英文幽默故事：Three Simple Rules

Once there was a rich man in Thailand. His name was Chulong. He was a very rich man. Yet he wanted more riches, more money. 

 

One day he was walking in his garden. He saw a strange bird in a bush¹. It was very small. But it had very beautiful and colorful features. Its voice was also very sweet. Chulong had never seen such a bird in his life. He slowly went near the bush unseen. He caught the bird. Now the bird began to speak. 

 

“Why have you caught me?" the bird asked. 

 

“I want to make money. I can sell you for a big amount," replied Chulong. 

 

“But you are already rich. Why do you want more?" asked the bird. 

 

“Because I want to become richer and richer," replied Chulong. 

 

“But do not dream of making money through me!" said the bird. It further added², “You can not sell me. Nobody will buy me, because, in imprisonment³, I lose my beauty and my sweet voice." Then it slowly turned into a black bird. 

 

The beautiful features were now looking like the feathers of a crow. 

 

Chulong hopes of making money were shattered⁴. He said angrily, “I will kill you, and I will eat your meat." 

 

“Eat me! I am so small. You will not get any meat out of me," replied the bird. 

 

Chulong could not answer. The bird then suggested, “Well set me free. In return I shall teach you three simple but useful rules." 

 

“What is the use of the rules? I want only money," said Chulong. He was irritated⁵. 

 

“But these rules can profit you greatly," added the bird. 

 

“Profit me! Really? Then I shall set you free. But how can I trust you? You may fly away," said Chulong. 

 

“I give you my word. And I always keep my word," said the bird. 

 

Chulong wanted to take a chance. He released⁶ the bird. It flew up at once. Then it sat on the branch of a tree. Its color started changing. It became beautiful again. 

 

Chulong asked, “Now teach me the rules." 

 

“Certainly," said the bird. 

 

Then it added, “The first rule is Never Believe everything others say. The second rule is Never be sad about something you do not have. The third rule is Never throw away what you have in your hand." 

 

“You silly bird," shouted Chulong. And he added, “These three rules are known⁷ to every one. You have cheated me." 

 

But the bird said, “Chulong, just sit down for a while. Think about all your actions of today. You had me in your hands, but you threw me away (released me). You believed all that I said. And you are sad about not having me. The rules are simple. But you never followed them. Now do you see the value of the rules?" so saying the bird flew away and disappeared from his sight.  

1 bush   

n.灌木，灌木丛，矮树

参考例句：

• This bush has grown up a lot in the last few months.这矮树丛几个月来已向上长高了很多。
• A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.一鸟在手，胜于二鸟在林。

2 added   

adj.更多的，附加的，额外的

参考例句：

• They have added a new scene at the beginning.在开头他们又增加了一场戏。
• The pop music added to our enjoyment of the film.片中的流行音乐使我们对这部电影更加喜爱。

3 imprisonment   

n.关押，监禁，坐牢

参考例句：

• His sentence was commuted from death to life imprisonment.他的判决由死刑减为无期徒刑。
• He was sentenced to one year's imprisonment for committing bigamy.他因为犯重婚罪被判入狱一年。

4 shattered   

破碎的； 极度疲劳的

参考例句：

• He dropped the vase and it shattered into pieces on the floor. 他失手把花瓶掉到地板上摔碎了。
• The experience left her feeling absolutely shattered. 她在这次经历之后，感到彻底垮了。

5 irritated   

a.恼怒的

参考例句：

• His little affectations irritated her. 他的装腔作势令她不快。
• Her genteel accent irritated me. 她那矫揉造作的腔调使我感到难受。

6 released   

v.释放( release的过去式和过去分词 )；放开；发布；发行

参考例句：

• He was released on bail pending committal proceedings. 他交保获释正在候审。
• With hindsight it is easy to say they should not have released him. 事后才说他们本不应该释放他，这倒容易。

7 known   

adj.大家知道的；知名的，已知的

参考例句：

• He is a known artist.他是一个知名的艺术家。
• He is known both as a painter and as a statesman.他是知名的画家及政治家。