Bedside Lamp English Learning Reader II: Black (English-Chinese Contrast)

Author: Li Zhengshuan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-05-01
Features: This book tells the story of a horse that, after enduring unfair treatment from humans, finally finds peace in its later years. Black was born into a kind farmer's family. It was of purebred stock, with a glossy black coat, but had a star-shaped white patch on its right hoof and forehead. After undergoing rigorous but not cruel training, it was sold to a squire. There, it demonstrated all its noble qualities: loyalty, bravery, and intelligence, even saving the master's life. That was the happiest period in its life: it received meticulous care from its master and made many friends. However, good times didn't last long. Black soon fell into hardship. It was sold to Elsie, where the cruel mistress insisted on putting tight reins on the horse, thinking it made it look more imposing. Its friend Golden couldn't endure the torment and rebelled, only to receive even harsher punishment. Black merely suffered in silence, believing things would improve. But things weren't that simple. Due to the stupidity of a foolish groom, Black injured its knee, affecting its appearance, and was sold again. Later, it finally met a kind carriage driver, spending a hard but happy time with him. After the carriage driver retired, he sold Black to a corn merchant, who always overworked it beyond its physical capacity. After being sold again to another carriage driver, Black's life became unbearable. Its master was incredibly cruel, whipping it with a whip equipped with metal spurs, once nearly exhausting it to death halfway. No matter the circumstances, Black endured silently until it finally met its childhood groom, ending its suffering and enjoying a happy life. It was due to its resilience that it survived and told this story, sharing with people through its firsthand experience what loyalty and kindness truly are.