Ганс Христиан Андерсен
H. C. Andersen best fairy tales / Лучшие сказки Г.Х. Андерсена. Уровень 1
© Матвеев С.А., адаптация текста, комментарии и словарь
© ООО «Издательство, АСТ», 2021
The Ugly Duckling
It was so beautiful in the country. It was the summer time. The wheat fields were golden, the oats were green, and the hay stood in great stacks in the green meadows. All around the meadows and cornfields grew thick woods, and in the midst of the forest was a deep lake. It was very beautiful, it was delightful in the country.
In a sunny spot stood a pleasant old farmhouse. From the walls down to the water’s edge grew great burdocks. In this snug retreat sat a duck upon her nest. She was watching her young brood. But she felt no pleasure. She was tired and bored. She seldom had visitors. The other ducks liked much better to swim about in the canals than to sit under the burdock leaves to have a gossip with her.
At length[1], one shell cracked, and soon another, and from each came a duckling that lifted its head and cried “Peep, peep.”