Chapter 6 The Grey Cub

He was different from his brothers and sisters. Their hair alreadybetrayed the reddish hue¹ inherited from their mother, the she-wolf; whilehe alone, in this particular, took after his father. He was the one little greycub of the litter. He had bred true to the straight wolf-stock - in fact, hehad bred true to old One Eye himself, physically⁴, with but a singleexception, and that was he had two eyes to his father's one.

　　The grey cub³'s eyes had not been open long, yet already he could seewith steady clearness. And while his eyes were still closed, he had felt,tasted, and smelled. He knew his two brothers and his two sisters verywell. He had begun to romp⁵ with them in a feeble, awkward way, and evento squabble, his little throat vibrating with a queer rasping noise (theforerunner of the growl⁶), as he worked himself into a passion. And longbefore his eyes had opened he had learned by touch, taste, and smell toknow his mother - a fount of warmth and liquid food and tenderness. Shepossessed a gentle, caressing⁷ tongue that soothed⁸ him when it passed overhis soft little body, and that impelled⁹ him to snuggle close against her andto doze¹⁰ off to sleep.

　　Most of the first month of his life had been passed thus in sleeping; butnow he could see quite well, and he stayed awake for longer periods oftime, and he was coming to learn his world quite well. His world wasgloomy; but he did not know that, for he knew no other world. It was dim-lighted; but his eyes had never had to adjust themselves to any other light.

　　His world was very small. Its limits were the walls of the lair¹¹; but as hehad no knowledge of the wide world outside, he was never oppressed bythe narrow confines of his existence.

　　But he had early discovered that one wall of his world was differentfrom the rest. This was the mouth of the cave and the source of light. Hehad discovered that it was different from the other walls long before hehad any thoughts of his own, any conscious volitions. It had been anirresistible attraction before ever his eyes opened and looked upon it. Thelight from it had beat upon his sealed lids, and the eyes and the opticnerves had pulsated¹² to little, sparklike flashes, warm-coloured andstrangely pleasing. The life of his body, and of every fibre of his body, thelife that was the very substance of his body and that was apart from hisown personal life, had yearned¹³ toward this light and urged his bodytoward it in the same way that the cunning chemistry of a plant urges ittoward the sun.

　　Always, in the beginning, before his conscious life dawned, he hadcrawled toward the mouth of the cave. And in this his brothers and sisterswere one with him. Never, in that period, did any of them crawl toward thedark corners of the back-wall. The light drew them as if they were plants;the chemistry of the life that composed them demanded the light as anecessity of being; and their little puppet-bodies crawled blindly andchemically, like the tendrils of a vine. Later on, when each developedindividuality and became personally conscious of impulsions and desires,the attraction of the light increased. They were always crawling andsprawling toward it, and being driven back from it by their mother.

　　It was in this way that the grey cub learned other attributes of hismother than the soft, soothing¹⁴, tongue. In his insistent¹⁵ crawling toward thelight, he discovered in her a nose that with a sharp nudge administeredrebuke, and later, a paw, that crushed him down and rolled him over andover with swift, calculating stroke. Thus he learned hurt; and on top of ithe learned to avoid hurt, first, by not incurring¹⁶ the risk of it; and second,when he had incurred¹⁷ the risk, by dodging¹⁸ and by retreating. These wereconscious actions, and were the results of his first generalisations upon theworld. Before that he had recoiled¹⁹ automatically from hurt, as he hadcrawled automatically toward the light. After that he recoiled from hurtbecause he KNEW that it was hurt.

　　He was a fierce little cub. So were his brothers and sisters. It was to beexpected. He was a carnivorous animal. He came of a breed of meat-killers and meat-eaters. His father and mother lived wholly upon meat.

　　The milk he had sucked with his first flickering²⁰ life, was milk transformeddirectly from meat, and now, at a month old, when his eyes had been openfor but a week, he was beginning himself to eat meat - meat half-digestedby the she-wolf and disgorged for the five growing cubs²¹ that already madetoo great demand upon her breast.

　　But he was, further, the fiercest of the litter. He could make a louderrasping growl than any of them. His tiny rages were much more terriblethan theirs. It was he that first learned the trick of rolling a fellow-cub overwith a cunning paw-stroke. And it was he that first gripped another cub bythe ear and pulled and tugged²² and growled²³ through jaws²⁴ tight-clenched.

　　And certainly it was he that caused the mother the most trouble in keepingher litter from the mouth of the cave.

　　The fascination²⁵ of the light for the grey cub increased from day to day.

　　He was perpetually departing on yard-long adventures toward the cave'sentrance, and as perpetually being driven back. Only he did not know itfor an entrance. He did not know anything about entrances - passageswhereby one goes from one place to another place. He did not know anyother place, much less of a way to get there. So to him the entrance of thecave was a wall - a wall of light. As the sun was to the outside dweller²⁶, thiswall was to him the sun of his world. It attracted him as a candle attracts amoth. He was always striving to attain²⁷ it. The life that was so swiftlyexpanding within him, urged him continually toward the wall of light. Thelife that was within him knew that it was the one way out, the way he waspredestined to tread. But he himself did not know anything about it. Hedid not know there was any outside at all.

　　There was one strange thing about this wall of light. His father (he hadalready come to recognise his father as the one other dweller in the world,a creature like his mother, who slept near the light and was a bringer ofmeat) - his father had a way of walking right into the white far wall anddisappearing. The grey cub could not understand this. Though neverpermitted by his mother to approach that wall, he had approached theother walls, and encountered hard obstruction²⁸ on the end of his tendernose. This hurt. And after several such adventures, he left the walls alone.

　　Without thinking about it, he accepted this disappearing into the wall as apeculiarity of his father, as milk and half- digested meat were peculiaritiesof his mother.

　　In fact, the grey cub was not given to thinking - at least, to the kind ofthinking customary of men. His brain worked in dim ways. Yet hisconclusions were as sharp and distinct as those achieved by men. He had amethod of accepting things, without questioning the why and wherefore.

　　In reality, this was the act of classification. He was never disturbed overwhy a thing happened. How it happened was sufficient for him. Thus,when he had bumped his nose on the back-wall a few times, he acceptedthat he would not disappear into walls. In the same way he accepted thathis father could disappear into walls. But he was not in the least disturbedby desire to find out the reason for the difference between his father andhimself. Logic²⁹ and physics were no part of his mental make-up.

　　Like most creatures of the Wild, he early experienced famine. Therecame a time when not only did the meat-supply cease, but the milk nolonger came from his mother's breast. At first, the cubs whimpered andcried, but for the most part they slept. It was not long before they werereduced to a coma³⁰ of hunger. There were no more spats³¹ and squabbles, nomore tiny rages nor attempts at growling³²; while the adventures toward thefar white wall ceased altogether. The cubs slept, while the life that was inthem flickered³³ and died down.

　　One Eye was desperate. He ranged far and wide, and slept but little inthe lair that had now become cheerless and miserable³⁴. The she-wolf, too,left her litter and went out in search of meat. In the first days after the birthof the cubs, One Eye had journeyed several times back to the Indian campand robbed the rabbit snares³⁵; but, with the melting of the snow and theopening of the streams, the Indian camp had moved away, and that sourceof supply was closed to him.

　　When the grey cub came back to life and again took interest in the farwhite wall, he found that the population of his world had been reduced.

　　Only one sister remained to him. The rest were gone. As he grew stronger,he found himself compelled to play alone, for the sister no longer liftedher head nor moved about. His little body rounded out with the meat henow ate; but the food had come too late for her. She slept continuously, atiny skeleton flung round with skin in which the flame flickered lower andlower and at last went out.

　　Then there came a time when the grey cub no longer saw his fatherappearing and disappearing in the wall nor lying down asleep in theentrance. This had happened at the end of a second and less severe famine.

　　The she-wolf knew why One Eye never came back, but there was no wayby which she could tell what she had seen to the grey cub. Hunting herselffor meat, up the left fork of the stream where lived the lynx, she hadfollowed a day-old trail of One Eye. And she had found him, or whatremained of him, at the end of the trail. There were many signs of thebattle that had been fought, and of the lynx's withdrawal³⁶ to her lair afterhaving won the victory. Before she went away, the she-wolf had found thislair, but the signs told her that the lynx was inside, and she had not daredto venture in.

　　After that, the she-wolf in her hunting avoided the left fork. For sheknew that in the lynx's lair was a litter of kittens, and she knew the lynxfor a fierce, bad-tempered³⁷ creature and a terrible fighter. It was all verywell for half a dozen wolves to drive a lynx, spitting and bristling³⁸, up atree; but it was quite a different matter for a lone² wolf to encounter a lynx- especially when the lynx was known to have a litter of hungry kittens ather back.

　　But the Wild is the Wild, and motherhood is motherhood, at all timesfiercely protective whether in the Wild or out of it; and the time was tocome when the she-wolf, for her grey cub's sake, would venture the leftfork, and the lair in the rocks, and the lynx's wrath³⁹.

1 hue   

n.色度；色调；样子

参考例句：

• The diamond shone with every hue under the sun.金刚石在阳光下放出五颜六色的光芒。
• The same hue will look different in different light.同一颜色在不同的光线下看起来会有所不同。

2 lone   

adj.孤寂的，单独的；唯一的

参考例句：

• A lone sea gull flew across the sky.一只孤独的海鸥在空中飞过。
• She could see a lone figure on the deserted beach.她在空旷的海滩上能看到一个孤独的身影。

3 cub   

n.幼兽，年轻无经验的人

参考例句：

• The lion cub's mother was hunting for what she needs. 这只幼师的母亲正在捕猎。
• The cub licked the milk from its mother's breast. 这头幼兽吸吮着它妈妈的奶水。

4 physically   

adj.物质上，体格上，身体上，按自然规律

参考例句：

• He was out of sorts physically,as well as disordered mentally.他浑身不舒服，心绪也很乱。
• Every time I think about it I feel physically sick.一想起那件事我就感到极恶心。

5 romp   

n.欢闹；v.嬉闹玩笑

参考例句：

• The child went for a romp in the forest.那个孩子去森林快活一把。
• Dogs and little children romped happily in the garden.狗和小孩子们在花园里嬉戏。

6 growl   

v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣

参考例句：

• The dog was biting,growling and wagging its tail.那条狗在一边撕咬一边低声吼叫，尾巴也跟着摇摆。
• The car growls along rutted streets.汽车在车辙纵横的街上一路轰鸣。

7 caressing   

爱抚的，表现爱情的，亲切的

参考例句：

• The spring wind is gentle and caressing. 春风和畅。
• He sat silent still caressing Tartar, who slobbered with exceeding affection. 他不声不响地坐在那里，不断抚摸着鞑靼，它由于获得超常的爱抚而不淌口水。

8 soothed   

v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦

参考例句：

• The music soothed her for a while. 音乐让她稍微安静了一会儿。
• The soft modulation of her voice soothed the infant. 她柔和的声调使婴儿安静了。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

9 impelled   

v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He felt impelled to investigate further. 他觉得有必要作进一步调查。
• I feel impelled to express grave doubts about the project. 我觉得不得不对这项计划深表怀疑。 来自《简明英汉词典》

10 doze   

v.打瞌睡；n.打盹，假寐

参考例句：

• He likes to have a doze after lunch.他喜欢午饭后打个盹。
• While the adults doze,the young play.大人们在打瞌睡，而孩子们在玩耍。

11 lair   

n.野兽的巢穴；躲藏处

参考例句：

• How can you catch tiger cubs without entering the tiger's lair?不入虎穴，焉得虎子？
• I retired to my lair,and wrote some letters.我回到自己的躲藏处，写了几封信。

12 pulsated   

v.有节奏地舒张及收缩( pulsate的过去式和过去分词 )；跳动；脉动；受（激情）震动

参考例句：

• A regular rhythm pulsated in our ears. 一种平均的节奏在我们耳边颤动着。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The city pulsated with music and excitement. 这个城市随着音乐和激情而脉动。 来自互联网

13 yearned   

渴望，切盼，向往( yearn的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The people yearned for peace. 人民渴望和平。
• She yearned to go back to the south. 她渴望回到南方去。

14 soothing   

adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的

参考例句：

• Put on some nice soothing music.播放一些柔和舒缓的音乐。
• His casual, relaxed manner was very soothing.他随意而放松的举动让人很快便平静下来。

15 insistent   

adj.迫切的，坚持的

参考例句：

• There was an insistent knock on my door.我听到一阵急促的敲门声。
• He is most insistent on this point.他在这点上很坚持。

16 incurring   

遭受，招致，引起( incur的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Many of the world's farmers are also incurring economic deficits. 世界上许多农民还在遭受经济上的亏损。
• He spoke to the Don directly, taking a chance on incurring Michael's ill will. 他直接向老头子谈自己的意见，这显然要冒引起迈克尔反感的风险。 来自教父部分

17 incurred   

[医]招致的，遭受的； incur的过去式

参考例句：

• She had incurred the wrath of her father by marrying without his consent 她未经父亲同意就结婚，使父亲震怒。
• We will reimburse any expenses incurred. 我们将付还所有相关费用。

18 dodging   

n.避开，闪过，音调改变v.闪躲( dodge的现在分词 )；回避

参考例句：

• He ran across the road, dodging the traffic. 他躲开来往的车辆跑过马路。
• I crossed the highway, dodging the traffic. 我避开车流穿过了公路。 来自辞典例句

19 recoiled   

v.畏缩( recoil的过去式和过去分词 )；退缩；报应；返回

参考例句：

• She recoiled from his touch. 她躲开他的触摸。
• Howard recoiled a little at the sharpness in my voice. 听到我的尖声，霍华德往后缩了一下。 来自《简明英汉词典》

20 flickering   

adj.闪烁的，摇曳的，一闪一闪的

参考例句：

• The crisp autumn wind is flickering away. 清爽的秋风正在吹拂。
• The lights keep flickering. 灯光忽明忽暗。

21 cubs   

n.幼小的兽，不懂规矩的年轻人( cub的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• a lioness guarding her cubs 守护幼崽的母狮
• Lion cubs depend on their mother to feed them. 狮子的幼仔依靠母狮喂养。 来自《简明英汉词典》

22 tugged   

v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• She tugged at his sleeve to get his attention. 她拽了拽他的袖子引起他的注意。
• A wry smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. 他的嘴角带一丝苦笑。 来自《简明英汉词典》

23 growled   

v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说

参考例句：

• \"They ought to be birched, \" growled the old man. 老人咆哮道：“他们应受到鞭打。” 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He growled out an answer. 他低声威胁着回答。 来自《简明英汉词典》

24 jaws   

n.口部；嘴

参考例句：

• The antelope could not escape the crocodile's gaping jaws. 那只羚羊无法从鱷鱼张开的大口中逃脱。
• The scored jaws of a vise help it bite the work. 台钳上有刻痕的虎钳牙帮助它紧咬住工件。

25 fascination   

n.令人着迷的事物，魅力，迷恋

参考例句：

• He had a deep fascination with all forms of transport.他对所有的运输工具都很着迷。
• His letters have been a source of fascination to a wide audience.广大观众一直迷恋于他的来信。

26 dweller   

n.居住者，住客

参考例句：

• Both city and town dweller should pay tax.城镇居民都需要纳税。
• The city dweller never experiences anxieties of this sort.城市居民从未经历过这种担忧。

27 attain   

vt.达到，获得，完成

参考例句：

• I used the scientific method to attain this end. 我用科学的方法来达到这一目的。
• His painstaking to attain his goal in life is praiseworthy. 他为实现人生目标所下的苦功是值得称赞的。

28 obstruction   

n.阻塞，堵塞；障碍物

参考例句：

• She was charged with obstruction of a police officer in the execution of his duty.她被指控妨碍警察执行任务。
• The road was cleared from obstruction.那条路已被清除了障碍。

29 logic   

n.逻辑(学)；逻辑性

参考例句：

• What sort of logic is that?这是什么逻辑？
• I don't follow the logic of your argument.我不明白你的论点逻辑性何在。

30 coma   

n.昏迷，昏迷状态

参考例句：

• The patient rallied from the coma.病人从昏迷中苏醒过来。
• She went into a coma after swallowing a whole bottle of sleeping pills.她吃了一整瓶安眠药后就昏迷过去了。

31 spats   

n.口角( spat的名词复数 )；小争吵；鞋罩；鞋套v.spit的过去式和过去分词( spat的第三人称单数 )；口角；小争吵；鞋罩

参考例句：

• Gasoline is a solvent liquid that removes grease spats. 汽油是一种能脱去油迹的有溶解能力的液体。 来自辞典例句
• Then spats took a catnap, and the bird looked out for dogs. 然后斯派茨小睡了一会儿。小鸟为它站岗放哨，防止狗跑过来。 来自互联网

32 growling   

n.吠声, 咆哮声 v.怒吠, 咆哮, 吼

参考例句：

• We heard thunder growling in the distance. 我们听见远处有隆隆雷声。
• The lay about the deck growling together in talk. 他们在甲板上到处游荡，聚集在一起发牢骚。

33 flickered   

（通常指灯光）闪烁，摇曳( flicker的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The lights flickered and went out. 灯光闪了闪就熄了。
• These lights flickered continuously like traffic lights which have gone mad. 这些灯象发狂的交通灯一样不停地闪动着。

34 miserable   

adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的

参考例句：

• It was miserable of you to make fun of him.你取笑他，这是可耻的。
• Her past life was miserable.她过去的生活很苦。

35 snares   

n.陷阱( snare的名词复数 )；圈套；诱人遭受失败（丢脸、损失等）的东西；诱惑物v.用罗网捕捉，诱陷，陷害( snare的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• He shoots rabbits and he sets snares for them. 他射杀兔子，也安放陷阱。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• I am myself fallen unawares into the snares of death. 我自己不知不觉跌进了死神的陷阱。 来自辞典例句

36 withdrawal   

n.取回，提款；撤退，撤军；收回，撤销

参考例句：

• The police were forced to make a tactical withdrawal.警方被迫进行战术撤退。
• They insisted upon a withdrawal of the statement and a public apology.他们坚持要收回那些话并公开道歉。

37 bad-tempered   

adj.脾气坏的

参考例句：

• He grew more and more bad-tempered as the afternoon wore on.随着下午一点点地过去，他的脾气也越来越坏。
• I know he's often bad-tempered but really,you know,he's got a heart of gold.我知道他经常发脾气，但是，要知道，其实他心肠很好。

38 bristling   

a.竖立的

参考例句：

• "Don't you question Miz Wilkes' word,'said Archie, his beard bristling. "威尔克斯太太的话，你就不必怀疑了。 "阿尔奇说。他的胡子也翘了起来。
• You were bristling just now. 你刚才在发毛。

39 wrath   

n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒

参考例句：

• His silence marked his wrath. 他的沉默表明了他的愤怒。
• The wrath of the people is now aroused. 人们被激怒了。