CLEVER ELSIE-GRIMM’S FAIRY TALES Một trong những bộ truyện cổ nổi tiếng nhất thế giới đã được dịch ra nhiều thứ tiếng là Truyện cổ Grimm. Sau đây là những câu truyện cổ ấy nhưng với nguyên bản bằng tiếng anh nhằm giúp các bạn nhỏ vừa học ngoại ngữ vừa tiếp xúc với thế giới thần tiên . | CLEVER ELSIE There was once a man who had a daughter who was called Clever Elsie. And when she had grown up her father said We will get her married. Yes said the mother if only someone would come who would have her. At length a man came from a distance and wooed her who was called Hans but he stipulated that Clever Elsie should be really smart. Oh said the father she has plenty of good sense and the mother said Oh she can see the wind coming up the street and hear the flies coughing. Well said Hans if she is not really smart I won t have her. When they were sitting at dinner and had eaten the mother said Elsie go into the cellar and fetch some beer. Then Clever Elsie took the pitcher from the wall went into the cellar and tapped the lid briskly as she went so that the time might not appear long. When she was below she fetched herself a chair and set it before the barrel so that she had no need to stoop and did not hurt her back or do herself any unexpected injury. Then she placed the can before her and turned the tap and while the beer was running she would not let her eyes be idle but looked up at the wall and after much peering here and there saw a pick-axe exactly above her which the masons had accidentally left there. Then Clever Elsie began to weep and said If I get Hans and we have a child and he grows big and we send him into the cellar here to draw beer then the pick-axe will fall on his head and kill him. Then she sat and wept and screamed with all the strength of her body over the misfortune which lay before her. Those upstairs waited for the drink but Clever Elsie still did not come. Then the woman said to the servant Just go down into the cellar and see where Elsie is. The maid went and found her sitting in front of the barrel screaming loudly. Elsie why do you weep asked the maid. Ah she answered have I not reason to weep If I get Hans and we have a child and he grows big and has to draw beer here the pick-axe will perhaps fall on his head and kill .
