The Oak and the Reeds
A free B1-level English story for language learners, readable online in 7 languages, with an option to listen via the free Storyteller app.
A mighty Oak mocks the slender Reeds for bending before every storm — until a raging gale tests which of them really knows how to survive.
An Oak that grew on the bank of a river was uprooted by a severe gale of wind, and thrown across the stream. It fell among some Reeds growing by the water, and said to them, "How is it that you, who are so frail and slender, have managed to weather the storm, whereas I, with all my strength, have been torn up by the roots and hurled into the river?" "You were stubborn," came the reply, "and fought against the storm, which proved stronger than you: but we bow and yield to every breeze, and thus the gale passed harmlessly over our heads."
一棵长在河岸边的橡树被一阵猛烈的狂风连根拔起，横倒在溪流之上。它倒在一丛长在水边的芦苇之中，对芦苇说：“你们如此柔弱纤细，怎么能挺过这场风暴，而我如此强壮，却被连根拔起，抛进了河里？”“你太固执了，”芦苇回答道，“你和风暴对抗，结果风暴证明比你更强；而我们对每一阵微风都低头顺应，因此狂风从我们头上吹过，却毫发无损。”
