英语听力：五个孩子和沙精 05. The Last Wish

　　5 The Last Wish

　　The next day there was¹ a letter to say that the children's mother was coming home that afternoon. So they decided² to wish for something for their mother. They were busy trying to think of something when Martha came³ into the room，very excited⁴.

　　' There were thieves⁵ at Lady Chittenden's last night，'she said⁶. ' They took⁷ all her jewels⁸！ She's got⁹ lots of beautiful dia-monds— they cost¹⁰ thousands of pounds¹¹， I've heard. '

　　' When I'm older，I'm going¹² to buy Mother jewels like that ，'Robert said.

　　' I'd lide Mother to have all Lady Chittenden's beautiful jewels now，'said jane. ' I wish she could¹³. '

　　'Oh Jane ！'cried the others¹⁴. ' What have you said？'

　　'Well， she will have them，'said Robert. ' You've wished！Everyont will think she stole¹⁶ them！ We'll have to try to find the Psammead and ask it to take the wish back. '

　　They hurried down to the gravel-pit，but they could not find the Psammead. So they hurried home again and looked in their mother's room for the jewels， but they were not there yet¹⁷.

　　' Well， we'll tell Mother about the Psammead， and she'll give back the jewels when they come，'Anthea said.

　　Cyril shook¹⁸ his head slowly¹⁹. ' She isn't going to believe²⁰ us. Can anyone²¹ believe about a Psammead if they haven't seen²² it？And adults²³ never believe things like that. No，she'll think we are the thieves and we'll all go to prison²⁴， and everything will be terrible²⁵！'

　　And that afternoon，when Mother came home， the children ran²⁶ to meet her， and put their arms round her— and tried to stop her from going upstairs²⁷ to her room.

　　' But I must take my coat off²⁸， and wash my hands！'she cried， laughing. And she went up to her room.

　　The children went after her— and there， on the table， was a green box. Mother opened it.

　　' Oh，how beautiful！' she cried.

　　It was a ring. A beautiful diamond²⁹ ring.

　　' Perhaps³⁰ it's a surprise present from Father，' she said. ' But how did³¹ it get here？'

　　But then she found³² a diamond necklace— and brooches—and bracelets³³. There were jewels in every cupboard in her room. The children began to look unhappy³⁴， and Jane began to cry.

　　Mother was no longer smiling. ' Jane， what do you know about this？'she said slowly. ' The true³⁵ story， please. '

　　' We met a sand-fairy， Mother，'Jane began.

　　' Don't be stupid³⁶，Jane，'Mother said angrily.

　　'Some thieves stole all Lady Chittenden's jewels from her house last night，'Cyril said quickly. ' Perhaps these are her jewels！'

　　Then Mother called for Martha. ' Have any strangers³⁷ been inthis room， Martha？' she asked.

　　' Yes， but it was just my young man，' Martha answered，afraid. ' He was moving a heavy cupboard for me. '（This， of course³⁸，was Mr Beale，the vicar's nice young servant，who was now very friendly³⁹ with Martha. ）

　　So，of course，Mother thought⁴⁰ that he was one of the thieves. She would⁴¹ not listen to the children and decided to go at once into town to tell the police⁴². The children could not stop her.

　　' This is terrible！' said Anthea. ' Poor Martha！ And poor Mr Beale—he isn't a thief⁴³！ What are we going to do？' Then she cried，' Come on！ We must find the Psammead！'

　　They all hurried down to the gravel-pit， and this time they found the Psammead， sitting on the sand and enjoying the evening sun. When it saw⁴⁴ them， it tried to get away， but Anthea put her arms round it. ' Dear，kind Psammead…'she began.

　　' Oh， you want something， don't you？' it said. 'Well，I can't give you any more wishes today. '

　　' Don't you like giving wishes？'Anthea asked.

　　' No， I don't，'he said . ' Go away and leave me alone⁴⁵！'

　　But Anthea went on. ' Listen，'she said. ' If you do what we want today，we'll never ask you for another wish. '

　　'I'll do anything for that，'it said. ' I really don't enjoy giv-ing wishes. It's very hard work， you know， and I get so tired. '

　　'Well， first I wish that Lady Chittenden will find that she has never lost her jewels. '

　　The Psammead got bigger， and then went small again. 'Done！'it said.

　　'I wish that Mother won't get to the police. '

　　'Done！'the Psammead said again.

　　' And I wish，' said Jane suddenly，'that Mother and Martha will forget all about the jewels. '

　　'Done！'the Psammead said， but its voice⁴⁷ was tired. 'Now，it went on ，' will you wish something for me？'

　　'Can't you give yourself⁴⁸ wishes？' asked Cyril.

　　'Of course not，'the Psammead said. 'Wish that you will never tell anyone about me. '

　　' Why？' asked Robert.

　　' Well， you children always ask for stupid things. But adults aren't like that. If they get hold of me，they'll want to wish for real⁴⁶， important⁴⁹ things—like free⁵⁰ houses for poor people，and new schools for children everywhere in the country，and money to give to old people. Boring⁵¹ things like that. And they'll find a way to keep them after the sun goes down. And what will happen to the world if all those changes come at once ？ There'll be terrible trouble⁵². So go on ， wish it！ Quick！'

　　Anthea said the Psammead's wish，and it got very，very big. When it was small again， it said，' Now， I'm very tired. Do you want one last wish？'

　　'Thank you for everything，'said Jane. ' Have a good long sleep— and I wish that we'll see you again someday⁵³. '

　　Then，for the last time， the Psammead went big，then small again. It looked at them all once more with its long eyes，and then dug⁵⁴ itself⁵⁵ quickly into the sand.

　　And when they arrived home again，everything was all right. Mother came home and she and Martha remembered nothing， and Lady Chittenden found that her jewels were not lost.

　　' Will we ever¹⁵ see the Psammead again， do you think？'Jane said to the others， later⁵⁶ in the garden.

　　And，of course，they did， but not in this story. It was in a very， very different place. It was in a… But I must say no more.

　　5 最后一个愿望

　　第二天来了一封信说孩子们的母亲当天下午要回来了。所以他们决定为妈妈想要点什么东西。他们正忙着想要想出些什么的时候，马莎走进房间，很激动的样子。

　　“昨天夜里奇膝登夫人家里来了贼。”她说，“他们把她的珠宝首饰都拿走了！她有好多美丽的钻石——我听说它们值几千镑呢。”

　　“我长大了，我要给妈妈买那样的首饰。”罗伯特说。

　　“我想让妈妈现在就有奇膝登夫人的美丽的珠宝。”简说，“我希望她能有。”

　　“噢，简！”其他的孩子叫起来，“你说了些什么呀？”

　　“哦，她将会有的。”罗伯特说，“你已经许愿了！大家会认为是她偷的！我们得试着找到赛米德，让它把愿望收回去。”

　　他们急忙跑到砾石坑，可是找不到赛米德。所以他们又急忙回家，在母亲房里找珠宝，可珠宝还不在那里。

　　“嗯，我们告诉妈妈赛米德的事，他们来时她会把珠宝还给他们的。”安西娅说。

　　西里尔慢慢地摇头。“她不会相信我们的。没见过赛米德时人怎会相信呢？何况大人们从来不相信那类事情。不，她会认为我们是贼，我们都会进监狱，一切会糟得很！”

　　那天下午，母亲回家来了，孩子们跑着去迎接她，拥抱她——并且不想让她上楼回自己房间去。

　　“可我得脱掉外衣、洗洗手啊！”她笑着大声说。于是她上楼回自己的房间去了。

　　孩子们跟着她——在那里，桌子上有个绿盒子。母亲打开了它。

　　“哟，真漂亮！”她喊道。

　　那是只戒指。一只美丽的钻石戒指。

　　“可能是你父亲给我的出乎意料的礼物，”她说，“可是它是怎么送到这儿来的？”

　　可后来她找到一条钻石项链——还有许多胸针——还有许多手镯。她房间的每个柜子里都有珠宝。孩子们开始愁眉苦脸的，简哭起来了。

　　母亲不再微笑了。“简，关于这些你知道什么？”她慢慢地讲道，“请讲真话。”

　　“我们遇到了一个沙精，妈妈。”简开始说。

　　“别说傻话，简。”母亲生气地说。

　　“昨天夜里一些贼从奇滕登夫人家里偷走了她所有的珠宝。”西望尔很快地说，“这些可能是她的珠宝！”

　　于是母亲叫来马莎。“有陌生人到这房间来过吗，马莎？”她问道。

　　“有，可只有我的男友。”马莎回答，她害怕了。“他为我搬一个很重的柜子。”（当然这是比伊尔先生了，那个牧师的年轻漂亮的仆人，他现在对马莎很好。）

　　所以，母亲当然认为他是小偷之一了。她不听孩子们的话，决定马上进城去报告警察。孩子们阻止不了她。

　　“这太糟了！”安西娅说，“可怜的马莎！还有可怜的比伊尔先生——他不是小偷！我们怎么办？”然后她喊道：“快！我们必须找到那个赛米德！”

　　他们都急忙朝砾石坑跑去，这次他们找到了赛米德，它正坐在那儿看夕阳。看见他们时它想走开，但安西娅搂住它。“亲爱的、好心的赛米德……”她开腔道。

　　“哦，你想要东西，是不是？”它说，“可我今天再不能实现你的愿望了。”

　　“你不喜欢帮人实现愿望吗？”安西娅问。

　　“对，不喜欢。”它说，“走开，别打扰我！”

　　可安西娅接着说了下去。“听着，”她说，“如果你实现了我们今天的愿望，我们就再也不要别的了。”

　　“那样的话我可以做任何事情。”它说，“我实在是不喜欢实现人们的愿望。这是件难事，你知道，我变得这么累了。”

　　“唔，首先我希望奇滕登夫人发现她的珠宝从没丢。”

　　赛米德变大，又变小。“办好了！”它说。

　　“希望妈妈别到警察局去。”

　　“办好了！”赛米德又说。

　　“我还希望，”简突然说，“妈妈和马莎把珠宝的事全忘了。”

　　“办好了！”赛米德说，可它的声音显得很累。“现在你们能为我许愿吗？”

　　“你不能为自己实现愿望吗？”西里尔问。

　　“当然不能。”赛米德说，“希望你们别把我的事告诉任何人。”

　　“为什么？”罗伯特问。

　　“唉，你们孩子们老要愚蠢的东西。大人们可不那样。要是他们抓住我，他们就希望要真正的、重要的东西——比方给穷人免费住房啦，给全国各地的孩子建新学校啦，给老人们钱啦。就那种使人厌烦的事。而且他们会想办法在日落后留住它们。如果所有的那些变化立刻发生，世界会怎么样？那可就会有麻烦了。所以接着许愿！快点！”

　　安西娅说出了赛米德的愿望，它变得非常非常大。当它又变小了时，它说：“现在我很累了。你们想要最后一个愿望吗？”

　　“感谢你做的一切。”简说，“美美地睡一觉——我还希望有一天能再见到你。”

　　然后赛米德最后一次变大又变小。它用柄眼把他们全又看了一遍，然后很快地钻进沙子里去了。

　　当他们又到家里时，一切都是好好的。母亲回到家，她和马莎什么都忘了，而且奇滕登夫人发现她的珠宝没丢。

　　“你们认为我们究竟还能再见到赛米德吗？”晚些时候简在花园里对其他孩子们说。

　　当然喽，他们又见到它了，可不是在这个故事里见到的。是在与这里很不一样的一个地方。那是在一个……可我不该再多说了。 

1 was   

v.(is,am的过去式)是，在

参考例句：

• He said he was right.他说他是正确的。
• He was cold and hungry.他又冷又饿。

2 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

3 came   

v.动词come的过去式

参考例句：

• I was surprised why he came here so early.他为什么那么早到这里，我很惊奇。
• The doctor came in time to save his life.医生及时来抢救他的生命。

4 excited   

adj.激动的；兴奋的

参考例句：

• He was so excited that he could not speak.他太兴奋，连话都说不出来了。
• The excited children forgot to take the presents to the party.孩子们兴奋得忘了把礼物带到聚会上了。

5 thieves   

n.小偷，窃贼(复数形)

参考例句：

• a nest of thieves 贼窝
• The thieves took the jewels and then cleaned out. 那些贼拿了首饰，匆匆而去。

6 said   

v.动词say的过去式、过去分词

参考例句：

• He said to me that he could not come.他对我说他不能来。
• He said to his mother that he would do it by himself.他对他的母亲说他将自己独立做那件事。

7 took   

vt.带，载(take的过去式)

参考例句：

• I took my dog for a walk along the river.我带着狗沿那条河散步。
• It took me about two hours to cook the meat.我花了大约两个小时来煮这些肉。

8 jewels   

n.宝石，宝石饰物( jewel的名词复数 )；受珍视的人[物]；宝贝，手表的宝石轴承

参考例句：

• The family jewels are locked away in a safe. 家里的珠宝首饰都锁在保险柜里。
• The crown was set with precious jewels—diamonds, rubies and emeralds. 王冠上镶嵌着稀世珍宝—有钻石、红宝石、绿宝石。

9 got   

v.(get的过去式)得到，猜到，明白

参考例句：

• I just got some bad news.我刚得到一些坏消息。
• I have got far too much work to do.我要做的事太多了。

10 cost   

n.价钱，费用，成本；损失，牺牲

参考例句：

• What does the book cost?这本书值多少？
• He saved his daughter at the cost of his life.他以牺牲自己的生命挽救了女儿。

11 pounds   

n.英镑( pound的名词复数 )；磅；敲打；重击声v.连续重击( pound的第三人称单数 )；咚咚地走；（持续地）苦干；（驾舟时）拍打（水面）

参考例句：

• The paper got clobbered with libel damages of half a million pounds. 这家报纸被罚以五十万英镑的诽谤损害赔偿金。
• He donated thousands of pounds to charity. 他向慈善事业捐款数千英镑。

12 going   

n.去，离去，地面(或道路)的状况，工作情况；(复数形式）goings: 行为；adj.进行中的，流行的，现存的

参考例句：

• We're going to listen to a report this afternoon. 今天下午我们要去听报告。
• He hates leaving the office and going on holiday.他不愿离开办公室去度假。

13 could   

v.能，可能(can的过去式)；aux.v.(can的过去式)能；可以

参考例句：

• Could I open the window?我可以打开窗子吗？
• I could wait ten minutes.我可以等十分钟。

14 others   

prep.(pl.)另外的人

参考例句：

• Learning from others is important.向别人学习很重要。
• She is always ready to help others.她总是乐于助人。

15 ever   

adv.曾经；永远；不断地；在任何时候；究竟

参考例句：

• Have you ever been to hangzhou?你曾经去过杭州吗？
• I will be young and strong and beautiful for ever.我将永远年轻、强壮，永远漂亮。

16 stole   

n.女用披肩v.偷( steal的过去式 )；悄悄地做，悄悄地走

参考例句：

• They stole the jewels from under the police's nose. 他们就在警察的眼前偷走了珠宝。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He stole a car for the hell of it. 他只是为了好玩而偷汽车。 来自《简明英汉词典》

17 yet   

adv.还，仍然，即刻；conj.尽管，然而

参考例句：

• I am not ready yet.我还没有准备好。
• Beautiful as she is,she didn't find a boyfriend yet.尽管她很漂亮，但还没找到男朋友呢。

18 shook   

v.摇撼( shake的过去式 )；（使）颤抖；握手；动摇

参考例句：

• He grasped my hand and shook it warmly. 他热情地抓住我的手握了起来。
• She shook her head violently. 她拼命摇头。

19 slowly   

adv.慢地，缓慢地

参考例句：

• Speak more slowly,please.请说慢一点。
• Do it slowly and carefully.要慢慢仔细地做。

20 believe   

v.相信；认为

参考例句：

• Believe it or not,that's the way it is.信不信由你，反正事情就是这样。
• I believe what you say.我相信你的话。

21 anyone   

pron.(=everybody)任何人

参考例句：

• Anyone who wants to can join.愿意的都可以参加。
• Have you got anyone to speak for you?你找到人代表你们发言了吗？

22 seen   

vbl.(see的过去分词)看见

参考例句：

• Since I left college, I have not seen him.自从我离开大学以后，就没有见过他了。
• I hope to have seen the film next week.我希望下星期能看到这部电影。

23 adults   

n.成年的人或动物( adult的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Adults are often immune to German measles. 成人往往对风疹有免疫力。
• Many Chinese adults dress their children in brilliant orange, red and pink. 很多中国的成人给他们的孩子穿鲜艳的橘黄色、红色和粉色的衣服。 来自《简明英汉词典》

24 prison   

n.监狱(禁)；拘留所

参考例句：

• They put him in a prison.他们将他逮捕入狱。
• If you go on like this you will be put into prison. 你这样下去会进监狱的。

25 terrible   

adj.可怕的，糟糕的，极其的

参考例句：

• I think you've made a terrible mistake.我认为你犯了一个严重的错误。
• This is a terrible idea.这是一个可怕的想法。

26 ran   

vbl.run的过去式

参考例句：

• He ran,and then slowed down to a walk.他跑着，然后放慢速度步行。
• As soon as Marie opened the door,the dog ran in.当玛丽一打开门，狗就跑了进来。

27 upstairs   

adj.楼上的；adv.在楼上，往楼上，高水平地，上层地，头脑上地；n.楼上

参考例句：

• He would prefer to meet me downstairs rather than upstairs.他宁愿在楼下见我，而不愿在楼上。
• I think I'll go upstairs and have a sleep.我想上楼去睡一觉。

28 off   

adj.远的；休假的，空闲的；adv.走开，出发，隔断；prep.离开，脱落，在...之外

参考例句：

• You'd better cool off first.你最好先冷静下来。
• I need some time off.我需要一些时间休息。

29 diamond   

n.钻石，像钻石的物质，菱形，纸牌的方块，棒球内场；vt.用钻石装饰

参考例句：

• Did you see the diamond pin she got for Christmas?你看到她为圣诞节买的钻石饰针了吗？
• The ring has a diamond in it.戒指上镶着一块钻石。

30 perhaps   

adv.也许，可能

参考例句：

• Perhaps it will rain in the afternoon.下午可能有雨。
• Perhaps I can help you.也许我能帮帮你的忙吧。

31 did   

v.动词do的过去式

参考例句：

• How many goals did you score in the last game?上一场比赛你们进了几个球？
• Why did you choose basketball in the first place?你为何首先选择篮球呢？

32 found   

v.建立，创立，创办；vbl.(find的过去分词)找到

参考例句：

• I found him at home.我发现他在家。
• The United Nations was found in 1945.联合国于1945年成立。

33 bracelets   

n.手镯，臂镯( bracelet的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The lamplight struck a gleam from her bracelets. 她的手镯在灯光的照射下闪闪发亮。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• On display are earrings, necklaces and bracelets made from jade, amber and amethyst. 展出的有用玉石、琥珀和紫水晶做的耳环、项链和手镯。 来自《简明英汉词典》

34 unhappy   

adj.不幸的，不愉快的，不幸福的

参考例句：

• With all his money,he is unhappy.尽管他有那么多钱，他也并不愉快。
• I'm unhappy about the work you did for me.你替我做这件事我不太满意。

35 true   

a.真实，不假的；忠实，可靠的；正确无误的

参考例句：

• He who doesn't reach the Great Wall is not a true man.不到长城非好汉。
• I will come and see if it is true.我要来了解一下，是否真有其事。

36 stupid   

adj.愚蠢的，笨拙的，麻木的，无趣味的；n.傻瓜

参考例句：

• The boy is too stupid.那个男孩太笨了。
• He must be really stupid.那他一定很傻。

37 strangers   

陌生人( stranger的名词复数 )； 外地人，初到者

参考例句：

• The local people are very hospitable to strangers. 当地人对外来客人十分友好热情。
• He was a paradox—a loner who loved to chat to strangers. 他真是个矛盾人物，生性孤僻却又喜欢和陌生人闲聊。

38 course   

n.课程，讲座，过程，路线，一道(菜)

参考例句：

• The college course was then cut to three years.大学学制那时缩短到三年。
• Of course,I don't always sleep in the afternoons.当然，我并不总是在下午睡觉。

39 friendly   

adj.友好的，和气的

参考例句：

• He's not friendly to others.他对别人不友好。
• People here are very friendly.这儿的人很友好。

40 thought   

n.想法，思想，思维，思潮，关心，挂念；v.vbl.think的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• It was just a thought.这仅仅是一个想法。
• She thought he had a cold.她认为他感冒了。

41 would   

aux.will的过去式；愿，要；常常；大概；将要，会

参考例句：

• Why would you say that?为什么你会这么说？
• Would you please help me?你能帮帮我吗？

42 police   

n.警察，警察当局，治安，公安；vt.维持治安，警备，管辖

参考例句：

• They sent him over to the police.他们将他遣送警察局。
• It took the police only several days to break the case.警察只用了几天就破案了。

43 thief   

n.贼；小偷

参考例句：

• He saw the thief running away.他看见贼逃走了。
• The thief broke the window and got into the house.那个窃贼打破窗子，进入屋内。

44 saw   

vbl.看见(see的过去式)；n.锯；v.用锯子锯

参考例句：

• Would you like to saw a tree for me?你能为我锯棵树吗？
• The moment I saw you,I knew you were angry with me.我一看到你，就知道你在生我的气。

45 alone   

adj.单独的，孤独的；adv.单独地，独自地；仅仅

参考例句：

• He often makes a round trip to the hospital alone.他经常一个人往返医院。
• It is dangerous for a girl to go out alone at night.一个女孩夜里单独外出是危险的。

46 real   

adj.真实的；非虚构的；真正的；非常的

参考例句：

• You know her real name?你知道她的真正名字？
• The real world does not look that way!现实世界不是这样的！

47 voice   

n.说话声；声音

参考例句：

• Her voice was music to my ears.她的声音听起来就像音乐。
• That song doesn't suit her voice.那首歌不适合她的嗓子。

48 yourself   

pron.你自己

参考例句：

• I need you to do it yourself.我要你亲自做。
• Late again,Tom?I hope you can explain yourself.汤姆，又迟到了？我希望你能说明理由。

49 important   

adj.重要的；重大的；严重的

参考例句：

• It's important to find out what he is doing.弄清他在干什么是重要的。
• This is a very important problem.这个问题很重要。

50 free   

adj.自由的，免费的；v.使自由；adv.随意地

参考例句：

• I don't have much free time.我没有多少空闲时间。
• There really is no free lunch.天下果然没有免费的午餐。

51 boring   

adj.无聊的；令人生厌的

参考例句：

• It is a boring film.这是一部枯燥乏味的电影。
• This story is kind of boring.这个故事有点无聊。

52 trouble   

n.苦恼，麻烦；故障；动乱；vt.麻烦 vi.费神

参考例句：

• I hate to trouble you.我真不愿麻烦你。
• The trouble is that he doesn't have enough money.麻烦在于他缺钱。

53 someday   

adv.(今后)有一天

参考例句：

• He'll forgive me someday.总有一天他会宽恕我的。
• My hope is that someday you will move to this town.我希望你有朝一日能搬到这个城市里来。

54 dug   

n.动物的乳房[乳头]v.挖，掘( dig的过去式和过去分词 )；（如用铲、锨或推土机等）挖掘；挖得；寻找

参考例句：

• He dug a deep hole in the garden. 他在花园里挖了个深坑。
• We dug a deep pit in the yard. 我们在院子中挖了个深洞。

55 itself   

pron.(it的反身代词)它自己，它本身

参考例句：

• The thing itself is not important.这事情本身并不重要。
• The machine will start by itself in a few seconds.几秒钟后，机器将自行启动。

56 later   

adv.过后，后来；adj.以后的，更后的，较晚的

参考例句：

• He didn't turn up until half an hour later.半小时后他才出现。
• This part of the hospital was built on later.医院的这个部分是后来增建的。