ฝึกพูดภาษาอังกฤษด้วยเทคนิค Shadowing จากวิดีโอ: The Candle. A Short Story by Leo Tolstoy

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The Candle, a short story by Leo Tolstoy.

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The Candle, a short story by Leo Tolstoy.

Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

But I say unto you, that ye resist not evil.

St Matthew, verses 38-39.

It was in the time of serfdom, many years before Alexander II's liberation of the 60 million serfs in 1862.

In those days the people were ruled by different kinds of lords.

There were not a few who, remembering God, treated their slaves in a humane manner and not as beasts of burden,

while there were others who were seldom known to perform a kind or generous action.

But the most barbarous and tyrannical of all were those former serfs who arose from the dirt, and became princes.

It was this latter class who made life literally a burden to those who were unfortunate enough to come under their rule.

Many of them had arisen from the ranks of the peasantry to become superintendents of noblemen's estates.

The peasants were obliged to work for their master a certain number of days each week.

There was plenty of land and water and the soil was rich and fertile,

while the meadows and forests were sufficient to supply the needs of both the peasants and their lord.

There was a certain nobleman who had chosen a superintendent from the peasantry on one of his other estates.

No sooner had the power to govern, been vested in this newly made official,

than he began to practice the most outrageous cruelties upon the poor serfs who had been placed under his control.

Although this man had a wife and two married daughters

and was making so much money that he could have lived happily without transgressing in any way against either God or man,

yet he was filled with envy and jealousy and deeply sunk in sin.

Michael Simeonovich began his persecutions by compelling the peasants to perform

more days of service on the estate every week than the laws obliged them to work.

He established a brickyard, in which he forced the men and women to do excessive labour, selling the bricks for his own profit.

On one occasion, the overworked serfs sent a delegation to Moscow to complain of their treatment to their lord, but they obtained no satisfaction.

When the poor peasants returned disconsolate from the noblemen, their superintendent determined to have revenge for their boldness in going above him for redress,

and their life and that of their fellow victims became worse than before.

It happened

that among the serfs there were some very treacherous people who would falsely accuse their fellows of wrongdoing

and sow seeds of discord among the peasantry, whereupon Michael would become greatly enraged,

while his poor subjects had began to live in fear of their lives.

When the superintendent passed through the village, the people would run and hide themselves as from a wild beast.

Seeing thus the terror which he had struck to the hearts of the Mujiks, Michael's treatment of them became still more vindictive,

so that from overwork and ill usage, the lot of the poor serfs was indeed a hard one.

There was a time when it was possible for the peasants,

when driven to despair, to devise means whereby they could rid themselves of an inhuman monster such as Simeonovich,

and so these unfortunate people began to consider whether something could not be done to relieve them of their intolerable yoke.

They would hold little meetings in secret places to bewail their misery

and to confer with one another as to which would be the best way to act.

Now and then, the boldest of the gathering would rise and address his companions in this strain.

How much longer can we tolerate such a villain to rule over us?

Let us make an end of it at once, for it were better for us to perish than to suffer.

It is surely not a sin to kill such a devil in human form.

It happened once, before the Easter holidays, that one of these meetings was held in the woods, where Michael had sent the serfs to make a clearance for their master.

At noon they assembled to eat their dinner and to hold a consultation.

Why can't we leave now? said one.

Very soon we shall be reduced to nothing.

Already we are almost worked to death, there being no rest, night or day, either for us or our poor women.

If anything should be done in a way not exactly to please him, he will find fault and perhaps flog some of us to death, death, as was the case with poor Simeon,

whom he killed not long ago.

Only recently Anissim was tortured in irons till he died.

We certainly cannot stand this much longer.

Yes, said another.

What is the use of waiting?

Let us act at once.

Michael will be here this evening, and will be certain to abuse us shamefully.

Let us then thrust him from his horse and with one blow of an axe give him what he deserves, and thus end our misery.

We can then dig a big hole and bury him like a dog, and no one will know what became of him.

Now let us come to an agreement.

To stand together as one man, and not to betray one another.

The last speaker was Vasily Minayev, who, if possible, had more cause to complain of Michael's cruelty than any of his fellow serfs.

The superintendent was in the habit of flogging him severely every week, and he took also Vasili's wife to serve him as cook.

Accordingly, during the evening that followed this meeting in the woods, Michael arrived on the scene on horseback.

He began at once to find fault with the manner in which the work had been done, and to complain because some lime trees had been cut down.

I told you not to cut down any lime trees, shouted the enraged superintendent.

Who did this thing?

Tell me at once, or I shall flog every one of you.

On investigation, a peasant named Cedar was pointed out as the guilty one, and his face was roundly slapped.

Michael also severely punished Vasili because he had not done sufficient work, after which the master rode safely home.

In the evening the serfs again assembled, and poor Vasily said, Oh, what kind of people are we anyway?

We are only sparrows and not men at all.

We agree to stand by each other, but as soon as the time for action comes, we all run and hide.

Once a lot of sparrows conspired against a hawk, but no sooner did the bird of prey appear than they sneaked off in the grass.

Selecting one of the choicest sparrows, the hawk took it away to eat, after which the others came out crying,

Tweetweet, and found that one was missing.

Who is killed? they asked.

Vanka!

Well, he deserved it.

You, my friends, are acting in just the same manner.

When Michael attacked Cedar, you should have stood by your promise.

Why didn't you arise, and with one stroke put an end to him and to our misery?

The effect of this speech was to make the peasants more firm in their determination to kill their superintendent.

The latter had already given orders

that they should be ready to plough during the Easter holidays and to sow the field with oats,

whereupon the serfs became stricken with grief and gathered in Vasili's house to hold another indignation meeting.

If he has really forgotten God, they said, and shall continue to commit such crimes against us, it is truly necessary that we should kill him.

If not, let us perish, for it can make no difference to us now.

This despairing programme, however, met with considerable opposition from a peaceably inclined man named Peter Mikheyev.

Brethren, said he, you are contemplating a grievous sin.

The taking of human life is a very serious matter.

Of course, it is easy to end the mortal existence of a man, but what will become of the souls of those who commit the deed?

If Michael continues to act toward us unjustly, God will surely punish him.

But my friends, we must have patience.

This specific utterance only served to intensify the anger of Vasili, said he.

Peter is forever repeating the same old story, it is a sin to kill anyone.

Certainly it is sinful to murder, but we should consider the kind of man we are dealing with.

We all know it is wrong to kill a good man, but even God would take away the life of such a dog as he is.

It is our duty, if we have any love for mankind, to shoot a dog that is mad.

It is a sin to let him live.

If, therefore, we are to suffer at all, let it be in the interests of the people, and they will thank us for it.

100

If we remain quiet any longer, a flogging will be our only reward.

101

You are talking nonsense, Mikhaef.

102

Why don't you think of the sin we shall be committing if we work during the Easter holidays, for you will refuse to work then yourself?

103

Well then, replied Peter, if they shall send me to plough I will go, but I shall not be going of my own free will, and God will know whose sin it is,

104

and shall punish the offender accordingly.

105

yet we must not forget him.

106

Brethren, I am not giving you my own views only.

107

The law of God is not to return evil for evil.

108

Indeed, if you try in this way to stamp out wickedness, it will come upon you all the stronger.

109

It is not difficult for you to kill the man, but his blood will surely stain your own soul.

110

You may think you have killed a bad man, that you have gotten rid of evil,

111

But you will soon find out that the seeds of still greater wickedness have been planted within you.

112

If you yield to misfortune, it will surely come to you.

113

As Peter was not without sympathizers among the peasants, the poor serfs were consequently divided into two groups,

114

the followers of Vasily and those who held the views of Mikhaif.

115

On Easter Sunday, no work was done.

116

Toward the evening, an elder came to the peasants from the nobleman's court and said,

117

Our superintendent, Michael Simeonovich, orders you to go tomorrow to plough the field for the oats.

118

Thus the official went through the village and directed the men to prepare for work the next day, some by the river and others by the roadway.

119

The poor people were almost overcome with grief, many of them shedding tears, but none dared to disobey the orders of their master.

120

On the morning of Easter Monday, while the church bells were calling the inhabitants to religious services, and while everyone else was about to enjoy a holiday,

121

the unfortunate serfs started for the field to plough.

122

Michael arose rather late and took a walk about the farm.

123

The domestic servants were through with their work and had dressed themselves for the day, while Michael's wife and their widowed daughter,

124

who was visiting them, as was her custom on holidays, had been to church and returned.

125

A steaming samovar awaited them and they began to drink tea with Michael, who, after lighting his pipe, called the elder to him.

126

Well, said the superintendent, have you ordered the Mujiks to plough today?

127

Yes, sir, I did, was the reply.

128

Have they all gone to the field?

129

Yes, sir, all of them.

130

I directed them myself where to begin.

131

That is all very well.

132

You gave the orders, but are they ploughing?

133

Go at once and see, and you may tell them that I shall be there after dinner.

134

I shall expect to find one and a half acres done for every two ploughs, and the work must be well done.

135

Otherwise they shall be severely punished, notwithstanding the holiday.

136

I hear, sir, and obey.

137

The elder started to go, but Michael called him back.

138

After hesitating for some time, as if he felt very uneasy, he said, By the way, listen to what those scoundrels say about me.

139

Doubtless some of them will curse me, and I want you to report the exact words.

140

I know what villains they are.

141

They don't find work at all pleasant.

142

They would rather lie down all day and do nothing.

143

They would like to eat and drink and make merry on holidays, but they forget that if the ploughing is not done it will soon be too late,

144

so you go and listen to what is said and tell it to me in detail.

145

Go at once.

146

I hear, sir, and obey.

147

Turning his back and mounting his horse, the elder was soon at the field where the serfs were hard at work.

148

It happened that Michael's wife, a very good-hearted woman, overheard the conversation which her husband had just been holding with the elder.

149

Approaching him, she said, My good friend,

150

Mishinka, diminutive of Michael, I beg of you to consider the importance and solemnity of this holy day.

151

Do not sin for Christ's sake.

152

Let the poor Mujiks go home.

153

Michael laughed, but made no reply to his wife's humane request.

154

Finally he said to her, you've not been whipped for a very long time,

155

and now you have become bold enough to interfere in affairs that are not your own.

156

Mishinka, she persisted, I have had a frightful dream concerning you.

157

You had better let the Mujiks go.

158

Yes, said he, I perceive that you have gained

159

so much flesh of late that you think you would not feel the whip.

160

Look out.

161

Rudely thrusting his hot pipe against her cheek, Michael chased his wife from the room, after which he ordered his dinner.

162

After eating a hearty meal consisting of cabbage soup, roast pig, meat cake, pastry with milk, jelly, sweet cakes and vodka,

163

he called his woman cook to him and ordered her to be seated and sing songs, Simeonovich accompanying her on the guitar.

164

While the superintendent was thus enjoying himself to the fullest satisfaction in the musical society of his cook,

165

the elder returned and making a low bow to his superior, proceeded to give the desired information concerning the serfs.

166

Well? asked Michael.

167

Did they plough?

168

Yes, replied the elder.

169

They have accomplished about half the field.

170

Is there no fault to be found?

171

Not that I could discover.

172

The work seems to be well done.

173

They are evidently afraid of you.

174

How is the soil?

175

Very good.

176

It appears to be quite soft.

177

Well, said Simeonovich after a pause, what did they say about me?

178

Cursed me, I suppose.

179

As the elder hesitated somewhat, Michael commanded him to speak and tell him the whole truth.

180

Tell me all, said he.

181

I want to know their exact words.

182

If you tell me the truth, I shall reward you.

183

But if you conceal anything from me, you will be punished.

184

See here, Catherine, pour out a glass of vodka to give him courage.

185

After drinking to the health of his superior, the elder said to himself, It is not my fault if they do not praise him.

186

I shall tell him the truth.

187

Then, turning suddenly to the superintendent, he said, They complain, Michael Simeonovich.

188

They complain bitterly.

189

But what did they say? demanded Michael.

190

Tell me.

191

Well, one thing they said was, he does not believe in God.

192

Michael laughed.

193

Who said that? he asked.

194

It seemed to be their unanimous opinion.

195

He has been overcome by the evil one, they said.

196

Very good, laughed the superintendent, but tell me what each of them said.

197

What did Vasily say?

198

The elder did not wish to betray his people, but he had a certain grudge against Vasili, and he said, he cursed you more than did any of the others.

199

But what did he say?

200

It is awful to repeat it, sir.

201

Vasili said, he shall die like a dog, having no chance to repent.

202

Oh, the villain, exclaimed Michael, he would kill me if he were not afraid.

203

All right, Vasily, we shall have an accounting with you, and Tishka.

204

He called me a dog, I suppose.

205

Well, said the elder, they all spoke of you in anything but complimentary terms, but it is mean in me to repeat what they said.

206

Mean or not, you must tell me, I say.

207

Some of them declared that your back should be broken.

208

Simeonovich appeared to enjoy this immensely, for he laughed outright.

209

We shall see whose back will be the first to be broken, said he. Was that Tishka's opinion?

210

While I did not suppose they would say anything good about me, I did not expect such curses and threats.

211

And Peter Mikhaev.

212

Was that fool cursing me too?

213

No, he did not curse you at all.

214

He appeared to be the only silent one among them.

215

Mikhaev is a very wise Mujik and he surprises me very much.

216

At his actions all the other peasants seemed amazed.

217

What did he do?

218

He did something remarkable.

219

He was diligently ploughing and as I approached him I heard someone singing very sweetly.

220

Looking between the ploughshares I observed a bright object shining.

221

Well, what was it?

222

Hurry up!

223

It was a small five-kopeck wax candle burning brightly, and the wind was unable to blow it out.

224

Peter, wearing a new shirt, sang beautiful hymns as he ploughed, and no matter how he handled the implement, the candle continued to burn.

225

In my presence, he fixed the plough, shaking it violently, but the bright little object between the colters remained undisturbed.

226

And what did Mikhaef say?

227

He said nothing, except when, on seeing me, he gave me the holy day salutation, after which he went on his way singing and ploughing as before.

228

I did not say anything to him, but on approaching the other Mujiks, I found that they were laughing and making sport of their silent companion.

229

It is a great sin to plough on Easter Monday.

230

They said, You could not get absolution from your sin if you were to pray all your life.

231

And did Mikhaev make no reply?

232

He stood long enough to say, There should be peace on earth and goodwill to men.

233

After which he resumed his ploughing and singing, the candle burning even more brightly than before.

234

Simeonovich had now ceased to ridicule, and putting aside his guitar, his head dropped on his breast and he became lost in thought.

235

Presently he ordered the elder and cook to depart, after which Michael went behind a screen and threw himself upon the bed.

236

He was sighing and moaning, as if in great distress, when his wife came in and spoke kindly to him.

237

He refused to listen to her, exclaiming, He has conquered me and my end is near.

238

Mishinka, said the woman, arise and go to the Mujiks in the field.

239

Let them go home and everything will be all right.

240

Heretofore you have run far greater risks without any fear, but now you appear to be very much alarmed.

241

He has conquered me, he repeated.

242

I am lost.

243

What do you mean? demanded his wife angrily.

244

If you will go and do as I tell you, there will be no danger.

245

Come, Mishinka, she added tenderly.

246

I shall have the saddle horse brought for you at once.

247

When the horse arrived, the woman persuaded her husband to mount the animal and to fulfil her request concerning the serfs.

248

When he reached the village, a woman opened the gate for him to enter, and as he did so,

249

the inhabitants, seeing the brutal superintendent whom everybody feared, ran to hide themselves in their houses,

250

gardens and other secluded places.

251

At length Michael reached the other gate, which he found closed also, and being unable to open it himself while seated on his horse,

252

he called loudly for assistance.

253

As no one responded to his shouts, he dismounted and opened the gate, but as he was about to remount and had one foot in the stirrup,

254

the horse became frightened at some pigs and sprang suddenly to one side.

255

The superintendent fell across the fence and a very sharp picket pierced his stomach when Michael fell unconscious to the ground.

256

Toward the evening, when the serfs arrived at the village gate, their horses refused to enter.

257

On looking around, the peasants discovered the dead body of their superintendent lying face

258

downward in a pool of blood where he had fallen from the fence

259

peter mikhayev alone had sufficient courage to dismount and approach the prostrate form

260

his companions riding around the village and entering by way of the backyards

261

peter closed the dead man's eyes after which he put the body in a wagon and took it home

262

When the nobleman learned of the fatal accident which had befallen his superintendent, and of the brutal treatment which he had meted out to those under him,

263

he freed the serfs, exacting a small rent for the use of his land and the other agricultural opportunities.

264

And thus the peasants clearly understood that the power of God is manifested not in evil, but in goodness.

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ฝึกพูดภาษาอังกฤษด้วยเทคนิค Shadowing จากวิดีโอ: The Candle. A Short Story by Leo Tolstoy

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ฝึกพูดภาษาอังกฤษด้วยเทคนิค Shadowing จากวิดีโอ: The Candle. A Short Story by Leo Tolstoy

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Why Practice Speaking with This Video?

Grammar & Expressions in Context

Common Pronunciation Traps

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