英语故事：救命水1
The Water Of Life
After that they boarded a ship and sailed over the sea. During the voyage the two elder brothers said to each other:" Our youngest brother found the Water of Life and we didn't, so our father will give him the kingdom that's due to us and so he'll sob us of our fortunes." And they sought revenge and plotted together to destroy him. They waited for a time when he was fast asleep, and then they took the Water of Life from him, emptying it out of his cup and pouring salt sea-water into it instead.
So when they arrived home the youngest son took his cup to the sick king for him to drink out of it and get well. But he had hardly tasted a mouthful of the salt sea-water when he fell even more ill than before. And as he was lamenting about this, his two elder sons came in and accused the youngest of having tried to poison him, but told him that they had brought the real Water of Life. So they gave it to him, and no sooner had he drunk some than he felt his sickness leave him and grew strong and healthy as he had been in his youth.
After this the two went to their youngest brother and mocked him:" Oh yes, you found the Water of Life," they said, "but you've had the trouble and we've got the reward! You should have been cleverer and kept you eyes open: we took it from you when you'd fallen asleep on the ship, and a year from now one of us will fetch that beautiful princess. But mind you say nothing about this; our father wouldn't believe you anyway, and if you utter a single word you'll lose your life as well, but if you hold your tongue we'll spare it."
The old king was angry with his youngest son, believing he had tried to kill him. So he summoned all his courtiers and made them pass judgment, and it was decided that the prince should be secretly shot.
So one day when he was out hunting and suspected nothing, the king's huntsman was ordered to accompany him. When they were out there in the forest quite alone and the huntsman was looking very sad, the prince said to him, "Dear huntsman, what's the matter?" The huntsman said, "I can't tell you, and yet I must." Then the prince said, "Tell me right out what it is, I'll forgive you." "Oh, sir," said the huntsman, "I'm to shoot you dead, it's the king's order." The prince was startled and said, "Dear huntsman, let me live! Look, I'll give you my royal clothes, give me your plain ones in exchange." The huntsman said: "I'll gladly do so, I just couldn't have brought myself to shoot at you." So they changed clothes, and the huntsman went home, but the prince went deeper into the forest.
Sometime later, the old king received three wagon-loads of gold and precious stones for his youngest son: they had been sent by the three kings who had defeated their enemies with the prince's sword and fed their people with his loaf of bread, and who wanted to show their gratitude. Then the old king thought: can it be that my son was innocent? And he said to his servants, "If only he were still alive! How sorry I am now that I had him killed." "Sir, he is still alive," said the huntsman, "for I didn't have the heart to carry out your orders." And he told the king what had happened. At this a great weight fell from the king's heart, and he had it proclaimed in every kingdom that his son might come home and that we would be graciously welcomed.
But the princess had a road made leading up to her castle, and it was of pure shining gold; and she told her servants that whoever came riding straight up the middle of it to visit her would be her rightful bridegroom and they were to let him in. But if anyone came riding alongside the road he would not be the right man, and they were not to let him in.
So when the year was nearly over, the eldest brother decided that he would hurry off to the princess and claim to be her rescuer, and then he would get her for his wife with her kingdom as well. So he rode off, and when he got near the castle and saw the beautiful golden road, he thought: it would be a crying shame to ride on a road like that. So he turned aside and rode up on the right of it. When he came to the gate, the servants told him he wasn't the right man and that he must go away.
Soon afterwards the second prince set out, and when he came to the golden road and his horse took the first step on it, he thought: it would be a crying shame, his hooves might damage the surface. So he turned aside and rode up on the left of it. But when he came to the gate, the servants said he wasn't the right man and he must go away.
Then when the year had fully passed, the third brother decided to leave the forest and ride to his beloved and forget his sorrows with her. So he set out and thought of nothing but her and wished he were there already, and didn't even notice the golden road. So his horse went straight up the middle of it, and when he reached the gate it was opened to him and the princess received him with joy, telling him he was her rescuer and the lord of her kingdom.
Their wedding was celebrated with great happiness, and when it was over she told him that his father had sent for him and forgiven him. So he rode home and told the king everything, and how his brothers had deceived him but he had said nothing about it. The old king wanted to punish them, but they had boarded a ship and set sail and never showed their faces again.
I. Translation for Reference(参考译文)
然后，他们弟兄三人乘船过海。船向前航行的时候，两个哥哥秘密地商量着，他们说：“三王子找到了救命水，可是，我们没找到，父亲会把本该归我们所有的王位让给他的。咱们俩什么也得不着了。他会把我们的幸福夺走的。”这样，两个哥哥心里燃烧起仇恨的烈火，一起密谋要毁了弟弟。有一天，他们等弟弟睡熟了，就把弟弟杯里的救命水倒到自己的杯里来。然后，又在弟弟的杯里装上咸苦的海水。
他们回到家以后，三王子马上把杯子拿给生病的国王，让他喝下里面的水治好病。但是国王只是喝了一点点那咸苦的海水，病就变得比以前更重了。三王子难过得痛哭起来。这时候他的两个哥哥走进来责备他想害死他们的父亲，并且对国王说他们拿来了真正的救命水。接着，他们把救命水送上来。国王喝一下这杯水，马上就觉得病好了，而且还像年轻时那样健康结实，精力旺盛。于是两个哥哥走到三王子跟前来，嘲讽他说：“救命水确实是你找到的`。可是你白费了力气，好处我们哥俩领了。你，应该学得更聪明点儿，眼睛再睁得大点儿。你在海上睡觉的时候，我们就把那救命水拿过来了。一年以后，我们俩还会有一个人把那漂亮的公主带回来。可是我们警告你，这些事儿，你不能对别人讲。爸爸是不会相信你的话的。你要是敢说出一句。我们就要你的命，你要是不吱声，我们就饶了你。”
老国王很恼恨三王子。他以为三我王子真想害死他。于是，他召集大臣们商量怎么惩处三王子。他们想要悄悄地把三王子枪毙了。有一次，三王子出去打猎丝毫未存戒心。老国王派个猎人跟着他。当他们两人从王宫里出来走到森林里的时候，猎人脸上露出了愁容。三王子问猎人：“你怎么了啊？”猎人说：“这个，我是不能说的。可是我必须得告诉你。”三王子说：“有什么事？你说吧！我不会责备你的。”猎人说：“我要枪毙你，这是国王的命令。”三王子吓了一大跳，说：“猎人啊，你救我一命吧！我把我漂亮的衣服给你，你把你的破衣服给我。”“我愿意这样做，无论如何，我不能对你开枪。”于是，他们互相换了衣服，猎人回家去了，三王子走进了大森林。
过不多久，老国王收到了三辆装有黄金和宝石的大马车。这是三个国王送给三王子的礼物。三个国王借助三王子的宝刀才打败了敌人，靠三王子的面包度过了饥荒，所以才送这些东西来表示谢意。老国王心里想：难道我那个儿子，是没有罪过的。所以他对仆人们说：“我那孩子要是还活着该多好啊。我真后悔杀了他。”“三王子还活着。我没忍心执行你的命令，没有杀他，”猎人说。接着猎人把当时的情况讲给了国王听。国王听了这话，心里的一块石头落了地。于是，他向每个国度发出布告说三王子可以回来，会受到热情的欢迎。
再说那位公主，她在她的王宫前面用黄金铺了一条闪闪发光的大路，并且对手下人说不管是谁骑着马从这条路中间一直跑过来，那就是她的丈夫，可以把他领近来；如果有人从路边跑过来，那就不是她真正等待的人，就不要把他领进来了。
一年快过去的时候，大王子急急忙忙地往公主那里赶。他心里想，我自报我就是救了公主的那个人，我就能娶到公主了，还能得到她的国家。于是，他骑着马直奔王宫而来。他看见王宫前的黄金大道，心里想：骑着马从这条大路上走，太过分了吧！于是他拨马到路边去，从右侧往前走。可是当大王子走到王宫门前的时候，手下人对他说他不是公主真正等待的人，应该马上离开。
不久，二王子也到了，当马蹄刚踏上那黄金大道，二王子心里就想：这太过分了，马蹄会把路踩坏的。于是他也拨马到路边去，从左侧往前走。可是当二王子赶到王宫门前，手下人对他说他不是公主真正等待的人，应该马上离开。
一年，已经过去了。三王子决心从森林里走出来，直奔他一直想念的公主居住的王宫。他忘记了悲伤，一心想着公主。他要尽快地赶到她的身边，所以不顾一切地往前走啊走，根本没看见那条黄金大道。他的马是从大道的正中间通过的。三王子走到王宫大门口的时候，门开了。公主高高兴兴地出来迎接他，说他才是真正解救他的人并且已经是这个国家的国王了。然后，他们高兴地举行了盛大的婚礼。婚后，公主对三王子说他的爸爸已经派人找他并宽恕了他。于是，三王子骑马回家，把全部情况告诉了老国王，对他说两个哥哥如何欺骗了他，但他却没揭发他们。老国王要教训教训那两个儿子。可是，他们上了海船逃走了，再也没回来。
III. New Words and Expressions 生词和词组
1.revenge n. 报复
2.lament v. 悲叹
3.utter v. 做声
4.spare v. 饶恕
5.graciously ad. 热情地
6.bridegroom n. 新郎
希腊神话潘多拉
Pandora
After the stealing of fire，Zeus became increasingly unkind to men．One day he ordered his son Hephaestus tobuild an image of a beautiful maiden out of clay．He then asked the gods and goddesses to award her with different kinds of gifts．Among others，Athena clothed her in an attractive coat and Hermes gave her the power of telling lies．A charming young lady，she was the first woman that ever lived．Zeus called her Pandora．Because she had received from each of the gods and goddesses a gift．The gift was harmful to men．
Zeus decided to send her down to men as a present．So Hermes them essenger brought her to Epimetheus，brother of Prometheus．The greatness of her beauty touched the hearts of all who looked upon her，and Epimetheus happily received her into his house．He had quite forgotten Pometheus' warning：never to accept anything from Zeus．The couple lived a happy life for some time．Then trouble came on to the human world．
When he was busy with teaching men the art of living，Prometheus had left a bigcask in the care of Epimetheus．He had warned his brother not to open the lid．Pandora was a curious woman．She had been feeling very disappointed that her husband did not allow her to take a look at the contents of the cask．One day，when Epimetheus was out，she lifted the lid and out itcame unrest and war，Plague and sickness，theft and violence， grief sorrow，and all the other evils．The human world was hence to experience these evils．Only hope stayed within the mouth of the jar and never flew out．So men always have hope within their hearts．
潘多拉
偷窃天火之后，宙斯对人类的敌意与日俱增。一天，他令儿子赫菲斯托斯用泥塑一美女像，并请众神赠予她不同的礼物。其中，雅典娜饰之以华丽的衣裳，赫耳墨斯赠之以说谎的能力。世上的第一个女人是位迷人女郎，因为她从每位神灵那里得到了一样对男人有害的礼物，因此宙斯称她为潘多拉（pander：意为煽动）。
宙斯决定把她作为礼物送给世间的男子。于是信使赫耳墨斯将她带给普罗米修斯的弟弟厄庇墨透斯。她姿容绝美，见者无不为之倾心。厄庇墨透斯兴高采烈地把她迎入屋内。普罗米修斯警告过他不得接受宙斯的任何馈赠，而他已将之忘于脑后。这一对夫妻有过一段幸福的'生活，但不久灾难却降临人间。
当普罗米修斯忙于教授人们生存之道的时候，他把一个桶托付给厄庇墨透斯。他警告过他的弟弟不要打开桶盖。潘多拉好奇心强。她的丈夫不允许她看桶中之物，这使她感到十分懊恼。一天乘厄庇墨透斯出门在外，她打开桶盖，从桶里跑出的是不和与战争，瘟疫与疾病，偷窃与暴力，悲哀与忧虑，以及其他一些人类从此要遭受的不幸。只有希望被关在桶口，永远飞不出来，因此人们常常把希望藏于心中。
希腊神话奥林波斯山神
The Olympin Gods
Between Macedon and Thessaly of eastern Greece there stood a high mountain．Its cloudy top rushed into the very heavens．On the top of the mountain， the home of the gods was bathed in brightness． At Olympus Zeus ruled as the father of gods and men． Zeus was not a crude ruler by any standards．All the gods listened to his final words，it was true．But Zeus made them all sit on a committee of twelve members，including six gods and six goddesses． The first in the Olympian crowd sat Zeus himself． He was the overlord of gods and men and the operator of the thunderbolt ．Next to him was Hera，his proud and greeneyed queen．Poseidon was ruler of the sea，And Hades，king of the lower world，had no seat in the committee．Apollo was the god of the sun，music and poetry，while his twinsister Artemis was the goddess of the moon and the chase． Athena was the goddess of wisdom and patroness of house holdarts．Hestin，the goddess of the family，represented home life and family happiness．The frightening Ares was the god of war，and the charming Aphrodite the goddess of love and beauty．The god of fire，Hephaestus，was the forger of the thunderbolts of Zeus．The wing footed messenger Hermes was the god of invention and commerce；and the goddess of grains and harvests，Demeter，looked after agriculture and stood for mother ofcivilization．
All the chief gods mentioned above took human forms of incomparable beauty and grace． Often moved by human feelings and desires，they frequently gave way to anger and jealousy．They became involved in ceaseless battles with the world of man． Among themselves at Olympus they plotted and struggled for power．In the human world they experienced competitions and difficulties．They enjoyed earthly friendships and loves．Acrowd of everlasting gods looked and acted in a perfectly human fashion that is what all gods at Olympus actually were．
奥林波斯山神
在马其顿和希腊东部的色萨利之间矗立着一座高山。大雾弥漫的山顶直插云霄。山顶上，众神们的家园沐浴在阳光之中。宙斯作为山神和人类之父主宰着那里的一切。总的说来，宙斯并不是一个独裁统治者。但毫无疑问，凡事山神们都要听从他的命令。宙斯将男女山神12人组成一个委员会，宙斯本人则坐第一把交椅，是众神与人类的太上皇，也是雷电的操纵者。他旁边是他那傲慢且嫉妒的皇后赫拉。波塞冬是大海的统治者。哈得斯是主宰阴间的冥王，他在委员会中没有席位。阿波罗是太阳神、音乐和诗神。他的孪生姐妹阿耳特弥斯是月亮和狩猎女神。雅典娜是智慧女神和家居艺术品的守护女神。赫提斯是家室之神，象征着家庭中的`生命与幸福。气势汹汹的阿瑞斯是战神。媚人的阿芙罗狄蒂是爱与美神。火神赫菲斯托斯是宙斯雷电的创造者。以翅代步的信使海尔墨斯掌管商业与发明事务。谷物与丰收女神得墨特尔负责管理农业，她是文明之母。
以上所提到的主要天神们都假装成凡人的样子，他们的美丽与魅力无可匹敌。因常受到凡人情感与愿望的感染，他们不时地勃然大怒，妒嫉别人。他们卷入与人类世界无休止的争斗中。在奥林波斯，他们之间也充满了阴谋与权力之争。在凡人的世界里，他们经历了敌对与挫折。他们珍惜人间的爱与友善。这群长生不老的天神们的外表与行为完全符合人间的方式。这就是奥林波斯山神们的本来面目。
双语故事桃太郎
Momotaro
文章背景
《桃太郎》是日本童话故事中最受儿童喜爱的一篇古老童话。虽然经历了很多世纪后，故事的讲述形式和内容略有变动，但是大多数版本都紧紧地围绕着同样的主题：一对无儿无女的老夫妇意外地在一颗桃子里发现了一个小男孩。这个孩子长大后，立志去征服邪恶的食人怪。他带着一袋老婆婆做的小米饼上路了，途中遇到了一条狗，一只猴子和一只野鸡。后来，在这几个忠实伙伴的帮助下，桃太郎把食人怪打得落花流水，光荣地凯旋故里。
故事的语言简短，结构明快，生动塑造了日本的一个传奇形象--桃太郎。值得一提的是，童话在颂扬桃太郎这样一个勇敢，机智，善良，强壮人物的同时，也反映了他幼年时的懒惰，从而使这个形象变得丰满起来。和世界上其他童话相似，该故事中也用丰富的想象，为桃太郎安排了很多得力的助手，从而使故事在一系列巧合中体现“善良最终战胜邪恶”的主题。
Once upon a time an old man and woman lived in the mountains. Everyday the old man went to the mountain and collected firewood, while the old woman went to the river and did the laundry. One day, she was doing the washing when a big peach came floating down the river towards her. As it was a big and juicy-looking fruit, she thought that her husband would be glad to eat it so she took it home. When the old man came back for lunch and saw the nice peach, he was really happy. The old woman cut the big peach open with a knife. What a surprise! A lovely little boy was in the peach.
The old man and woman had no children so they were really grateful the gods had sent them a boy in this peach. Since he was born in a peach, they decided to call him Momotaro which means "peach-boy". The old woman cooked a meal for the little boy who ate as much as he could; the more he ate, the more he grew. Soon he became a tall and strong boy.
No matter how tall or strong he was, Momotaro was a lazy boy. Day after day, all he did was sleep and eat. In the village the other boys went to the mountain and picked firewood while Momotaro was the only one doing nothing. This worried the old man and the old woman, so they asked the other boys to try to make Momotaro go and work with them.
The boys then invited him, "Momotaro, would you come with us? We're going to collect firewood."
But he answered, "I haven't a basket, so I can't go with you" and went back to sleep.
The following day, they invited him again, "Momotaro, would you come with us? We're going to collect firewood."
And he answered them, "I haven't any sandals, so I can't go with you" and went back to sleep. Upon hearing this, the old woman got angry with Momotaro for being so lazy, so the next day he went to collect firewood with the other boys.
While the boys were working and collecting firewood, Momotaro took a nap. When the work was finished, the boys decided to go back to the village. Just then, Momotaro awoke and said to them, "I'll collect firewood and come back with you."
They retorted, "If you start working now, we'll get back too late."
Momotaro turned a deaf ear to them and went to a very big tree. Holding it by the middle, he uprooted it. Astonishing! All the boys could not believe their eyes! Thus the tall and strong Momotaro carried the big tree, while the other boys carried bundles of firewood back to the village. The old man and the old woman were amazed when they saw Momotaro carrying this very big tree as if it was a mere bundle of firewood.
The county lord happened to hear about this and wished to meet Momotaro. The next day Momotaro went to see the county lord. The lord said to him, "Ogres have been threatening and robbing my peasants for a long time. If you are as strong as I heard, you shall go and punish them." Momotaro then agreed to go to the Island of Ogres.
For his journey, the old man and woman baked some millet cookies and gave them to Momotaro. Away he went and on his way he met a dog.
"Momotaro, where are you going?" asked the dog.
"To the Island of Ogres, to punish them."
"And what are you bringing with you?"
"The best millet cookies of Japan."
"Can I have one and go with you?" offered the dog. Momotaro gave the dog a cookie and they went along together.
Soon they met a monkey.
"Momotaro, where are you going?" asked the monkey.
"To the Island of Ogres, to punish them."
"And what are you bringing with you?"
"The best millet cookies of Japan."
"Can I have one and go with you?" offered the monkey. Momotaro gave the monkey a cookie and the three of them went along together.
Then they met a pheasant.
"Momotaro, where are you going?" asked the pheasant.
"To the Island of Ogres, to punish them."
"And what are you bringing with you?"
"The best millet cookies of Japan."
"Can I have one and go with you?" offered the pheasant. So Momotaro gave the pheasant a cookie too.
Momotaro, the dog, the monkey and the pheasant went together to the Island of Ogres by boat. They were sailing but could not see the island, so the pheasant went up in the sky. He found the island and guided the boat. Soon they landed on the Island of Ogres. There on the island was a great big castle with a huge door. It was tightly closed, but the monkey jumped easily inside and opened the huge door.
Momotaro entered and said to the ogres, who were having a feast, "My name is Momotaro, and I came to punish you." The ogres laughed at him, but the dog ran in and bit them as Momotaro fought using his sword. Momotaro and his companions, having eaten the best millet cookies of Japan, knew no fear and were strong.
At last the ogres cried for mercy, "We shall never be bad again, please spare our lives."
The defeated ogres gave Momotaro their treasure. He took it and returned with his companions, who had eaten the best millet cookies of Japan and helped defeat the ogres. The old man and the old woman, who had been worrying about Momotaro, welcomed them back cheerfully.
After that Momotaro and the old man and woman lived happily together.
很久很久以前,一个地方住着老爷爷和老奶奶.通常,爷爷上山砍柴,奶奶去河边洗衣服.一天,奶奶洗衣服时,一个大桃子一沉一浮地顺水漂来.看到了这个桃子,奶奶就把它带回了家,想让爷爷尝个鲜.吃中午饭时,爷爷从山里回来了,看到了这个桃子后欢喜得不得了.两个人刚刚将桃子切开,不由得吓了一大跳,原来呀,一个活蹦乱眺的小男孩从桃子里面跳了出来.
爷爷和奶奶没有孩子,于是欢天喜地地认为孩子是天赐的,就把他叫做"桃太郎", 奶奶做好了饭给他吃,尽管桃太郎有点儿害怕,但仍然吃得很香甜.于是,桃太郎渐渐地长大了.
桃太郎不停地吃,不停地长,变成了一个大力士,同时也是一个大懒汉.每天的任务只是吃了睡,睡了吃.村里的年轻人每日上山捡柴,可桃太郎却什么活也不干.爷爷和奶奶挺担心的.,就拜托村里年轻人说:"叫上桃太郎一起去吧."当他们来找桃太郎一起上山并说:"桃太郎,一块儿打柴去吧"时,他却推说:"没有背篓,去不成啊."说完后,继续睡午觉.第二天,这些年轻人又来邀桃太郎,他推诿道:"没鞋,去不了哇."又过了一天,奶奶终于忍不住生气了,没有办法,桃太郎不得不和村里的年轻人们一起上山了.
大家在山里拾柴,桃太郎却只是睡大觉.等到大家收拾好柴篓要回家时,桃太郎说:"我也想拾点儿柴,然后一起回去吧."大家说:"天色都已经不早了,来不及了."就在这时, 桃太郎抓住了一棵大树,突然间将它拔了出来,把大家吓了一大跳.于是,他扛着大树和大伙返回了村里.见到了这种情况,爷爷和奶奶非常吃惊.这事传到了大人的耳朵里,大人萌生了特别想见桃太郎的念头.见了面,大人说:"前一阵儿总有坏魔鬼骚扰村民,偷盗各种物品器具.因为你很有力气,那么请你去征服魔鬼吧."因此,桃太郎伏鬼这件事就这么定了.
爷爷和奶奶作好了黄米面团给桃太郎带上.就这样他出发了.途中他遇到了一条狗, 狗问他,:
"桃太郎,你这是去哪儿呀."
"魔鬼要去岛上,我正要去除鬼."
"那你腰间挂的是什么呢?"
"最最好吃的黄米面团."
"给我一个好吗,我和你一起去",狗说.
于是桃太郎给了狗一个黄米面团.
和狗一起继续行进时,又遇到了一只猴子,猴子问:"桃太郎,你这是去哪儿呀."
"魔鬼要去岛上,我去除鬼."
"那你腰间挂的是什么呢?"
"最最好吃的黄米面团."
"给我一个吧,我和你们一块儿去",猴子说.
桃太郎又给了猴子一个黄米面团.
于是,桃太郎带着狗和猴子继续赶路了.这回跳出来一只野鸡.同样地,野鸡问他:
"桃太郎,你这是去哪儿呀."
"魔鬼要去岛上,我去除鬼."
"你腰间挂着的是什么呀?"
"最最好吃的黄米面团."
"给我一个吧,我和你们一块儿去."
这样,桃太郎又给了野鸡一个黄米面团. 桃太郎,狗,猴子,野鸡好不容易才到了海边,因为魔鬼们已经去了岛上,他们就划船向海岛出发了.摇啊摇,摇啊摇,怎么也看不到那个岛屿.野鸡就飞到了空中,观察到了岛屿的位置,指挥着大家向那个地方划去,这样,大家到达了岛上.岛上有一座大城,城门紧闭, 猴子敏捷地爬到了门里,将门栓摘掉,把门打开了.而魔鬼们仍一无所知地又是喝酒又是唱歌.桃太郎大声喝道:"我乃桃太郎是也,前来消除你们.
"魔鬼们见他们势单力薄,并不把他们放在眼里.但是,吃了最最好吃的黄米面团后精力充沛的桃太郎和伙伴们并肩作战, 瞬间就把魔鬼们打得落花流水.
魔鬼们赔罪说:"我们归还抢盗来的宝物,决不再做坏事了,给我们留一条活路吧." 惩治了魔鬼后,桃太郎和伙伴们带着宝物回到了村里.正担惊受怕的爷爷和奶奶见状非常高兴.从那以后,桃太郎与爷爷和奶奶一直过着幸福愉快的生活.
III. New Words and Expressions 生词和词组
1. sandal n. 拖鞋，凉鞋
2. bundle n. 捆，束
3. ogre n. 食人魔鬼，怪物
4. cookie n. 面团
5. feast n. 宴会
英语故事：救命水2
The Water of life
Once upon a time there was a king who was ill, and no one thought his life could be saved. But he had three sons, and they were sad about this and went down into the palace garden and wept. Here they met an old man who asked the cause of their grief. They told him that their father was so ill that he would probably die, for nothing did him any good. The old man said:" I know of another remedy: it's the Water of Life. If e drinks some of that he'll recover. But it's difficult to find." The eldest brother said:" I'll find it all right." And he went to the sick king and asked his permission to set out and look for the Water of Life, for only that could heal him. "No," said the king, "that quest is too dangerous; I would rather die." But he kept on pleading till the king gave his consent. In his heart the prince was thinking: If I bring him the Water, I shall be my father' favorite son and inherit the kingdom.
So he set off, and when he had ridden for a while he met a dwarf standing in his path who called out to him:" Where are you riding so fast?" "You stupid midget," said the prince very haughtily, "that's no business of yours." And he rode on. But this had angered the little man, and he had wished evil on him. Very soon the prince found himself in a mountain gorge, and the further he rode along it the nearer the mountains closed in, until as last the path was so narrow that he couldn't ride a step further; it was impossible to turn his horse or even dismount, and there he sat imprisoned.
The sick king waited for him a long time, but he didn't come. Then the second son said:" Father, let me go out and look for the Water," thinking to himself: If my brother is dead, the kingdom will fall to me. At first the king wouldn't let him go, but in the end he gave away. So the prince set off along the same road as his brother had taken, and he too met the dwarf, who stopped him and asked him where he was off to in such a hurry. "You little midget," said the prince, "that's no business of yours." And he rode on without so much as looking round. But the dwarf put a curse on him, and he got stuck in a mountain gorge like his brother and could move neither forward nor back. That's what comes of being high and mighty.
When the second son didn't return either, the youngest offered to set out in search of the Water of Life, and in the end the king had to let him go. When he met the dwarf and the dwarf asked him where he was off to in such a hurry, he stopped to give him an answer and said, "I'm looking for the Water of Life, because my father's mortally ill." And do you know where it is to be found?" "No," said the prince. "Since you have behaved in a proper manner and not been arrogant like your two false-hearted brothers, I will give you information and tell you how to get the Water of Life. It springs up from a fountain in the courtyard of a bewitched castle; but you will not be able to make your way in unless I give you an iron wand and two loaves of bread. Strike on the iron gate of the castle three times with the wand and it will spring open; inside there are two lions with gaping jaws, but if you throw each of them a loaf they'll become tame. Then you must hurry and fetch some of the Water of Life before the clock strikes twelve, otherwise the gate will slam shut again and you'll be locked in."
The prince thanked him, took the wand and the bread and went on his way. And when he got there everything was just as the dwarf had said. The gate sprang open at the third stroke of the wand, and when he had tamed the lions with the bread he entered the castle and found himself in a beautiful great hall. In it were sitting princes bound by a spell, and he took the rings from their fingers; and then he found a sword and a loaf of bread lying there, and took them with him. Next he came to a room in which a beautiful maiden was standing; she was glad when she saw him, and kissed him and told him that he had freed her from the spell and she would give him the whole of her kingdom, and that if he returned in a year's time they would celebrate their wedding.
And then she told him where the fountain was from which the Water of Life sprang, but reminded him that he must hurry and draw from it before the clock struck twelve. So he went on until he finally came to a room that had a beautiful freshly made bed in it, and as he was tired he thought he would rest a little first. So he lay down and fell asleep, and when he woke up the clock was striking a quarter to twelve. He jumped up in great alarm, ran to the fountain, drew some water from it in a cup that stood beside it, and hurried to escape. Just as he was passing through the iron gate twelve o'clock struck, and the gate slammed shut with such a crash that it sliced off a piece of his heel.
But he was glad that he had got the Water of Life, and set out back home and passed the dwarf again. When the dwarf saw the sword and the loaf of bread he said:" You have got possession of very valuable things there, for with that sword you can defeat whole armies, and you can go on eating that bread and never finish it." The prince didn't want to go home to his father without his brothers, and he said:" Dear dwarf, can you not tell me where my two brothers are? They left in search of the Water of Life before I did, and they never came back." "They are stuck in a gorge between two mountains and can't get out," said the dwarf. "I wished this on them because they were so haughty." Then the prince pleaded with the dwarf till he released them again; but he warned him and said:" Be on your guard against them, they have wicked hearts."
When his brothers came he was glad to see them and told them what had happened to him, how he had found the Water of Life and brought a cupful of it with him and had released a beautiful princess from a spell, who was going to wait a year for him and then they would be married and he would get a great kingdom. After this they rode off together and found themselves in a country where there was famine and war and the king already thought he was on the verge of ruin, the trouble was so great. But the prince went to him and gave him the loaf of bread, and with if he fed his whole kingdom and everyone ate their fill. Then the prince gave him the sword too, and with it he defeated the enemy armies, and after that he was able to live in peace. Then the prince took back the loaf and the sword, and the three brothers rode on. But they came to two more countries that were ravaged by famine and war, and each time the prince gave his loaf and his sword to the king; so now he had saved three kingdoms.
I. Translation for Reference(参考译文)
从前，有一个国王，他生了病，谁都认为没救了。国王有三个儿子，他们都为国王的病难过，在王宫花园里不停地哭。这时，走来一位老人。老人问他们为什么那样难过，儿子们说，父亲得了重病，可能会死去，因为他吃什么药都不管用。老人说：“我知道一种药--救命水。国王喝下去就会好的。不过，救命水太难找了。”大王子说：“我一定要找到救命水。”于是他走到生病的国王那里，请求他允许他出去找救命水，因为只有救命水才能治好他父亲的病。“不行，”国王说，“那太危险了，我宁死也不让你去。”但是，大王子不住地央求，后来，国王答应了，大王子心想：我要是拿回来救命水，爸爸一定最疼爱我，我就一定能继承王位了。
于是大王子出发了。他骑马走不多远，就看到一个站在大道上的小矮人召唤他说：“你这么匆匆忙忙地走，是往哪儿去呀？”“愚蠢的小家伙！不关你的事！”大王子摆着臭架子说完，催马往前走去了。小矮人生气了，给大王子念了一个咒语。大王子往前走不多远，就发现自己进到一个山谷里。他越走山道越窄，后来，山道狭窄得连一步都不能往前走。他想拨马往回走，或从马鞍子上下来都不行了。他在那儿被困住了。
患病的国王等大王子回来，等了很久很久，还不见影儿。二王子说：“爸爸，让我出去找那救命水吧！”二王子心里想：哥哥要是死了，这个国家就是我的了。国王起初不同意二王子去，可是最终还是答应了。二王子和大王子走的是同一条路，他也遇见了那个小矮人，小矮人也拦住他问他急急忙忙地是到哪儿去。“小个子，不关你的'事！”二王子连看都不看他一眼，催马往前跑。小人儿给二王子也念了一个咒语。于是，二王子和他哥哥一样，也迷失在一个可怕的山谷里，前进不得，后退不得。骄傲的家伙就应该有这样的遭遇。
二王子也总不回来，这时三王子就对国王说，他也想去找那救命水。后来，国王也只好答应了。三王子也遇见了小矮人儿。小矮人儿问他，那么急急忙忙的，是往哪儿去呀？三王子停住脚步，对他说：“我找救命水去，爸爸病得快要死了！”“你知道哪儿才能找到救命水吗？”三王子说：“我不知道。”“既然你很有礼貌，知情达理，不象你那品质恶劣的哥哥那样，我就来告诉你怎么才能拿到那救命水吧。救命水呀，是从一个魔宫院内的泉眼里冒出来的。你要是没有我给你的一根铁棍子和两块面包，就进不去。你要用这根铁棍子，在那魔宫铁门上敲三下，门就会开了。你一进门，那里躺着两只张着大嘴的狮子。你往每只狮子嘴里扔块面包，狮子就老实了。然后，你快点去拿那救命水。一定要赶在十二点钟以前出来，要是过了时间，门就会关上，把你关在里边了。”
三王子谢过小矮人儿，拿起铁棍子和面包，上路了，就走了。他一到魔宫，真都像小人儿说的那样。他就用铁棍子把那铁门敲三下，门开了。他又给那些狮子吃了面包，让狮子老实了。然后，他进到宫殿里来，那里有一个又大又漂亮的客厅。这里坐着不知是哪国的被施了魔法的两个王子。三王子摘下他们手上的戒指。他看见地上有一把刀和一块面包，三王子也拿走了。然后，他又往前走。在另一间房子里，站着一个美丽的姑娘。姑娘一看见王子，就非常高兴地吻他，说他已经把他解救了，她要把她的国家全部赠送给三王子。如果三王子一年后再到那里去，他们就举行结婚典礼。然后，姑娘又告诉他救命泉的地方，但提醒他必须在十二点种以前把救命水打出来。于是，王子继续往前走。后来，他走进一个房间，里面有一个漂漂亮亮的刚铺好的床。三王子太累了，想躺上去休息一会儿。可是，他躺下就睡着了。当他醒来的时候，已经是十一点四十五分了。三王子吓了一大跳，飞跑到泉水边，用旁边的杯子舀完水，又急急忙忙往回跑。他刚迈出铁门，十二点到了，铁门一下子关上了，三王子的鞋后跟被切下去一块儿。
三王子因为找到了救命水，心里很高兴，他开始往家走。路上他又遇到了小矮人儿。小矮人儿看到他的刀和面包就说：“你已经得到了很贵重的宝贝。有了这把刀，不管遇到什么军队，你都能打胜仗。这块面包，不管你怎么吃，都吃不光。”三王子没有见到两个哥哥，不想自己一人回到爸爸那里去。他对小矮人儿说：“亲爱的小矮人儿，你能告诉我我的两个哥哥在哪里吗？两个哥哥是在我出来以前来找救命水的，现在还没有回家呢！”小矮人回答说：“你的两个哥哥呀，夹在两个山中间出不来了。他们太骄傲了，是我念了咒语，让他们尝尝我的厉害。”三王子再三地恳求，小矮人儿才把他的两个解救出来。但是小矮人儿告诉三王子说：“你对你的哥哥得格外小心啊，他们的心眼太坏了。”
两个哥哥来了以后，三王子非常高兴，就把他如何找到救命水，如何救了那位美丽的公主并且一年后要去和她举行结婚典礼以及将得到一个国家等等过去的事全告诉了他们。说完，他们就一起上路了。走着走着，到了一个又闹饥荒又处于战争中的国家。这个国家的国王已经绝望了，他认为国家困难重重，濒临灭亡。三王子去见这个国家的国王，把面包交给了他。国王又把面包分给了全国的人们吃。人们都吃得饱饱的。然后，三王子又把那口刀交给了国王。国王把敌人的军队打败了，人们过上了太平的日子。于是，三王子把面包和宝刀又都收回来，弟兄三人继续骑马赶路。途中他们又经过两个遭受饥荒和战争折磨的国家，三王子又把面包和宝刀借给他们，这样他拯救了三个国家。
III. New Words and Expressions 生词和词组
1.grief n. 不幸
2.remedy n. 治疗法
3.pleading n. 恳求
4.consent n. 许可
5.dwarf n. 聋子
6.gorge n. 峡谷
7.arrogant a. 傲慢的
8.slice v. 切下
伊索寓言：驴和买驴的人（The ass and his purchaser）
A man wanted to buy an ass. He went to the market, and saw a likely one. But he wanted to test him first.
So he took the ass home, and put him into the stable with the other asses. The new ass looked around, and immediately went to choose a place next to the laziest ass in the stable.
When the man saw this he put a halter on the ass at once, and gave him back to his owner.
The owner felt quite surprised. He asked the man, "Why are you back so soon? Have you tested him already?" "I don't want to test him any more," replied the man, "From the companion he chose for himself, I could see what sort of animal he is."
驴和买驴的人
●一个买主到市场上去买驴，他看中一头外表不错的驴，但是他想要牵走试一试。
●他把驴牵回家，放在自己其他的驴之间，这驴四处看看，立即走向一头好吃懒做的驴旁边。
●于是，买驴的人立刻给那头驴套上辔头，牵去还给驴的`卖主。
●卖主感到很奇怪，他问买主：“你怎么这么快就回来了？”买主说：“不必再试了，从他所选择什么样的朋友来看，我已经知道他是什么样了。”
寓意: 物以类聚，人以群分。人们往往喜欢跟与自己相同的人交往，所以，我们可以根据一个人的朋友来推断他的为人。
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