中篇英语故事“ The lion and the farmer”

　　An Indian farmer and his child were toiling in the fields. It was almost dark by the time they had finished their work and the farmer said to the child, "Wow! It鈥檚 getting dark! Quickly pack up the tools and run. Let鈥檚 run quickly!"

　　鈥淩elax. We鈥檙e not far from home and we know the way home. Why are you in such a panic?鈥� asked the child. 鈥淭here鈥檚 something you don鈥檛 know. I鈥檓 generally fearless. I鈥檓 not afraid of tigers or lions. I鈥檓 only afraid of the night. When the night comes, I鈥檓 completely powerless. The night is most terrifying to me. I鈥檓 really frightened of it. I can鈥檛 stand it," answered the farmer.

　　It so happened that a lion was hiding nearby and overheard their conversation. 鈥淲hat鈥檚 this thing called 鈥榯he night鈥�? How could it be more fearful than I am? I must find out about it,鈥� the lion mused as it moved closer to the farmer, hoping to learn more about this 鈥渘ight鈥� that was even more frightening than itself.

　　Then darkness fell and the farsighted farmer couldn鈥檛 see nearby objects clearly. He only saw the vague outline of an animal approaching, thought it was the donkey he had recently lost, and beat the lion several times, saying, 鈥淚鈥檝e been looking for you all day. Where have you been? How dare you come back so late?鈥�