In some parts of the world there are great tracts of country called deserts. 在世界一些地方，国家有大片土地称之为沙漠。

　　In these deserts there are no houses, no pleasant streams, and no trees. 在这些沙漠里，没有住宅，没有欢快的河流，也没有数。

　　Nothing can be seen around but sand, and stones and rocks, as far as the eye can reach. 周围除了沙，石子和岩石，什么也看不见，一望无际。

　　In crossing these dreary deserts, the traveller must take with him every thing that he needs on the way. 在穿过这些枯燥无味的沙漠时，旅行者必须带上所有他在路上需要的东西。

　　He must carry enough of food and water to last himself and those who are with him for many days. 他必须带上足够的食物和水以使自己和跟他一起的人坚持很多天。

　　No horse could carry heavy loads across these great deserts; but God has given to man another animal fitted for the work. 没有马可以运载重物穿越大沙漠；但上帝给了人们另一种适合这类工作的动物。

　　This animal is the camel. 这种动物就是骆驼。

　　When sailors cross the sea in a ship, the ship must carry every thing they need. 当海员乘船穿越大海时，船上必须带着所有他们需要的东西。

　　And as the camel has to do the same for its master in the desert, it has been called the ship of the desert. 就像骆驼在沙漠里要为它的主人所做的一样，它被称为“沙漠之舟”。

　　When the camel is being loaded it kneels, that its master may put the load on its back; 把东西装到骆驼身上时，它会跪下，主人会把东西放在它的背上；

　　and when the day's march is over, and the time for rest has come, it kneels again, to have its load taken off. 一天的行程结束时，到了休息时间，它又会跪下，把货物卸下。

　　The camel can go without food for a long time; and, before it starts, it drinks enough of water to last it for several days. 骆驼可以在没有食物的情况下走很长时间；在它出发之前，它会引用足够的水来维持好些天。

　　It is no wonder that the Arab loves his camel, and sings songs in its praise. 难怪阿拉伯人喜爱他的骆驼，唱歌赞美它。

　　The horse carries his master, the cow gives him milk, and the sheep gives him wool for clothing. 马载着他的主人，牛给他牛奶，羊给他羊毛做衣服。

　　But to the Arab, the camel is all these in one. 但对阿拉伯人来说，骆驼一个顶所有这些。

　　It supplies the people of the desert with milk, and with almost all they need. 它给沙漠里的人们供给牛奶和几乎所有人们需要的。

　　After it is dead, its flesh is used for food, and its hair is made into cloth. 它死后，肉可以用作食物，头发可以做成布。