The Rivers and the sea

    Once upon a time the rivers combined against the sea，and con-verging into a whole，accused her，“Why is it that when we rivers pour our water into you so fresh and Sweet，you straightway render it salty and unpalatable？”The sea，observing the temper in which they came，merely answered coldly，“If you do not wish to become salty，please keep away from me altogether．”
    Those Who are most benefited are often the first to complain．Exercises：
    回答下列问题：
    ① Whom did the rivers combine against？
    ② Why did the rivers accuse the sea？
    ③ What did the sea say when she heard what the rivers said？
    ④ What can we learn from this fable¹？

1 fable   

n.寓言；童话；神话

参考例句：

• The fable is given on the next page. 这篇寓言登在下一页上。
• He had some motive in telling this fable. 他讲这寓言故事是有用意的。