Сказки дедушки Ралота. Учим наших детей иностранным языкам - стр. 6
When Zlik came to the clearing, he did not find the kitten, but he saw a flickering light on a rotten stump.
– Wow! my dinner itself invites me to have it, – the hungry mantis rejoiced, – Well, this is a fine thing! I wonder if I eat up a firefly, will my belly also start glowing? However, it doesn’t matter now, I’ll go and catch it first, and only then I’ll think how to turn off his bright flashlight forever.
Zlik rushed to the stump with all his might. Another two seconds and poor little Floky (it was her) is going be in the prehensile clutches of the dreadful predator and she will not have time to show the way to the insects hurrying home.
Fortunately, an ant called Gingy stopped the predator’s way.
– Don’t you dare offend the little ones! – he squeaked and menacingly wiggled his antennae.
Zlik was taken aback for a minute, snapped his terrible paws-claws and muttered:
– I’ll eat the firefly for the main course and you for dessert. If you want to survive, run along while the going is good.
– No way! We, ants, are the strongest in the world!
– Ha, ha! Some small ant is stronger than me? I am going to catch you with these paws! – and the mantis got angry to such an extent that he turned bright red, despite the fact that such a colour was atypical for his breed.
– Let’s compete! – suggested the ant, – how much do you weigh?
Zlik sat down on his hind legs in surprise:
– Well, probably ten grams, maybe more. You know, we have a problem with scales in the forest.
– And I – just one gram, – Gingy pointed with his paw at the fallen leaf, – Can you see it? It’s ten times heavier than me. But I’m going to pick it up right now and carry it. If you claim that you are stronger, then you will have to lift and carry that twig over there, it weighs a hundred grams. If you manage to do it, you will win, if not, it turns out that I am stronger.
– Guys, don’t you need a judge? Floky sat down bravely next to the mantis and folded her wings.
– Anyway, I’m the strongest, Zlik kept grumbling, – what if I’ll eat both of you and then you’ll know who is the strongest here.
– You’re not strong, you’re just mean, Floky said.
– He is angry because he is hungry, – the ant supported the new friend, – Take and chew this stalk, there is delicious and nourishing juice inside it. We always do this when we’re hungry.
– And also he is angry, because he has no friends! When you have friends, you don’t get angry at all, Floky continued the conversation and suddenly hugged the big guy. The mantis immediately turned pink from her gentle touch and, stammering, said: