Золушка / Cinderella

Д. Л. Абрагин

А. А. Пахомова

Карманное чтение на английском языке

В книгу вошли известные классические сказки, любимые многими: «Золушка», «Русалочка», «Кот в сапогах» и другие.

Текст произведений адаптирован и сопровождается словарем. Предназначается для начинающих изучать английский язык (уровень Elementary).

Золушка / Cinderella

© Д.Л. Абрагин, А.А. Пахомова, адаптация текста

© ООО «Издательство АСТ», 2019

Cinderella

Once upon a time, there lived a gentleman[1 - Once upon a time, there lived a gentleman – Жил-был один господин], who after his beautiful and kind wife died, married the proudest and meanest woman in all the land[2 - the proudest and meanest woman in all the land – самой высокомерной и недоброй женщине в округе].

She had two daughters from a previous marriage who were just as nasty and haughty as their mother.

The gentleman also had a young daughter by another wife[3 - by another wife – от прежней жены] named Cinderella, who was one of the sweetest girls in the kingdom.

Cinderella’s stepmother was extremely jealous of her beauty and charm and made her do[4 - made her do – заставляла ее делать] the hardest and most dreadful work in the house.

Cinderella did the dishes[5 - did the dishes – мыла посуду], scrubbed the floor and made the beds[6 - made the beds – убирала постели] while her stepsisters rested in their beds or had fun playing dress-up.

Now, it so happened that the King’s son decided to give a ball, inviting all the young ladies in the land to attend.

Cinderella’s stepmother and stepsisters were delighted and would talk of nothing but the ball all day long. They sent for the greatest designers in the kingdom to ensure that they looked their best[7 - to ensure that they looked their best – чтобы быть уверенными, что они будут выглядеть лучше всех].

Cinderella offered to help them get ready for the ball, for she had excellent taste, and despite how her stepsisters treated her, she always gave them the best advice.

As she helped them, the eldest sister asked, “Cinderella, are you not going to the ball?”

Cinderella sadly lowered her head and said, “No, you’re only teasing me because I have nothing to wear for the ball. Perhaps I could borrow something?”

“Lend our clothes to such a dirty Cinderwench[8 - Cinderwench – Замарашка]? We’re not fools!” And the sisters laughed cruelly.

When the big day finally came, Cinderella accompanied her stepmother and stepsisters to the Court and couldn’t help but burst into tears as she watched them enter the beautiful ball[9 - couldn’t help but burst into tears as she watched them enter the beautiful ball – не могла сдержать слез при виде того, как они оказались на прекрасном балу].

As she wept, Cinderella’s fairy godmother appeared.

“Cinderella, why are you crying?” she asked.

“You wish to attend the ball, is that not so?”

“Yes,” cried Cinderella, between sobs.

The fairy godmother smiled and said, “Well, run into the garden and bring me a pumpkin.”

Cinderella immediately went to get the finest pumpkin she could find.

When she brought it, her godmother struck the pumpkin with her wand, instantly turning it into a fine coach plated with gold and silver.

Next, she had Cinderella find some mice[10 - had Cinderella find some mice – заставила Золушку найти нескольких мышей], and when she brought the furry little creatures back, the fairy godmother tapped them each with her wand, turning[11 - turning – превращая] them into six fine horses and a coachman.

“Well, what do you say? Do you still think you are not able to attend the ball?” asked her godmother.

“Oh yes!” cried Cinderella, “but should I go looking like this, in these rags?[12 - but should I go looking like this, in these rags? – но как я буду выглядеть в этих лохмотьях?]”

Her godmother only touched her with her wand, and instantly Cinderella’s rags turned into a dress of white and silver, sparkling with jewels.

To top it off[13 - To top it off – для завершения образа]