20091223 The Christmas Caravan (2)

The Christmas Caravan

Slowly Humphrey got to his feet.
He was still carrying a grudge,
but he wanted to find a better way to get even.
Soon the caravan headed out.
The days were hot.
The way was long.
The camels grew weary.
"We can't go on," they sighed.
"Just think about finding the king." Sandy said.
"And carry on." So they kept following the star, searching for the king.
Finally they found him.
"Is this the king?" snorted Humphrey.
"He's only a child."
"But they say he's the Son of God!" said Sunny.
"And one day he'll carry the weight of the world."
"he'll die, so that others can live," added Sandy.
"Master says so."
Sunny and Sandy fell on their knees and honored the king.
Their burdens were lifted and given to the child.


But Humphrey stood firm.
"Now is the time to get even," he thought.
"I won't bow down. I won't give up my burden. No one can make me."
And he was right.
No one could bring the stubborn camel to his knees.
Humphrey had gotten even.
How proud he was.
Until he heard the little king crying, that is.
Had he made the child cry?
Suddenly he felt awful.
He knew how wrong he had been.
He bowed before the boy. "I'm sorry," he said.
And his burden was taken away.
Everyone was delighted. "Whew," said Sunny.
"Carrying that burden was the hardest thing I've ever done."
"Giving up mine was the hardest," smiled Humphrey.
"But I'm so glad I did."
And the three camels went away singing even though they couldn't carry a tune.


grudge Un. 怨恨/嫌隙/妒忌
grudge against
=> if you cannot forgive someone, you probably carry/hold grudge
eg: Rick has a grudge against the boss that fired him.
eg: After all these years, Cindy still bears a grudge against her boyfriend who left her.
eg: The accident victims don't hold any grudges against the driver.

weary adj. 疲倦的/疲勞的
=> physical/emotional very tired
eg: Sam was weary after playing basketball all day.

bring to one's knees 迫使某人屈服或崩潰
=> make one become humble
eg: The proud man's unexpected failure brought him to his knees.
eg: The economic crisis almost brought the country to its knees.
eg: The long tournament brought many competitors to their knees.

tune n. 曲調
carry a tune 唱準音調
eg: Even though dad can't carry a tune, he loves to sing in public.
eg: Strangely enough, the popular band's singer couldn't even carry a tune.


lift v. 被提(或舉)起

get even with someone 向某人報復

snort v. 哼著鼻子說(或表示)

fall on one's knees 跪下(乞求等)

bow down 壓彎


//== Chat Room ==//

Slowly Humphrey got to his feet.

get to one's feet 站起來/起立
= stand up

get cold feet 膽怯
= feel afraid
=> 某人因為過度緊張而嚇得兩腿發軟
eg: I get cold feet when I go on TV.

itchy feet (發癢的腳)指非常想去旅遊
eg: I get itchy feet whenever I watch travel channel.

get back on one's feet 重新站起來

two left feet 形容動作不協調/笨拙
=> 一個不擅長跳舞的人，可以說他有two left feet


//== Grammar on the Go ==//

Until he heard the little king crying, that is.

that is
= that is to say
= in other words

eg: Everyone must turn in their reports on Friday - before five o"clock, that is.
eg: The dog can show you what his favorite toys are, that is, if you open the cabinet door.