. I shall always be grateful.
Spirit：Hum……
You are an honest man and a devoted son.
I shall give you all three axes.
Take them and go home now.
Take good care of your mother.
Woodcutter: I will. Do not worry.
And thank you again.

The Woodcutter goes back to the village and on his way home meets another Woodcutter.
Woodcutter2: Hello, there.
Woodcutter: Hello.

The other Woodcutter sees the golden and silver axes. He looks very surprised and becomes curious.
Woodcutter2: Where did you get those golden and silver axes?
They must be very expensive.
You are a rich man.
Woodcutter: I was a poor man, too.
But a Spirit came out of the pond
and gave them to me.
Woodcutter2: What do you mean?
Tell me more, please.
Woodcutter: Well, I was chopping wood.
Then my ax fell into the pond.
A Spirit came out of the pond
and gave these axes to me.
Woodcutter2: Where is that pond? Please tell me!
Woodcutter: It’s in the woods.
Woodcutter2: Okay. Thanks! I shall do the same.
Woodcutter: I don't think that is a good idea.
But good luck!

The other Woodcutter goes into the forest and finds the pond. He pretends to be chopping wood and throws his ax in the pond on purpose.
Woodcutter2: Now, I’ll throw my ax in the pond.
Whee!

Spirit appears.
Spirit: Did you drop an ax in my pond?
Woodcutter2: Yes, I did! Please help me!
Find my ax for me!
Spirit: Just wait here. I will find your ax.

The Spirit disappears as before and comes out with three axes.
Spirit: Is this golden ax yours?
Woodcutter2: Oh, yes! That is mine!
Thank you for finding it!
Please give it to me now!
Spirit: Are you sure? Look again.
Woodcutter2: Of course, I am sure. That is my ax.

The Spirit shows him another ax.
Spirit: Then how about this ax?
Is this sliver ax yours, too?
Woodcutter2: Oh my goodness!
That is also my ax. Give it to me!
Spirit: This silver ax is yours?
Then，how about this iron ax?

The Spirit shows the other Woodcutter his real ax.
Woodcutter2: No, no! That is not my ax.
You can have that ax, old man.
My axes are only made of gold and silver.
Give me my axes!

Suddenly, the whole forest turns dark, and thunder and lightning strikes.
Spirit: Go back to your village!
You are a greedy man and also a terrible liar!
Go home now before you are punished!
Woodcutter2: Oh, no! Please forgive me!
At least give back my iron ax!
The Spirit disappears into the pond without saying another word.
Woodcutter2: I won’t be greedy again!
Please come back!
Give me back my iron ax!

The other Woodcutter kept pleading, but the Spirit didn't come back. It was too late.
Woodcutter2: Now I have nothing.
What shall I do? Boo-hoo……

MORAL
Honest and diligent men are rewarded and greedy men are punished.

The Golden Ax 金斧头

It is a hot summer’s day. A Woodcutter is cutting wood in the forest.
Woodcutter: It’s very hot today.
(He wipes his forehead.)
But I must cut more wood.
My mother is very sick.
I must buy her some medicine.

The Woodcutter is busy cutting wood. Suddenly, his ax slips from his hands and goes flying into a nearby pond.
Woodcutter: Oh, no! My ax fell into the pond!
That was my only ax!
I still have to cut more wood.
What shall I do? My poor mother!

The Woodcutter sits near the pond and just stares into the water. Then he starts to cry.
Spirit: Young man, why are you crying?
Woodcutter: My ax fell in the pond.
It was my only ax. I can’t get it out.
Spirit: You are crying because of an ax?
Woodcutter: No.
I am crying because of my poor mother.
I have to cut a lot of wood to buy my mother’s medicine.
But without my ax, I can’t cut any wood.
Spirit: Hmmm……Well then, I shall find your ax.
Just wait here.
The Spirit disappears into the pond for a few minutes and comes out with a shiny ax.
Spirit: Is this your ax?
Woodcutter: No, sir. That is not my ax.
That ax is made of gold.
Spirit: Are you sure? Look again!
Woodcutter: Yes, I am very sure. That is not my ax.
Spirit: Wait again. I will be back.

The Spirit disappears into the pond again and comes back with another ax.
Spirit: Is this your ax?
Woodcutter: No, no! that is not my ax, either.
That is a silver ax.
My ax is not made of silver.
Spirit: Look carefully!
Woodcutter: My ax is made of iron.
That one is not mine.
Spirit: I am very sorry.
This time I will get the right one.
Please wait.

The Spirit disappears and comes back with an iron ax.
Spirit: Is this your ax?
Woodcutter: Oh, yes, yes! That is mine!
That is my iron ax! You have found it at last.
Thank you so much. I shall always be grateful.
Spirit：Hum……
You are an honest man and a devoted son.
I shall give you all three axes.
Take them and go home now.
Take good care of your mother.
Woodcutter: I will. Do not worry.
And thank you again.

The Woodcutter goes back to the village and on his way home meets another Woodcutter.
Woodcutter2: Hello, there.
Woodcutter: Hello.

The other Woodcutter sees the golden and silver axes. He looks very surprised and becomes curious.
Woodcutter2: Where did you get those golden and silver axes?
They must be very expensive.
You are a rich man.
Woodcutter: I was a poor man, too.
But a Spirit came out of the pond
and gave them to me.
Woodcutter2: What do you mean?
Tell me more, please.
Woodcutter: Well, I was chopping wood.
Then my ax fell into the pond.
A Spirit came out of the pond
and gave these axes to me.
Woodcutter2: Where is that pond? Please tell me!
Woodcutter: It’s in the woods.
Woodcutter2: Okay. Thanks! I shall do the same.
Woodcutter: I don't think that is a good idea.
But good luck!

The other Woodcutter goes into the forest and finds the pond. He pretends to be chopping wood and throws his ax in the pond on purpose.
Woodcutter2: Now, I’ll throw my ax in the pond.
Whee!

Spirit appears.
Spirit: Did you drop an ax in my pond?
Woodcutter2: Yes, I did! Please help me!
Find my ax for me!
Spirit: Just wait here. I will find your ax.

The Spirit disappears as before and comes out with three axes.
Spirit: Is this golden ax yours?
Woodcutter2: Oh, yes! That is mine!
Thank you for finding it!
Please give it to me now!
Spirit: Are you sure? Look again.
Woodcutter2: Of course, I am sure. That is my ax.

The Spirit shows him another ax.
Spirit: Then how about this ax?
Is this sliver ax yours, too?
Woodcutter2: Oh my goodness!
That is also my ax. Give it to me!
Spirit: This silver ax is yours?
Then，how about this iron ax?

The Spirit shows the other Woodcutter his real ax.
Woodcutter2: No, no! That is not my ax.
You can have that ax, old man.
My axes are only made of gold and silver.
Give me my axes!

Suddenly, the whole forest turns dark, and thunder and lightning strikes.
Spirit: Go back to your village!
You are a greedy man and also a terrible liar!
Go home now before you are punished!
Woodcutter2: Oh, no! Please forgive me!
At least give back my iron ax!
The Spirit disappears into the pond without saying another word.
Woodcutter2: I won’t be greedy again!
Please come back!
Give me back my iron ax!

The other Woodcutter kept pleading, but the Spirit didn't come back. It was too late.
Woodcutter2: Now I have nothing.
What shall I do? Boo-hoo……

MORAL
Honest and diligent men are rewarded and greedy men are punished.

The Fashionable Crow 时髦的乌鸦

Today, God is going to pick the prettiest bird among all the birds. All of the birds gathered around to talk about the party. They are all very excited.
Sparrow: There will be a big party
at the palace tonight.
All birds are invited.
God will pick the prettiest bird.
Duck: This will be so exciting.
Sparrow: I wonder who will be picked.
Duck: Who knows?
It can be any bird.
Peacock: I know it will be me.
I will be picked for sure.
My tail is the prettiest
Swan: Your tail may be pretty,
but I am more graceful.
Crane: But wait.
My beak is the longest.
Sparrow: Let’s not fight.
We have to get ready for the party.
Duck: You’re right.
We don’t have much time.
Peacock: Let’s take a bath in the pond.
Swan: That’s a great idea.

The sparrow, the Duck, the Peacock, the Swan, and the Crane are going to the pond. On the way, they meet the Crow.
Crow: Where are you going?
Sparrow: We are going to the pond to take a bath.
Duck: There is a big party at the palace tonight.
Peacock: God is going to pick the prettiest bird.
I will be picked for sure.
Crow: Really?!
Swan: All of the birds are invited.
Didn’t you know?
Crow: No one told me.
Peacock: God is picking the prettiest bird.
You have no chance.
So why don’t you just stay home?
Crow: I don’t want to stay home.
I want to go to the party..
Crane: Look at yourself.
Peacock: You are too ugly.
Duck: You are too black.
Swan: You are too dirty.
Crow: But I still want to go.
I’m going to jump into the pond first.
I’m going to take a bath.
Peacock: No! No! Wait!!
You can’t bathe before us.
Crow: Why not?
I should also bathe for the party.
Crane: You are too dirty.
You will make the water dirty.
Swan: Please, bathe after us.
I don’t want to get dirty because of you.
Peacock: That’s right.
You are too black and dirty.
Bathe after us.
Duck: Yes.
If you bathe first, the water will get dirty.
Sparrow: That’s right.
Bathe after us.

All of the birds go into the pond. They start washing their feathers. The Crow watches them and talks to himself.
Crow: Why am I so ugly?
Why am I so black?
Why am I so dirty?

The birds finish bathing and all go home go get ready for the party. The Crow watches them leave.
Crow: Miss Peacock’s tail is so beautiful.
Mrs. Swan is so graceful.
Mr. Crane is so tall.
They are all pretty.
I wish I weren’t a crow.

The Crow goes into the pond to bathe after them.
Crow: The water is so dirty.
But perhaps if I wash long enough,
I will become white.

The Crow bathes for two hours, but he is still black.
Crow: I am still black and ugly.

Just then he sees the fallen feathers. The Crow comes up with an idea.
Crow: Look at all these fallen feathers.
There are yellow, red, green,
and blue feathers everywhere.
They are beautiful.
Ah ha!
I have an idea.
I’ll cover myself with all these feathers.
Then, I will be the most beautiful bird.

The Crow puts on the fallen feathers. He turns into a colorful bird and looks into the pond.
Crow: I am so beautiful.
Everyone will be surprised.
No one will know it’s me.
I can’t wait to go to the party.

It’s night time and all of the birds are gathered at the palace. The Crow has not arrived yet.
Duck: Everyone be quiet.
God is coming down.

God comes down the stairs.
God: Are all the birds here?
Sparrow: Yes. All the pretty birds are here.
Just then, the Crow with the colorful feathers arrives at the party.
God: What is the name of that bird?
It is so fashionable.
Sparrow: I don’t know, God.
I have never seen such a bird before.
Duck: It is very beautiful.
God: Now, I have picked the prettiest bird.
Peacock: It’s me.
Ha, ha, ha.
God: The prettiest bird is …
The one with the colorful feathers!
Congratulations!
Crow: Thank you, God.
I am so happy.
God shakes the Crow’s hand and puts a big crown on his head. All of the other birds are jealous. They whisper among themselves.
Peacock: Who is that bird?
Does anyone know?
Swan: I have no idea.
Crane: He must be new here.

God asks the Crow a few questions.
God: Your feathers are very pretty.
Crow: Oh, thank you.
God: What is your name?
Crow: Uh?
My name is…

The Crow hesitates to say his name. then a feather falls out.
Peacock: Hey! That is my feather!
Swan: Look! He has my feather, too!
Duck: That’s my feather over there!
Sparrow: He is wearing my feather, too!
Crane: That’s mine.!

All of the birds gather around the Crow and start picking their feathers off the Crow.
All the birds: Give us back our feathers at once!
Give them back right now!
Crow: No! no! No!
Please STOP!
They are mine!
Don’t take away my feathers!

All of the birds pick their feathers off the Crow. The colorful Crow now turns into a black Crow.
Sparrow: Look!
It’s the Crow!
Peacock: My goodness!
Duck: He tricked everyone!

The Crow is so ashamed and sad.
Crow: I’m sorry.
I didn’t mean to trick anyone.
I just wanted to be pretty like all of you.



MORAL
Don’t try to be someone else. Just be yourself.

The Fashionable Crow 时髦的乌鸦

Today, God is going to pick the prettiest bird among all the birds. All of the birds gathered around to talk about the party. They are all very excited.
Sparrow: There will be a big party
at the palace tonight.
All birds are invited.
God will pick the prettiest bird.
Duck: This will be so exciting.
Sparrow: I wonder who will be picked.
Duck: Who knows?
It can be any bird.
Peacock: I know it will be me.
I will be picked for sure.
My tail is the prettiest
Swan: Your tail may be pretty,
but I am more graceful.
Crane: But wait.
My beak is the longest.
Sparrow: Let’s not fight.
We have to get ready for the party.
Duck: You’re right.
We don’t have much time.
Peacock: Let’s take a bath in the pond.
Swan: That’s a great idea.

The sparrow, the Duck, the Peacock, the Swan, and the Crane are going to the pond. On the way, they meet the Crow.
Crow: Where are you going?
Sparrow: We are going to the pond to take a bath.
Duck: There is a big party at the palace tonight.
Peacock: God is going to pick the prettiest bird.
I will be picked for sure.
Crow: Really?!
Swan: All of the birds are invited.
Didn’t you know?
Crow: No one told me.
Peacock: God is picking the prettiest bird.
You have no chance.
So why don’t you just stay home?
Crow: I don’t want to stay home.
I want to go to the party..
Crane: Look at yourself.
Peacock: You are too ugly.
Duck: You are too black.
Swan: You are too dirty.
Crow: But I still want to go.
I’m going to jump into the pond first.
I’m going to take a bath.
Peacock: No! No! Wait!!
You can’t bathe before us.
Crow: Why not?
I should also bathe for the party.
Crane: You are too dirty.
You will make the water dirty.
Swan: Please, bathe after us.
I don’t want to get dirty because of you.
Peacock: That’s right.
You are too black and dirty.
Bathe after us.
Duck: Yes.
If you bathe first, the water will get dirty.
Sparrow: That’s right.
Bathe after us.

All of the birds go into the pond. They start washing their feathers. The Crow watches them and talks to himself.
Crow: Why am I so ugly?
Why am I so black?
Why am I so dirty?

The birds finish bathing and all go home go get ready for the party. The Crow watches them leave.
Crow: Miss Peacock’s tail is so beautiful.
Mrs. Swan is so graceful.
Mr. Crane is so tall.
They are all pretty.
I wish I weren’t a crow.

The Crow goes into the pond to bathe after them.
Crow: The water is so dirty.
But perhaps if I wash long enough,
I will become white.

The Crow bathes for two hours, but he is still black.
Crow: I am still black and ugly.

Just then he sees the fallen feathers. The Crow comes up with an idea.
Crow: Look at all these fallen feathers.
There are yellow, red, green,
and blue feathers everywhere.
They are beautiful.
Ah ha!
I have an idea.
I’ll cover myself with all these feathers.
Then, I will be the most beautiful bird.

The Crow puts on the fallen feathers. He turns into a colorful bird and looks into the pond.
Crow: I am so beautiful.
Everyone will be surprised.
No one will know it’s me.
I can’t wait to go to the party.

It’s night time and all of the birds are gathered at the palace. The Crow has not arrived yet.
Duck: Everyone be quiet.
God is coming down.

God comes down the stairs.
God: Are all the birds here?
Sparrow: Yes. All the pretty birds are here.
Just then, the Crow with the colorful feathers arrives at the party.
God: What is the name of that bird?
It is so fashionable.
Sparrow: I don’t know, God.
I have never seen such a bird before.
Duck: It is very beautiful.
God: Now, I have picked the prettiest bird.
Peacock: It’s me.
Ha, ha, ha.
God: The prettiest bird is …
The one with the colorful feathers!
Congratulations!
Crow: Thank you, God.
I am so happy.
God shakes the Crow’s hand and puts a big crown on his head. All of the other birds are jealous. They whisper among themselves.
Peacock: Who is that bird?
Does anyone know?
Swan: I have no idea.
Crane: He must be new here.

God asks the Crow a few questions.
God: Your feathers are very pretty.
Crow: Oh, thank you.
God: What is your name?
Crow: Uh?
My name is…

The Crow hesitates to say his name. then a feather falls out.
Peacock: Hey! That is my feather!
Swan: Look! He has my feather, too!
Duck: That’s my feather over there!
Sparrow: He is wearing my feather, too!
Crane: That’s mine.!

All of the birds gather around the Crow and start picking their feathers off the Crow.
All the birds: Give us back our feathers at once!
Give them back right now!
Crow: No! no! No!
Please STOP!
They are mine!
Don’t take away my feathers!

All of the birds pick their feathers off the Crow. The colorful Crow now turns into a black Crow.
Sparrow: Look!
It’s the Crow!
Peacock: My goodness!
Duck: He tricked everyone!

The Crow is so ashamed and sad.
Crow: I’m sorry.
I didn’t mean to trick anyone.
I just wanted to be pretty like all of you.



MORAL
Don’t try to be someone else. Just be yourself.