East of the Sun, West of the Moon
East of the Sun, West of the Moon East of the Sun, West of the Moon Chapter 1 The bear Long ago and far away, in a land of trolls and magic, there lived a poor farmer. His house was falling down, his family were in rags and his money was almost gone. Now winter was coming on... "Listen to the wind and the rain!" the farmer wailed. "What can I do? Won't somebody please help me?" TAP! TAP! TAP! There, at the farmhouse door, stood a big white bear. "I'm lonely," the bear said. "Lend me Astri
登录后可以听外教原声朗读。
East of the Sun, West of the Moon
East of the Sun, West of the Moon
Chapter 1 The bear
Long ago and far away, in a land of trolls and magic, there lived a poor farmer.His house was falling down, his family were in rags and his money was almost gone.Now winter was coming on...
"Listen to the wind and the rain!" the farmer wailed."What can I do? Won't somebody please help me?"
TAP! TAP! TAP! There, at the farmhouse door, stood a big white bear. "I'm lonely," the bear said."Lend me Astrid, your daughter, and I'll make you and your family rich."
"Rich?" said the farmer. "Very rich," said the bear."I'll look after her well, I promise.Tell me on Thursday if you agree."
Well, the family was so poor they had to agree.On Thursday, Astrid found herself clinging to the bear's stiff white fur as he padded away from the farmhouse.
Chapter 2 At the castle
All day long they travelled. Then, as night fell, they came to a steep cliff.Or was it the wall of a castle?Soon they were in a splendid hall made of the finest gold and silver.
"Take this bell, Astrid," said the bear."If there is anything you want, just ring it."
"All I want is a soft bed and sweet dreams,'' Astrid yawned.
That night she dreamed of a handsome young prince who sat beside her bed while she slept.The same thing happened the next night, and the night after that.
All day long Astrid rang the bell for anything she wanted.And all night long the Prince sat beside her in her dreams.
On the fourth day, Astrid sent for the bear.
"I'm homesick, '' she told him. "I want to see my family."
"Will you promise to come back?" said the bear."And will you promise not to share any secrets with your mother?"
"I promise, Bear." So the bear took Astrid home.
Chapter 3 Two promises
Astrid's first promise was easy.Her family was now rich and happy so she knew she must stay with the bear.
Her second promise was harder.In a land of trolls and magic, a girl can't help sharing secrets with her mother.
"I dreamed of a prince every night," said Astrid."Or was he real all along?" "Ah ..." her mother smiled."Next time, light this magic candle.But don't spill any magic wax on him!"
"I won't!" Astrid laughed. Astrid loved the visit to her family.But now she had a plan, she was keen to get back to the castle.
Chapter 4 Candle wax
That night, at the gold and silver castle, Astrid went to bed very early.She kept her eyes shut tight until she heard somebody sit beside her bed.Then she lit the magic candle ... much too quickly.
The Prince was real all right. As real as the three drops of magic wax Astrid had spilled on his shirt.
"Oh, Astrid,'' he groaned. "What have you done? A troll called Long Nose put a spell on me.By day I'm a white bear and by night a royal prince.Now you've spilled some magic, the spell can't be broken.I'll have to marry Long Nose!"
"How can I save you?" Astrid sobbed.
"You can't,'' said the Prince, sadly."Long Nose will lock me in her castle until our wedding day.It lies east of the sun and west of the moon, so nobody can find me."
"I can still try ..." said Astrid.
Chapter 5 Three hags
