English / C1
The Dog and the Water-Lily
It was a shady noon, with soft breezes moving over the silent waters of the Ouse. Released for a while from literary cares, I wandered beside the river with my spaniel Beau. He was the prettiest of his breed and had a distinguished pedigree. At one moment he played out of sight among the reeds; at the next he sprang into view, pursuing a swallow across the meadows with scarcely less speed than the bird itself.
The water lilies had newly opened. I contemplated their beauty, wishing that I could make one of them my own. Extending my walking stick as far as possible, I attempted to guide a flower towards the bank. Yet the prize, although nearly caught, continued to escape my eager hand.
Beau watched these unsuccessful efforts with a fixed, attentive expression, apparently puzzling over what I was trying to accomplish. A clear, sharp call from me interrupted his reflections. I left the spot and continued for some distance along the winding river.
My ramble over, I retraced my steps. Beau, trotting well ahead, recognised the floating flower and plunged from the bank. As I hurried towards him, I saw him swimming eagerly to meet me with the lily he had picked. Before long, he laid the treasure at my feet.
Charmed by the sight, I exclaimed that the world should hear of his deed. Here was a dog whose action could humble the pride of human beings who considered their own kind superior. Above all, however, the obligation was mine: I would remind myself, whenever duty called, to show a love as prompt as his to God, the giver of everything I had.
English summary · includes the ending
The narrator takes a break from his writing and walks beside the River Ouse with his dog, Beau. The dog plays among the riverside plants and chases a bird across the fields.
The narrator admires the newly opened water lilies and wants to pick one. He tries to pull a flower towards the bank with his walking stick, but cannot reach it. Beau watches closely. The narrator then calls him and continues his walk.
On their return, Beau is far ahead. He sees the lily again, jumps into the river and picks it. He swims towards the narrator and drops the flower at his feet.
Delighted, the narrator promises to tell the world about Beau's action. He thinks the dog can teach proud humans a lesson. Most of all, he wants to follow Beau's example himself, showing the same ready love to God, who gives him everything.
Adapted for Lejrbål from the credited source.
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