Once upon a time there was a donkey (Жив та був осел), who carried heavy grain bags (який носив важкі мішки з зерном) to the mill (до млина). After many years (Та через багато років) it was getting old and weak (став він старим і слабким /він постарів і ослаб).

One day (Одного дня) the donkey became so weak (осел став настільки слабким), that he could no longer work (що він більше не міг працювати).

Once upon a time there was a donkey, who carried heavy grain bags to the mill. After many years it was getting old and weak. One day the donkey became so weak, that he could no longer work.

carried – носив

to carry – носити

could – міг

can – могти

to work - працювати

The donkey’s owner (Його господар) was considering (задумав) to give him away (його віддати), but the donkey ran away (але осел втік; to run away – втікати). He made his way to Bremen (Він попрямував до Бремена). There he wanted to become a street musician (Там він хотів стати вуличним музикантом).

On the way (Дорогою) he met (він зустрів; to meet - зустрічати) a dog (собаку), who was lying on the street (який лежав на вулиці; to lie – лежати) and whined (та скиглив).

Why are you whining? (Чому ти скиглиш?) Asked the donkey (Запитав осел).

The donkey’s owner was considering to give him away, but the donkey ran away. He made his way to Bremen. There he wanted to become a street musician.

On the way he met a dog, who was lying on the street and whined. Why are you whining? Asked the donkey.

ran away – втік, to run away – втікати

he made his way to - прямувати /збиратися в дорогу

met – зустрів, to meet – зустрічати

was lying – лежав, to lay – лежати

Why? - Чому?

Because I am so old (Тому що я такий старий) and getting weaker (слабшаю) every day (і кожен день) and I cannot go hunting any more (і я не можу більше ходити на полювання), my master wanted (мій господар хтів) to give me away (віддати мене). Then I ran away (Тому я втік; to run away - тікати). But how shall I now (Але як мушу я тепер) to earn my living? (заробляти собі на життя?)

You know what (А знаєш що), said the donkey (сказав осел). I am going to Bremen (Я йду в Бремен) to become a town musician (щоб стати вуличним музикантом). Come with me (Ходи зі мною).

Because I am so old and getting weaker every day and I cannot go hunting any more, my master wanted to give me away. Then I ran away. But how shall I now to earn my living?

You know what, said the donkey. I am going to Bremen to become a town musician. Come with me.

to want - хтіти

should (shall) – мусити

you know – знаєш; to know – знати

to become - ставати

I could play the guitar (Я міг би грати на гітарі), and you could beat the drums (а ти міг би бити в барабани).

The dog was happy with this, (Собака був задоволений тим), and they went on together (і вони пішли далі разом).

Suddenly, they saw a cat (Раптом вони побачили кицьку) sitting at the roadside (що сиділа на узбіччі дороги) with very sad face (з дуже сумним обличчям). “What happened to you? (Що сталося з тобою?)“ asked the donkey (спитав осел).

I could play the guitar, and you could beat the drums. The dog was happy with this, and they went on together.

Suddenly, they saw a cat sitting at the roadside with very sad face. “What happened to you?“ asked the donkey.

could - міг би

went – пішли, to go – йти

saw – побачили, to see – бачити

to sit - сидіти

to ask - питати

“I am getting older (Я старію), and my teeth are getting blunt (і мої зуби стають тупими). So I cannot catch mice anymore (Тому я не можу ловити мишей більше). So my owner Marie wants to give me away (Отже, моя власниця Марі хоче віддати мене). Then I ran away (Ось чому я втік), but I have nowhere to go (але мені нікуди йти) ".

„Go with us to Bremen (Ходи з нами в Бремен), there you can become a street musician (там ти можеш стати вуличним музикантом).“ The cat thought it was a good idea (Кицька подумала, що це гарна ідея) and went with the others (і пішла з ними; gehen - йти).

“I am getting older, and my teeth are getting blunt. So I cannot catch mice anymore. So my owner Marie wants to give me away. Then I ran away, but I have nowhere to go ".

„Go with us to Bremen, there you can become a street musician.“ The cat thought it was a good idea and went with the others.

getting – ставати

to catch – ловити

ran away – втік, to run away – втікати

thought – подумав, to think - думати

Soon afterwards (Незабаром після цього), as they were passing by a farmyard (коли вони проходили повз подвір'я ферми; passing by - проходити мимо чогось), they saw a rooster (вони побачили півня; to see - бачити) sitting on the gate and screaming (який сидів на воротах і кричав). „Bravo!“ said the donkey ("Браво!" сказав осел), „you can be really loud (ти можеш бути дійсно гучним). What is all this about?“ (Про що йдеться?)

Well, I heard (Ну, я чув), that my master wants to give me away tomorrow (що мій пан хоче віддати мене завтра), because I am too old (тому що я занадто старий). So, I will sing for the last time (Так що я буду співати в останній раз) as loud as I can (так голосно, як я можу)."

Soon afterwards, as they were passing by a farmyard, they saw a rooster sitting on the gate and screaming. „Bravo!“ said the donkey, „you can be really loud. What is all this about?“

Well, I heard, that my master wants to give me away tomorrow, because I am too old. So, I will sing for the last time as loud as I can. "

soon – незабаром

were passing by - проходили повз, to pass by - проходити мимо

heard – чув, to hear – чути

to sing - співати

„Come on, old redhead! (Давай, старий рудий!)“ Said the donkey (Сказав осел) „come along with us instead (ходи краще з нами). You have a good voice (Ти маєш хороший голос) and can sing to our music in Bremen (і можеш співати під нашу музику в Бремені).“ The rooster agreed (Півень погодився), and they went together (і вони пішли разом; gehen - йти).

But in one day (Але за один день) they could not reach the city of Bremen (вони не змогли дійти до міста Бремен).

„Come on, old redhead!“ Said the donkey „come along with us instead. You have a good voice and can sing to our music in Bremen.“ The rooster agreed, and they went together.

But in one day they could not reach the city of Bremen.

come on – давай

instead - краще /замість цього

good – хороший

to agree – погоджуватися

together - разом

So, they came to a forest (Тому вони прийшли в ліс; to come - приходити), where they decided (де вирішили; to decide - вирішувати), to spend the night (провести ніч/ переночувати).

The donkey and the dog lay down under a large tree (Осел і собака лягли під велике дерево; lay down - лягти). The cat and rooster went up into the branches (Кицька і півень піднялися вгору до гілок).

So, they came to a forest, where they decided, to spend the night.

The donkey and the dog lay down under a large tree. The cat and rooster went up into the branches.

forest – ліс

to decide – вирішувати

to spend – провести

to lay down – лягати

Suddenly, the rooster looked up (Раптом півень подивився вгору) and saw a little light (і побачив маленьке світло), shining in the distance (світитися вдалині). So, he called his friends (Тому він гукнув своім друзям), that there must be a house not far away (що має бути хатина десь неподалеку).

Then they went toward the light (І пішли вони до світла), till they came to a robber’s house (аж поки вони не дійшли до хати розбійників).

The donkey approached the window (Осел наблизився/ підійшов до вікна) and looked inside (і заглянув всередину).

Suddenly, the rooster looked up and saw a little light, shining in the distance. So, he called his friends, that there must be a house not far away.

Then they went toward the light, till they came to a robber’s house. The donkey approached the window and looked inside.  

suddenly – раптом

saw – побачив, to see – бачити

not far away – неподалеку

must be - має бути

„I see a table (Я бачу стіл), full of food and drinks (повний їжі та напоїв) with a band of robbers (та купу розбійників) sitting around and having a good time (які сидять навколо і добре проводять час)“.

„Why can’t we do the same (Чому ми не можемо те ж саме зробити)“, said the rooster (сказав півень).

The animals exchanged the ideas (Тварини обмінювалися ідеями), till they found a good one (поки не знайшли хорошу).

„I see a table, full of food and drinks with a band of robbers sitting around and having a good time“.

„Why can’t we do the same“, said the rooster. The animals exchanged the ideas, till they found a good one.

table – стіл

food – їжа

drinks - напої

idea – ідея

exchange – обмінюватися

found – знайшли, to find - знаходити

The donkey would put his front hooves on the window (Осел покладе передні копита на вікно), the dog would jump on the donkey’s back (собака вистрибне на спину осла), the cat would climb on the dog (кішка залізе на собаку), and the rooster would fly up and sit on the cat’s head (а півень злетить на самий верх і сяде на голову кішки).

So, they all did this (Так вони всі і зробили), and, at a signal (і за сигналом), they began to play their music (почали свою музику грати).

The donkey would put his front hooves on the window, the dog would jump on the donkey’s back, the cat would climb on the dog, and the rooster would fly up and sit on the cat’s head.

So, they all did this, and, at a signal, they began to play their music.

to put – класти

would jump – вистрибне, to jump - стрибати

began – почали, to begin – починати

to play music - музику грати

The donkey screamed (осел кричав), the dog barked (собака гавкав), the cat meowed (кицька м‘явкала) and the rooster crew (і півень закукарікав).

Then they fell through the window into the room (Потім вони впали через вікно в кімнату), shattering the window (розбивши вікно), as they went (під час падіння).

The robbers were frightened (Розбійники злякалися), they thought (вони подумали), it must be a ghost (що це, майбуть, привид)and fled into the woods in great fear (і втекли в ліс з великого страху).

The donkey screamed, the dog barked, the cat meowed and the rooster crew. Then they fell through the window into the room, shattering the window, as they went.

The robbers were frightened, they thought, it must be a ghost and fled into the woods in great fear.

fell – впали, to fall - падати

thought – подумали, to think - думати

must be – має бути /майбуть

fled – втекли; to flee - тікати

Now the friends sat down at the table (Тепер друзі сіли за стіл), they ate and laughed (вони їли і сміялися). When the four musicians (Коли четверо музикантів) had finished their meal (закінчили трапезу), they put out the light (вони вимкнули світло) and looked for a place to sleep (й шукали собі місце для сну), each according to his nature (кожен за своєю натурою). The donkey lay down in the middle (Осел ліг посередині), the dog behind the door (собака за дверима), the cat on the warm stove (кішка на теплій плиті) and the rooster sat on a perch (а півень сів на вулиці на паркан). After their long journey (Після їхньої довгої подорожі) they all were very tired (всі вони були дуже втомлені) and fell asleep quickly (і заснули швидко).

Now the friends sat down at the table, they ate and laughed. When the four musicians had finished their meal, they put out the light and looked for a place to sleep, each according to his nature. The donkey lay down in the middle, the dog behind the door, the cat on the warm stove and the rooster sat on a perch. After their long journey they all were very tired and fell asleep quickly.

sat down – сіли, to sit down - сідати

ate – їли, to eat - їсти

to laught - сміятися

to look for – шукати

tired – втомлений

to fall asleep - засинати

Sometime after midnight (Десь після півночі) the robbers noticed (грабіжники помітили) from a distance (здалеку) that all lights in the house were out (що все світло в хаті погасло), and everything seemed to be quiet (і все здавалося тихо). So the leader asked (Тож ватажок попросив) one of the robbers to look after the house (одного з розбійників доглянути за хатою). The robber found everything quiet (Розбійник побачив, що все тихо), went into the kitchen (пішов на кухню) to make a light (щоб увімкнути світло), and confused the cat's shining eyes (і прийняв сяючі очі кицьки) with live coals (за розжарене вугілля).

Sometime after midnight the robbers noticed from a distance that all lights in the house were out, and everything seemed to be quiet. So the leader asked one of the robbers to look after the house. The robber found everything quiet, went into the kitchen to make a light, and confused the cat's shining eyes with live coals.  

midnight – північ, night – ніч

to notice – помічати

to look after - доглянути за

found – знайшов, to find – знаходити

to confuse with - прийняти за /переплутати

Then he held a match to them (Тоді він підніс до них сірник) thinking it would light (думаючи, що він запалиться). But the cat was not in a joking mood (Але кицька була не в настрої для жартів) and jumped at his throat (і стрибнула йому на горло), spitting and scratching (плюючись і дряпаючись).

The robber was terrified (Грабіжник був наляканий) and tried to run out of the back door (і намагався вибігти через задні двері), but the dog (але пес), which was lying there (який там лежав), jumped up and bit him in the leg (підскочив і вкусив його в ногу).

Then he held a match to them thinking it would light. But the cat was not in a joking mood and jumped at his throat, spitting and scratching.

The robber was terrified and tried to run out of the back door, but the dog, which was lying there, jumped up and bit him in the leg.

to jump  – стрибати

was terrified – наляканий

to try - намагатися, пробувати

to run out - вибігти

to jump up – підскочити, to jump - стрибати

As he ran past the middle of the farmyard (Коли він пробігав повз середини подвір'я), the donkey hit him with his hind legs (осел вдарив його задніми ногами).

The rooster awakened from sleep (Півень, якого тільки що розбудили), screamed „Co-a-doodle-doo!“ (вигукнув „Кукуріку!“).

The robber ran at full speed (Грабіжник на повній швидкості побіг) back to his leader (назад до свого ватажка).

„There is a terrible witch in this house (У тому будинку сидить жахлива відьма), she spat on me (вона плюнула на мене)and scratched my face with her long fingers!“ (і подряпала моє обличчя своїми довгими пальцями!)

As he ran past the middle of the farmyard, the donkey hit him with his hind legs. The rooster awakened from sleep, screamed „Co-a-doodle-doo!“.

The robber ran at full speed back to his leader. „There is a terrible witch in this house, she spat on me and scratched my face with her long fingers!“

ran past – пробігав, to run past - мимо пробігати

to hit – вдарити

to scream - вигукнути, кричати

spat –плюнула, to spit -плювати

By the door there is a man standing (Біля дверей там чоловік стоїть), who stabbed my leg with his knife (який пирнув мене у ногу своім ножем).

In the farmyard (На подвір'ї) there is a black monster (стоїть чорне чудовисько), which attacked me with a wooden club (яке накинулося на мене дерев'яною довбнею.)

On the roof (На даху) a judge sits (сидить суддя), who shouted (який гукав): „Bring the villain to me!“ (Приведіть лиходія до мене!) „So I ran away as fast as I could!“ („То я втікав звідти так швидко, як міг!“)

By the door there is a man standing, who stabbed my leg with his knife. In the farmyard there is a black monster, which attacked me with a wooden club.

On the roof a judge sits, who shouted: „Bring the villain to me!“ „So I ran away as fast as I could!“

to stand – стояти

to attack – атакувати, накинутися

to shout – кричати, гукати

From then on (З того часу) the robbers didn't dare (грабіжники не наважувалися), go near the house (підходити близько до хати).

The Bremen musicians (Бременським музикантам) liked the house very much (сподобалася хата дуже сильно) and did not want to leave again (і вони не хтіли нікуди йти знову).

From then on the robbers didn't dare, go near the house. The Bremen musicians liked the house very much and did not want to leave again.

didn’t dare – не наважувалися

near – близько

to like – подобатися, полюбляти