中国故事22 Music to a Cow’s Ears对牛弹琴

中国故事22 Music to a Cow’s Ears对牛弹琴

Once upon a time, there lived a man named Gong Ming Yi. He was an excellent musician. Ming Yi played the lute, a traditional Chinese instrument with strings that are plucked. His songs were as soothing and beautiful as a nightingale’s chirps. One day, Gong Ming Yi visited the countryside with a group of friends. They had a good time enjoying the fresh air and the natural beauty. Ming Yi decided to take a walk to explore more of the area. He took his lute with him. “I will see you in a while, my friends,” said Ming Yi. “I’m going for a stroll to enjoy some more of the country life.” “Have a nice time!” shouted his friends. “Enjoy the view!” After walking away, Ming Yi spotted a cow grazing in the field. Suddenly, he felt a spark of inspiration. Ming Yi found a comfortable spot. He sat down in front of the cow. He placed his lute in front of him. Then he began to pluck the strings. The musician’s elegant notes traveled through the crisp country air. The meadow was filled with a lovely melody. But to Ming Yi’s amazement, the cow just kept grazing on the grass with her head down.“ Perhaps the cow does not like this piece,” thought Ming Yi. He began to play another song for the cow. This time, he played a simpler tune. Ming Yi was sure the cow would enjoy it. Still, the cow kept grazing. She mooed once, and looked off in the distance. Then she put her head down and continued munching on the grass. “Hmmm, the cow didn’t like that one either,” thought Ming Yi. “I know, I shall play this tune.” Ming Yi played a new piece of music for the cow. This one had a stirring, upbeattempo. The cow continued grazing, without another moo. Confused, Gong Ming Yi played a different song for the cow, a quiet, heavenly piece. Yet song after song, the cow showed no reaction. After hearing an entire concert of Ming Yi’s best works, the cow finished her meal and slowly wandered away. Because Ming Yi was focused on his lute playing, he didn’t notice that his friends had arrived some time before. They clapped and cheered when Ming Yi finished his last song and put down his lute. Confused, Ming Yi asked his friends, “How could that cow not like my music? I played my heart out! I can’t imagine why she was not impressed. Am I losing my talent? Were my songs bad?” His friends laughed and said, “No, silly. It is not because your music is bad. It is because the cow cannot understand music at all!”Gong Ming Yi let out a sigh of relief and went home with his lute. He continued to play concert after concert to audiences of people who were able to appreciate his talent. And he never ever tried to play for a cow again! 

The End

Question: What kind of song did Ming Yi play after the cow did not react to his first song?

A. Ming Yi played a stirring, upbeat piece.

B. He played a quiet, heavenly song.

C. He played a simple song.

D. He played a song on the flute.

核心词汇

lute n. 诗琴pluck v. 弹，拨（乐器的弦）soothing adj. 安慰的nightingale n. 夜莺stroll n. 散步a way（s） 很长一段路；很长一段时间elegant adj. 优雅的meadow n. 草地melody n. 旋律，曲调amazement n. 惊奇tune n. 曲调，曲子moo v. 哞（指牛叫声）munch v. 用力咀嚼stirring adj. 激动人心的upbeat adj. 充满希望的，乐观的，上升的tempo n. 速度reaction n. 反应impressed adj. 印象深刻的appreciate v. 欣赏以下翻译来自百度翻译：从前，有一个人叫龚明义。他是一位杰出的音乐家。明仪弹奏琵琶，这是一种传统的中国乐器，琴弦可以拨动。他的歌声像夜莺的唧唧声一样悦耳动听。有一天，龚明义和一群朋友一起下乡。他们在享受新鲜空气和自然美景时玩得很开心。明仪决定散散步，探索更多的地区。他随身带着琵琶。“我的朋友们，过一会儿见，”明义说。“我要出去散散步，享受更多的乡村生活。”“玩得开心！”他的朋友们喊道。“欣赏风景！”走了一段路后，明仪发现一头牛在田里吃草。突然，他感到灵感迸发。明义找到了一个舒适的地方。他坐在奶牛前面。他把琵琶放在面前。然后他开始拨弄琴弦。音乐家优雅的音符在清新的乡村空气中飘荡。草地上充满了优美的旋律。但令明仪惊讶的是，这头牛只是低着头在草地上吃草。“也许牛不喜欢这一块，”明义想。他开始为母牛弹奏另一首歌。这一次，他演奏了一首简单的曲子。明义确信母牛会喜欢它。尽管如此，母牛仍在吃草。她咕噜了一声，然后向远处望去。然后她低下头，继续在草地上大嚼。“嗯，母牛也不喜欢那个，”明仪想。“我知道，我将演奏这首曲子。”明仪为母牛演奏了一首新曲子。这一个有一个激动人心的，乐观的节奏。那头母牛继续吃草，没有再发出咕噜声。困惑的龚明义为这头牛演奏了一首不同的歌曲，一首安静的天籁之音。然而，一首又一首歌，母牛没有任何反应。在听了一整场明仪最好作品的演唱会后，母牛吃完饭，慢慢地走开了。因为明仪专注于他的琵琶演奏，他没有注意到他的朋友们早就来了。当明仪唱完最后一首歌并放下琵琶时，他们鼓掌欢呼。明仪困惑地问他的朋友们：“那头牛怎么会不喜欢我的音乐呢？我把我的心都放出来了！我无法想象她为什么没有留下深刻的印象。我是不是在失去我的天赋？我的歌是不是很糟糕？”他的朋友们笑着说：“不，傻瓜。这不是因为你的音乐不好。这是因为牛根本听不懂音乐！”龚明义松了一口气，拿着琴回家了。他继续在一场又一场的音乐会上演奏，让观众欣赏他的才华。而且他再也没有试过为一头牛踢球！