Two Grains

by Author Unknown

翻译：Jasmine

Two1)grains were lying side by side on the2)soil.

The first grain said, “I want to grow up! I want to put down3)roots deep into the ground and come up from the ground. I dream to4)blossom in soft5)buds and remind people of the coming of spring. I want to feel the warm rays of sun and the6)dew drops on my7)petals!”

This grain grew up and became a beautiful flower.

The second grain said, “I’m afraid. If I put down my roots into the ground, I don’t know what they will face there. If I grow soft8)stems,they can be broken by wind. If I grow flowers, they may be9)bitten by insects. So I’d rather wait for the safer time.”

So the second grain was waiting, and then a chicken passed by and10)pecked it.

1) grain [greɪn] n. 谷物，谷粒

2) soil [sɔɪl] n. 土壤，土地

3) root [ruːt] n. 根，根部

4) blossom ['blɒsəm] v. 开花

5) bud [bʌd] n. 芽，蓓蕾

追求梦想的路上，有两种人：一种人，任何时候都乐观积极，无惧风雨，努力长成自己想要的样子；另一种人，时时恐惧失败，不肯越雷池一步，坐等机会流失。

你希望成为哪种人呢？

6) dew [djuː] n. 露，露水

7) petal ['petl] n. 花瓣

8) stem [stem] n. 茎，干

9) bite [baɪt] v. 咬，咬伤

10) peck [pek] v. 啄食

词组加油站

★side by side

肩并肩，并排

★come up

发芽，上升

参考译文

两粒谷子并肩躺在泥土上。

第一粒谷子说：“我想要长大。我想将根须深深扎入土地，然后破土而出。我梦想开出娇柔的花骨朵儿，提醒人们春天来了。我想感受太阳的温暖光线和露珠落在我的花瓣上。”

后来，这粒谷子长成了一株美丽的花。

第二粒谷子说：“我害怕。要是我将根须深入地下，我不知道它们会有何等遭遇。要是我长出柔软的茎儿，风会折断它们。要是我长出花朵，虫儿会撕咬它们。因而，我宁愿等待更安全的时机。”

于是，第二粒谷子一直等啊等，等到了一只鸡，而它却被这只过路的鸡啄食掉了。

名师考点小结

1. grow up 意思是“成长；长大”，是不及物动词短语。例如：

My brother is growing up fast. 我弟弟长得很快。

He wants to be a doctor when he grows up. 他长大想当一名医生。

Tony was born in the city, but grew up in the country. 托尼生于城市，长于农村。

2. would rather 常简写为’d rather，意为“宁愿……；最好……”，后接不带to的动词不定式，表示优先选择的一种方式。短语would rather没有人称和数的变化，常与than连用，表示“宁愿……而不愿……；与其……倒不如……”，连接平行的两个并列成分，即在than的前后要用两个同类的词或词组，如名词、不带to的不定式、介词短语等，而且would rather...than...也可写作would...rather than...。例如：

You would rather do some reading in the library this evening. 今晚你最好在图书馆读点儿书。

Mr. Li would rather listen to rock music. 李先生宁愿听摇滚乐。

He would rather drink wine than beer. 他宁愿喝葡萄酒而不是啤酒。

I would go to work by bike rather than by bus. 我宁愿骑自行车也不愿乘公共汽车去上班。