1、TheA.B.C.Book识字课本Once there was a man who had written some new rhymes for the A-B-C Book - two lines for each letter, just as in the old A-B-C Book. He believed the old rhymes were too antiquated, that something new was needed, and he thought well indeed of his own rhymes.His new A-B-C Book was stil
2、l only in handwriting, and already it had been placed beside the old printed one in the great bookcase where there stood many books, both of knowledge and for amusement. But the old A-B-C Book didnt want to be a neighbor to the new one, and therefore had sprung down from the shelf and at the same ti
3、me had given the new one a push, so that it, as well as the old one, now lay on the floor, with all its loose leaves scattered about.The old A-B-C Book lay open at the first page - and that is the most important page, for there all the letters, large and small, are displayed. That one page contains
4、on it the essence of all the books that ever were written; it contains the alphabet, that wonderful army of signs which rules the world; truly a marvelous power they have! Everything depends on the order in which they are commanded to stand; they have the power to give life or to kill, to gladden an
5、d to sadden. Separately they mean nothing, but marshaled and ranked in word formations, what can they not accomplish! Yes, when God put them into mans thoughts, human strength became inferior to that which lay in the alphabet, and we yielded with a deep bow.There, then, they lay now, facing upward,
6、and the Cock which was pictured at the big A of the alphabet gleamed with feathers of red, blue, and green. Proudly he puffed himself up and ruffled his plumage, for he knew how important the letters were and that he was the only living thing among them.When he found the old A-B-C Book had fallen op
7、en on the floor, he flapped his wings, flew out, and perched himself on a corner of the bookcase. There he preened himself with his beak and crowed loudly and long. Every single book in the case, all of which would stand day and night, as if in a trance when nobody was reading them, was roused by hi
8、s trumpet call. Then the Cock spoke out loudly and clearly about the way the worthy old A-B-C Book had been insulted.Everything has to be new and different nowadays, he said. Everything has to be advanced. Children are so wise that they can read before they have even learned the alphabet. They shoul
9、d have something new! said the man who wrote those new verses sprawling there on the floor. I know them all by heart; he admires them so much that I have heard him read them aloud more than ten times over. No, I prefer my own, the good old rhymes with Xanthus for X, and with the pictures that belong
10、 to them! Ill fight for them and crow for them! Every book in the case here knows them very well. Now Ill read aloud these new rhymes. Ill try to read them patiently, and I know well all agree theyre worthless.A - Adam Had Adam obeyed, hed not have had to leave The Garden where first dwelt he and Ev
11、e.B - Bank; Bee The Bank is a place where you put your money; The Bee is an insect that gathers honey.Now that verse I find profoundly insipid! said the Cock. But Ill read on.C - Columbus Columbus sailed the ocean to the distant shore, And then the earth became twice as big as before.D - Denmark Abo
12、ut the kingdom of Denmark, theres a saying which goes Gods hand protects it, as every Dane knows.That many people will consider beautiful, said the Cock. But I dont. I see nothing beautiful about it. But Ill go on.E - Elephant The Elephant has a heavy step, Though young in heart and full of pep.F -
13、Face The Moon above feels at its best When an eclipse gives its Face a rest.G - Goat It is easier to sail a boat Than to teach manners to a Goat!H - Hurrah Hurrah is a word we often hear; How often does the deed merit such cheer?How will a child understand that! said the Cock. I suppose theyll put o
14、n the title page, A-B-C Book for Big People and Little People; but the big people have something else to do besides read the rhymes in A-B-C Books, and the little people wont be able to understand them. There is a limit to everything. But to continue:J - Job We have a Job to do on earth Till earth b
15、ecomes our final berth.Now, thats crude! said the Cock.K - Kitten When Kittens grow up we call them cats And hope theyll catch our mice and rats.L - Lion The savage Lion has much more sense Than the arty critics stinging offense!How are you going to explain that one to children? said the Cock.M - Mo
16、rning Sun The golden Morning sun arose, But not because of the cocks crows.Now hes getting personal! said the Cock. But then Im in excellent company. Im in company with the sun. Lets go on.N - Negro Black is a Negro, black as Night, And we cannot wash him white!O - Olive Leaf The best of leaves - yo
17、u know its name? The doves Olive leaf - of Bible fame.P - Peace That Peace may ever reign, far and near, Is indeed a hope we all hold dear.Q - Queen; Quack A Queen is a lady of royal position. A Quack is a fake and not a physician.R - Round One may be Round and well extended, But that doesnt mean on
18、e is well descended!S - Swine Be not a braggart; be honest and true, Though many Swine in the forest belong to you!Will you permit me to crow! said the Cock. It tries your strength, reading so much; I must catch my breath. And then he crowed, shrill as a trumpet of brass, and it was a great pleasure
19、 to listen to - for the Cock. Ill go on.T - Teakettle; Tea Urn The Teakettle in the kitchen will always belong, And yet to the Tea urn it gives its song.U - Universe Our Universe will always be, Through ages to eternity.Now that is meant to be deep! said the Cock. Its so deep I cant get to the botto
20、m of it!W - Washerwoman A Washerwoman will wash and scrub Until theres nothing left but the tub!Now, its certainly impossible that he can have found anything new for X.X - Xantippe In the sea of marriage are rocks of strife, As Socrates found with Xantippe, his wife.He would have to take Xantippe! X
21、anthus is much better.Y - Ygdrasil Under Ygdrasil tree the gods sat every day; But the tree is dead and the gods have gone away.Now we are almost through, said the Cock. Thats a relief. Ill continue on.Z - Zephyr Zephyr, in Danish, is a west wind so cold It penetrates fur and skin, were told.Thats t
22、hat. But thats not the end of it. Now it will be printed and then it will be read. It will be offered in place of the noble old rhymes in my book. What says this assembly - learned and not so learned, single volumes and collected works? What says the alphabet? I have spoken; now let the others act.T
23、he books stood still, and the bookcase stood still; but the Cock flew back to his place at the capital A in the old A-B-C Book and looked proudly around. I have spoken well, and I have crowed well. The new A-B-C Book cant do anything like that. It will certainly die; in fact, its dead already, for it has no Cock!
