The climate in the north of Europe (климат на севере Европы) is really dreadful (действительно ужасный/отвратительный; dread — страх, ужас). The Reed used to like the rain (Камышинке нравился дождь; to use — употреблять; used to do smth. — иметь в прошлом обыкновение делать что-либо), but that was merely her selfishness (но это просто /из-за/ ее эгоизма; self — свое «я», сущность; selfish — эгоистичный, себялюбивый).'

Then another drop fell (затем упала другая капля).

curious ['kjυ(ə)riəs] climate ['klaimit] selfishness ['selfi∫nis]

`I have a golden bedroom,' he said softly to himself as he looked round, and he prepared to go to sleep; but just as he was putting his head under his wing a large drop of water fell on him.

`What a curious thing!' he cried, `there is not a single cloud in the sky, the stars are quite clear and bright, and yet it is raining. The climate in the north of Europe is really dreadful. The Reed used to like the rain, but that was merely her selfishness.'

Then another drop fell.

`What is the use of a statue (какая же польза от статуи; use — употребление; польза, толк) if it cannot keep the rain off (если она не может защитить от дождя; to keep off — держать в отдалении)?' he said; `I must look for a good chimney-pot (я должен поискать /хороший/удобный/ дымоход; to look for — искать, подыскивать),' and he determined to fly away (и он решил улететь; to determine — определять; принимать решение).

But before he had opened his wings (но до того, как он расправил /свои/ крылья; to open — открывать, раскрывать), a third drop fell (упала третья капля), and he looked up (и он взглянул наверх), and saw — Ah! what did he see (и увидел — ах, что же он увидел)?