2.3 The heart of a mouse 老鼠的心

The heart of a mouse

A mouse was in constant distress¹ bescause of its fear of the cat. A magician² took pity on it and turned it into a cat. But then it became afraid of the dog, so the magician turned it into a dog. Then it began to fear the panther, so the magician turned it into a panther. Whereupon it was full fear for the hunter. At this point, the magician gave up. He turned it into a mouse again, saying, "Nothing I do for you is going to be of any help, because you have the heart of a mouse."

1 distress   

n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛

参考例句：

• Nothing could alleviate his distress.什么都不能减轻他的痛苦。
• Please don't distress yourself.请你不要忧愁了。

2 magician   

n.魔术师，变戏法的人，术士

参考例句：

• With a wave of his hand,the magician made the rabbit vanish.魔术师手一挥兔子便不见了。
• The magician transformed the man into a rabbit.魔术师把那个人变成了兔子。