Ⅳ. 阅读与回答问题
Once there was a rich man named Richard. He was greedy. One day he was walking in his garden. He saw a strange bird in a bush. It was very small. But it had very beautiful and colourful feathers. Its voice was also very sweet. Richard had never seen such a bird in his life. He slowly went near the bush and caught the bird.
"Why have you caught me?" the bird asked.
"I want to make money. I can sell you for a big amount," replied Richard.
"But you are already rich. Why do you want more?" asked the bird. "You cannot sell me. Nobody will buy me because I will lose my beautiful feathers and my sweet voice when I am caught." Then it slowly turned into a black bird and looked like a crow.
Richard said surprisingly, "Then I will kill you, and I will eat your meat."
"Eat me? I am so small. You will not get any meat out of me," replied the bird.
Richard could not answer.
The bird then suggested, "Set me free. In return, I shall teach you three simple but useful rules. These rules can profit you greatly."
"Profit me! Really?" said Richard. "But how can I trust you? You may fly away."
"I give you my word. And I always keep my word," said the bird.
Richard wanted to take a chance. He released the bird. It flew up at once. Then it sat on the branch of a tree. Its colour started changing. It became beautiful again.
Richard said, "Now teach me the rules."
"Certainly," said the bird. "The first rule is 'Never believe everything others say.' The second rule is 'Never be sad about something you do not have.' The third rule is ' ▲ '"
"You silly bird!" shouted Richard. "These three rules are known to everyone. You cheated me."
But the bird said, "Richard, just think about all your actions today. You had me in your hands, but you threw me away. You believed all that I said. And you are sad about not having me. The rules are simple, but you never followed them. Now do you see the value of the rules?"
Having said so, the bird flew away and disappeared from his sight.
回答下面5个问题,每题答案
不
超
过
7
个
词
。
1. Why did Richard catch the bird?
To make money by selling it.
2. What will happen to the bird if it is caught?
Lose feathers and sweet voice.
3. How might Richard feel when he found he could do nothing with the bird?
Helpless.
4. Where did the bird sit after Richard released it?
On a tree branch.
5. What might be filled in the blank?
Never throw away what you have.