I will tell you a story which was told to me when I was a little boy．Every time I thought of the story，it seemed to me to become more and more charming；for it is with stories as it is with many people—they become better as they grow older．

I take it for granted that you have been in the country，and seen a very old farm-house with a thatched roof，and mosses¹ and small plants growing wild upon the thatch．There is a stork's nest on the summit of the gable；for we can't do without the stork．The walls of the house are sloping，and the windows are low，and only one of the latter is made so that it will open．The baking-oven sticks out of the wall like a little fat body．The elder tree hangs over the paling，where there is a little pool of water with a duck or ducklings，right under the gnarled willow² tree．There is a yard dog too，who barks at all comers．

Just such a farm-house stood out in the country；and in this house dwelt an old couple—a peasant and his wife．Small as was their property，there was one article among it that they could do without—a horse，which made a living out of the grass it found by the side of the high road．The old peasant rode into the town on this horse；and often his neighbors borrowed it from him，and rendered the old couple some service in return for the loan of it．But they thought it would be best if they sold the horse，or ex-changed it for something that might be more useful to them．But what might this something be？

“You'll know that best，old man，”said the wife．“It is fair-day today，so ride into town，and get rid of the horse for money，or make a good exchange：whichever you do will be right to me．Ride off to the fair．”

And she fastened his neckerchief for him，for she could do that better than he could；and she tied it in a double bow，for she could do that very prettily．Then she brushed his hat round and round with the palm of her hand，and gave him a kiss．So he rode away upon the horse that was to be sold or to be bartered³ for something else．Yes，the old man knew what he was about．

The sun shone hot，and not a cloud was to be seen in the sky．The road was very dusty，for many people who were all bound for the fair were driving，or riding，or walking upon it．There was no shelter anywhere from the sunbeams．

Among the rest，a man was trudging

点击收听单词发音  

1 mosses
n. 藓类, 苔藓植物 名词moss的复数形式
参考例句：
Ferns, mosses and fungi spread by means of spores. 蕨类植物、苔藓和真菌通过孢子传播蔓生。 The only plants to be found in Antarctica are algae, mosses, and lichens. 在南极洲所发现的植物只有藻类、苔藓和地衣。

2 willow
n.柳树
参考例句：
The river was sparsely lined with willow trees.河边疏疏落落有几棵柳树。 The willow's shadow falls on the lake.垂柳的影子倒映在湖面上。

3 bartered
v.作物物交换，以货换货( barter的过去式和过去分词 )
参考例句：
The local people bartered wheat for tools. 当地人用小麦换取工具。 They bartered farm products for machinery. 他们用农产品交换机器。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 trudging
vt.& vi.跋涉，吃力地走（trudge的现在分词形式）
参考例句：
There was a stream of refugees trudging up the valley towards the border. 一队难民步履艰难地爬上山谷向着边境走去。 来自《简明英汉词典》 Two mules well laden with packs were trudging along. 两头骡子驮着沉重的背包，吃力地往前走。 来自辞典例句

5 determined
adj.坚定的；有决心的
参考例句：
I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。 He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

6 fowl
n.家禽，鸡，禽肉
参考例句：
Fowl is not part of a traditional brunch.禽肉不是传统的早午餐的一部分。 Since my heart attack,I've eaten more fish and fowl and less red meat.自从我患了心脏病后，我就多吃鱼肉和禽肉，少吃红色肉类。

7 strutting
加固，支撑物
参考例句：
He, too, was exceedingly arrogant, strutting about the castle. 他也是非常自大，在城堡里大摇大摆地走。 The pompous lecturer is strutting and forth across the stage. 这个演讲者在台上趾高气扬地来回走着。

8 winked
v.使眼色( wink的过去式和过去分词 )；递眼色（表示友好或高兴等）；（指光）闪烁；闪亮
参考例句：
He winked at her and she knew he was thinking the same thing that she was. 他冲她眨了眨眼，她便知道他的想法和她一样。 He winked his eyes at her and left the classroom. 他向她眨巴一下眼睛走出了教室。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

9 wager
n.赌注；vt.押注，打赌
参考例句：
They laid a wager on the result of the race.他们以竞赛的结果打赌。 I made a wager that our team would win.我打赌我们的队会赢。

10 positively
adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实
参考例句：
She was positively glowing with happiness.她满脸幸福。 The weather was positively poisonous.这天气着实讨厌。