58个成语故事(英文版合辑三)（带音频）

英语·成语故事

吉米老师碎碎念：同学们在听第一遍音频的时候最好先不要看文本，采用盲听的方式，看看自己能听懂多少。

然后对照原文听第二遍，注意每个单词的发音。第三遍继续盲听，再对照，以此反复，精听至少4遍，直到自己能够听清每个单词及发音技巧。

这个方法能够帮助你提升英语的语感和听力。如果同学们在听第一遍的时候已经能够听清80%的单词，证明你的英语水平真的很了不起哦。

21.塞翁失马

There was an old man named Sai Weng. He lived on the northern borders. He kept many horses.

One day, one horse was missing. His neighbours came to comfort him when they heard the news. However, Sai Weng said: “Maybe it’s not a bad thing.” The neighbours were confused why he was not sad.

However, some days later, the missing horse came back, with a great steed beside it. People came to congratulate him, but the old man said: “ Maybe it’s a bad thing.” One day his son fell off the great steed and hurt his legs. People came to comfort the old man, and the old man said: “ Maybe it’s a lucky thing for me.”

One year later, all young men in the country were asked to join a war. Most young men died during the war. Luckily, his son avoided it because of his broken legs.

Under certain conditions, good things and bad things can be exchanged. Bad things can become good things, good things can become bad things.

故事梗概

战国时期，靠近北部边城，住着一个老人，名叫塞翁。塞翁养了许多马，一天，他的马群中忽然有一匹走失了。邻居们听说这件事，跑来安慰，劝他不必太着急，年龄大了，多注意身体。塞翁见有人劝慰，笑了笑说：“丢了一匹马损失不大，没准会带来什么福气呢。”

邻居听了塞翁的话，心里觉得很好笑。马丢了，明明是件坏事，他却认为也许是好事，显然是自我安慰而已。过了几天，丢失的马不仅自动返回家，还带回一匹匈奴的骏马。人们都前来祝贺他。那老人又说：“这怎么就不是一种灾祸呢？”

塞翁的儿子爱好骑马，结果从马上掉下来摔断了腿。人们都前来慰问他。那老人说：“这怎么就不是一件好事呢？”过了一年，胡人大举入侵边塞，健壮男子都被征兵去作战。边塞附近的人，死亡众多。惟有塞翁的儿子因为腿瘸免于征战，父子俩一同保全了性命。

这个故事告诉我们：在一定的条件下，好事和坏事是可以互相转换的，坏事可以变成好事，好事可以变成坏事。

22.一鸣惊人

The king of Chu had been a king for three years, but he never managed the state affairs. A minister was worried so he said to the king: “ I have a puzzle. Could you help me to solve it?” The king said: “ What is it?” The minister answered: “ There is a bird living in the South Mountains. It never sings or flies. Why?”

The king smiled: “ In order to make its wings stronger, it never flies. And for knowing the situations, it never sings. Although it does not fly, it will fly straight into the sky afterwards; Even if it doesn’t sing, its singing must be surprising once it does. Don’t worry, I know what you mean.”

After half a year, the king of Chu managed the state affairs. He abolished the unreasonable laws and made new laws. He fired the incompetent ministers and asked the learned people for help.

The State of Chu became better and better. And the king became a leader of all the countries.

故事梗概

楚庄王即位了三年，没管理过国家大事。大臣伍举很着急，进宫去对楚庄王说：“大王，我有个谜解不开，想请您猜一猜。”楚庄王说：“您就说吧！”伍举说：“有一只鸟停在南山上，三年来不飞也不叫，这是什么缘故呢？”楚庄王笑笑说：“三年不飞，为了让翅膀长得坚强些；三年不叫，为了看看周围的情形。它虽然不飞，一飞起来就直冲云霄；虽然不叫，一叫出声就让人吃惊（一鸣惊人）。您放心吧，我知道您的意思了。”又过了半年，楚庄王亲自管理起国家大事来。他废除了不合理的法令，制定了新的法令；罢免了不称职的大臣，请有学问的人来帮他办事。楚庄王把楚国治理得很好，后来成了各国君主的首领。

23.嗟来之食

One year, there was a serious famine in the State of Qi.

A rich man named Qian Ao set up a stall with lots of porridge, waiting for hungry people to have.

After a while, a ravenous (starving) man in shabby clothes walked over powerlessly. When Qian Ao saw this, he shouted: “Hey. Come here! There is enough food for you!”

As soon as Qian Ao heard this, he realized that his attitude was bad and apologized to that man immediately.

But eventually the man starved to death because he was unwilling to take any porridge.

故事梗概

齐国大饥荒。有个人叫黔敖，他煮了一大锅粥，摆在大路边上，救济挨饿的人。有一个人饿得有气没力，跌跌撞撞地从大路那头走过来。黔敖看见了就大声吆喝说：“嗨，到这儿来！我让你吃个饱！”

那个人抬起头来，瞪着眼睛对黔敖说：“你吆喝什么！我就不吃那些吆喝别人的人的东西，所以饿成这样了！我才不吃你的东西哪！”黔敖才觉得自己的态度不好，赶忙道歉。可是那个人怎么说也不肯吃，终于饿死了。

24.朝三暮四

A man likes monkeys very much. He keeps a crowd of monkeys. These monkeys can understand the man’s words.

In order to keep these monkeys, the man spends almost all the money. So he says to the monkeys: “ If I give you three chestnuts in the morning and four in the afternoon, what do you say?” All the monkeys don’t agree with that. They jump and yell.

The man says: “ How about giving you four in the morning and three in the afternoon?” The monkeys are all happy.

故事梗概

有一个人叫狙[jū］公，最喜欢猴子。他养了一大群猴子，那些猴子都能听懂他的话。狙公为了养猴子，把家产几乎花光了，后来实在供不起了，只好对猴子说：“我给你们吃栗子，每天早上给三个，晚上给四个，你们看怎么样？”猴子都不满意起来，又是跳，又是叫。

狙公一转念头，马上改口说：“那就这么办吧。我每天早上给四个，晚上给三个，你们总该满意了吧？”猴子都高兴起来，伏在狙公跟前，伸出前爪来领他们的口粮。

25.刮目相看

When Lv Meng was young, he was so poor that he had no chance to read books.

Later, Lv Meng followed the Sun Quan, and joined the army. In his opinion, he thought he could win if he was brave enough.

One day, Sun Quan told Lv Meng: “You should pay more attention to reading books.”

After hearing this, Lv Meng laughed and said: “But, as you know, I am too busy to read books.”

Sun Quan said seriously: “Reading books is helpful for you. I am busy, too, and I must read books if I have any time.”

Lv Meng adopted the Sun Quan’s advice and made up his mind to read.

Once, Lu Su came over and discussed the issue with Lv Meng and was shocked by Lv Meng.

Lu Su said: “Now, you are totally different and not the man before at all!”

Lv Meng laughed: “Now, you should look at me with new eyes!”

故事梗概

当吕蒙年轻的时候，他太穷了以致于没有机会读书。后来，吕蒙跟随了孙权，并参了军。在他看来，只要他足够勇敢，打仗就会赢。

一天，孙权对吕蒙说：“你应该注意多读书。“听到这个，吕蒙笑笑说：“但是，我太忙了没有时间读书。” 孙权严肃地说；“读书对你大有益处！我也很忙，但我一有时间就必须读书。”吕蒙听取了孙权的建议并决心读书。一次，当鲁肃来和吕蒙一起议事，被吕蒙震惊到了。鲁肃说：“你现在完全不同了，不再是吴下时的没有才学的阿蒙了!” 吕蒙笑道：“士别三日，当刮目相看。”

26.礼轻意重

In old time, local officials must offer some tributes to the Emperor each year. Mian Bogao, from Yunnan, was assigned to send a swan to the Emperor.

There was no transportation at that time and he had to walk to Chang’an. It was a long and hard time. He kept on walking without break whether day or night. A few days later, Mian Bogao was exhausted and also found the swan was very dusty. So he decided to help the swan take a bath in the river. As soon as the swan was put into the river, it fluttered its wings and flew away. Finally, Mian Bogao only got several feathers. He had no choice but to send these pieces of feathers to the Emperor. But surprisingly, the Emperor rewarded Mian Bogao instead of being angry！

故事梗概

在古时，当地官员每年必须要向皇帝进贡。云南的缅伯高被派去给皇帝送一只天鹅。在当时没有交通工具，只能步行去长安，那需要很长时间而且非常艰苦。无论白天晚上，他都不休息一直不停地走。几天后，缅伯高精疲力竭，发现天鹅也满身灰尘。于是他决定帮天鹅在河中洗个澡。天鹅一被放进水中，就挥挥翅膀飞走了。最后，缅伯高只抓到了几根羽毛。他别无选择，只能把这几根羽毛送给了皇帝。但是，使人惊奇的是，皇帝没有生气而是奖赏了缅伯高。

27.不自量力

In the Spring and Autumn Period, the State of Zheng and the State of Xi were friendly to each other.

One year, the State of Xi fell out with the State of Zheng because of a trivial matter.

The king of the State of Xi was angry and he wanted to attack the State of Zheng. So he called his ministers together to discuss the thing.

His ministers persuaded him not to attack the State of Zheng, because they were weaker than them.

The king of Xi didn’t listen to them. He ordered all the soldiers to attack the State of Zheng.

As a result, all the soldiers were beaten to pieces.

故事梗概

故事发生在春秋时代。那时，郑国和息国睦邻相处。一年，息国为了一件小事，和郑国闹翻。息国国王要讨伐郑国，就召集大臣来商议。他的大臣们却说他不要去攻打郑国，因为我们的力量更弱。息国国王对这些劝说一点也听不进。他下令要全体兵向郑国发起袭击。最后，息国兵被打得丢盔弃甲，狼狈不堪。

28.返老还童

Liu An liked finding the way to live forever since he was a youth. So he was asking around about the elixir of life.

One day, eight old men told him that they had the medicine and wanted to give it to him. Liu An was so happy to hear that and invited them to his palace.

But when he saw the eight old men, he was unhappy and said: “You are such old men.

How can I believe that you can make me stay young and live forever?” The old men laughed: “Do you think we are too old? Then, look at us carefully.”

After saying this, they became eight children.

故事梗概

相传，刘安自年轻时代起，就喜好求仙之道。封淮南王以后，更是潜心钻研，四处派人打听却老之术，访寻长生不老之药。有一天，忽然有八位白发银须的老汉求见，说是他们有返老还童之术，并愿把长生不老药献给淮南王。刘安一听，知是仙人求见，真是大喜过望，急忙开门迎见，但一见那八个老翁，却不禁哑然失笑。原来八个老汉一个个白发银须，虽然精神矍铄，但毕竟是老了呀！哪会有什么防老之术呢？

“你们自己都那样老了，我又怎么可以相信，你们有防老之法术呢？这分明是骗人！”说完，叫守门人把他们撵走。

八个老汉互相望了一眼，哈哈笑道：“淮南王嫌我们年老吗？好吧！那么，再让他仔细地看看我们吧！”

说着，八个老翁一眨眼工夫，忽然全变成儿童了。

29.螳螂捕蝉

Once, there was a King who was very arrogant. In his opinion, he was the best and his state was the strongest. So he was going to invade his neighbouring state without listening to any advice.

A young man wanted to dissuade the King but he didn’t dare. Then an idea occurred to him. He took the King into the garden. The young man pointed to a tree and said: “My King. Look at the tree. There is a cicada in the tree. The cicada is high above, chirping leisurely and taking in the dew freely, but he has no idea that a mantis is right behind him. The mantis, pressing his body in a concealed place, is intent on catching the cicada, but he doesn’t know that a siskin is hiding right behind him. Look! All of them make effort only to get the benefit before them, but they ignore the danger behind them at the same time.”

The King was suddenly enlightened after hearing this and gave up the plan to invade other state.

When dealing with the problems, we should look before you leap.

故事梗概

一次，吴王要进攻楚国。他警告大臣们说：“有谁再敢来劝阻我进攻楚国，我就处死他。”

吴王的门客中有一个年轻人，想去劝阻但又不敢。他怀里揣着弹弓，一连三个早晨在吴工的后花园里徘徊。露水湿透了他的衣服。一天，吴王叫住他：“露水把你的衣服湿成这个样子。你何必吃这个苦呢？”

年轻人回答说：“这个园子里，有一棵树，树上有一只蝉。蝉高高在上，悠闲地叫着，自由自在地吸着露水，却不知道有一只蝗螂在它身后呢！而蝉身后的蝗螂把身子紧紧地贴在隐蔽的地方，只想去捕蝉，却不知道有一只黄雀早已躲在它的身后。黄雀正伸长了脖子想去啄蝗螂，却不知道在它下面正有人拿着弹弓呢！你看这三只小生物，只是力求得到它们眼前的利益，却全不管它们身后隐伏着祸患啊！”

吴王听了年轻人的话后，恍然大悟说：“你说得好啊！”

于是，吴王就不再进攻楚国了。

这个故事告诉我们：在考虑问题、处理事情时，要深思熟虑，考虑后果，不要只顾眼前利益，而不顾后患。

30.按图索骥

In the Spring and Autumn Period, a man named Bo Le is an expert in identifying a good horse.

He put his experiences in this area into his book Physiognomy Of Horses, which illustrated all kinds of horses with rich pictures and words.

His son wanted to learn his skill about identifying a good horse. Then he read the book carefully over and over again.

He thought he had mastered the skill.

Once he saw a toad along the road, whose forehead was in accord with the features of a good horse.

Then he rushed to his father and told him he had found a good steed. Hearing this, Bo Le didn’t know whether to cry or laugh. He had to reply jokingly: “ This horse does too  well in jumping, so it’s hard for us to rein it. ”

故事梗概

春秋时期，有个人叫伯乐，他非常善于鉴别马匹，他将自己这方面的经验写成了一本书《相马经》，书中图文并茂地介绍了各类马匹。他的儿子想学到识马的本领。于是就把父亲的这本书反复诵读，之后，他就以为自己已经掌握了这个本领。有一次他在路上看到了一只癞蛤蟆，前额刚好与《相马经》上的好马特征相符，便以为找到了一匹千里马，马上跑去告诉父 亲。伯乐被儿子弄得哭笑不得，就开玩笑的回答说：“这匹马太会跳了，不好驾驭。”