Butterfly Effect
Roman Zharov
Ellina Devyatova
Эта книга рассказывает о приключениях маленького муравья в большом мире. О нежданном путешествии из мира повседневной обыденности в мир невероятных приключений и удивительных встреч. О том, как открывается мир ищущему взору, как враги становятся друзьями, а маленькие и незаметные настоящими героями.
Книга написана на английском языке и прекрасно подойдет для изучающих английский язык детей и взрослых. В диалогах приведено множество разговорных фраз, идиом и других оборотов речи используемых в живом языке.
This book tells the story of a small ant's adventures in a big world. It follows an unexpected journey from the realm of ordinary, everyday life to a world of incredible adventures and remarkable encounters. The story explores how the world reveals itself to those who are curious, how mortal enemies can become friends, and how those who were once small and overlooked can become true heroes. Written in English, this book is perfect for English learners—kids and adults alike.
Roman Zharov, Ellina Devyatova
Butterfly Effect
THE BUTTERFLY
An ant was crawling up a long, pale green blade of grass* that stood sharply out from the waving sea of surrounding grass. This blade was notably longer and distinct from the rest, seemingly out of place in this field. Was it because of the wind, playfully carrying seeds wherever it went, or perhaps a wild spring that flooded fields and copses, filling the valley with water and sun glare, pleasing frogs and storks equally? We may never know. Fleecy and slim as an arrow, the blade extended almost straight at first but then bent more and more toward the sun, which was rising in its full glory*.
As a rule of thumb*, ants don't have names, simply because there are far more ants than there are names. Besides, it isn’t worth the effort to remember the name of someone you’re unlikely to meet again. In the hustle and bustle* of a workday, a simple ‘Hey!’ works as effectively as any other sound made to attract the attention of another, especially in a perfectly organized process. However, to make our protagonist easier to refer to, let’s give him a name, say 'K'.
K couldn't explain why he dropped the piece of leaf he was carrying and started climbing the blade of grass, not even under a judicial oath in a high court*. He had simply stopped as he passed by, hearing 'Hey' echo around him dozens of times, while other ants made their way around the spot. He placed the leaf on the ground and looked up. The tip of the blade was waving in the wind, occasionally disappearing into the sun's glare. Something stirred within him, causing a swirl in his stomach*. Slowly, as if unsure, he moved toward the blade and began climbing. Halfway up, when he had almost reached the middle, he paused and looked down at the ground. The rest of his people continued their tasks as if nothing had happened. They straightened their path through the spot where K had stopped, and someone had already taken care of the leaf he dropped, without much of a "Whose is it?”. K tore his gaze* from the ground and continued to the top.
Unlike down on the ground, at the top of the grass blade, the weather was excellent! It was still pre-dawn down there beneath the grass cover, and it was a great feeling to emerge from the damp darkness. K exposed his face to the rising sun and enjoyed the flow of fresh air.
Suddenly, he spotted two beautiful butterflies flying nearby. Their wings looked like they were made of blue velvet with two small black dots on them, one on each. Their feelers and the fur on their necks shimmered with mother-of-pearl. They looked so free and happy that he started feeling envious. He couldn’t remember a time when he had ever rested in his life. All ants knew that they lived to work for the sake of their brothers and sisters. And they all had to stick together* to survive, as the Queen of ants always said. Unfortunately, there was a lot of truth in what she said, and everyone just had to believe it.
In contrast to many others, ants don’t have much to defend them