Charlotte's Web   by E.B.White

Chapter 1.  Before Breakfast

№.1 -

【译文】它长得又小又弱，没有任何可留下来的价值了。

【短语笔记】amount to
【双语释义】 (1)To add up in number or quantity:    总共，合计：数字或数量加在一起：
【例】The purchases amounted to 50 dollars.（买东西总共花了50美元。）

(2)To add up in import or effect:    等同，接近：重要性或效果相当于：
【例】That plan will never amount to anything.（那个计划无关紧要。）

(3)To be equivalent or tantamount:    等于，如同：
【例】accusations that amount to an indictment（等同于是起诉的控告）  

№.2 - "But it's unfair," cried Fern. "The pig couldn't help being born small, could it? If I had been very small at birth, would you have killed me?"

【译文】"可是这不公平，"芬哭叫着。"这头猪愿意让自己生下来就小吗，它愿意吗？如果我生下来时也很瘦小，你就会杀死我吗？"

【小编评注】正是这句话触动了我们作为人类最敏感的神经，生命有其存在的权利——这样简单的道理，却是由一个小女孩讲给世界上的大人们。也不禁让人感叹：Why do people look at something and straight away make a judgement? We may have heard the phrase 'never judge a book by its cover' but it's not so easy to do!

【短语笔记】couldn't help doing - 禁不住…；不得不…
【例】I couldn't help wondering, can we be friends with ex? （我不禁纳闷，我们可以和旧情人做朋友吗？）

  №.3 - Fern couldn't take her eyes off the tiny pig. 

【短语笔记】not take one's eyes off - 始终注视着，目不转睛地注视着

【小编评注】读《夏洛的网》，最大的感触就在于其直抵内心的纯净，真实与透彻。这个故事不需繁复的逻辑评判或是心理分析，它感动我们往往只在一举一动，一颦一笑的瞬间。You can see, hear, smell, taste and touch.

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