IT was in the month of May．The wind still blew cold， but bushes and trees， field and meadow， all alike said the spring had come． There was store of flowers even in the wild hedges；and there spring carried on his affairs，and preached from a little apple tree， where one branch hung fresh and blooming，covered with delicate pink Los－somas that were just ready to open． The Apple Tree Branch knew well enough how beautiful he was， for the knowledge is inherent in the blade as well as in the blood；and consequently the Branch was not surprised when a nobleman's carriage stopped opposite to him on the road，and the young countess said that that apple branch was the loveliest thing one could behold， a very emblem¹ of spring in its most charming form. And the Branch was broken off， and she held it in her delicate hand， and sheltered it with her silk parasol．Then they drove to the castle， where there were lofty halls and splendid apartments. Pure white curtains fluttered round the open windows， and beautiful flowers stood in shining transparent² vases； and in one of these，which looked as if it had been cut out of fresh-fallen snow，the Apple Branch was placed among some fresh light twigs³ of beech．It was charming to behold．But the Branch be-came proud；and this was quite like human nature．

People of various kinds came through the room， and according to their rank they might express their admiration⁴ few said nothing at all， and others again said too much，and the Apple Tree Branch soon got to understand that there was a difference in human beings just as among plants．

“Some are created for beauty， and some for use； and there are some which one can do without altogether，”thought the Apple Branch.

And as he stood just in front of the open window，from whence he could see into the garden and across the fields， he had flowers and plants enough to contemplate⁵ and to think about，for there were rich plants and humble⁶ plants—some very humble indeed．

“Poor despised herbs！”said the Apple Branch． “There is certainly a difference！And how unhappy they must feel， if indeed that kind can feel like myself and my equals． Certainly there is a difference， and distinctions must be made， or we should all be equal．”

点击收听单词发音  

1 emblem
n.象征，标志；徽章
参考例句：
Her shirt has the company emblem on it.她的衬衫印有公司的标记。 The eagle was an emblem of strength and courage.鹰是力量和勇气的象征。

2 transparent
adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的
参考例句：
The water is so transparent that we can see the fishes swimming.水清澈透明，可以看到鱼儿游来游去。 The window glass is transparent.窗玻璃是透明的。

3 twigs
细枝，嫩枝( twig的名词复数 )
参考例句：
Some birds build nests of twigs. 一些鸟用树枝筑巢。 Willow twigs are pliable. 柳条很软。

4 admiration
n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕
参考例句：
He was lost in admiration of the beauty of the scene.他对风景之美赞不绝口。 We have a great admiration for the gold medalists.我们对金牌获得者极为敬佩。

5 contemplate
vt.盘算，计议；周密考虑；注视，凝视
参考例句：
The possibility of war is too horrifying to contemplate.战争的可能性太可怕了，真不堪细想。 The consequences would be too ghastly to contemplate.后果不堪设想。

6 humble
adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低
参考例句：
In my humble opinion,he will win the election.依我拙见，他将在选举中获胜。 Defeat and failure make people humble.挫折与失败会使人谦卑。

7 boundless
adj.无限的；无边无际的；巨大的
参考例句：
The boundless woods were sleeping in the deep repose of nature.无边无际的森林在大自然静寂的怀抱中酣睡着。 His gratitude and devotion to the Party was boundless.他对党无限感激、无限忠诚。

8 providence
n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝
参考例句：
It is tempting Providence to go in that old boat.乘那艘旧船前往是冒大险。 To act as you have done is to fly in the face of Providence.照你的所作所为那样去行事，是违背上帝的意志的。

9 bent
n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的
参考例句：
He was fully bent upon the project.他一心扑在这项计划上。 We bent over backward to help them.我们尽了最大努力帮助他们。

10 eldest
adj.最年长的，最年老的
参考例句：
The King's eldest son is the heir to the throne.国王的长子是王位的继承人。 The castle and the land are entailed on the eldest son.城堡和土地限定由长子继承。

11 spoke
n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说
参考例句：
They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。 The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

12 draught
n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计
参考例句：
He emptied his glass at one draught.他将杯中物一饮而尽。 It's a pity the room has no north window and you don't get a draught.可惜这房间没北窗，没有过堂风。

13 gust
n.阵风，突然一阵（雨、烟等），（感情的）迸发
参考例句：
A gust of wind blew the front door shut.一阵大风吹来，把前门关上了。 A gust of happiness swept through her.一股幸福的暖流流遍她的全身。

14 bough
n.大树枝，主枝
参考例句：
I rested my fishing rod against a pine bough.我把钓鱼竿靠在一棵松树的大树枝上。 Every bough was swinging in the wind.每条树枝都在风里摇摆。

15 darts
n.掷飞镖游戏；飞镖( dart的名词复数 )；急驰，飞奔v.投掷，投射( dart的第三人称单数 )；向前冲，飞奔
参考例句：
His darts trophy takes pride of place on the mantelpiece. 他将掷镖奖杯放在壁炉顶上最显著的地方。 来自《简明英汉词典》 I never saw so many darts in a bodice! 我从没见过紧身胸衣上纳了这么多的缝褶！ 来自《简明英汉词典》

16 peculiar
adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的
参考例句：
He walks in a peculiar fashion.他走路的样子很奇特。 He looked at me with a very peculiar expression.他用一种很奇怪的表情看着我。

17 scattered
adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的
参考例句：
Gathering up his scattered papers,he pushed them into his case.他把散乱的文件收拾起来，塞进文件夹里。