新编大学英语第三册原文及翻译

The Misery of Shyness
Betty Sobel and Lorraine C. Smith
[1] Shyness is the cause of much unhappiness for a great many people. 对许多人来说，羞怯是很多不愉快的起因。

All kinds of people describe themselves as [N] shy: short, tall, dull, intelligent, young, old, slim, overweight. 各种各样的人——矮的、高的、愚笨的、聪明的、年轻的、年老的、瘦的、胖的——都说自己是羞怯的。

Shy people are anxious and self-conscious [N]; that is, they are excessively concerned with their own appearance and actions. 羞怯的人会焦虑不安，感到不自然；也就是说，他们过分地关注自己的外表和举止。

Worrisome thoughts are constantly swirling in their minds: What kind of impression am I making? Do they like me? Do I sound stupid? I'm ugly. I'm wearing unattractive clothes. 脑海中不断盘旋着一些使自己不安的想法：我给人留下的是什么印象？他们喜欢我吗？我讲话是不是傻里傻气？我长得难看。

我穿的衣服毫不引人注目。

[2] It is obvious that such uncomfortable feelings must affect people adversely.很显然这种不安的感觉会对人产生不利的影响。

A person's self-concept is reflected in the way he or she behaves, and the way a person behaves affects other people's reactions.一个人的自我看法反映在自己的行为方式之中，而一个人的行为方式又影响他人的反应。

In general, the way people think about themselves has a profound effect on all areas of their lives.通常，人们如何看待自己对他们生活的各个方面都会产生深刻的影响。

For instance, people who have a positive sense of self-worth or high self-esteem usually act with confidence.例如，具有积极的自我价值观或很强自尊心的人往往表现出自信。

Because they have self-assurance, they do not need constant praise and encouragement from others to feel good about themselves.而由于自信，他们不需要他人不断地称赞和鼓励，也能使自己感觉良好Self-confident people participate in life enthusiastically and spontaneously. 自信者热情、自发地投入生活。

They are not affected by what others think they "should" do. 他们不因别人认为他们“该”做什么而受到影响。

People with high self-esteem are not hurt by criticism; they do not regard criticism as a personal attack.有很强自尊心的人不会被批评所伤害；他们不会把批评看作是人身攻击。

Instead, they view a criticism as a suggestion for improvement. 相反，他们认为批评是一种提醒他们改进的建议。

[3] In contrast, shy people, having low self-esteem, are likely to be passive and easily influenced by others. 相反，他们认为批评是一种提醒他们改进的建议。

They need reassurance that they are doing "the right thing". 他们（是否）在做“该做的事情”需要得到别人的肯定。

Shy people are very sensitive [N] to criticism; they feel it confirms [N] their inferiority.害羞的人对批评非常敏感；他们觉得批评正好证实了他们比别人差。

They also find it difficult to be pleased by compliments [N]because they believe they are unworthy of praise. 他们也很难因别人的赞美而高兴，因为他们相信自己不值得称赞。

A shy person may respond to a compliment with a statement like this one: "You're just saying that to make me feel good. I know it's not true羞怯的人也许会用这样的话来回答别人的赞美之辞：“你这么说只是为了让我感觉好一些。

我知道这不是真的。

”." It is clear that, while [N] self-awareness is a healthy quality, overdoing it is detrimental, or harmful. 显然，尽管自我意识是一种健康的品质，过分的自我意识却是不利和有害的。

[4] Can shyness be completely eliminated[N], or at least reduced?能否彻底消除或者至少减轻羞怯感呢？Fortunately, people can overcome shyness with determined and patient effort in building self-confidence.幸运的是，人们能够通过坚持不懈的努力建立自信从而克服羞怯。

Since shyness goes hand in hand with lack of self-esteem, it is important for people to accept their weaknesses as well as their strengths.由于胆怯和缺少自尊是密切相关的，因此正视自己的弱点和正视自己的优点一样重要。

For example, most people would like to be "A" students in every subject.例如，大多数人希望每门功课都得A。

It is not fair for them to label themselves as inferior because they have difficulty in some areas.如果仅仅因为在某些领域有困难，就把自己列为差生，这不恰如其分。

People's expectations [N] of themselves must be realistic.人们对自己的期望必须现实。

Dwelling on the impossible leads to a sense of inadequacy, and even feelings of envy, or jealousy.老是想那些不可能的事情会令自己觉得无能，甚至产生嫉妒。

We are self-destructive when we envy a student who gets better grades. 当我们嫉妒比自己成绩好的学生时，我们正在自我否定。

[5] If you are shy, here are some specific helpful steps toward building self-confidence and overcoming shyness: 如果你害羞，这里有些具体有效的步骤帮助你树立信心并克服羞怯感：
[6] 1. Recognize your personal strengths and weaknesses.１．认清自己的优缺点。

Everyone has both.每个人既有优点又有缺点。

As self-acceptance grows, shyness naturally diminishes. 随着对自我的不断认同，羞怯感就会自然减弱。

[7] 2. Set reasonable goals. ２．确定合理的目标。

For example, you may be timid about being with a group of strangers at a party.例如，在聚会时和一群陌生人在一起，你也许会怯场。

Don't feel that you must converse with everyone.不要以为你必须和每个人交谈。

Concentrate on talking to only one or two people. You will feel more comfortable. 集中精力，仅和一两个人交谈，你会感到更自在些。

[8] 3. Guilt and shame are destructive feelings.３．内疚和羞耻感是消极的情感。

Don't waste time and energy on them.不要把时间和精力浪费在这上头。

Suppose you have hurt someone's feelings. Feeling ashamed accomplishes nothing.假设你伤害了某人的感情，（光）感到羞愧是无济于事的。

Instead, accept the fact that you have made a mistake, and make up your mind to be more sensitive in the future.相反，应该承认你犯了个错误，并决心在将来更加善解人意。

[9] 4. There are numerous approaches to all issues.４．所有问题都有许多种解决办法。

Few opinions are completely right or wrong.很少有完全正确或完全错误的意见。

Don't be afraid to speak up and give your point of view. 要敢于公开表达自己的观点。

[10] 5. Do not make negative comments about yourself. ５．不要对自己做消极的评论。

This is a form of self-rejection. 这是一种自我否定。

Avoid describing yourself as stupid, ugly, a failure.千万别把自己描述为愚蠢的、丑陋的，或者一个失败者。

Accent the positive.注重自己积极的方面。

[11] 6. Accept criticism thoughtfully.６．接受批评时要缜密思考。

Do not interpret it as a personal attack.不要把批评理解为人身攻击。

If, for example, a friend complains about your cooking, accept it as a comment on your cooking, not yourself. 例如，如果一位朋友抱怨你的烹饪技术，要把这当成对你的烹饪技术而不是对你本人的评价而接受下来。

Be assured that you are still good friends, but perhaps your cooking could improve.放心，你们还是好朋友，但你的烹饪技术也许确实有待改进。

[12] 7. Remember that everyone experiences some failures and disappointments. ７．记住，每个人都会经历一些失败和挫折。

Profit from them as learning experiences.要把它们作为增长见识的经历，从中受益。

Very often a disappointment becomes a turning point [N] for a wonderful experience to come along.挫折往往会成为转机，随之而来的将是一段美妙绝伦的经历。

For instance, you may be rejected by the college of your choice.例如，你可能被你所中意的大学拒之门外。

However, at the college you actually attend, you may find a quality [N] of education beyond what you had expected. 然而，在你就读的大学里，你可能发现这里教育的某一特点比你料想的好得多。

[13] 8. Do not associate with people who make you feel inadequate.８．有些人会使你感到自己无能，不要和这种人交往。

Try to change their attitude or yours, or remove yourself from that relationship.去设法改变他们对你的态度或者改变你对自己的态度，要不就脱离这种关系。

People who hurt you do not have your best interests at heart. 伤害你的人并不关心你的最大利益。

[14] 9. Set aside time to relax, enjoy hobbies, and re-evaluate your goals regularly.９．留出时间休息，享受自己的业余爱好，并且定期地重新审定自己的目标。

Time spent this way helps you learn more about yourself. 为此所花费的时间有助于更好地了解你自己。

[15] 10. Practice being in social situations.１０．多在社交场合中锻炼。

Don't isolate yourself from people不要把自己同他人隔离开来。

. Try making one acquaintance at a time; eventually you will circulate in large groups with skill and self-assurance.设法一次结识一位朋友；最终你将能够娴熟而自信地在众人中周旋。

[16] Each one of us is a unique, valuable individual.我们每个人都是独一无二、难能可贵的个体。

We are interesting in our own personal ways. 我们自有吸引人的地方。

The better we understand ourselves, the easier it becomes to live up to our full potential.我们对自己了解得越多，就越容易充分发挥自己的潜力。

Let's not allow shyness to block our chances for a rich and fulfilling life.不要让羞怯成为阻碍我们拥有丰富和成功生活的绊脚石。

( 820 words)
Latchkey Children—Knock, Knock, Is Anybody Home? [N]
挂着钥匙的小孩——笃，笃，有人在家吗？
In the United States the cost of living has been steadily rising for the past few decades. 在美国过去的几十年中，生活开支一直在持续上升。

Food prices, clothing costs, housing expenses, and tuition fees are constantly getting higher and higher.食品价格、服装开支、住房开支以及学费不断增高。

Partly because of financial need, and partly because of career choices for personal fulfillment, mothers have been leaving the traditional role of full-time homemaker.母亲们已经不再扮演专职家庭主妇的传统角色，这在一定程度上是出于经济上的需要，一定程度上也是为了使自己有一种成就感。

Increasingly they have been taking salaried [N] jobs outside the home. 她们越来越多地在从事家庭以外的带薪水的工作。

[2] Making such a significant role change affects the entire family, especially the children. 这样重大的角色转换影响着整个家庭，尤其是小孩。

Some consequences are obvious. For example, dinnertime is at a later hour. 某些后果是显而易见的，例如，晚饭时间推迟了。

The emotional impact, on the other hand, can be more subtle.然而，这种转变对感情的影响更为微妙。

Mothers leave home in the morning, feeling guilty because they will not be home when their children return from school. 母亲们早上带着负疚感离开家，因为孩子放学回家时她们不能在家等候。

They suppress their guilt since they believe that their work will benefit everyone in the long run.她们压抑着负疚心理，因为相信从长远来看这份工作对大家都有利。

The income will enable the family to save for college tuition, take an extended vacation [N], buy a new car, and so on. 她们的收入能够使家庭积攒起孩子的大学学费、全家度一个更长的假期、买一辆新车，等等。

[3] The emotional impact on the children can be significant. 孩子们在感情上所受到的影响是很大的。

It is quite common for children to feel hurt and resentful. 孩子们普遍感到受了伤害，有怨恨情绪。

After all, they are alone several hours, and they feel that their mothers should "be there" for them.毕竟有好几个小时他们要独自呆在家里，而他们觉得母亲应该“在那儿”等着他们。

They might need assistance with their homework or want to share [N] the day's activities.他们也许会需要母亲帮他们完成家庭作业，或是想把一天里的活动说给母亲听All too often, however, the mothers arrive home exhausted [N] and face the immediate task of preparing dinner. 然而十分常见的情况是：母亲们回到家里时已经疲惫不堪，又面临着一个紧迫的任
务——做饭。

Their priority is making the evening meal for the family, not engaging in relaxed conversation. 她们的首要任务是为全家人做晚饭，而不是放松地聊天。

[4] Latchkey children range in age from six to thirteen.挂钥匙的孩子们的年龄从6岁到13岁不等。

On a daily basis they return from school and unlock the door to their home with the key hanging around their necks.每天他们放学回家，用挂在自己脖子上的钥匙打开家门。

They are now on their own, alone, in quiet, empty rooms. 然后就独自呆在安安静静、空空荡荡的房间里。

For some youngsters, it is a productive period of private time, while [N]for others it is a frightening, lonely void. 对于某些孩子来说，这是一段属于他们自己的有所作为的时间，而对于另一些孩子来说则是令人恐惧的、孤独的空虚。

For reasons of safety, many parents forbid their children to go out to play or to have visitors at home. 为了安全的原因，许多父母不允许他们的孩子出去玩或是让别的孩子来家玩。

The youngsters, therefore, feel isolated. 因此这些孩子有一种被隔离的感觉。

[5] Latchkey children who were interviewed reported diverse reactions.接受采访的挂钥匙的孩子们反应不同。

Some latchkey children said that being on their own for a few hours each day fostered, or stimulated, a sense of independence and responsibility. 一些孩子说每天有几个小时让他们独自呆在家里培养了或者说激发了他们的独立意识和责任感。

They felt loved and trusted, and this feeling encouraged them to be self-confident. 他们觉得受到了关爱与信任，而且这种感觉增强了他们的自信心。

Latchkey girls, by observing how their mothers coped with the demands of a family and a job, learned the role model [N] of a working mother. （挂钥匙的）女孩子们通过观察母亲们如何应付家庭与工作中的难处而学习了职业母亲的行为榜样。

Some children stated that they used their unsupervised free time to perfect their athletic skills, such as playing basketball. 有的孩子说，他们将这一自由自在无人监管的时间用来提高自己的体育技能，如打篮球。

Others read books or practiced a musical instrument. 还有一些孩子则看看书或练练乐器。

These children looked upon their free time after school as an opportunity for personal development. 所有这些孩子都把他们放学后的这段自由时间看成是自我发展的机会。

It led to positive, productive, and valuable experiences. 这段时间带给了他们积极的、富于成果的宝贵经历。

[6] Conversely, many latchkey children expressed much bitterness, resentment, and anger for being made [N] to live in this fashion.与此相反，也有许多挂钥匙的孩子对于被迫以这种方式生活表现出不快、怨恨以及愤怒。

Many claimed that too much responsibility was placed on them at an early age; it was an overwhelming burden. 不少孩子声称他们在幼小的年龄被赋予太多的责任，这是一个令人难以承受的负担。

They were little people who really wanted to be protected, encouraged, and cared for through attention from their mothers.他们还是小孩，需要母亲的保护、鼓励与关怀。

Coming home to an empty house was disappointing, lonely, and often frightening. 回到一个空荡荡的家令人失望孤独，还经常令人感到恐惧。

They felt abandoned by their mothers. 他们有种被母亲遗弃的感觉。

After all, it seemed to them that most other children had "normal" families whose mothers were "around," whereas their own mothers were never home.毕竟，在他们看来，别的孩子大多数都有一个“正常”的家，母亲总是“在他们周围”，而自己的母亲则总是不在家。

Many children turned on the television for the whole afternoon day after day, in order to diminish feelings of isolation; furthermore, the voices were comforting.许多孩子整个下午让电视机开着，天天如此，目的是为了减轻这种被隔离的感觉。

还有，电视的声音能给他们带来一点安慰。

Frequently, they would doze off. 他们常常就这样睡着了。

[7] Because of either economic necessity or strong determination for personal fulfillment, or both, the phenomenon of latchkey children is widespread in our society. 由于经济上的需要，或者出于要得到自我满足感的坚强决心，或者两者兼而有之，挂钥匙的孩子这一现象在我们的社会中已变得很普遍。

Whatever the reason [N], it is a compelling [N] situation with which families must cope. 然而无论出于什么样的原因，这已经成为一个紧迫的、所有的家庭都必须应付的局面。

The question to ask is not whether or not mothers should work full-time. 做母亲的应不应该从事全日制工作已不是要提出的问题。

Given [N] the reality of the situation, the question to ask is: how can an optimum plan be worked out to deal effectively with the situation. 考虑到这种现象的现实状况，要提出的应是这样一个问题：如何才能制定一个最佳方案来有效地应对这种局面？
[8] It is advisable for all members of the family to express their feelings and concerns about the inevitable change candidly. These remarks should be discussed fully. 明智的做法是：对这种不可避免的变化，家庭的所有成员把自己的感受与担心坦率地说出来，并予以充分的讨论。

Many factors must be taken into consideration: the children's personality and maturity, the amount of time the children will be alone, the safety of the neighborhood, accessibility of help in case of an emergency. 要把许多因素都考虑到：孩子的个性与成熟程度，孩子独自在家的时间的长短，居住区周围是否安全，以及出现紧急情况时能否得到救助。

Of [N] supreme importance is the quality of the relationship between parents and children.首要的是亲子关系的融洽度。

It is most important that the children be secure in the knowledge that they are loved. [N要让孩子们明白父母是爱他们的，这一点非常重要。

] Feeling loved provides invaluable emotional strength to cope successfully with almost any difficulty that arises in life. 孩子们感到有人爱护他们，这会赋予他们一种不可估量的情感力量，去成功地应付生活中出现的种种困难。

—From The Independent Reader
> ( 760 words)
Why the Tortoise's Shell Is Not Smooth
The distant sound of low voices, broken now and again by singing, reached Okonkwo from his wives' huts as each woman and her children told folk stories. Ekwefi and her daughter, Ezinma, sat on a mat on the floor. It was Ekwefi's turn to tell a story. Suddenly the murmuring stopped and all eyes turned to their favorite and most skillful storyteller.从远处他妻子们的那些小木屋里传来的低声细语，时不时地被歌声打断，但是奥康瓦还是听到了，这是妻子们同各自的孩子在讲民间故事。

爱克蔚菲和她的女儿爱金玛坐在一块小地毯上。

现在，轮到爱克蔚菲讲故事了。

霎时，低声细语静了下来，所有的眼睛都转向她们最喜欢的故事能手。

"Once upon a time," she began, "all the birds were invited to a feast in the sky. They were very happy and began to prepare themselves for the great day. They painted their bodies deep red and drew beautiful patterns on them with dye. “很久以前”，她开始讲道，“所有的鸟儿都被邀请到天上赴宴。

它们非常高兴，开始为这盛大的日子做准备。

它们用颜料把自己的身体涂成深红色并画上漂亮的图案。

"Tortoise saw all these preparations and soon discovered what it all meant. Nothing that happened in the world of the animals ever escaped his notice; he was full of cunning. As soon as he heard of the great feast in the sky his throat began to itch at the very thought. There was a famine in those days and Tortoise had not eaten a good meal for two moons. His body rattled like a dry stick in his empty shell. Slowly but surely he began to plan how he would go to the sky."“乌龟看到了所有这些准备活动，并很快了解了事情的来龙去脉。

动物界里发生的任何事都逃不过他的眼睛，（因为）他狡黠无比，诡计多端。

他一听说这一天上的盛宴，不禁垂涎三尺。

那些日子正在闹饥荒，乌龟已经有两个月没好好吃一顿饭了。

他的身体就像一段枯柴棍在空荡荡的躯壳里咔咔作响。

于是他稳扎稳打地开始计划如何能到天上去。

”
"But he had no wings," said Ezinma. “但是他没有翅膀呀，”爱金玛说。

"Be patient," replied her mother. "That is the story. Tortoise had no wings, but he went to the birds and asked to be allowed to go with them. “别性急，”她母亲回答道，“故事（的关键）就在这里。

乌龟没有翅膀，但他去找鸟儿们，请求能跟他们一起去。

”
"' We know you too well,' said the birds when they had heard him. 'You are full of cunning and you are ungrateful. If we allow you to come with us you will soon begin your mischief. We know you of old.' “‘我们太了解你了，’鸟儿们听了他的请求后说道。

‘你诡计多端并且忘恩负义。

如果我们答应你，你马上就会施展诡计。

我们老早就把你看透了。

’"'You do not know me,' said Tortoise. 'I am a changed man. I am not the mischievous man you once knew. On the contrary, I am thoughtful and well-meaning. I have learned that a man who makes trouble for others is also making trouble for himself. Rest assured, I promise I will not cause you any trouble.' “‘你们不了解我，’乌龟说。

‘我已经脱胎换骨了，不再是你们以前所知道的那个捣蛋鬼了。

相反，我现在既体贴又善良。

我已经认识到，给别人制造麻烦的人就是在给自己制造麻烦。

放心吧，我保证不给你们增添任何麻烦。

’
"Tortoise had a sweet tongue, and within a short time all the birds agreed that he was a changed man, and they all gave him a feather, with which he made two splendidly colorful wings.“乌龟巧舌如簧，没过多久，所有的鸟儿都一致认为，他确实已经脱胎换骨了，于是每只鸟儿都给了他一根羽毛，用这些羽毛，乌龟做了两只色彩绚丽的翅膀。

"At last the great day came and Tortoise was the first to arrive at the meeting place. When all the birds had gathered together, they all set off together. Tortoise was very happy as he flew among the birds, and he was soon chosen as the man to speak for the party because he was a great orator.“最后，这盛大的日子终于来到了，乌龟第一个到达了集合地点。

等所有的鸟儿都来齐了，他们就一块儿动身。

乌龟飞在鸟儿们中间，非常高兴，而且由于他擅长演说，很快就被推选为大伙儿的发言人。

"' There is one important thing which we must not forget,' he said as they flew on their way. 'When people are invited to a great feast like this, they take new names for the occasion. Our hosts in the sky will expect us to honor this age-old custom. “‘有件重要的事我们绝不能忘记，’他在飞行途中说道。

‘当人们被邀请参加类似于这样的盛宴时，要特意给自己取个新名字。

天上的主人们一定也希望我们能遵循这一古老习俗。

’
"None of the birds had heard of this custom but they knew that Tortoise, in spite of his failings in other areas, was a widely traveled man who knew the customs of different peoples. And so they each took a new name. When they had all taken a new name, Tortoise also took one. He was to be called All of you. “鸟儿们谁也没听说过这一习俗，但他们知道，尽管乌龟在其它方面不怎么样，却到过许多地方，知晓不同民族的风俗习惯。

于是他们每人都取了一个新名字。

等他们全都取好了，乌龟也取了一个。

他的新名字叫‘你们大家’。

"At last the party arrived in the sky and their hosts were very happy to see them. Tortoise stood up in his many-colored plumage and thanked them for their invitation. His speech was so eloquent that all the birds were glad they had brought him, and nodded their heads in approval of all he said. Their hosts took him as the king of the birds, especially as he looked somewhat different from the others. “最后群鸟飞到了天上，那儿的主人们见到他们非常高兴。

乌龟穿着他那五彩的羽衣，起身对主人们的邀请深表谢意。

他的讲话如此得体，所有的鸟儿都很庆幸把他带了来，对他所说的一切都点头赞同。

主人们把他当成了鸟儿们的国王，尤其是因为他看起来有那么点儿与众不同。

"After a selection of nuts had been presented and eaten, the, people of the sky set before their guests the most delectable dishes Tortoise had ever seen or dreamed of. The soup was brought out hot from the fire and in the very pot in which it had been cooked. It was full, of meat and fish. Tortoise began to sniff aloud. There was pounded yam and also yam soup cooked with palm oil and fresh fish. There were also pots of palm wine. When everything had been set before the guests, one of the people of the sky came forward and tasted a little from each pot. He then invited the birds to eat. But Tortoise jumped to his feet and asked: 'For whom have you prepared this feast?' “精选出来的各种果仁呈上来吃完之后，天上的人们在客人们面前摆上了乌龟从未见过或梦到过的美味佳肴。

汤刚从炉子上烧好就连着罐子热气腾腾地端上来了，里面全是肉和鱼。

乌龟开始很响地嗅气。

有甜薯泥以及用棕榈油和鲜鱼一起煮成的甜薯汤，还有一坛坛棕榈酒。

等所有的菜肴在客人们面前摆好后，有一位天上的人走上前来，把每样菜肴都尝一口。

然后他请鸟儿们进餐。

但这时乌龟一跃而起，问道：‘你们是为谁准备的这个宴会？’
"' For all of you,' replied the man. “‘为你们大家啊，’那个人回答道。

"Tortoise turned to the birds and said: 'You remember that my name is All of you. The custom here is to serve the spokesman first and the others later. They will serve you when I have eaten.' “乌龟转向鸟儿们说：‘你们该记得，我的名字就是“你们大家”。

这儿的习俗是先请发言人吃，然后才轮到其他人。

我吃完以后，他们会请你们吃的。

’
"He began to eat and the birds grumbled angrily among themselves. The people of the sky thought it must be their custom to leave all the food for their king. And so Tortoise ate the best part of the food and then drank two pots of palm wine, so that he was full of food and drink and his body grew fat enough to fill out his shell. “他开始大吃起来，鸟儿们则私下里生气地抱怨着。

天上的人还以为把所有的食物让国王吃是鸟儿们的习俗。

就这样，乌龟吃掉了最好的食物，还喝了两坛棕榈酒，于是酒足饭饱了，他的身体胀得胖鼓鼓的，把整个龟壳都撑圆了。

"The birds gathered round to eat what was left and to peck at the bones he had thrown on the floor. Some of them were too angry to eat. They chose to fly home on an empty stomach. But before they left each took back the feather he had lent to Tortoise. And there he stood in his hard shell full of food and wine but without any wings to fly home. He asked the birds to take a message for his wife, but they all refused. In the end Parrot, who had felt more angry than the others, suddenly changed his mind and agreed to take the message. “鸟儿们围拢来吃些残羹剩饭，啄着他扔在地上的骨头。

有一些鸟儿气得什么都没吃，他们宁可空着肚子飞回去。

但是离开前，每只鸟儿都向乌龟要回了各自借给他的那根羽毛。

乌龟站在那儿，身上只剩了一个硬壳，里面满是佳肴美酒，却没了可飞回家的翅膀。

他请求鸟儿们捎个口信给他的妻子，但被大家拒绝了。

最后，最生乌龟气的鹦鹉，突然改变了主意，同意替他带个口信。

"' Tell my wife,' said Tortoise, 'to bring out all the soft things in my house and cover the ground with them so that I can jump down from the sky without hurting myself. “‘告诉我的妻子，’乌龟说道，‘把家里所有软的东西都拿出来，铺在地上，这样我就可以从天上跳下去，而不至于摔伤了。

’
"Parrot promised faithfully to deliver the message, and then flew away smiling to himself. However when he reached Tortoise's house he told his wife to bring out all the hard and sharp things in the house. And so Tortoise's wife dutifully brought out her husband's hoes, knives, spears, guns, and even his cannon. Tortoise looked down from the sky and saw his wife bringing things out, but it was too far to see what they were. When all seemed ready he let himself go. He fell and fell and fell until he began to fear that he would never stop falling. And then like the sound of his cannon he crashed to the ground." “鹦鹉满口答应一定把这个口信带到，然后窃笑着飞走了。

然而，当他飞到乌龟家时，却告诉乌龟的妻子把家里所有硬的、尖的家伙都拿出来。

于是乌龟的妻子就尽心尽责地把丈夫的锄头，刀子，长矛，枪甚至他的大炮都搬了出来。

乌龟从天上往下看，看到他的妻子正往外搬东西，但相距太远了看不清是些什么。

当一切似乎都已准备妥当时，他就纵身一跳。

他掉啊，掉啊，掉，直到他开始担心自己会这样一直不停地掉下去。

然后，他重重地摔到了地上，那声响就跟他的大炮轰鸣一样。

”
"Did he die?" asked Ezinma. “他死了吗？”爱金玛问道。

"No," replied Ekwefi. "His shell broke into hundreds of pieces. But there was a great medicine man in the neighborhood. Tortoise's wife sent for him and he gathered all the bits of shell and stuck them together. That is why。