But one day the chicks wait in vain for food.但有一天，小企鵝苦苦地等到日落

in vain:徒然； 白費； 無效

I sought to persuade him, but in vain.

我試圖說服他，但無效。

We tried in vain to make him change his mind.

我們想使他改變主意，結(jié)果是白費心機。

take sb's name in vain濫用某人的名字

Have you been taking my name in vain again?

你又在濫用我的名義吧?

labor in vain徒勞

Have I believed and labored in vain for my Master?

我所相信和為主努力的一切是否只是徒勞？

The chicks now face life on their own.小企鵝得獨自面對人生

on one's own:獨自地； 獨立地； 主動地

I was able to finish the job on my own.

我能獨自地把工作做完。

Instinct tells them they have to head out to sea.本能告訴它們應該出海

head out:離去；啟程，出海

I have a long way to go before dark. I'm going to head out.

天黑前我還有很遠的路要走，我得上路了。

Our ship left port and headed out to sea.

我們的船離開港口向大海駛?cè)ァ?/p>

But they still have to learn to swim.不過它們得先學會游泳

learn to:學習

She learn to triumph over her disability.

她學會了戰(zhàn)勝她自身的不足。