Lesson 14　The Little Bird's Song　第14课　小鸟的歌儿

melody unnoticed modest content Gracie

A little bird, with feathers brown，

一只长着棕色羽毛的小鸟

Sat singing on a tree；

站在树上歌唱，

The song was very soft and low，

歌声是那么柔和、低沉。

But sweet as it could be.

却又如此甜美。

The people who were passing by，

凡是从树下经过的人，

Looked up to see the bird

都会抬头看向那只小鸟。

That made the sweetest melody

大家都觉得这只小鸟的歌声

That ever they had heard.

是他们听过的最动听的旋律。

But all the bright eyes looked in vain；

但是，人们看不到它，

Birdie was very small，

因为这只鸟很小，

And with his modest, dark-brown coat，

它躲在深棕色的大衣下，

He made no show at all.

人们无法看到它。

"Why, father，"little Gracie said

“为什么，爸爸？”小格雷西问，

"Where can the birdie be?

“那只小鸟到底在哪儿？

If I could sing a song like that，

如果我能唱出这么动听的歌曲，

I'd sit where folks could see."

我一定会坐在能看到的地方歌唱。”

"I hope my little girl will learn

“我希望你能从这只鸟身上

A lesson from the bird，

学到些东西，

And try to do what good she can，

你要尽力做好自己的事情，

Not to be seen or heard.

不要在意有没有人看到或听到。

"This birdie is content to sit

“这只小鸟满足地坐在

Unnoticed on the way，

一个不被人注意的地方，

And sweetly sing his Maker's praise

从黎明到傍晚，

From dawn to close of day.

欢快地唱着对造物主的赞歌。

"So live, my child, all through your life，

“我的好女儿，好好地过你的生活，

That, be it short or long，

人生或短或长，

Though others may forget your looks，

有很多人会忘记你的模样，

They'll not forget your song."

但是他们绝不会忘记你的歌声。”