中国春节风俗习惯 第4期:中国羊年(3)

 　　A hare came bounding along, and saw that the kind goat was shedding a tear.

　　一只野兔跳了回来，看到山羊在流眼泪。

　　Tell me good goat, why are you looking so sad? he asked.

　　告诉我，好山羊，你为什么看起来这么难过？他问道。

　　Oh dear hare, I am in a bad way, and cannot help but feel sad.

　　哦，亲爱的兔子，我的情形很不妙，忍不住感到难过。

　　You see on the way here, we ran into a Big Bad Wolf, and in order to save us from being eaten on the spot,

　　我们来这里的路上遇到了一只大坏狼，为了拯救我们免于被当场吃掉，

　　I promised that if he would allow us to continue up the mountain pastures, we would meet him on our return, when we were good and fat.

　　我承诺如果他允许我们继续去山上的牧场，当我们长的又肥又壮的时候，我们会在回来的路上与他碰面。

　　That is indeed a tragic¹ tale, admitted the hare. But cheer up, because I have a plan to save you.

　　那的确是一个悲惨的故事，兔子承认。但是振作起来，因为我有一个计划来拯救你。

　　The hare dressed himself a new robe, with an earring² in his left ear, and a fine hat on his head.

　　兔子穿着长袍，在左耳戴上一个耳环，头上戴一顶漂亮的帽子。

　　He took a large sheet of paper in his hand, and, with a pen behind his ear, he mounted upon the back of the goat.

　　他手里拿着一张很大的纸，把钢笔夹在耳后，骑上了山羊的背。

　　In short, he looked like a travelling official in the service of the Chinese Emperor.

　　简而言之，他看起来就像一个微服私访的中国皇帝。

　　As soon as they came in sight of the wolf, the hare put on a pompous³ voice and called out: Who are you and what is your business?

　　他们一看见狼，兔子就用一个浮夸的声音喊道：你是谁，你是干什么的？

　　I am the Big Bad Wolf, he replied, and I am here to eat this good goat and her kid.

　　我是大坏狼，他回答说，我到这里来吃这好山羊和她的孩子。

　　We made a bargain fair and square. And who may you be, I pray?

　　我们做了一个光明正大的交易。来者何人？

　　I am the hare, the animal replied, and I am traveling to India on a special mission under the orders of the the Emperor of China.

　　我是兔子，动物答道，我旅行到印度去执行中国皇帝派遣的特殊任务。

　　As it happens, I have a commission to bring ten wolf skins as a present to the King of India.

　　凑巧的是，我有一个要将十张狼皮作为礼物送给印度王的委任状。

　　What a fortunate thing it is that I should have met you here! Your skin will do for one nicely.

　　我在这里遇见你真是幸运！你的皮毛很不错。

　　So saying, the hare produced his sheet of paper, and, taking his pen in his hand,

　　说着，兔子拿出他的一张纸，手里拿着钢笔，

　　he wrote down the figure 1 to show that he had found the first wolf skin.

　　写下数字1，表明他已经发现了第一张狼皮。

　　The poor wolf was so scared that he turned and fled.

　　可怜的狼吓了一大跳，赶紧转身逃跑了。

　　The good goat and her kid laughed heartily⁴ and continued on their quiet and blameless way back to the valley.

　　好山羊和她的孩子纵情大笑，回到了山谷中过着安静而又无可责备的生活。

　　And that was our special story for the Chinese Year of the Goat.

　　这是我们特别为中国年的山羊的故事。

　　If you would like to hear stories about the other Chinese years, do drop by soon at Storynory. com.

　　如果你想听其他中国年的故事，请速来访问Storynory.com。

　　For now, from me, Natasha. Happy Year of the Goat!

　　现在，我和娜塔莎祝大家羊年快乐！

1 tragic   

adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的

参考例句：

• The effect of the pollution on the beaches is absolutely tragic.污染海滩后果可悲。
• Charles was a man doomed to tragic issues.查理是个注定不得善终的人。

2 earring   

n.耳环，耳饰

参考例句：

• How long have you worn that earring?你戴那个耳环多久了？
• I have an earring but can't find its companion.我现在只有一只耳环,找不到另一只了。

3 pompous   

adj.傲慢的，自大的；夸大的；豪华的

参考例句：

• He was somewhat pompous and had a high opinion of his own capabilities.他有点自大，自视甚高。
• He is a good man underneath his pompous appearance. 他的外表虽傲慢，其实是个好人。

4 heartily   

adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很

参考例句：

• He ate heartily and went out to look for his horse.他痛快地吃了一顿，就出去找他的马。
• The host seized my hand and shook it heartily.主人抓住我的手，热情地和我握手。