The Old Hound

    A hunter once had an old and faithful hound．For many years he had been the best dog in the pack，running more swiftly and catching¹ more wild animals than all the others．A day came，however，when he was really too old to carry on any more．After running half the day he managed to corner a wild boar in a clearing and to seize it firmly by the ear．The boar was young and strong and fought back hard，shaking its heavy head from side to side as it lunged at the dog with its tusks³．At last the old dog's teeth could hold on no longer and he was forced to let go．The huntsman，following some way behind，came up angrily and began to beat the old dog with his stick as he lay on the ground panting wearily．Looking reproachfully up，the dog said：“Master，don't beat me．I tried to fight but I am not as strong as I was．I have served you faith-fully for a long time．Can you not remember what I was while punishing me for what I am now？”
    Respect the aged²．Exercises：
    回答下列问题：
    ①Was the old hound the best one？Why do we say that？
    ②Who won at last，the hound or the wild boar？
    ③How did the dog respond to the master's beating？

1 catching   

adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住

参考例句：

• There are those who think eczema is catching.有人就是认为湿疹会传染。
• Enthusiasm is very catching.热情非常富有感染力。

2 aged   

adj.年老的，陈年的

参考例句：

• He had put on weight and aged a little.他胖了，也老点了。
• He is aged,but his memory is still good.他已年老，然而记忆力还好。

3 tusks   

n.（象等动物的）长牙( tusk的名词复数 )；獠牙；尖形物；尖头

参考例句：

• The elephants are poached for their tusks. 为获取象牙而偷猎大象。
• Elephant tusks, monkey tails and salt were used in some parts of Africa. 非洲的一些地区则使用象牙、猴尾和盐。 来自英语晨读30分（高一）