The Eagle and the Arrow
A free B1-level English story for language learners, readable online in 7 languages, with an option to listen via the free Storyteller app.
An eagle is shot and killed by an arrow — and realizes in his final moment that the arrow is feathered with eagle feathers.
An Eagle sat perched on a lofty rock, keeping a sharp look-out for prey. A huntsman, concealed in a cleft of the mountain and on the watch for game, spied him there and shot an Arrow at him. The shaft struck him full in the breast and pierced him through and through. As he lay in the agonies of death, he turned his eyes upon the Arrow. "Ah! cruel fate!" he cried, "that I should perish thus: but oh! fate more cruel still, that the Arrow which kills me should be winged with an Eagle's feathers!"
Seekor Elang bertengger di atas batu karang yang tinggi, mengawasi dengan tajam mangsanya. Seorang pemburu, yang bersembunyi di celah gunung dan mengintai buruan, melihatnya di sana dan menembakkan sebuah panah ke arahnya. Anak panah itu menghantam tepat di dadanya dan menembusnya sampai tembus. Saat ia terbaring dalam sekarat, ia mengalihkan pandangannya pada anak panah itu. "Ah! Nasib yang kejam!" serunya, "bahwa aku harus binasa seperti ini: tetapi oh, nasib yang lebih kejam lagi, bahwa anak panah yang membunuhku ini bersayapkan bulu Elang sendiri!"
