武太白·白话英语2016-2021文章总目录
上图是用Word 2019检测出来的本故事文本适用年级信息，其中Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level=3.1。一般来说，中国学生的阅读能力比英美学生落后4-6年。按照中位值，3.1+5=8.1年级，相当于国内使用人教版统编英语教材的八年级学生。上海地区的小朋友六年级即可试读本故事。
内容提要：北风与太阳两方为谁的能量大而争论不休，于是比赛谁能使行人最快脱下衣服，谁就胜利了。
It was a fine but very cold winter’s day as the Sun shone down on the snow-covered earth below.
'What a beautiful sight,’ it thought. 'And look at the little white sails of the ships on the blue sea. I want to take my time travelling across the sky today. After all, what’s the rush?’
Suddenly, a freezing cold blast of air screeched past – and nearly blew the Sun along with it.
'Out of my way, Sun,’ roared the Wind. 'See those ships? I’m going to blow them right off course. They won’t know what’s hit them…’
The Wind blew and blew – it blew so hard that the ship’s sails ripped apart. All the Sun could do was watch as the sailors shivered in the icy blast, shook their fists and cried out in anger.
‘Not again, Wind,’ sighed the Sun.
'Why do you have to cause misery and chaos all the time?’'
'Because I like showing just how strong I am,’ replied the Wind.
'You sit in the sky and do nothing except shine, but I am full of force and energy.’
'Hmmm…’ said the Sun, looking thoughtful. 'I have an idea. Let’s have a contest to see which of us is the stronger.’
'I know who will win,’ said the Wind. 'We shall see,’ replied the Sun. 'Do you see that man down there?’
The Wind looked where the Sun was pointing. A young man was walking along a windy road through the mountains. It was so cold, he was wearing a heavy winter coat to keep warm.
'Let’s see which one of us is strong enough to take his coat off him,’ suggested the Sun.
'Easy, I can do that in no time,’ boasted the Wind. 'Go on then,’ said the Sun. 'I’ll watch you from behind a cloud.’
The Wind blew and blew. It blew so hard that the birds had to cling to the trees to stop being swept away.
The man shivered and did up the top button of his coat as the snow swirled in the air. The Wind kept on blowing – but the more it did so, the tighter the man pulled his coat around him to keep warm.
‘I give up,’ gasped the Wind at last. I’ve got no more puff left.’
‘Now it’s my turn,’ said the Sun as it emerged from the cloud.
The Sun gently breathed in the cold air. The stronger it breathed in, the larger and rounder it seemed to glow.
On the white earth below the air was becoming warmer. The Wind watched in awe as the snow began to melt. Icicles were dripping and even the thick ice on the lakes was starting to thaw and crack.
The man looked round in wonder at the melting landscape. It had been such a long, cold winter that it was a joy to feel the warmth of the Sun on his face. He undid his top button, then a second…
'What a lovely day it’s turning out to be,’ the man thought. 'It’s too warm for this heavy winter coat. Everything is so bright and beautiful, I just want to enjoy the Sun and rest a while – I might even have a little nap.’
The Wind was beside itself with annoyance as the man sat under the shade of a large rock and took off his coat. It was so annoyed it kept making little angry puffs.
'Your icy blasts hardened his heart and made him determined to keep his coat on,’ said the Sun. 'But my glowing rays opened his heart - and his coat buttons. Look, I’ve cheered up those poor sailors too.’
The sailors on the broken ships were cheering and waving up at the Sun. Now they can mend their sails – 'and I shall carry on shining until their ships can sail again,’ said the Sun.
Down below on the earth, the young man looked up at the Sun as if he had heard him speak.
'That Wind – it was strong. But the Sun is stronger still,’ he murmured to himself, before nodding off for a restful sleep.
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