Unity Is Strength

Once upon a time, there was a flock of doves that flew in search of food led by their king. One day, they had flown a long distance and were very tired. The smallest dove found some rice scattered beneath a banyan tree. So all the doves landed and began to eat.

Suddenly a net fell over them and they were all trapped. They saw a hunter approaching. The doves desperately fluttered their wings trying to get out, but it was useless. The king had an idea. He advised all the doves to fly up together carrying the net with them. He said that there was strength in unity.

Each dove picked up a portion of the net and together they flew off carrying the net with them. The hunter looked up in astonishment. He tried to follow them, but they were flying high over hills and valleys. They flew to a hill where a mouse who could help them lived. He was a faithful friend.

The dove king gently called out to the mouse and then the mouse was happy to see him. The dove king explained that they had been caught in a trap and needed the mouse’s help to set them free.

The mouse agreed, saying that he would set the king free first. The king insisted that he first free his subjects and the king last.1 The mouse understood the king’s feelings. He began to cut the net, finally all the doves were freed including the dove king.

注解 Note

1. The king insisted that he first free his subjects and the king last. 鸽王坚决要求他先释放自己的臣民，最后再释放自己。 

insist在这里表示“坚决要求；坚决主张”，后面应用虚拟语气，其所引导的宾语从句谓语动词应用（ should ） + be/do。 

e.g. 

His mother insists that he （ should ） be home on time. 

他的妈妈坚持让他按时回家。