The Poor People｜穷人

原著作者｜Victor Hugo Outside the window the cold wind howled Whoosh! Whoosh! Inside the small fisherman's hut it was warm and dim Jeanne sat by the fire mending an old fishing net Her five children were asleep in their beds breathing soft and slow Jeanne looked at the clock “My husband is still out on the sea,” she whispered “The storm is so strong tonight.” She worried about him but she also worried about her neighbor— poor Mrs Simon Mrs Simon was very sick and she lived all alone “I must go and check on her,” Jeanne thought She put on her shawl opened the door and stepped into the dark night The neighbor's house was cold and quiet Sadly, Mrs Simon had passed away But in a little corner Jeanne saw a cradle Inside were two little babies sleeping side by side They had curly hair and round chubby cheeks Jeanne’s heart beat fast— Thump! Thump! “We are so poor,” she said to herself “We have five children and only a little bread. How can we feed two more?” But the babies looked so small and so helpless Jeanne did not think twice She wrapped them in her shawl picked them up gently and carried them home Back in her hut she put the babies on her bed and hid them behind a curtain Her face was pale “What will my husband say?” she worried Suddenly the door opened A tall man walked in It was her husband the fisherman He was wet and tired His heavy boots went— Clomp! Clomp! “Oh, you are back!” Jeanne said “Did you catch any fish?” The fisherman shook his head “No fish tonight— only a torn net.” He sat by the fire to warm his hands “Jeanne,” he asked “What were you doing while I was gone?” Jeanne looked down at the floor “I went to see Mrs Simon,” she said softly “She is gone and she left two little babies behind.” The fisherman stopped moving The room was very quiet He looked at the fire and scratched his head “Two babies?” he asked “Well,” he stood up tall “We are poor, that is true. But we cannot let them stay in the cold.” He smiled a kind smile “Go get them, Jeanne— we will make room for them.” Jeanne’s eyes filled with tears She smiled back at him Slowly she pulled back the curtain “Look,” she whispered happily “they are already here.”前往小宇宙评论区与主播互动