英语哲理故事演讲

英语哲理故事演讲8篇 有趣的英语故事演讲

　　演讲稿在写作上具有一定的格式要求。在现在的社会生活中，我们使用上演讲稿的情况与日俱增，来参考自己需要的演讲稿吧！下面是范文网小编分享的英语哲理故事演讲8篇 有趣的英语故事演讲，供大家品鉴。

英语哲理故事演讲1

　　他是搞摄影的，但更痴迷民间收藏，他去过很多地方，读过很多古籍，也结交了许多的业内人，对收藏很有一番见地。

　　这天他在大山里采风，口渴得要命，看见青翠掩映下一个小村，村头有个小茶棚，他疾步向前，要了一碗茶，正欲喝时，忽然看见茶嫂一手端着一只碗，另一只手拿着梳子，蘸着碗里的皂水梳头。直觉告诉他，那碗不是等闲之物，走近一看，果然是一件古物，一件很珍奇的瓷器。

　　茶嫂有些嗔怪，女人梳头，有什么好看的?他忙说，你怎么用皂水梳头呢?茶嫂笑了，滔滔不绝地说起皂水梳头的种种好处，他是没心思听的，只为搭个讪而已，就说想看看这皂水，茶嫂把碗递给他，他端起碗，上下左右看个仔细，断定这是无价之宝，便问这碗的来历，茶嫂很疑惑，你是看皂水呢，还是看碗?他说，自家也有这样的碗，原来是一对的。不小心摔了一只，所以看着熟悉。茶嫂说是这样啊，这碗是丈夫捡的，就当了盛皂水梳头的用具。

　　他开始动了心，说想买下这碗，他说，那对碗是妻子娘家的陪嫁，两个人都很喜欢，摔了一只不成双了，妻子心里老别扭。茶嫂开玩笑说，你想买?这碗可贵着呢。他说你开个价吧。茶嫂眼睛转转，说，一百块。他快速从钱包里掏出一张钞票递过去。茶嫂莫名其妙地看了看他，然后把碗递过来，说，开玩笑的，一只破碗怎么能收你钱呢?

　　一番推让之后，茶嫂说，如果你不想白要，就给我们全家照张相吧。这现成啊，他怀着喜悦的心情等茶嫂的丈夫和儿子下田放学回家，快晌午时，一家人坐在茅屋前端端正正地摆好了姿势，照完相，一家人欢喜，执意留他吃饭，茶嫂还对丈夫夸他是个有情有义的人，为了妻子高兴，宁肯花一百块钱买一只碗。他有些愧疚，就偷偷往饭桌下放了一千块钱。

　　他知道，一千块钱远远不够买这只碗的，回家后又查看了书籍，仔细端量这碗，认定这是出自明朝宣德年间官窑的雪花蓝碗，乃是世上少有的珍品，身值数万元。他洗好照片，给茶嫂家寄了过去，顺便提了那一千块钱的事，希望能帮一家人改善一下生活。

　　然后，他信心十足地把碗拿到古玩店鉴定，万万没有想到的是，行家说这只碗是后人仿造的，赝品，并给他指出了仿造的痕迹，他的心一下子凉了下去，不是为美梦成空，也不是为施舍出去的钱，而是为看走了眼，行内人都知道，收物件看走眼是很没面子的事。他想，为什么自己会看走眼呢，怪知识浅薄，还是学艺欠缺?好像都不是。

　　几天后，他意外收到从那个遥远的山村寄来的信，信是茶嫂的儿子写的，歪歪扭扭的小学生字迹，字里行间全是感激，说他全家从没照过“全家福”，有了这张照片一家人觉得很幸福，最后孩子说，如果不是那一千块钱，过了暑假他就要辍学了，他表决心似的说自己一定要考上大学，报答他这个好心人。

　　他眼睛有些湿湿的，翻出那张全家福的底片，茶嫂一家笑得很甜很幸福，他觉得，这是自己从事摄影以来最好的一幅作品。

　　他想回信，却不知说些什么，想了又想，于是提笔问茶嫂，皂水梳头究竟有哪些好处呢，他想让妻子也把这蓝花碗派上用场。

　　以后，总有朋友说这碗品相好，问他是不是花了很多钱。他总是笑笑说，是乡下的亲戚送的，无价之宝。

英语哲理故事演讲2

　　The Board Meeting had come to an end. Bob started to stand up and jostled the table, spilling his coffee over his notes. “How embarrassing. I am getting so clumsy in my old age.”

　　Everyone had a good laugh, and soon we were all telling stories of our most embarrassing moments. It came around to Frank who sat quietly listening to the others. Someone said, “Come on, Frank. Tell us your most embarrassing moment.”

　　Frank laughed and began to tell us of his childhood. “I grew up in San Pedro. My Dad was a fisherman, and he loved the sea. He had his own boat, but it was hard making a living on the sea. He worked hard and would stay out until he caught enough to feed the family. Not just enough for our family, but also for his Mom and Dad and the other kids that were still at home.”

英语哲理故事演讲3

　　阿尔姆站在百货公司前，目不暇接地看着琳琅满目的商品，他身边有一位绅士模样的人在悠闲地抽着雪茄。

　　阿尔姆很有礼貌地说：“您的雪茄很香，应该不便宜吧?”

“3美元一支。”

“好家伙，您一天要抽多少支呀?”

“10支。”

“天哪!您抽多久啦?”

“40年前就抽上了。”

“什么?您仔细算算，要是不抽的话，那些钱就足够买下这幢百货公司了!”

“那么说您不抽烟?”

“是的。”

“告诉您，这一幢百货公司就是我的。”

“啊……”

　　这是一则故事，当然更是一则笑话。但现实就是这么残酷，一辈子省吃俭用，也不能让你成为富翁。因为真正的财富不是靠积攒，而是靠劳动与创造。

英语哲理故事演讲4

　　蚂蚁家族的洞穴原本在离海几百米的荒草地，由于食物短缺，各个家族的竞争相当激烈。蚂蚁家族成员几乎倾巢出洞，每日也很难寻觅到足量的食物，大量的蚂蚁因饥饿而死。好端端的一个大家庭，日渐衰败，活下来的成员真成了热锅上的蚂蚁，急得团团转。

　　蚁后做出重大决定，举家搬迁到海滩上去，因为那里起码还有一些水草和虾肉可吃。家族成员虽有担心，但仍按蚁后的命令立即行动。蚂蚁们日夜劳作，很快挖掘出一条条通道，并在岩石后“装饰”了洞口，海水很难入侵。蚂蚁家族暂时缓解了危机，至少不用再为食物短缺而日夜奔忙和担忧。

　　每天出去觅食的蚂蚁总能有所收获，这让蚁后颇为欣慰，她决定大量生育重新壮大自己的家族。但不久，她发现成员数量并没有增加，就问出行归来的蚂蚁发生了什么事。蚂蚁告诉蚁后，许多兄弟姐妹在沙滩上遇难了。原来，波浪将弱小的蚂蚁卷到了海里，蚂蚁天生会游泳，照理不会有危险，但鱼把它们当做了美食。

　　面对体积庞大的鱼，弱小的蚂蚁确实无力反抗。蚁后召集家族成员商讨对策，有的提出重返荒草地，有的反对，因为荒草地的状况比这里更糟;有的建议往更远处搬，有的反对，因为更远处是沙漠，比荒草地的环境还差。更多的蚂蚁闭口不言，因为它们无计可施。

　　蚁后沉思良久再次做出重大决定，要求所有成员一概不允许爬出洞穴。蚂蚁们对蚁后的决定颇为不解，长此下去不是坐以待毙吗?蚁后强调，这是一次按兵不动的“报复行动”，必须严格执行。

　　几天后，风云突变，潮水汹涌。退潮后，蚁后命令所有成员倾巢出动。蚂蚁们迅速赶到沙滩，眼前的情景令它们吃惊不已：好多曾经吃掉自己同伴的鱼直挺挺地仰面躺在岸边。如此多的食物，蚂蚁家族真是享用不尽。蚂蚁们惊异于蚁后的远见卓识。

　　涨潮时，鱼吃蚂蚁;落潮时，蚂蚁吃鱼。这个世界，原本没有绝对的强大与弱小，有的只是思维和精神的辽阔与狭隘。鱼和蚂蚁的命运不正说明了这一点吗?

英语哲理故事演讲5

　　亲爱的老师，同学们：

　　大家好，今天我要演讲的题目是《老人与黑人小孩子》。

　　一天，几个白人小孩在公园里玩。

　　这时，一位卖氢气球的老人推着货车进了公园。

　　白人小孩一窝蜂地跑了上去，每人买了一个气球，兴高采烈地追逐着放飞的气球跑开了。

　　白人小孩的身影消失后，一个黑人小孩怯生生地走到老人的货车旁，用略带恳求的语气问道：“您能卖给我一个气球吗？”

“当然可以，”老人慈祥地打量了他一下，温和地说，“你想要什么颜色的？”

　　他鼓起勇气说：“我要一个黑色的。”

　　脸上写满沧桑的老人惊诧地看了看这个黑人小孩，随即递给他一个黑色的气球。

　　他开心地接过气球，小手一松，气球在微风中冉冉升起。

　　老人一边看着上升的气球，一边用手轻轻地拍了拍他的后脑勺，说：“记住，气球能不能升起，不是因为它的颜色，而是因为气球内充满了氢气。”

　　大道理：成就与出身无关，与信心有关。

　　这个世界是用自信心创造出来的`。

　　有自信，积极的面对自己所拥有的一切，这种积极和自信会帮助人登上成功的山顶。

英语哲理故事演讲6

　　十年前，我和太太第一次去欧洲，那是一次商务旅行。组织方在短短十天当中安排我们游了五个国家。到了法国，由于时间的关系，我们无法参观卢浮宫。真是一件让人遗憾的事情。午餐的时候，我们被安排在卢浮宫附近用餐。我和太太商量着，宁肯不吃法国大餐，也要挤出时间去卢浮宫。我们以最快的速度跑去，一下子冲进大厅，看了维纳斯、胜利女神和《蒙娜丽莎》，还买了个胜利女神的复制品。

　　回到游览车，我们出示新买的东西，得意地说我们以惊人的速度看了许多名作，同行的人都好羡慕，其中有个人突然问：“门票很贵吧?多少钱?”我和太太一下子怔住了，因为我们一直到出来，才发现没买门票，我们居然是由“出口”冲进去的。

　　所幸我才怔了一下，那问话的人就把话题带到别的地方，解除了尴尬。直到今天，我们都记得那一刻，对那解除尴尬的人很感激。或许，她当时心里说不定在想，我根本只是到个街边的工艺品店买个复制品，就回去吹牛逛了卢浮宫，所以答不上票价多少。但是也因为她这样猜，怕出我的洋相，所以立刻又把话题带开。

　　我不能想像，如果她继续就“门票”问题对我们穷追猛打，我们将如何应付。是承认自己无意的“逃票”行为，还是狗急跳墙，死不承认?无论如何，这在公共场合都是一件不体面的事情。真得感谢这位好心人的“该收手时就收手”。

　　前几天，儿子在家里举行自己的20岁生日PARTY。年轻人在一起总有许多聊不完的话题。一个叫艾林的女孩说：“上个周末，我爸爸带我去了一家五星级饭店吃饭。”她说的这家饭店我和儿子也去过。儿子接过话茬，想显摆一下自己的见多识广。可当儿子提到这家饭店大厅里的水晶球时，那个叫艾林的女孩却答不上来。

　　我看着儿子，暗自猜想，他会如何结束这段注定不会愉快的谈话。他会继续问下去?还是立刻像我所说的那个旅行团里的好心人，把话题带开?我真不知现在的年轻人会如何做。还好，儿子只是冲着艾林耸耸肩，就起身招呼其他的同学去了。我注意到，艾林的脸一下红了。

　　PARTY结束后，我问儿子，“你觉得艾林在撒谎，是吗?或许，她净顾着美食，而无暇欣赏大厅呢?你何不往这个角度去想?犯得着猜她说谎吗?何况，在众人面前让她难堪，对你有什么好处呢?”儿子冲我点点头，一副心悦诚服的样子。

　　我想，他没有像往常那样与我争论，或许是不想为自己的“20岁”抹上一点不高兴。而他，其实未必能懂。

　　著名作家刘墉曾在一篇文章里写道，“我常常看到电视上的政治谈话节目，话题尖锐，来宾立场鲜明，针锋相对。可是我发现，即使是政客，当他抓住对方弱点，可以穷追不舍、打死为止的时候，却常常问着问着，看对方已经词穷而招架不住时，突然刹车，不再继续。”刘墉曾好奇地问一位政坛高手，为什么会这样?对方这样说：“谁赢了，谁输了，谁被问倒了，谁理亏了，观众早看在眼里，何必欺人太甚?今天我抓住了对方的小辫子，给对方留一条生路，改天我处于弱势，落在对方手上，对方也会给我开一条生路，不会太难堪。”

　　说话、处世不能没心没肺，太直来直去了。什么时候刚，什么时候柔，你在为别人让路的时候，也是给自己将来留下更大的空间。是啊，何必欺人太甚!

英语哲理故事演讲7

　　The Water Of Life

　　After that they boarded a ship and sailed over the sea. During the voyage the two elder brothers said to each other:“ Our youngest brother found the Water of Life and we didn't, so our father will give him the kingdom that's due to us and so he'll sob us of our fortunes.” And they sought revenge and plotted together to destroy him. They waited for a time when he was fast asleep, and then they took the Water of Life from him, emptying it out of his cup and pouring salt sea-water into it instead.

　　So when they arrived home the youngest son took his cup to the sick king for him to drink out of it and get well. But he had hardly tasted a mouthful of the salt sea-water when he fell even more ill than before. And as he was lamenting about this, his two elder sons came in and accused the youngest of having tried to poison him, but told him that they had brought the real Water of Life. So they gave it to him, and no sooner had he drunk some than he felt his sickness leave him and grew strong and healthy as he had been in his youth.

　　After this the two went to their youngest brother and mocked him:“ Oh yes, you found the Water of Life,” they said, “but you've had the trouble and we've got the reward! You should have been cleverer and kept you eyes open: we took it from you when you'd fallen asleep on the ship, and a year from now one of us will fetch that beautiful princess. But mind you say nothing about this; our father wouldn't believe you anyway, and if you utter a single word you'll lose your life as well, but if you hold your tongue we'll spare it.”

　　The old king was angry with his youngest son, believing he had tried to kill him. So he summoned all his courtiers and made them pass judgment, and it was decided that the prince should be secretly shot.

　　So one day when he was out hunting and suspected nothing, the king's huntsman was ordered to accompany him. When they were out there in the forest quite alone and the huntsman was looking very sad, the prince said to him, “Dear huntsman, what's the matter?” The huntsman said, “I can't tell you, and yet I must.” Then the prince said, “Tell me right out what it is, I'll forgive you.” “Oh, sir,” said the huntsman, “I'm to shoot you dead, it's the king's order.” The prince was startled and said, “Dear huntsman, let me live! Look, I'll give you my royal clothes, give me your plain ones in exchange.” The huntsman said: “I'll gladly do so, I just couldn't have brought myself to shoot at you.” So they changed clothes, and the huntsman went home, but the prince went deeper into the forest.

　　Sometime later, the old king received three wagon-loads of gold and precious stones for his youngest son: they had been sent by the three kings who had defeated their enemies with the prince's sword and fed their people with his loaf of bread, and who wanted to show their gratitude. Then the old king thought: can it be that my son was innocent? And he said to his servants, “If only he were still alive! How sorry I am now that I had him killed.” “Sir, he is still alive,” said the huntsman, “for I didn't have the heart to carry out your orders.” And he told the king what had happened. At this a great weight fell from the king's heart, and he had it proclaimed in every kingdom that his son might come home and that we would be graciously welcomed.

　　But the princess had a road made leading up to her castle, and it was of pure shining gold; and she told her servants that whoever came riding straight up the middle of it to visit her would be her rightful bridegroom and they were to let him in. But if anyone came riding alongside the road he would not be the right man, and they were not to let him in.

　　So when the year was nearly over, the eldest brother decided that he would hurry off to the princess and claim to be her rescuer, and then he would get her for his wife with her kingdom as well. So he rode off, and when he got near the castle and saw the beautiful golden road, he thought: it would be a crying shame to ride on a road like that. So he turned aside and rode up on the right of it. When he came to the gate, the servants told him he wasn't the right man and that he must go away.

　　Soon afterwards the second prince set out, and when he came to the golden road and his horse took the first step on it, he thought: it would be a crying shame, his hooves might damage the surface. So he turned aside and rode up on the left of it. But when he came to the gate, the servants said he wasn't the right man and he must go away.

　　Then when the year had fully passed, the third brother decided to leave the forest and ride to his beloved and forget his sorrows with her. So he set out and thought of nothing but her and wished he were there already, and didn't even notice the golden road. So his horse went straight up the middle of it, and when he reached the gate it was opened to him and the princess received him with joy, telling him he was her rescuer and the lord of her kingdom.

　　Their wedding was celebrated with great happiness, and when it was over she told him that his father had sent for him and forgiven him. So he rode home and told the king everything, and how his brothers had deceived him but he had said nothing about it. The old king wanted to punish them, but they had boarded a ship and set sail and never showed their faces again.

　　I. Translation for Reference(参考译文)

　　然后，他们弟兄三人乘船过海。船向前航行的时候，两个哥哥秘密地商量着，他们说：“三王子找到了救命水，可是，我们没找到，父亲会把本该归我们所有的王位让给他的。咱们俩什么也得不着了。他会把我们的幸福夺走的。”这样，两个哥哥心里燃烧起仇恨的烈火，一起密谋要毁了弟弟。有一天，他们等弟弟睡熟了，就把弟弟杯里的救命水倒到自己的杯里来。然后，又在弟弟的杯里装上咸苦的海水。

　　他们回到家以后，三王子马上把杯子拿给生病的国王，让他喝下里面的水治好病。但是国王只是喝了一点点那咸苦的海水，病就变得比以前更重了。三王子难过得痛哭起来。这时候他的两个哥哥走进来责备他想害死他们的父亲，并且对国王说他们拿来了真正的救命水。接着，他们把救命水送上来。国王喝一下这杯水，马上就觉得病好了，而且还像年轻时那样健康结实，精力旺盛。于是两个哥哥走到三王子跟前来，嘲讽他说：“救命水确实是你找到的。可是你白费了力气，好处我们哥俩领了。你，应该学得更聪明点儿，眼睛再睁得大点儿。你在海上睡觉的时候，我们就把那救命水拿过来了。一年以后，我们俩还会有一个人把那漂亮的公主带回来。可是我们警告你，这些事儿，你不能对别人讲。爸爸是不会相信你的话的。你要是敢说出一句。我们就要你的命，你要是不吱声，我们就饶了你。”

　　老国王很恼恨三王子。他以为三我王子真想害死他。于是，他召集大臣们商量怎么惩处三王子。他们想要悄悄地把三王子枪毙了。有一次，三王子出去打猎丝毫未存戒心。老国王派个猎人跟着他。当他们两人从王宫里出来走到森林里的时候，猎人脸上露出了愁容。三王子问猎人：“你怎么了啊？”猎人说：“这个，我是不能说的。可是我必须得告诉你。”三王子说：“有什么事？你说吧！我不会责备你的。”猎人说：“我要枪毙你，这是国王的命令。”三王子吓了一大跳，说：“猎人啊，你救我一命吧！我把我漂亮的衣服给你，你把你的破衣服给我。”“我愿意这样做，无论如何，我不能对你开枪。”于是，他们互相换了衣服，猎人回家去了，三王子走进了大森林。

　　过不多久，老国王收到了三辆装有黄金和宝石的大马车。这是三个国王送给三王子的礼物。三个国王借助三王子的宝刀才打败了敌人，靠三王子的面包度过了饥荒，所以才送这些东西来表示谢意。老国王心里想：难道我那个儿子，是没有罪过的。所以他对仆人们说：“我那孩子要是还活着该多好啊。我真后悔杀了他。”“三王子还活着。我没忍心执行你的命令，没有杀他，”猎人说。接着猎人把当时的情况讲给了国王听。国王听了这话，心里的一块石头落了地。于是，他向每个国度发出布告说三王子可以回来，会受到热情的欢迎。

　　再说那位公主，她在她的王宫前面用黄金铺了一条闪闪发光的大路，并且对手下人说不管是谁骑着马从这条路中间一直跑过来，那就是她的丈夫，可以把他领近来；如果有人从路边跑过来，那就不是她真正等待的人，就不要把他领进来了。

　　一年快过去的时候，大王子急急忙忙地往公主那里赶。他心里想，我自报我就是救了公主的那个人，我就能娶到公主了，还能得到她的国家。于是，他骑着马直奔王宫而来。他看见王宫前的黄金大道，心里想：骑着马从这条大路上走，太过分了吧！于是他拨马到路边去，从右侧往前走。可是当大王子走到王宫门前的时候，手下人对他说他不是公主真正等待的人，应该马上离开。

　　不久，二王子也到了，当马蹄刚踏上那黄金大道，二王子心里就想：这太过分了，马蹄会把路踩坏的。于是他也拨马到路边去，从左侧往前走。可是当二王子赶到王宫门前，手下人对他说他不是公主真正等待的人，应该马上离开。

　　一年，已经过去了。三王子决心从森林里走出来，直奔他一直想念的公主居住的王宫。他忘记了悲伤，一心想着公主。他要尽快地赶到她的身边，所以不顾一切地往前走啊走，根本没看见那条黄金大道。他的马是从大道的正中间通过的。三王子走到王宫大门口的时候，门开了。公主高高兴兴地出来迎接他，说他才是真正解救他的人并且已经是这个国家的国王了。然后，他们高兴地举行了盛大的婚礼。婚后，公主对三王子说他的爸爸已经派人找他并宽恕了他。于是，三王子骑马回家，把全部情况告诉了老国王，对他说两个哥哥如何欺骗了他，但他却没揭发他们。老国王要教训教训那两个儿子。可是，他们上了海船逃走了，再也没回来。

　　III. New Words and Expressions 生词和词组

　　1.revenge n. 报复

　　2.lament v. 悲叹

　　3.utter v. 做声

　　4.spare v. 饶恕

　　5.graciously ad. 热情地

　　6.bridegroom n. 新郎

英语哲理故事演讲8

　　Momotaro

　　文章背景

《桃太郎》是日本童话故事中最受儿童喜爱的'一篇古老童话。虽然经历了很多世纪后，故事的讲述形式和内容略有变动，但是大多数版本都紧紧地围绕着同样的主题：一对无儿无女的老夫妇意外地在一颗桃子里发现了一个小男孩。这个孩子长大后，立志去征服邪恶的食人怪。他带着一袋老婆婆做的小米饼上路了，途中遇到了一条狗，一只猴子和一只野鸡。后来，在这几个忠实伙伴的帮助下，桃太郎把食人怪打得落花流水，光荣地凯旋故里。

　　故事的语言简短，结构明快，生动塑造了日本的一个传奇形象--桃太郎。值得一提的是，童话在颂扬桃太郎这样一个勇敢，机智，善良，强壮人物的同时，也反映了他幼年时的懒惰，从而使这个形象变得丰满起来。和世界上其他童话相似，该故事中也用丰富的想象，为桃太郎安排了很多得力的助手，从而使故事在一系列巧合中体现“善良最终战胜邪恶”的主题。

　　Once upon a time an old man and woman lived in the mountains. Everyday the old man went to the mountain and collected firewood, while the old woman went to the river and did the laundry. One day, she was doing the washing when a big peach came floating down the river towards her. As it was a big and juicy-looking fruit, she thought that her husband would be glad to eat it so she took it home. When the old man came back for lunch and saw the nice peach, he was really happy. The old woman cut the big peach open with a knife. What a surprise! A lovely little boy was in the peach.

　　The old man and woman had no children so they were really grateful the gods had sent them a boy in this peach. Since he was born in a peach, they decided to call him Momotaro which means “peach-boy”. The old woman cooked a meal for the little boy who ate as much as he could; the more he ate, the more he grew. Soon he became a tall and strong boy.

　　No matter how tall or strong he was, Momotaro was a lazy boy. Day after day, all he did was sleep and eat. In the village the other boys went to the mountain and picked firewood while Momotaro was the only one doing nothing. This worried the old man and the old woman, so they asked the other boys to try to make Momotaro go and work with them.

　　The boys then invited him, “Momotaro, would you come with us? We're going to collect firewood.”

　　But he answered, “I haven't a basket, so I can't go with you” and went back to sleep.

　　The following day, they invited him again, “Momotaro, would you come with us? We're going to collect firewood.”

　　And he answered them, “I haven't any sandals, so I can't go with you” and went back to sleep. Upon hearing this, the old woman got angry with Momotaro for being so lazy, so the next day he went to collect firewood with the other boys.

　　While the boys were working and collecting firewood, Momotaro took a nap. When the work was finished, the boys decided to go back to the village. Just then, Momotaro awoke and said to them, “I'll collect firewood and come back with you.”

　　They retorted, “If you start working now, we'll get back too late.”

　　Momotaro turned a deaf ear to them and went to a very big tree. Holding it by the middle, he uprooted it. Astonishing! All the boys could not believe their eyes! Thus the tall and strong Momotaro carried the big tree, while the other boys carried bundles of firewood back to the village. The old man and the old woman were amazed when they saw Momotaro carrying this very big tree as if it was a mere bundle of firewood.

　　The county lord happened to hear about this and wished to meet Momotaro. The next day Momotaro went to see the county lord. The lord said to him, “Ogres have been threatening and robbing my peasants for a long time. If you are as strong as I heard, you shall go and punish them.” Momotaro then agreed to go to the Island of Ogres.

　　For his journey, the old man and woman baked some millet cookies and gave them to Momotaro. Away he went and on his way he met a dog.

“Momotaro, where are you going?” asked the dog.

“To the Island of Ogres, to punish them.”

“And what are you bringing with you?”

“The best millet cookies of Japan.”

“Can I have one and go with you?” offered the dog. Momotaro gave the dog a cookie and they went along together.

　　Soon they met a monkey.

“Momotaro, where are you going?” asked the monkey.

“To the Island of Ogres, to punish them.”

“And what are you bringing with you?”

“The best millet cookies of Japan.”

“Can I have one and go with you?” offered the monkey. Momotaro gave the monkey a cookie and the three of them went along together.

　　Then they met a pheasant.

“Momotaro, where are you going?” asked the pheasant.

“To the Island of Ogres, to punish them.”

“And what are you bringing with you?”

“The best millet cookies of Japan.”

“Can I have one and go with you?” offered the pheasant. So Momotaro gave the pheasant a cookie too.

　　Momotaro, the dog, the monkey and the pheasant went together to the Island of Ogres by boat. They were sailing but could not see the island, so the pheasant went up in the sky. He found the island and guided the boat. Soon they landed on the Island of Ogres. There on the island was a great big castle with a huge door. It was tightly closed, but the monkey jumped easily inside and opened the huge door.

　　Momotaro entered and said to the ogres, who were having a feast, “My name is Momotaro, and I came to punish you.” The ogres laughed at him, but the dog ran in and bit them as Momotaro fought using his sword. Momotaro and his companions, having eaten the best millet cookies of Japan, knew no fear and were strong.

　　At last the ogres cried for mercy, “We shall never be bad again, please spare our lives.”

　　The defeated ogres gave Momotaro their treasure. He took it and returned with his companions, who had eaten the best millet cookies of Japan and helped defeat the ogres. The old man and the old woman, who had been worrying about Momotaro, welcomed them back cheerfully.

　　After that Momotaro and the old man and woman lived happily together.

　　很久很久以前,一个地方住着老爷爷和老奶奶.通常,爷爷上山砍柴,奶奶去河边洗衣服.一天,奶奶洗衣服时,一个大桃子一沉一浮地顺水漂来.看到了这个桃子,奶奶就把它带回了家,想让爷爷尝个鲜.吃中午饭时,爷爷从山里回来了,看到了这个桃子后欢喜得不得了.两个人刚刚将桃子切开,不由得吓了一大跳,原来呀,一个活蹦乱眺的小男孩从桃子里面跳了出来.

　　爷爷和奶奶没有孩子,于是欢天喜地地认为孩子是天赐的,就把他叫做“桃太郎”, 奶奶做好了饭给他吃,尽管桃太郎有点儿害怕,但仍然吃得很香甜.于是,桃太郎渐渐地长大了.

　　桃太郎不停地吃,不停地长,变成了一个大力士,同时也是一个大懒汉.每天的任务只是吃了睡,睡了吃.村里的年轻人每日上山捡柴,可桃太郎却什么活也不干.爷爷和奶奶挺担心的,就拜托村里年轻人说:“叫上桃太郎一起去吧.”当他们来找桃太郎一起上山并说:“桃太郎,一块儿打柴去吧”时,他却推说:“没有背篓,去不成啊.”说完后,继续睡午觉.第二天,这些年轻人又来邀桃太郎,他推诿道:“没鞋,去不了哇.”又过了一天,奶奶终于忍不住生气了,没有办法,桃太郎不得不和村里的年轻人们一起上山了.

　　大家在山里拾柴,桃太郎却只是睡大觉.等到大家收拾好柴篓要回家时,桃太郎说:“我也想拾点儿柴,然后一起回去吧.”大家说:“天色都已经不早了,来不及了.”就在这时, 桃太郎抓住了一棵大树,突然间将它拔了出来,把大家吓了一大跳.于是,他扛着大树和大伙返回了村里.见到了这种情况,爷爷和奶奶非常吃惊.这事传到了大人的耳朵里,大人萌生了特别想见桃太郎的念头.见了面,大人说:“前一阵儿总有坏魔鬼骚扰村民,偷盗各种物品器具.因为你很有力气,那么请你去征服魔鬼吧.”因此,桃太郎伏鬼这件事就这么定了.

　　爷爷和奶奶作好了黄米面团给桃太郎带上.就这样他出发了.途中他遇到了一条狗, 狗问他,:

“桃太郎,你这是去哪儿呀.”

“魔鬼要去岛上,我正要去除鬼.”

“那你腰间挂的是什么呢?”

“最最好吃的黄米面团.”

“给我一个好吗,我和你一起去”,狗说.

　　于是桃太郎给了狗一个黄米面团.

　　和狗一起继续行进时,又遇到了一只猴子,猴子问:“桃太郎,你这是去哪儿呀.”

“魔鬼要去岛上,我去除鬼.”

“那你腰间挂的是什么呢?”

“最最好吃的黄米面团.”

“给我一个吧,我和你们一块儿去”,猴子说.

　　桃太郎又给了猴子一个黄米面团.

　　于是,桃太郎带着狗和猴子继续赶路了.这回跳出来一只野鸡.同样地,野鸡问他:

“桃太郎,你这是去哪儿呀.”

“魔鬼要去岛上,我去除鬼.”

“你腰间挂着的是什么呀?”

“最最好吃的黄米面团.”

“给我一个吧,我和你们一块儿去.”

　　这样,桃太郎又给了野鸡一个黄米面团. 桃太郎,狗,猴子,野鸡好不容易才到了海边,因为魔鬼们已经去了岛上,他们就划船向海岛出发了.摇啊摇,摇啊摇,怎么也看不到那个岛屿.野鸡就飞到了空中,观察到了岛屿的位置,指挥着大家向那个地方划去,这样,大家到达了岛上.岛上有一座大城,城门紧闭, 猴子敏捷地爬到了门里,将门栓摘掉,把门打开了.而魔鬼们仍一无所知地又是喝酒又是唱歌.桃太郎大声喝道:“我乃桃太郎是也,前来消除你们.

”魔鬼们见他们势单力薄,并不把他们放在眼里.但是,吃了最最好吃的黄米面团后精力充沛的桃太郎和伙伴们并肩作战, 瞬间就把魔鬼们打得落花流水.

　　魔鬼们赔罪说:“我们归还抢盗来的宝物,决不再做坏事了,给我们留一条活路吧.” 惩治了魔鬼后,桃太郎和伙伴们带着宝物回到了村里.正担惊受怕的爷爷和奶奶见状非常高兴.从那以后,桃太郎与爷爷和奶奶一直过着幸福愉快的生活.

　　III. New Words and Expressions 生词和词组

　　1. sandal n. 拖鞋，凉鞋

　　2. bundle n. 捆，束

　　3. ogre n. 食人魔鬼，怪物

　　4. cookie n. 面团

　　5. feast n. 宴会