Black: English-Chinese Contrast

Author: (English) Seville
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1999-09-01
Features: "Grub" is a premium offering from Oxford University Press for English learners worldwide. In English, "grub" is a rather endearing image. Imagine a grub, utterly immersed in books, tirelessly chewing on letters. Now, this "grub" has crossed the seas and gracefully landed in the hands of Chinese English learners. "Grub" will first give you confidence—even if you currently only know a few hundred words, you can easily read world-class works without much effort. The grub will also remind you with its delicate chirping: to persevere in reading, to read widely and richly. By the time you finish the last book in the series, you might suddenly realize: you have transformed like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly, ready to take flight!
"I want more!" Black Beauty describes his happy home and kind master. "Freedom! In the first four years of my life, I had such vast fields where I could run at full speed—without reins, without a bit, and without blinkers. Now, except when working, I have to stay in the stable day and night."
In the 1870s, many horses were used for work—pulling various carts through crowded cities and rural lanes in all kinds of weather. Black Beauty had been well-trained and knew he could never kick, bite, or run away. He had to obey commands no matter how tired or hungry he was. He always conducted himself properly, but when he was sold from one master to another, he learned how difficult a horse's life could be and how foolish and cruel some people could be.