When the Branch Shook- 適合初級的英語短篇故事

Cool air moved between tall pines. An owl glided above the dark clearing. It searched for a quiet spot to rest. Far above, an eagle circled, wings stiff and long. Yellow eyes caught a wide tree branch below. The branch looked flat and free from leaves. The owl dropped its feet and landed gently. Weight pressed downward; dry bark groaned under sharp talons. A hidden crack raced along the wood. Leaves rustled, and the heavy branch tilted rightward. Above, an eagle nest shook against the trunk.

Small sticks slipped from the rim and dropped past the owl. One stick brushed its wing and spun toward the ground. The owl lifted again, beating air with quick strokes. Wind from those strokes rocked the loose nest further again. An eaglet head appeared, eyes wide, tiny beak opening. The owl tucked its wings and pushed toward another branch. That branch sat higher, away from the shaking event now. Wood stayed firm, and needles stopped moving and hung still. Moonlight settled on owl feathers while the nest rested quietly. The owl closed its eyes slowly.

涼涼的空氣穿過高聳的松樹。

一隻貓頭鷹在黑暗的空地上方滑行。

它尋找可以休息的安靜棲點。

更高處，一隻老鷹伸直長翼繞著天空盤旋。

黃色的眼睛鎖定下方一根寬大的樹枝。

那根樹枝平坦，沒有樹葉。

貓頭鷹收起腳掌，輕輕降落。

重量壓下，乾燥的樹皮在銳利爪子下嘎吱作響。

隱藏的裂縫沿著木頭快速蔓延。

樹葉沙沙，粗重的樹枝向右傾斜。

樹幹旁，一座老鷹巢跟著搖晃。

小樹枝從巢邊滑落，掠過貓頭鷹身旁。

一根樹枝擦到牠的翅膀，旋轉落向地面。

貓頭鷹再次拍翼升空，扇動快速氣流。

這股氣流把鬆散的巢搖得更厲害。

一隻雛鷹探出頭來，圓眼睜大，小喙張開。

貓頭鷹收起雙翼，推向另一根樹枝。

那根樹枝更高，離開這場搖晃的事件。

木頭保持穩固，松針停止晃動並懸在空中。

月光落在貓頭鷹羽毛上，巢穴安靜下來。

貓頭鷹慢慢閉上眼睛。