天方夜谭英文故事：The Fisherman and The Genie

Once a fisherman lived in a village. He led his life with his earnings¹ from fishing. One day he cast his net into the sea. He waited for some time and pulled the net out. But there was nothing in the net. He felt worried and thought in his mind, "To day, my family and I will starve without food." He tried again and again but was in vain. 

 

Finally he cast the net without any hope into the sea. After a few minutes, he pulled the net. He felt that the net was heavy. His face brightened….It looks there is a big fish in the net. But when he pulled out the net from the sea, he saw a big old jar in the net. It was closed by a beautifully decorated lid. He tried and opened the Jar. 

 

There came a gigantic² genie³ with an ugly wicked⁴ face. He laughed in high pitch “I have been hungry inside the jar. I want food immediately. I shall eat you". He said in loud voice. On hearing this the fisherman was terribly afraid. But he gathered his courage and said. “You are so big. How can I satisfy your hunger? The wicked genie again asked him to come near so that it could eat the fisherman. 

 

Again the fisherman said, ‘‘I am poor. I didn't do any harm to you. Then why do you want to kill me. Genie?" But the genie said. “I would not hear your words again. Come near me quick". 

 

But the fisherman had an idea in his mind to escape from the genie said", I am ready now…but before you kill me you have to answer my question". 

 

"Quick", the genie said with anger. 

 

The fisherman asked him how such a huge genie could be inside a small Jar. The genie replied that he could make himself as tiny as he. The fisherman wanted to test it. So the genie made himself as little as possible and jumped into the jar. Suddenly the fisherman closed the Jar as quickly as he could and threw the Jar into the Sea. So the wicked genie was locked inside the Jar once again. The fisherman was very happy and he escaped from the danger with his presence⁵ of mind.  

1 earnings   

n.工资收人；利润，利益，所得

参考例句：

• That old man lives on the earnings of his daughter.那个老人靠他女儿的收入维持生活。
• Last year there was a 20% decrease in his earnings.去年他的收入减少了20%。

2 gigantic   

adj.巨大的，巨人似的

参考例句：

• He has a gigantic appetite and eats gigantic meals.他有很大的食量，能吃很多的食物。
• The earth may be thought of as a gigantic magnet.整个地球可以想像为一块硕大无朋的磁石。

3 genie   

n.妖怪，神怪

参考例句：

• Now the genie of his darkest and weakest side was speaking.他心灵中最阴暗最软弱的部分有一个精灵在说话。
• He had to turn to the Genie of the Ring for help.他不得不向戒指神求助。

4 wicked   

adj.邪恶的，恶劣的，缺德的；淘气的

参考例句：

• Let everyone know all the wicked things she has done.把她干的坏事给大家抖搂抖搂。
• The wicked must be wiped out.恶人必须除掉。

5 presence   

n.出席；到场；存在

参考例句：

• Her presence lent an air of respectability to the occasion.她的到场使那种场合增添了崇高的气氛。
• His presence is indicative of his willingness to help.他的出席表示他愿意帮忙。