100个儿童英语小故事: The Silent Book 寂静的书（在线收听）

065 The Silent Book

A long time ago, there was a farmhouse. A casket was under the tree in the garden. Since no one lived in the house, nobody felt sad.

There was a thick book as well as a dead body inside of the casket. Many kinds of flowers and plants were put in the book. One day, a young traveler heard about the dead man's story from an old farmer. "He was a student from Sweden."

"He could speak foreign languages and write poems. He was smart, but suddenly, he lost his talent. That's why he came to this ranch. He sat down and thought about something everyday. Sometimes he read, and cried. Before he died, he asked me a favor."

"What did he ask you?" "To put a book in his casket. That poor boy has a sweet sleep forever in the casket now."

The young traveler saw the dead student's face. "He looks so peaceful. Maybe he is happy now." "I don't know why his old pen pals don't come over here to see him." "Maybe they are all just busy."

"He used to think for a long time reading the old letters. His friends are all gone, and he is alone now. What a pity!"

"Anyway, what are those leaves in the book?" "I have no idea." The leaves were still in the book, but the friendship was gone.

"There are white flowers." "The dead student pulled the flowers up for himself. His tears are still in the flower." "There are nettles, trumpet honeysuckle and even lilies! Wow, those are a lot of flowers!"

"Every single flower has the student's memory. But now, it is just a memory of the past." Soon, a woodworker came to cover the casket. Dead men always keep silent leaving their secrets behind them.