curiosity ["kjuqrI`OsItI], seize [sJz], distance [`dIst(q)ns], expose [Iks`pquz], climb [klaIm], bushy [`buSI], observe [qb`zq:v]
One day, however, a curiosity seized him to know what this laughing business might be. He took his boy and followed the Bears at a distance, not choosing to be seen. Their trail led to the shore of the Great Water, and when he had come as near as he could without exposing himself, he climbed a tall pine from whose bushy top he could observe all that took place.
The gathering of the Bears was on a deep bay (собрание Медведей было в глубокой бухте) that jutted inland (что вдавалась в сушу; inland — внутрь страны, вглубь страны; to jut = jut out — выдаваться, выступать ). Its rocky shores were quite black with them (ее скалистые берега были черны от них; rock — скала, утес), and as soon as all had become quiet (и как только все стали тихими = все замолчали), an old Bear advanced to the water's edge (старый Медведь приблизился к краю воды; to advance — выдвинуться, продвинуться) and called in a loud voice (и позвал громким голосом):
"Laugh-maker, we are come to laugh (Смехунчик, мы пришли смеяться)!"
gathering [`gxDqrIN], inland [`Inlqnd], laugh [lRf], advance [qd`vQ:ns], maker [`meIkq]
The gathering of the Bears was on a deep bay that jutted inland. Its rocky shores were quite black with them, and as soon as all had become quiet, an old Bear advanced to the water's edge and called in a loud voice:
"Laugh-maker, we are come to laugh!"
When he had called four times (когда он позвал четыре раза), a small object appeared in the midst of the water (маленькое существо появилось среди воды; object — предмет, вещь; объект) and began to swim toward the shore (и поплыло: «начало плыть» по направлению к берегу). By and by the strange creature sprawled (вскоре странное создание растянулось; by and by — вскоре) and clambered out upon a solitary rock (и вскарабкалось на одиночный камень; to clamber — карабкаться, цепляться, взбираться) that stood partly above the water (который выступал частично над водой; to stand).
object [`ObGIkt], toward [tq`wO:d], clamber [`klxmbq], solitary [`sOlIt(q)rI]
When he had called four times, a small object appeared in the midst of the water and began to swim toward the shore. By and by the strange creature sprawled and clambered out upon a solitary rock that stood partly above the water.
The Laugh-maker was hairless (Смехунчик был безволосым) and wrinkled like a new-born child (и морщинистым, словно новорожденный ребенок); it had the funniest feet (у него были забавнейшие лапки; funny — забавный, смешной; смехотворный; комический, курьезный, потешный; /разг./ странный), or hands (или ручки), or flippers (или ласты), with which it tried to walk (при помощи которых он пытался идти), but only tumbled and flopped about (но только спотыкался/кувыркался и шлепал; to flop about). In the water it was graceful enough (в воде он был довольно грациозен), but on dry land so ungainly and ridiculous (но на суше — такой неуклюжий и смешной) that the vast concourse of Bears (что огромное скопление Медведей) was thrown into fits of hysterical laughter (тотчас же впало в состояние истерического смеха: «было /немедленно/ приведено в состояние истерического смеха»; to throw — бросить; привести немедленно в какое-либо состояние; fit — припадок, приступ).
hairless [`heqlIs], flipper [`flIpq], graceful [`greIsful], ungainly [An`geInlI], ridiculous [rI`dIkjulqs], vast [vQ:st], concourse [`kONkO:s], hysterical [hIs`terIk(q)l]
The Laugh-maker was hairless and wrinkled like a new-born child; it had the funniest feet, or hands, or flippers, with which it tried to walk, but only tumbled and flopped about. In the water it was graceful enough, but on dry land so ungainly and ridiculous that the vast concourse of Bears was thrown into fits of hysterical laughter.
"Ha, ha, ha (ха-ха-ха)! Waugh, Waugh (хо-хо-хо)!" they roared (они ревели/хохотали), lifting their ugly long muzzles (поднимая свои некрасивые длинные морды; ugly — уродливый, некрасивый) and opening their gaping jaws (и раскрыв зияющие пасти). Some of them could no longer hold (некоторые из них не могли больше удержаться) on to the boughs of the trees (на ветвях деревьев), or the rocks (или /на/ скалах) on which they had perched (на которые они взгромоздились), and came tumbling down on the heads of the crowd (и падали вниз на головы толпы), adding much to the fun (еще больше увеличивая всеобщее веселье: «добавляя много к веселью»).
muzzle [mAzl], bough [bau], perch [pWC]
"Ha, ha, ha! Waugh, waugh!" they roared, lifting their ugly long muzzles and opening their gaping jaws. Some of them could no longer hold on to the boughs of the trees, or the rocks on which they had perched, and came tumbling down on the heads of the crowd, adding much to the fun.
Every motion of the little "Laugh-maker"(каждое движение маленького «Смехунчика») produced fresh roars of immoderate laughter (производило = вызывало свежие = новые взрывы неудержимого хохота; immoderate — излишний, неумеренный, чрезмерный, непомерный).
At last the Bears grew weak and helpless with laughing (наконец, Медведи стали слабыми и беспомощными от смеха). Hundreds of them sprawled out upon the sand (сотни из них развалились на песке), quite unable to rise (совершенно неспособные подняться). Then the old man again advanced (тогда старик снова вышел /вперед/) and cried out (и выкрикнул):
"Laugh-maker (Смехунчик), we are almost dead with laughing (мы почти мертвы от смеха)!" Upon this the little creature (на это маленькое существо) swam back into deep water (соскользнуло назад в глубокую воду; to swim —плавать) and disappeared (и исчезло).
produce [prq`dju:s], roar [rO:], immoderate [I`mOd(q)rqt], advance [qd`vRns], creature [`krJCq], almost [`Llmqust], disappear ["dIsq`pIq]
Every motion of the little "Laugh-maker" produced fresh roars of immoderate laughter.
At last the Bears grew weak and helpless with laughing. Hundreds of them sprawled out upon the sand, quite unable to rise. Then the old man again advanced and cried out:
"Laugh-maker, we are almost dead with laughing!" Upon this the little creature swam back into deep water and disappeared.
Now the stranger was not at all amused (но вот чужаку не было смешно вовсе; to amuse smb. — рассмешить, развеселить, позабавить кого-либо) and in fact could see nothing to laugh at (и, вообще-то: «фактически», /он/ не видел ничего забавного: «ничего, над чем посмеяться»). When all the Bears had got up (когда все Медведи встали; to get up) and dispersed to their homes (и рассеялись по своим домам) he came down from the tree with his little son (он спустился вниз с дерева со своим маленьким сыном), and the child wished to imitate his great-grandfather Bear (и ребенок захотел воспроизвести своего прадедушку Mедведя). He went out alone on the sandy beach (он вышел один на песчаный пляж) and began to call in his piping voice (и начал звать пронзительным голосом):
amuse [q`mjHz], disperse [dIs`pWs], imitate [`ImIteIt]
Now the stranger was not at all amused and in fact could see nothing to laugh at. When all the Bears had got up and dispersed to their homes he came down from the tree with his little son, and the child wished to imitate his great-grandfather Bear. He went out alone on the sandy beach and began to call in his piping voice:
"Laugh-maker, we are come to laugh (Смехунчик, мы пришли смеяться)!"
When he had called four times (когда он позвал четыре раза), the little creature again showed its smooth black head above the water (маленькое создание снова показало свою гладкую черную голову над водой).
"Ha, ha, ha (ха, ха, ха)! Why don't you laugh, papa (почему ты не смеешься, папа)? It is so funny (он такой забавный)!" the boy cried out breathlessly (мальчик выкрикнул, задыхаясь; breathless — бездыханный; задыхающийся; breath — дыхание).
But his father looked on soberly (но отец смотрел серьезно; sober — непьющий, трезвый; рассудительный; благоразумный, здравомыслящий, спокойный) while the thing went through all its usual antics (пока существо проделывало все эти нелепые движения; antic — гротескно искаженное скульптурное изображение /горгулий, кариатид и т. п./; antics — эксцентричный поступки, нелепые выходки; кривлянье), and the little boy laughed harder and harder (и маленький мальчик смеялся /все/ сильнее/натужнее; hard — твердый;энергичный), until at last he rolled and rolled on the sandy beach (пока, наконец, он не /начал/ кататься и кататься по песчаному пляжу), almost dead with laughter (почти неживой от смеха).
breathlessly [`breTlIslI], soberly [`squbqlI], beach [bJC], usual [`ju:Zuql], antics [`xntIks]
"Laugh-maker, we are come to laugh!"
When he had called four times, the little creature again showed its smooth black head above the water.
"Ha, ha, ha! Why don't you laugh, papa? It is so funny!" the boy cried out breathlessly.
But his father looked on soberly while the thing went through all its usual antics, and the little boy laughed harder and harder, until at last he rolled and rolled on the sandy beach, almost dead with laughter.
"Papa (папа)," he gasped (задохнулся он /от смеха/ = с трудом проговорил он сквозь смех; to gasp — дышать с трудом, задыхаться; ловить воздух), "if you do not stop this funny thing I shall die (если ту не остановишь это смешное существо, я умру)!"
Then the father picked up his bow and strung it (отец подобрал свой лук и натянул его; to string). He gave one more look at his boy (он еще раз взглянул на сына), who was gasping for breath (кто задыхался, /пытаясь/ вдохнуть; breath — дыхание, вздох); then he fitted a sharp arrow to the bow (затем он приладил острую стрелу к луку) and pierced the little Laugh-maker to the heart (и поразил маленького Смехунчика в сердце). He went out and took the skin (он вышел и взял шкуру), and they returned in silence to the camp of the Bears (и они вернулись в молчании в стойбище Медведей).
gasp [gRsp], sharp [SRp], return [rI`tWn]
"Papa," he gasped, "if you do not stop this funny thing I shall die!"
Then the father picked up his bow and strung it. He gave one more look at his boy, who was gasping for breath; then he fitted a sharp arrow to the bow and pierced the little Laugh-maker to the heart. He went out and took the skin, and they returned in silence to the camp of the Bears.
Now the next time that the herald called upon the Bears to "go a-laughing," (ну и вот, следующий раз, когда глашатай призвал Медведей посмеяться) the skin of the Laugh-maker was almost dry (шкура Смехунчика была почти сухой = почти высохла), but they knew nothing of it (но они ничего не знали об этом). They went away as usual (они ушли как обычно), and left the young man alone with his son (и оставили молодого человека одного с его сыном). But he (но он), knowing that his wife's kinsfolk would kill him (зная, что родня его жены убьет его) when they discovered (когда они обнаружат) what he had done (что он сделал), took the skin for a quiver (взял шкуру для колчана = чтобы сшить из нее колчан) and went homeward with his child (и направился домой со своим ребенком; homeward — домой, к дому; на родину).
almost [`Llmqust], alone [q`lqun], quiver [`kwIvq]
Now the next time that the herald called upon the Bears to "go a-laughing," the skin of the Laugh-maker was almost dry, but they knew nothing of it. They went away as usual, and left the young man alone with his son. But he, knowing that his wife's kinsfolk would kill him when they discovered what he had done, took the skin for a quiver and went homeward with his child.
almost [`Llmqust], alone [q`lqun], quiver [`kwIvq]
Now the next time that the herald called upon the Bears to "go a-laughing," the skin of the Laugh-maker was almost dry, but they knew nothing of it. They went away as usual, and left the young man alone with his son. But he, knowing that his wife's kinsfolk would kill him when they discovered what he had done, took the skin for a quiver and went homeward with his child.
The Friendly Skeleton (Доброжелательный Скелет)
An old man and his little nephew once lived in a dark woods (старик и его маленький племянник когда-то жили в темной дровосеке). One day the man went hunting (однажды старик: «мужчина» ушел охотиться = на охоту), and just before leaving (и как раз перед уходом) told the boy he must not go eastward (сказал мальчику, что тот не должен ходить на восток). But the boy became tired of playing in one place (но мальчик устал играть на одном месте), and was one day tempted to go in the forbidden direction (и однажды не удержался и пошел в запретном направлении; to tempt — соблазнять, искушать; прельщать, привлекать, притягивать; to forbid) until he came to a large lake (пока он не добрался до большого озера), where he stopped to play (где он /и/ остановился поиграть). While thus engaged (пока /он/ был так занят; to engage — привлекать, увлекать, занимать) a man came up to him and said (/какой-то/ мужчина подошел к нему и сказал), "Well, boy, where do you come from (эй, мальчик, откуда ты; to come from — быть родом из, происходить из)?"
nephew [`nevjH], eastward [`Jstwqd], forbidden [fq`bIdn], direction [dI`rekS(q)n, daI`rekS(q)n], engaged [In`geIGd]
An old man and his little nephew once lived in a dark woods. One day the man went hunting, and just before leaving told the boy he must not go eastward. But the boy became tired of playing in one place, and was one day tempted to go in the forbidden direction until he came to a large lake, where he stopped to play. While thus engaged a man came up to him and said, "Well, boy, where do you come from?"
The boy told him (мальчик рассказал ему) that he came from the woods (что он пришел из леса). Then the man said (тогда человек сказал), "Let us play together at shooting arrows (давай поиграем вместе в стрельбу из лука: «в стрельбу стрелами»)." So they shot off their arrows up into the air (итак, они выпустили свои стрелы вверх в воздух), and the boy's arrow went much the higher (и стрела мальчика ушла намного дальше). Then the man said, "Let us see (давай посмотрим) which can swim the farthest without breathing (который /из нас/ сможет проплыть дольше без дыхания = не дыша)," and again the boy beat the man (и снова мальчик победил мужчину; to beat — бить; побеждать). Then the latter said (тогда последний = мужчина сказал), "Let us go to the island (поедем на остров), where you will see many pretty birds (где ты увидишь много красивых птиц)." So they entered the canoe (и вот, они сели в каноэ: «зашли в каноэ»). Now, on either side of the canoe were three swans (а с каждой стороны каноэ было /по/ три лебедя) which propelled it (которые двигали его; to propel — толкать вперед, двигать; ускорять).
breathing [`bri:DIN], beat [bJt], island [`aIlqnd], canoe [kq`nH], swan [swOn], propel [prq`pel]
The boy told him that he came from the woods. Then the man said, "Let us play together at shooting arrows." So they shot off their arrows up into the air, and the boy's arrow went much the higher. Then the man said, "Let us see which can swim the farthest without breathing," and again the boy beat the man. Then the latter said, "Let us go to the island, where you will see many pretty birds." So they entered the canoe. Now, on either side of the canoe were three swans which propelled it.
As soon as they were seated in the canoe (как только они уселись в каноэ) the man began singing (мужчина начал петь), and very soon they arrived at the island (и очень скоро они приплыли на остров), around which they traveled for some time (вокруг которого они покатались некоторое время), and then the man took off all the boy's clothes (а затем мужчина снял всю одежду с мальчика), and, jumping into his canoe, said (и, запрыгнув в свое каноэ, сказал), "Come, swans, let us go home (пошли = вперед, лебеди, пойдем домой)," and he began to sing (и он начал петь). When the boy perceived (когда мальчик осознал; to perceive — воспринимать, понимать, осознавать) that he was deserted (что его бросили: «что он был оставлен/покинут») he went up the bank (он взобрался на берег) and sat down and cried (сел и заплакал), for he was naked and cold (ведь он был голый и замерз: «и холодный»).
arrive [q`raIv], jump [GAmp], perceive [pq`sJv], desert [dI`zq:t]
As soon as they were seated in the canoe the man began singing, and very soon they arrived at the island, around which they traveled for some time, and then the man took off all the boy's clothes, and, jumping into his canoe, said, "Come, swans, let us go home," and he began to sing. When the boy perceived that he was deserted he went up the bank and sat down and cried, for he was naked and cold.
It began to grow dark very fast (начало темнеть очень быстро; to grow dark — темнеть: «становиться темно»), and he was greatly frightened (и он был сильно напуган) when he heard a voice say (когда он услышал, /как/ /чей-то/ голос произнес), "Hist (тсс)! keep still (молчи: «держи тихо = оставайся тихим»)," and, looking around (и, оглянувшись), he saw a skeleton on the ground near him (он увидел скелет на земле возле него), which beckoned him and said (который поманил его и сказал; to beckon — манить, кивать; делать знак /рукой, пальцем/), "Poor boy (бедный мальчик), it was the same thing with me (та же самая вещь была и со мной = то же самое произошло и со мной), but I will help you (но я помогу тебе) if you will do something for me (если ты сделаешь кое-что для меня)." The boy readily consented (мальчик с готовностью согласился).
frighten [fraItn], skeleton [`skelItn], beckon [`bek(q)n], readily [`redIlI], consent [kqn`sent]
It began to grow dark very fast, and he was greatly frightened when he heard a voice say, "Hist! keep still," and, looking around, he saw a skeleton on the ground near him, which beckoned him and said, "Poor boy, it was the same thing with me, but I will help you if you will do something for me." The boy readily consented.
Then the skeleton told him to go to a tree near by (тогда скелет сказал ему пойти к дереву поблизости), and dig on the west side of it (и копать на западной стороне от него), and he would find a tobacco-pouch full of tobacco (и он найдет табачный мешочек, полный табака), a pipe (трубку), and a flint (и кремень); and the boy found them (и мальчик нашел их; to find) and brought them to the skeleton (и принес их скелету; to bring). It then said (он /скелет/ затем сказал), "Fill the pipe and light it (наполни трубку и зажги ее)"; and he did so (и он сделал так). "Put it in my mouth (вставь ее в мой рот)," said the skeleton (сказал скелет); and he did so (и он сделал так). Then, as the skeleton smoked (затем, пока скелет курил), the boy saw that its body was full of mice (мальчик увидел, что его тело было полно мышей), which went away because of the smoke (которые убежали из-за дыма).
pouch [pauC], tobacco [tq`bxkqu], body [`bOdI], mice [maIs]
Then the skeleton told him to go to a tree near by, and dig on the west side of it, and he would find a tobacco-pouch full of tobacco, a pipe, and a flint; and the boy found them and brought them to the skeleton. It then said, "Fill the pipe and light it"; and he did so. "Put it in my mouth," said the skeleton; and he did so. Then, as the skeleton smoked, the boy saw that its body was full of mice, which went away because of the smoke.
Then the skeleton felt better (тогда скелет почувствовал /себя/ лучше; to feel), and told the boy (и рассказал мальчику) that a man with three dogs (что человек с тремя собаками) was coming to the island that night to kill him (придет на остров той ночью убить его), and in order to escape (и, чтобы сбежать) he must run all over the island (он должен обежать весь остров) and jump into the water and out again many times (и прыгнуть в воду и из /нее/ много раз), so that the man would lose the trail (чтобы мужчина потерял след). Then, after tracking the island all over (затем, после /того, как он/ оставит следы по всему острову), he must get into a hollow tree near by (он должен забраться в пустое/дуплистое дерево поблизости), and stay all night (и остаться /там на/ всю ночь).
island [`aIlqnd], escape [Is`keIp], lose [lHz], hollow [`hOlqu]
Then the skeleton felt better, and told the boy that a man with three dogs was coming to the island that night to kill him, and in order to escape he must run all over the island and jump into the water and out again many times, so that the man would lose the trail. Then, after tracking the island all over, he must get into a hollow tree near by, and stay all night.
So the boy tracked the island all over (итак, мальчик наследил на всем острове) and jumped into the water many times (и прыгал в воду много раз), and at last went into the tree (и наконец забрался в дерево). In the early morning he heard a canoe come ashore (рано утром он услышал, /как/ каноэ подошло к берегу), and, looking out (и, выглянув), saw another man with three dogs (увидел другого мужчину с тремя собаками), to whom the man said (которым мужчина сказал), "My dogs, you must catch this animal (мои псы, вы должны поймать этого зверька)." Then they ran all over the island (затем они обежали весь остров), but not finding him (но не нашли его), the man became so angry (мужчина так разозлился) that he killed one of the dogs (что убил одного из псов) and ate him all up (и съел его всего; to eat smth. up). Then, taking the two remaining (затем, забрав двух оставшихся), he went away (он ушел прочь).
ashore [q`SL], animal [`xnIm(q)l], ate [et]
So the boy tracked the island all over and jumped into the water many times, and at last went into the tree. In the early morning he heard a canoe come ashore, and, looking out, saw another man with three dogs, to whom the man said, "My dogs, you must catch this animal." Then they ran all over the island, but not finding him, the man became so angry that he killed one of the dogs and ate him all up. Then, taking the two remaining, he went away.
The boy then came out from his hiding-place (мальчик вышел из своего убежища), and went to the skeleton, who said (и подошел к скелету, который сказал), "Are you still alive (ты все еще жив)?" The boy replied (мальчик ответил), "Yes (да)." "Well (хорошо)," said the skeleton, "the man who brought you here (человек, который привез тебя сюда; to bring) will come tonight to drink your blood (придет сегодня вечером выпить твою кровь), and you must go down to the shore (и ты должен пойти вниз на берег) where he will come in (где он будет приходить = сходить), and dig a long pit (и выкопать длинную яму) and lie down in it (и лечь в нее) and cover yourself up with the sand (и закрыть себя песком) so he cannot see you (чтобы он не смог увидеть тебя), and when he comes ashore and is off ( и когда он сойдет на берег и уйдет; to come ashore; to be off), you must get into the canoe and say (ты должен забраться в каноэ и сказать), 'Come, swans, let's go home (вперед, лебеди, пойдем домой),' and if the man calls for you to come back ( и если мужчина позовет тебя вернуться) you must not turn around or look at him (ты не должен оборачиваться или смотреть на него)."
reply [rI`plaI], around [q`raund]
The boy then came out from his hiding-place, and went to the skeleton, who said, "Are you still alive?" The boy replied, "Yes." "Well," said the skeleton, "the man who brought you here will come tonight to drink your blood, and you must go down to the shore where he will come in, and dig a long pit and lie down in it and cover yourself up with the sand so he cannot see you, and when he comes ashore and is off, you must get into the canoe and say, 'Come, swans, let's go home,' and if the man calls for you to come back you must not turn around or look at him."