wonder ['wʌndǝ], thumb [θʌm], dancing ['dɑ:nsɪŋ], cover ['kʌvǝ]
The next morning, before the boy began his day's journey, he wondered what was in the box the old man had given him. He took it out and opened it. Inside was a little man no bigger than his own thumb, dancing as hard as he could. As soon as the cover was opened and light entered the box, the little man stopped dancing and called to the boy, What do you want?
The boy knew then (так мальчик узнал; to know знать) that the old man had given him a little fairy (что старик дал ему маленького эльфа; fairy фея, эльф) to help him in his need (чтобы тот помогал, если он попадет в беду; need необходимость, надобность, нужда). He closed the box and answered (он закрыл коробку и ответил), I wish to be carried far away to a beautiful land (желаю перенестись: «быть перенесенным» в далекую прекрасную страну) where I can get a lovely girl for a comrade (где я смогу встретить прекрасную девушку, которая бы стала мне другом; to get получить, достать; comrade товарищ, друг), for I am very lonely (потому что мне очень одиноко). At once darkness came upon him and he slept (тотчас на него опустилась темнота = вокруг него стемнело, и он уснул; to sleep спать).
beautiful ['bju:tɪfl], lovely ['lʌvlɪ], comrade ['kɒmreɪd]
The boy knew then that the old man had given him a little fairy to help him in his need. He closed the box and answered, I wish to be carried far away to a beautiful land where I can get a lovely girl for a comrade, for I am very lonely. At once darkness came upon him and he slept.
When he awoke he found he had been asleep but a few seconds (когда он проснулся, то обнаружил, что проспал: «был спящим» всего лишь несколько секунд; to awake просыпаться), but he was now in a large village in a beautiful land (но теперь он был в какой-то большой деревне в прекрасной стране; land земля, страна). It was a land of trees and flowers and wonderful streams (это была страна деревьев, цветов и чудесных рек; stream поток, река, ручей, струя, течение), where many birds were singing (наполненная пением многочисленных птиц: «где пели многочисленные птицы»). He came to a house on the border of the village and entered it (он пришел к дому на окраине деревни и вошел в него; border граница, край, кромка). Inside was a very old woman (внутри была очень старая женщина); she was the only person in the house (и больше никого в доме не было: «она была единственным человеком в доме»).
second ['sek(ǝ)nd], village ['vɪlɪʤ], wonderful ['wʌndǝf(ǝ)l]
When he awoke he found he had been asleep but a few seconds, but he was now in a large village in a beautiful land. It was a land of trees and flowers and wonderful streams, where many birds were singing. He came to a house on the border of the village and entered it. Inside was a very old woman; she was the only person in the house.
When she saw the boy (когда она увидела мальчика; to see видеть), she began to cry (она начала плакать; to begin начинать). He asked her why she was weeping (он спросил ее, почему она плачет). She answered (она ответила), I know why you have come here (я знаю, зачем ты пришел сюда). I knew from a dream that you were coming (я узнала из сна, что ты придешь: «приходишь/прибываешь»). You have come to seek a very lovely girl as your wife and comrade (ты пришел, чтобы разыскать прекрасную девушку, которая стала бы тебе женой и другом; lovely красивый, привлекательный; comrade друг, приятель, товарищ). She lives in the village (она живет в этой деревне). Her father is very rich (ее отец очень богат). He is a great Chief (он великий вождь).
dream [dri:m], lovely ['lʌvlɪ], chief [tʃi:f]
When she saw the boy, she began to cry. He asked her why she was weeping. She answered, I know why you have come here. I knew from a dream that you were coming. You have come to seek a very lovely girl as your wife and comrade. She lives in the village. Her father is very rich. He is a great Chief.
He asks that each man who seeks to win his daughter (он требует, чтобы каждый, кто хочет завоевать сердце его дочери; to ask просить, спрашивать; to seek искать; добиваться, стремиться) must do very hard and dangerous and impossible tasks (выполнял очень трудные, опасные и невозможные задания; must должен; danger опасность). If they fail they are put to death (если им это не удается, их казнят: «предают смерти»; to fail потерпеть неудачу, не исполнить). The girl has had many suitors (у девушки было много женихов; suitor ухажер, почитатель, поклонник), but all have failed to do her father's tasks (но никому из них не удалось выполнить задания ее отца; to fail потерпеть неудачу; не иметь успеха; не исполнить, не сделать) and all have been killed (и все были убиты). You too will fail and you will surely die (ты тоже потерпишь неудачу и без сомнения умрешь; surely конечно, непременно).
daughter ['dɔ:tǝ], dangerous ['deɪnʤ(ǝ)rǝs], impossible [ɪm'pɒsǝbl], task [tɑ:sk], suitor ['sju:tǝ]