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Scene 1 · Intermediate
Une cane attend sur son nid
A duck waiting on her nest
French
C’était l’été, et la campagne resplendissait. Aux céréales dorées répondaient l’avoine verte et les meules de foin dans les prés. Une cigogne aux longues pattes rouges bavardait dans la langue des Égyptiens que sa mère lui avait apprise. Au-delà des champs s’étendaient de grandes forêts aux mares profondes.
English translation
It was summer, and the countryside was radiant. Golden grain was set off by green oats and haystacks in the meadows. A long-legged stork with red legs chatted in the language of the Egyptians, which her mother had taught her. Beyond the fields stretched great forests with deep ponds.
French
Près d’une vieille ferme ensoleillée, d’immenses feuilles de bardane poussaient jusqu’à la rivière. Un petit enfant aurait pu se tenir sous les plus hautes. Dans cet abri presque sauvage, une cane couvait ses œufs. Les petits tardaient à éclore, et elle se lassait d’attendre seule. Ses compagnes préféraient nager plutôt que gravir les berges glissantes pour bavarder avec elle.
English translation
Near an old, sunlit farm, enormous burdock leaves grew all the way to the river. A little child could have stood beneath the tallest ones. In this almost-wild shelter, a duck was sitting on her eggs. The little ones were taking a long time to hatch, and she was growing tired of waiting alone. Her companions preferred swimming to climbing the slippery banks to chat with her.
Continue with Le Vilain Petit Canard
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