第58章 Mary had a little Lamb

Lesson 16 Mary had a little lamb

Mary and her husband Dimitri lived in the tiny village of Perachora in southern Greece. One of Mary's prize possessions was a little white lamb which her husband had given her. She kept it tied to a tree in a field during the day and went to fetch it every evening. One evening, however, the lamb was missing. The rope had been cut, so it was obvious that the lamb had been stolen.

When Dimitri came in from the fields, his wife told him what had happened. Dimitri at once set out to find the thief. He knew it would not prove difficult in such a small village. After telling several of his friends about the theft, Dimitri found out that his neighbour, Aleko, had suddenly acquired a new lamb. Dimitri immediately went to Aleko's house and angrily accused him of stealing the lamb. He told him he had better return it or he would call the police. Aleko denied taking it and led Dimitri into his backyard. It was true that he had just bought a lamb, he explained, but his lamb was black. Ashamed of having acted so rashly, Dimitri apologized to Aleko for having accused him. While they were talking it began to rain and Dimitri stayed in Aleko's house until the rain stopped. When he went outside half an hour later, he was astonished to find that the little black lamb was almost white. Its wool, which had been dyed black, had been washed clean by the rain!

▍知识拓展

1. She kept it tied to a tree in a field during the day and went to fetch it every evening.

白天,玛丽把羔羊拴在地里的一棵树上,每天晚上把它牵回家。

1) fetch v.取来;取回

bring/take/fetch 区别

bring 说话人在A处,物品在B处(让人把物品从B处带到A处)

Please bring your homework tomorrow.

明天把作业带到教室。

take 说话人在A处,物品在A处(把物品从A处带走,带到B处)

Please remember to take your books when you leave.

请记得离开的时候把书带走。

fetch 说话人在A处,物品在B处(让人从A处去B处拿物品,再把物品带回到A处)

Go fetch your homework.

现在回家,拿作业回来。

2) keep it tied to a tree 把它拴在树上(保持栓在树上的状态)

动宾+宾补结构

tied to a tree 是it的宾语补足语, it 承受的是tie 这个动作。

have something done.中done 是something的宾语补足语

I have my phone fixed.

我把手机修了。(我让别人把手机修了。)fixed 是phone 的宾语补足语

We must get the work finished by ten o'clock.

我们必须要在十点钟之前把工作做完。finished 是work 的宾语补足语。

You'd better have (get) your car washed.

你最好把车洗了。

I want the eggs boiled.

我想把鸡蛋煮着吃。

2. After telling several of his friends about the theft, Dimitri found out that his neighbour, Aleko, had suddenly acquired a new lamb.

把失窃的事告诉几个朋友后,迪米特里发现他的邻居阿列科家突然多了一只小羔羊。

1) After telling several of his friends about the theft是介词+现在分词短语作为省略式状语

例句:

介词+现在分词形式

我姐姐上大学之前,她送了我一件礼物。

Before my sister left for college, she gave me a gift.

Before leaving for college, my sister gave me a gift.

介词+过去分词形式

当这种粉末和水混合在一起的时候,它会形成一种滑腻的膏体。

When the powder is mixed with water, it forms smooth paste.

When mixed with water, the powder forms a smooth paste.

2) acquire v.获取;得到

词根-quire:追求(seek)

同词根单词:require 要求/ inquire 打听

acquire: to obtain something by buying it or being given it

acquire valuable works of art 购买有价值的艺术品

acquire property 获得财富

acquire assets 获得资产

acquire a high reputation 获得一种好的名声

acquire: learn or develop something, especially some skills

acquire a language 学习一门语言

an acquired taste 经过一段时间培养的品味/爱好。

Peking Opera is an acquired taste.

京剧是需要一段时间才能培养出来的爱好。

3. Dimitri immediately went to Aleko's house and angrily accused him of stealing the lamb.

迪米特里立刻去了阿列科家,气呼呼地指责他偷了羔羊。

1) accuse sb. of sth./ accuse sb. of doing sth.指责某人做某事

拉丁词缀:accusare(相当于cause)

accuse sb. of theft 指控某人有偷窃行为

accuse sb. of murder 指控某人有谋杀行为

The director was accused of being too obscure.

这个导演被指责电影过于晦涩难懂。

He accused me of cheating at cards.

他指控我打牌作弊。

仿写:

Instead of accusing the delivery man of arriving late, there might be better ways to solve this problem.

与其指控外卖人员送餐晚了,也许还有更好的方法解决这个问题。