经典英文绘本

羊脂球｜Boule de Suif

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原著作者｜居伊·德·莫泊桑
  • Have you ever met someone like this
  • You help them ten times
  • miss once
  • and you're the bad guy
  • You refuse them ten times
  • help once
  • and you're the good guy
  • Human hearts
  • can be so strange sometimes

  • Today's story
  • will show you the truest side of human nature

  • During the Franco-Prussian War
  • France was defeated
  • In a carriage
  • sat a group of fleeing nobles
  • merchants
  • and politicians
  • They dressed elegantly
  • spoke gracefully
  • and looked down on another woman in the carriage
  • Her skin was fair and smooth
  • like a piece of suet jade
  • so people called her Boule de Suif
  • She was a prostitute

  • Those respectable people
  • found her dirty
  • found her cheap
  • even breathing the same air made them sick

  • The carriage traveled through the snow for a long time
  • everyone grew hungry
  • Those who had just been putting on airs
  • now had green eyes from hunger

  • Then
  • Boule de Suif dragged a basket from under her seat
  • Roasted chicken
  • bread
  • cheese
  • wine
  • The aroma instantly filled the carriage
  • She looked at the hungry people
  • and gently said
  • "Have some"
  • No showing off
  • no revenge
  • just pure kindness

  • Can you imagine
  • The same people who despised her a second ago
  • were now wolfing down food the next
  • They ate with greasy mouths
  • then started praising her beauty
  • her kindness
  • calling her a good woman
  • Boule de Suif smiled
  • she thought true heart could exchange for true heart

  • But she was wrong

  • The carriage was trapped in a small town
  • The Prussian officer said
  • let that woman spend the night with me
  • or no one leaves
  • Boule de Suif shook her head
  • she might be a prostitute
  • but she sells her body not her country

  • Those respectable people
  • at first supported her
  • "Yes
  • we French must have backbone"
  • But one day passed
  • two days passed
  • the carriage still couldn't move
  • Their faces
  • began to change

  • The countess said
  • "For everyone
  • some sacrifice is necessary"
  • The merchant said
  • "We can't delay everyone's business
  • just for one person
  • can we"
  • Even the nun said
  • "God will forgive you"

  • Boule de Suif looked at these people
  • who had once smiled at her
  • and suddenly understood
  • Her kindness
  • in their eyes
  • was worth nothing
  • She was isolated and helpless
  • she broke down crying
  • she finally compromised

  • That night
  • she lost her dignity
  • And those people
  • they celebrated in the inn
  • cheering for their "victory"

  • The next day
  • the carriage continued its journey
  • Boule de Suif returned to the carriage
  • trembling all over
  • She thought
  • at least someone would look at her
  • But no one did

  • Those people
  • resumed their arrogance
  • as if she were something dirty
  • They ate breakfast
  • chatted
  • no one gave her a single piece of bread
  • Someone even said
  • "Isn't this what she does
  • stop pretending to be pitiful"

  • Boule de Suif finally cried
  • cried her heart out
  • But no one looked back

  • The carriage continued through the snow
  • leaving a trail of wheel marks
  • Like this story
  • rolling over human hearts
  • leaving deep scars

  • Maupassant didn't preach a single word
  • But he showed us one thing
  • Those who talk most about morality
  • often have the least
  • Those who claim to be noble
  • are often the basest
  • Kindness and nobility
  • never lie in fine clothes
  • but in the soul

  • But remember this
  • Your kindness
  • must have teeth

  • Don't be the one
  • who burns yourself
  • but can't warm a heart of stone
  • Let kindness grow teeth
  • Able to warm the world
  • and able to withstand the cold wind
...more
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经典英文绘本By 多吉绘本屋