Anna was a pretty girl with red hair. She lived in a small village near the King’s castle.

Pretty – 漂亮 Girl – 女孩 Red – 红 Hair – 头发 Lived – 住

Village – 村里 Near – 附近 King – 国王 Castle – 城堡

Anna did not like to go to school with the other children. She only liked to play outside.

Did not like – 不喜欢 Go – 去 School – 学校 Children – 儿童 Play – 玩

One day the King came to Anna’s village. He asked the children to read for him.

Came – 来了 Asked – 问 Read – 读

Many of the children read well.

Many – 很多 Well – 好

Anna could not read well. The King invited all the children to come to a party at the castle.

Could not – 不能 Invited – 邀请 Party – 派对

The party was a lot of fun. At the end of the party the King gave each child a gift.

Fun – 好玩 Gave – 给 Each – 每个 Gift – 礼物

Anna got a box with seeds. There was a letter in the box. A friend helped her to read it.

Box – 盒子 Seeds – 种子 Letter – 信 Friend – 朋友 Helped – 帮助

Dear Anna,

Plant the seeds in your garden. Be patient and diligent and the seeds will grow into beautiful flowers.

The King

Garden – 花园 Patient – 耐心 diligent – 殷勤

Grow – 成长 Beautiful – 美丽 Flowers – 花

Anna did not understand why the King gave her seeds. She had never planted a garden before. Just then a little angel appeared. Understand – 明白

Never – 从不 Little angel – 小天使 Appeared – 向显现

The little angel said, “Learning to do something new takes time, but if you are patient and diligent, you will have a beautiful garden.”

Learning – 学习 New – 新 Takes time – 需要时间

The little angel left and Anna planted the seeds.

Left – 左

Anna worked hard in her garden every day. The seeds started to grow and became small plants.

Worked hard – 努力 Every day – 每天 Started – 开始

Anna learned to be patient and diligent with her garden. She also started going to school and became a patient and diligent student.

Student – 学生

Every day after school, Anna went to her garden and read out loud to her flowers.

After – 后

One day the King came to visit Anna’s garden.

He was happy to see that she was taking good care of it. He was also happy that she was doing well in school.

One day – 一天 Visit – 探望 Happy – 快乐

The King invited Anna to come and help the castle gardener take care of the queen’s garden, after she finished her homework.

Gardener – 园丁 Take care of – 照顾 Queen’s – 王后 Homework – 功课

Anna was very happy that she learned to be patient and diligent.

Original story and art courtesy of Didier Martin,

www.jacques-mylittlehouse.blogspot.com