英语听力—环球英语 1345 Babushka, a Christmas Legend

 　　Voice 1

 

　　Thank you for joining us for today’s Spotlight¹. I’m Ruby² Jones.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　And I’m Joshua Leo. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　Do you remember the true Christmas story? Have you heard it before? Two thousand years ago, a very special baby was born. He was God - God became human. This baby was Jesus Christ³. But God was not born to a King. He was born into a poor family. He knew the most difficult conditions and situations. And this was true right from birth!

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　Jesus was born in the ancient city of Bethlehem, in the Middle East. And after he was born, a star appeared in the sky. One of the stories about Jesus’ birth is about this star. Wise men from very far away saw this star. They knew that it would lead them to a baby king. So the Wise men followed it. They travelled from far away to worship⁴ the baby Jesus and bring him gifts. The star stopped over the place where they found Jesus.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　These events are recorded in the Christian⁵ Bible⁶. And it is a favourite story for Christians⁷ in many parts of the world. Many people even say that we give gifts at Christmas because of the gifts of the wise men. But in Russia, there is a legend⁸ about the wise men. Legends⁹ are stories that can not always be proved true. But these stories are still told as if they were true. This Russian legend does not come from the Bible. But it is also a favourite story there. Have you heard it?

 

　　Voice 3

 

　　This Christmas story begins in the land that is now Southern Russia. It was the night when baby Jesus was born. It was winter. Snow covered the earth. Ice covered the tree branches. And the cold wind blew. An old woman called Babushka was alone in her home. She was happy that she had a fire. She could stay warm. She did not have to go out into the cold.

 

　　Voice 4

 

　　Suddenly, there was a noise at her door. When she opened it, three old wise men entered her home. They were wearing the clothes of kings. They carried wealthy gifts. They said to her,

 

　　Voice 3

 

　　“Babushka, we have travelled a far distance. We have stopped to tell you of the Christ-child who was born tonight in Bethlehem. He comes to rule the world. And he will teach all men and women to be loving and true. We bring Him gifts. Come with us, Babushka!”

 

　　Voice 4

 

　　Babushka looked out at the cold night. She did not want to leave her warm room. So the three old men continued on alone in the cold winter night.

 

　　Voice 3

 

　　But that night Babushka could not sleep. She kept thinking about what the old men told her. She kept thinking about the wonderful chance they offered - to see the baby Jesus. Finally, she decided¹⁰ that in the morning she would go to see the Christ-child. And she hoped that on her way, she would see the old men.

 

　　Voice 4

 

　　In the morning, Babushka filled a container with gold balls, wood toys, and other play things for children. Then she put on her coat and went to see the Baby Jesus. But Babushka remembered something. She had not asked the three Wise men the way to Bethlehem. And now they had travelled so far during the night that she could not find them.

 

　　Voice 3

 

　　Babushka decided to continue on. She hurried up and down many roads. And she asked every person she met, “I want to see the Christ-child. Where is he? I am bringing him beautiful play things.” But no one could tell her the way. Each person told her, “Continue on Babushka, keep going.”

 

　　Voice 4

 

　　So Babushka kept travelling. She travelled for years and years. But she never found the child. In Europe, they say she is still travelling and looking for the Baby Jesus. And every year, on the night before Christmas, she comes into the towns carrying her container of play things. She enters each house when the children are sleeping. She holds a light close to the little children’s faces. She says, “Is he here? Is the baby Jesus here?” Then she shakes her head sadly. But she leaves a play thing from her container next to each sleeping child. Then Babushka continues on her way.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　Christmas legends are special. These stories are often shared by many generations of people. Some times the details change. But the legends are told every year at Christmas time. These Christmas legends become shared experiences. People who are young and old enjoy the excitement and mystery of these stories.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　Often, these Christmas legends explain how a particular tradition began. The story of Babushka explains how presents appear while children sleep. Many cultures or countries have different legends that explain the mystery of surprise gifts. Some times these stories share the same characters. But often each culture tells a similar story with a different character. For example, Italy has a legend that is similar to the legend of Babushka. But this story has a different ending. It is the legend of La Befana.

 

　　Voice 3

 

　　La Befana was an old woman who lived alone. She loved to cook and clean. On the twelfth night of Christmas three wise men came to her door. They were looking for the Christ-child. But they did not know where to find him. La Befana did not know the way either. Before the wise men left, they invited her to join them on their search. But La Befana said no. She had cleaning to finish! So the wise men continued travelling, alone.

 

　　Voice 4

 

　　After the three Wise men left, La Befana began thinking. She did want to see the baby! She had made a mistake! So La Befana gathered treats and gifts for the child. Then she ran to find the Wise men. After searching for many hours, La Befana was not able to find the wise men. She also could not find the baby Jesus.

 

　　Voice 3

 

　　So La Befana gave a gift to every child she met. She hoped that one of these children would be the Christ-child. Every year on the twelfth night of Christmas, La Befana goes looking for baby Jesus. She stops at every child’s house while he sleeps. She leaves treats for good children and black coal for bad children.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　Christmas is one of the few holidays celebrated¹¹ around the world. And fun legends like Babushka and La Befana provide simple ways to share culture. They also help pass traditions from one age group to another in interesting ways. Everyone can enjoy the excitement and mystery of Christmas together.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　Christians and many other people will celebrate Christmas next week. They will celebrate with gifts and stories. What legends or stories do you tell at Christmas? What parts of your culture are shared through your stories? e-mail us at radio @ English . net.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　The writer and producer of today’s Spotlight program was Courtney Schutt. The voices you heard were from the United¹² States and the United Kingdom. This program is called “Babushka, A Christmas Legend.”

 

 

1 spotlight   

n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目

参考例句：

• This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
• The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。

2 ruby   

n.红宝石，红宝石色

参考例句：

• She is wearing a small ruby earring.她戴着一枚红宝石小耳环。
• On the handle of his sword sat the biggest ruby in the world.他的剑柄上镶有一颗世上最大的红宝石。

3 Christ   

n.基督，救世主，耶稣

参考例句：

• I regarded him as the Christ.我把他当作救世主。
• Christ preached that we should love each other.基督在布道中说人们应该互爱。

4 worship   

n.崇拜，礼拜；v.崇拜，敬仰；做礼拜

参考例句：

• The Greeks used to worship several gods.过去，希腊人崇奉好几种神。
• Blind worship must be ended.盲目崇拜必须停止。

5 Christian   

adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒

参考例句：

• They always addressed each other by their Christian name.他们总是以教名互相称呼。
• His mother is a sincere Christian.他母亲是个虔诚的基督教徒。

6 bible   

n.《圣经》；得到权威支持的典籍

参考例句：

• According to the Bible we are all the seed of Adam.根据《圣经》所说的，我们都是亚当的后裔。
• This dictionary should be your Bible when studying English.学习英语时，这本字典应是你的主要参考书。

7 Christians   

n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Christians of all denominations attended the conference. 基督教所有教派的人都出席了这次会议。
• His novel about Jesus caused a furore among Christians. 他关于耶稣的小说激起了基督教徒的公愤。

8 legend   

n.传说；传奇故事

参考例句：

• This is a popular legend.这是一个民间传说。
• According to ancient legend,the river is a goddess.据古代传说，这条河是位女神。

9 legends   

n.传说( legend的名词复数 )；民间传说；（地图或书中图表的）图例；传奇人物

参考例句：

• They drew the material of their plays chiefly from myths and legends. 他们主要从神话传说中提取剧本的素材。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Both men were legends in their own time. 这两个人在他们各自的时代都是传奇式人物。 来自《简明英汉词典》

10 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

11 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

12 united   

adj.和谐的；团结的；联合的，统一的

参考例句：

• The whole nation is closely united.全国人民紧密团结。
• The two men were united by community of interests.共同的利益使两个人结合在一起。