英文故事_The Falcon(附理解练习)

The Falcon
by Giovanni Boccaccio
There once lived in Florence a young man named Federigo.In all the countryside around, he was held in high esteem for his skill in arms and his many accomplishments.This young man fell deeply in love with a lady named Monna Giovanna, famous in her time as one of the most beautiful and charming women of Florence.In order to capture her attention and her love, Federigo gave a series of tournaments and banquets and spared no expense in his entertainments.But the lady, who was as discreet as she was beautiful, paid no attention to him.
Federigo spent all his money on these entertainments, and at last he had nothing left but one small farm, from which he scraped a living.He also managed to keep one favorite falcon, a bird of such qualities that no other falcon could compare with her.Since he had no more money, he could not afford to live in the city he retired to his farm and lived there in poverty with only his falcon t amuse him.
Shortly after Federigo left town, Monna Giovanna;s husband fell sick and died.In his will he left his fortune, which was very great, to the young son, but if the son were to die.Everything would go to Monna Giovanna, whom he loved very dearly.Monna Giovanna, then, followed the custom of the time, which was that a widow should retire for a while form the city and carry on her mourning in the country, And so she moved to an estate which was very near the farm if Federigo’s farm of Federigo.
Her young son, who went with her to the country estate, took to visiting
Federigo’s farm and became very fond of the famous falcon.He longed to have the falcon for his own, but he did not dare ask for it because he knew how dear it was to its owner.
A short time later, the boy became sick.His mother, who had no other child, loved him very much, she stayed with him all day as he lay sick and asked him if there was anything in the world he wanted.Whatever it was, she would get it for him.After she had asked him many times what he wanted, the boy finally said, “My dear mother, if you could get me Federigo’s falcon, I think it would make me well again.”
The lady had no idea how to go about fulfilling the boy’s wish.It seemed to her beyond her power to obtain the falcon for him.She knew that Federigo loved her, but she had never repaid his attention with so much as one kind look.
“How then,”she thought to herself, “can I go and ask for this falcon They say it is one of the most prized birds that ever flew.And Federigo depends on it for his hunting.How can I be so rude as to ask a poor gentleman to give up the last thing he has and his only pleasure”
But her love for her son was so strong that at last she decided to go to Federigo.She said to her son, “My dear son, get well, and I promise you that first thing in the morning I will go to Federigo and bring you back the falcon.”Her promise made the boy beam with joy and the same day he showed signs of improvement.
The next morning Monna Giovanna, with another lady as her companion, went to Federigo’s humble farm and inquired for him.He was greatly surprised when he heard that Monna Giovanna was asking for him and ran in joy t meet her.As soon as
she saw him, she gracefully and respectfully greeted him, saying, “Federigo, I am com to repay you in some way for the evil you have received from me at a time when you loved me more than was wise on your part.I intend to make myself and my companion your guests at dinner today.”
Federigo replied with great humility, “Alas, madam, I do not remember any evil from you but instead so much good that I would spend my fortune a second time in your honor.”Saying this, he respectfully led her into his house and, not having anyone else to introduce to her.said, “Madame, this good woman, the wife of my overseer, will wait on you while I prepare our table.”
Because of his extreme poverty, Federigo was seldom able to entertain anyone in his house, and this morning he was less well prepared than usual.He ran back and forth like a madama, finding neither money nor food.Then, the hour being late, he happened to glance at his favorite falcon on her perch.Seeing no other solution, he seized the poor bird, killed it, and gave it to the cook to roast.He then spread a white tablecloth, and after some time, he cheerfully returned to the lady and told her that the best dinner he could provide was prepared.With great courtesy while they unknowingly ate his favourite bird.After the meal was over, Monna Giovanna decided the time had come to reveal the purpose of her visit.Turning politely to Federigo, she said, “When you recall your past life, Federigo, and remember my reserve toward you, which you perhaps thought hard-hearted and cruel, you will no doubt wonder at my boldness when I tell you the purpose of my visit.But I know that if you had children or knew the strength of parental love, you would pardon me.My love for my son forces me to ask you for the gift of a possession which I know is very dear to you.The gift I ask is our falcon.If I do not bring the falcon to my son, who is
gravely ill, I fear I shall lose him.I ask you to help me preserve the life of my son not because you love me but because you have such a generous character.”
Hearing this request, Federigo began to weep most bitterly and could not speak.The lady, thinking he grieved because he could not part with the falcon, prepared herself for the worst.
“From the moment I met you,”began Federigo, “fate has been cruel to me.But this is the cruelest blow.You have at last come to my house and have asked for such a small gift, but fate will not let me grant it.When you honored me by coming to dinner, I wanted to honor you with every delicacy in my power.Therefore, I served you the falcon at dinner.Now I have so much grief that I shall never be happy again.”
Monna Giovanna reprimanded him for killing so fine a falcon for a lady’s dinner, at the same time thinking to herself what a generous man Federigo was.With all hope gone, she thanked Federigo for the honor done her and left greatly depressed.Her son died a few days later.
After Monna Giovanna had mourned for some time, her brothers, seeing that she was still young and extremely rich, urged her to marry again.After much urging, she said to her brothers, “I would rather not marry again, but if you insist I marry, it shall be to Federigo.”
Her brothers smiled at the news.“What folly is this Would you marry a beggar”She answered, “Brothers, I know he is poor, but I would rather choose a man who needs wealth than wealth that needs a man.”
The brothers saw that her mind was made up and, knowing Federigo was good man, they gave their blessings to Monna Giovanna.Federigo thus found himself united to a beautiful lady whom he had long
dearly loved and passed the rest of his days in peace and happiness.
Exercises
Pre-Reading/Listening Exercises
1. Vocabulary
2. Expressions
tournaments held in high esteem
banquets scraped a living
mourning beyond her power
courtesy more than was wise
reveal
reserve
delicacy
reprimanded
1.Agree/Disagree
a. You ought to sacrifice for people you love
b. Love is only love when it is shown to others
c. Real love remains forever and can never be taken away
d. It is a person’s character, not their wealth, that makes the person rich
Post-Reading Questions
1. Comprehension questions:
a. How did Federigo become poor
b. Why did Monna visit Federigo after so many years
c. Why was she embarrassed to ask him for his falcon
d. What did she think of Federigo killing his bird
e. Why did Monna agree to marry Federigo
2. Discussion:
a. How is sacrifice shown in the story
b. Why do you think love and sacrifice often go together
c. What is so appealing about Federigo
3. What should you do if…
a. Someone sacrificed their best for you
b. You knew someone loved you so much to give their best to you。