If only it were that simple Posted by Tim Hildreth on May 29, 2018 in Culture, Grammar, Vocabulary
My son will be 24 years old next month! He is my pride and joy, but raising a boy did have its challenges. Like many parents, I was always looking for just the right way to guide him on the path to adulthood (and to good manners, behavior, and grades!) If only I’d come across this little story sooner.
L’imprudence*
| On avait coupé des peupliers au bord d'un ruisseau profond, et ils étaient tombés les uns dans l'eau, les autres en travers du ruisseau. Requested file could not be found (error code 404). Verify the file URL specified in the shortcode. |
| Someone had cut down some poplar trees along a deep stream, and they were lying some in the water and others across the stream. |
| Le petit Théodore, en passant par là, quitta sa mère pour courir sur les troncs d'arbres Requested file could not be found (error code 404). Verify the file URL specified in the shortcode. |
| Little Teddy, passing that way, left his mother to run on the logs |
| et passer sur l'autre rive, où il voyait des fleurs charmantes; et pourtant sa mère le lui défendait! Requested file could not be found (error code 404). Verify the file URL specified in the shortcode. |
| to get to the other side of the stream, where he saw some lovely flowers; even though his mother forbid it. |
| Le petit désobéissant fit un faux pas et tomba dans l'eau. Requested file could not be found (error code 404). Verify the file URL specified in the shortcode. |
| The little disobedient one took a wrong step and fell in the water. |
| La pauvre mère poussa un cri; le grand frère de Théodore se jeta dans le ruisseau et le retira tout transi de peur et de froid. Requested file could not be found (error code 404). Verify the file URL specified in the shortcode. |
| The poor mother cried out; Teddy's big brother threw himself into the stream and pulled him, frightened and cold, out of the stream. |
| Quand Théodore vit sa mère pâle et tout en larmes, il lui promit de ne plus faire d'imprudence et de toujours l'écouter. Requested file could not be found (error code 404). Verify the file URL specified in the shortcode. |
| When Teddy saw his mother, all pale and weeping, he promised never to be careless again and to always listen to her. |
* L’imprudence can be translated as negligence, carelessness, or even recklessness.
Here is some useful vocabulary to help you with this tale.
| Français | English |
|---|---|
| le ruisseau | stream |
| l'arbre (m) | tree |
| la fleur | flower |
| la mère | mother |
| le frère | brother |
| tomber | to fall |
| la peur | fear |
Do you recognize the predominant verb tense used here? This little tale of woe uses the passé simple. It’s less and less common these days, but was the tense for writing about the past, well, in the past!
La semaine prochaine / Next week
We’ll have a short tale pour les petites filles parmi vous (for the little girls among you).
This story comes from Project Gutenberg, a source of free digital books. You can learn more and find French stories and more on your own here.This weeks photo by Anton Atanasov from Pexels (CC0 license).
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About the Author: Tim Hildreth
Since my first trip to France at 16, I have been a passionate francophile. I love the language, food, music, art, people, and more that make France and la Francophonie in general such an amazing part of our global community. Having lived in France and studied the language and culture for over 35 years, it is my great pleasure to be able to share a little bit of my deep love with you through this blog.
Comments:
Jeanne:
C’est une fleur:)
Tim Hildreth:
@Jeanne Et oui! Merci, Jeanne.