1 Listen to and read the story.
THE DEVOTED FRIEND
Adapted from ‘The Devoted Friend’ by O. Wilde “Once upon a time,” said a Linnet1, “there was an honest fellow named Hans.” “Was he famous?” asked a Water Rat. “No,” answered the Linnet, “I don’t think he was famous at all, but he had a kind heart and a funny, goodhumoured round face. He lived in a small cottage all by himself2, and every day he worked in his garden. In all the country side there was no garden so lovely as his. Different flowers grew there, and they bloomed or blossomed, so that there were always beautiful things to look at. Hans had many friends, but the most devoted friend of all was big Hugh [hju:], the Miller3. Indeed, so devoted was the rich Miller to Hans, that he would never go by his garden without filling his pockets with plums and apples if it was the fruit season.” “Real friends should have everything in common,” the Miller used to say, and little Hans nodded and smiled, and felt very proud of having a friend with such noble4 ideas. Sometimes, indeed, the neighbours thought it was strange that the rich Miller never gave little Hans anything in return5, a linnet [9linit] — коноплянка (різновид пташки) 2 all by himself — сам-один 1
54
a miller [9mil3] — мельник noble [9n3Ubl] — благородний 5 in return [in ri9tE:n] — у відповідь 3 4
