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1、IntheDuckYard在养鸭场里A duck arrived from Portugal. Some people said she came from Spain, but that doesnt really matter. She was called the Portuguese; she laid eggs, and was killed and dressed and cooked; thats the story of her life. But all the ducklings that were hatched from her eggs were also calle
2、d Portuguese, and theres some distinction in that. At last there was only one left of her whole family in the duck yard - a yard to which the hens also had access, and where the cock strutted about with endless arrogance.His loud crowing annoys me, said the Portuguese Duck. But theres no denying hes
3、 a handsome bird, even if he isnt a drake. Of course, he should moderate his voice, but thats an art that comes from higher education, such as the little songbirds over in our neighbours lime trees have. How sweetly they sing; Theres something so touching over their melodies; I call it Portugal. If
4、I only had a little songbird like that Id be a kind and good mother to him, for thats in my blood - my Portuguese blood!While she was speaking, suddenly a little songbird fell head over heels from the roof into the yard. The cat had been chasing him, but the bird escaped with a broken wing and fell
5、down into the duck yard.Thats just like the cat, that monster! said the Portuguese Duck. I remember his tricks from when I had ducklings of my own. That such a creature should be permitted to live and roam about on the roofs! Im sure such things could not happen in Portugal!She pitied the little Son
6、gbird, and even the other ducks who werent Portuguese felt pity for him, too.Poor little fellow, they said, and then one after another came up to look at him. Of course, we cant sing, they said, but we have an inner understanding of song, or something like that. We can feel it, even if we dont talk
7、about it.Then I will talk about it, said the Portuguese. And Ill do something for this little fellow; its only my duty. And then she stepped into the water trough and thrashed her wings about the water so vigorously that the little Songbird was almost drowned by the shower he got, but he knew the Du
8、ck meant well. There, thats a good deed, she said. The others may observe it and profit by my example.Peep! said the little Bird; one of his wings was broken, and he was finding it difficult to shake himself, but he quite understood that the bath was meant kindly. Youre very kindhearted, madam, he s
9、aid, hoping she wouldnt give him another shower.I never thought much about my heart, said the Portuguese. But I know this much - I love all my fellow creatures except the cat; nobody could expect me to love him, for he ate up two of my ducklings. Now make yourself at home, for you can be quite comfo
10、rtable here. I myself am a foreigner, as you can tell from my bearing and my feather dress. My drake is a native of this country; he doesnt have my blood, but still Im not proud. If anyone in this yard can understand you, I may safely say it is I.Her beak is full of portulaca, said a common little D
11、uck, who was considered very witty. All the other common ducks decided the word portulaca was very funny, for it sounded like Portugal. They poked each other and said, Quack! He was really so witty! And now all the other ducks began to pay attention to the little Songbird.The Portuguese certainly ha
12、s a great command of language, they said. For our part, we havent room in our beaks for such big words, but we have just as much sympathy, anyway. Even if we dont actually do anything for you, at least we will go about quietly with you; and that we think is the nicest thing we can do.You have a love
13、ly voice, said one of the older Ducks. It must be a great satisfaction to you to give so many as much pleasure as you do. I dont really understand singing, so I keep my beak shut; thats better than chattering nonsense to you the way the others do.Dont bother him, said the Portuguese. He needs rest a
14、nd care. My little Songbird, do you want me to give you another shower bath?Oh, no, please let me stay dry! he begged.The water cure is the only that does me any good when Im sick, said the Portuguese. But amusement helps, too. The neighboring hens will soon be coming to visit us; there are two Chin
15、ese hens among them. They wear breeches, are well educated, and have been imported, so they stand higher than the others in my esteem.And the hens came, and the Cock came with them; today he was polite enough not to be rude.Youre a true songbird, he said, and you do all you possibly can with such a
16、small voice as yours. But you should have a little steam power, so everyone would hear that you are a male.The two Chinese were enraptured at the appearance of the Songbird. He was still very much rumpled up after his bath, so he looked to them like a little China chicken.Hes charming! they cried, and then engaged themselves in conversation with him; they talked in wh
