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1、小学英文童话故事： The Magic Swan Once upon a time. There were three brothers, of whom the eldest was called Jacob, the second Frederick, and the youngest Peter. This youngest brother was made a regular butt of by the other two, and they treated him shamefully. If anything went wrong with their affairs, Pete
2、r had to bear the blame and put things right for them, and he had to endure all this ill-treatment because he was weak and delicate and couldnt defend himself against his stronger brothers. The poor creature had a most trying life of it in every way, and day and night he pondered how he could make i
3、t better. One day, when he was in the wood gathering sticks and crying bitterly, a little old woman came up to him and asked him what was the matter; and he told her all his troubles. Come, my good youth, said the old dame, when he had finished his tale of woe, isnt the world wide enough? Why dont y
4、ou set out and try your fortune somewhere else? Peter took her words to heart, and left his fathers house early one morning to try his fortune in the wide world, as the old woman had advised him. But he felt very bitterly parting from the home where he had been born, and where he had at least passed
5、 a short but happy childhood, and sitting down on a hill he gazed once more fondly on his native place. Suddenly the little old woman stood before him, and, tapping him on the shoulder, said, So far good, my boy; but what do you mean to do now? Peter was at a loss what to answer, for so far he had a
6、lways thought that fortune would drop into his mouth like a ripe cherry. The old woman, who guessed his thoughts, laughed kindly and said, Ill tell you what you must do, for Ive taken a fancy to you, and Im sure you wont forget me when youve made your fortune. Peter promised faithfully he wouldnt, a
7、nd the old woman continued ： This evening at sunset go to yonder pear-tree which you see growing at the cross roads. Underneath it you will find a man lying asleep, and a beautiful large swan will be fastened to the tree close to him. You must be careful not to waken the man, but you must unfasten t
8、he swan and take it away with you. You will find that everyone will fall in love with its beautiful plumage, and you must allow anyone who likes to pull out a feather. But as soon as the swan feels as much as a finger on it, it will scream out, and then you must say, Swan, hold fast. Then the hand o
9、f the person who has touched the bird will be held as in a vice, and nothing will set it free, unless you touch it with this little stick which I will make you a present of. When you have captured a whole lot of people in this way, lead your train straight on with you; you will come to a big town wh
10、ere a Princess lives who has never been known to laugh. If you can only make her laugh your fortune is made; then I beg you wont forget your old friend. Peter promis ed again that he wouldnt, and at sunset he went to the tree the old woman had mentioned. The man lay there fast asleep, and a large be
11、autiful swan was fastened to the tree beside him by a red cord. Peter loosed the bird, and led it away with him without disturbing the birds master. He walked on with the swan for some time, and came at last to a building-yard where some men were busily at work. They were all lost in admiration of t
12、he birds beautiful plumage, and one forward youth, who was covered with clay from head to foot, called out, Oh, if Id only one of those feathers how happy I should be! Pull one out then, said Peter kindly, and the youth seized one from the birds tail; instantly the swan screamed, and Peter called ou
13、t, Swan, hold fast, and do what he could the poor youth couldnt get his hand away. The more he howled the more the others laughed, till a girl who had been washing clothes in the neighbouring stream hurried up to see what was the matter. When she saw the poor boy fastened to the swan she felt so sor
14、ry for him that she stretched out her hand to free him. The bird screamed. Swan, hold fast, called out Peter, and the girl was caught also. When Peter had gone on for a bit with his captives, they met a chimney sweep, who laughed loudly over the extraordinary troop, and asked the girl what she was d
15、oing. Oh, dearest John, replied the girl, give me your hand and set me free from this cursed young man. Most certainly I will, if thats all you want, replied the sweep, and gave the girl his hand. The bird screamed. Swan, hold fast, said Peter, and the black man was added to their number. They soon
16、came to a village where a fair was being held. A travelling circus was giving a performance, and the clown was just doing his tricks. He opened his eyes wide with amazement when he saw the remarkable trio fastened on to the swans tail. Have you gone raving mad, Blackie? he asked as well as he could for laughing. Its no laughing matter, the sweep replied. This wench has got so tight hold of me that I feel as if I were g
