哲理英語故事

　　英語故事：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(參考譯文)

然後，他們弟兄三人乘船過海。船向前航行的時候，兩個哥哥祕密地商量着，他們說：“三王子找到了救命水，可是，我們沒找到，父親會把本該歸我們所有的王位讓給他的。咱們倆什麼也得不着了。他會把我們的幸福奪走的。”這樣，兩個哥哥心裏燃燒起仇恨的烈火，一起密謀要毀了弟弟。有一天，他們等弟弟睡熟了，就把弟弟杯裏的救命水倒到自己的杯裏來。然後，又在弟弟的杯裏裝上鹹苦的海水。

他們回到家以後，三王子馬上把杯子拿給生病的國王，讓他喝下里面的水治好病。但是國王只是喝了一點點那鹹苦的海水，病就變得比以前更重了。三王子難過得痛哭起來。這時候他的兩個哥哥走進來責備他想害死他們的父親，並且對國王說他們拿來了真正的救命水。接着，他們把救命水送上來。國王喝一下這杯水，馬上就覺得病好了，而且還像年輕時那樣健康結實，精力旺盛。於是兩個哥哥走到三王子跟前來，嘲諷他說：“救命水確實是你找到的。可是你白費了力氣，好處我們哥倆領了。你，應該學得更聰明點兒，眼睛再睜得大點兒。你在海上睡覺的時候，我們就把那救命水拿過來了。一年以後，我們倆還會有一個人把那漂亮的公主帶回來。可是我們警告你，這些事兒，你不能對別人講。爸爸是不會相信你的話的。你要是敢說出一句。我們就要你的命，你要是不吱聲，我們就饒了你。”

老國王很惱恨三王子。他以爲三我王子真想害死他。於是，他召集大臣們商量怎麼懲處三王子。他們想要悄悄地把三王子槍斃了。有一次，三王子出去打獵絲毫未存戒心。老國王派個獵人跟着他。當他們兩人從王宮裏出來走到森林裏的時候，獵人臉上露出了愁容。三王子問獵人：“你怎麼了啊？”獵人說：“這個，我是不能說的。可是我必須得告訴你。”三王子說：“有什麼事？你說吧！我不會責備你的。”獵人說：“我要槍斃你，這是國王的命令。”三王子嚇了一大跳，說：“獵人啊，你救我一命吧！我把我漂亮的衣服給你，你把你的破衣服給我。”“我願意這樣做，無論如何，我不能對你開槍。”於是，他們互相換了衣服，獵人回家去了，三王子走進了大森林。

過不多久，老國王收到了三輛裝有黃金和寶石的大馬車。這是三個國王送給三王子的禮物。三個國王藉助三王子的寶刀纔打敗了敵人，靠三王子的麪包度過了饑荒，所以才送這些東西來表示謝意。老國王心裏想：難道我那個兒子，是沒有罪過的。所以他對僕人們說：“我那孩子要是還活着該多好啊。我真後悔殺了他。”“三王子還活着。我沒忍心執行你的命令，沒有殺他，”獵人說。接着獵人把當時的情況講給了國王聽。國王聽了這話，心裏的一塊石頭落了地。於是，他向每個國度發出佈告說三王子可以回來，會受到熱情的歡迎。

再說那位公主，她在她的王宮前面用黃金鋪了一條閃閃發光的大路，並且對手下人說不管是誰騎着馬從這條路中間一直跑過來，那就是她的丈夫，可以把他領近來；如果有人從路邊跑過來，那就不是她真正等待的人，就不要把他領進來了。

一年快過去的時候，大王子急急忙忙地往公主那裏趕。他心裏想，我自報我就是救了公主的那個人，我就能娶到公主了，還能得到她的國家。於是，他騎着馬直奔王宮而來。他看見王宮前的黃金大道，心裏想：騎着馬從這條大路上走，太過分了吧！於是他撥馬到路邊去，從右側往前走。可是當大王子走到王宮門前的時候，手下人對他說他不是公主真正等待的人，應該馬上離開。

不久，二王子也到了，當馬蹄剛踏上那黃金大道，二王子心裏就想：這太過分了，馬蹄會把路踩壞的。於是他也撥馬到路邊去，從左側往前走。可是當二王子趕到王宮門前，手下人對他說他不是公主真正等待的人，應該馬上離開。

一年，已經過去了。三王子決心從森林裏走出來，直奔他一直想念的公主居住的王宮。他忘記了悲傷，一心想着公主。他要儘快地趕到她的身邊，所以不顧一切地往前走啊走，根本沒看見那條黃金大道。他的馬是從大道的正中間透過的。三王子走到王宮大門口的時候，門開了。公主高高興興地出來迎接他，說他纔是真正解救他的人並且已經是這個國家的國王了。然後，他們高興地舉行了盛大的婚禮。婚後，公主對三王子說他的爸爸已經派人找他並寬恕了他。於是，三王子騎馬回家，把全部情況告訴了老國王，對他說兩個哥哥如何欺騙了他，但他卻沒揭發他們。老國王要教訓教訓那兩個兒子。可是，他們上了海船逃走了，再也沒回來。

III. New Words and Expressions 生詞和詞組

nge n. 報復

nt v. 悲嘆

r v. 做聲

e v. 饒恕

iously ad. 熱情地

egroom n. 新郎

希臘神話潘多拉

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

偷竊天火之後，宙斯對人類的敵意與日俱增。一天，他令兒子赫菲斯托斯用泥塑一美女像，並請衆神贈予她不同的禮物。其中，雅典娜飾之以華麗的衣裳，赫耳墨斯贈之以說謊的能力。世上的第一個女人是位迷人女郎，因爲她從每位神靈那裏得到了一樣對男人有害的禮物，因此宙斯稱她爲潘多拉（pander：意爲煽動）。

宙斯決定把她作爲禮物送給世間的男子。於是信使赫耳墨斯將她帶給普羅米修斯的弟弟厄庇墨透斯。她姿容絕美，見者無不爲之傾心。厄庇墨透斯興高采烈地把她迎入屋內。普羅米修斯警告過他不得接受宙斯的任何饋贈，而他已將之忘於腦後。這一對夫妻有過一段幸福的生活，但不久災難卻降臨人間。

當普羅米修斯忙於教授人們生存之道的時候，他把一個桶託付給厄庇墨透斯。他警告過他的弟弟不要開啟桶蓋。潘多拉好奇心強。她的丈夫不允許她看桶中之物，這使她感到十分懊惱。一天乘厄庇墨透斯出門在外，她開啟桶蓋，從桶裏跑出的是不和與戰爭，瘟疫與疾病，偷竊與暴力，悲哀與憂慮，以及其他一些人類從此要遭受的不幸。只有希望被關在桶口，永遠飛不出來，因此人們常常把希望藏於心中。

　希臘神話奧林波斯山神

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．

奧林波斯山神

在馬其頓和希臘東部的色薩利之間矗立着一座高山。大霧瀰漫的山頂直插雲霄。山頂上，衆神們的家園沐浴在陽光之中。宙斯作爲山神和人類之父主宰着那裏的一切。總的說來，宙斯並不是一個獨裁統治者。但毫無疑問，凡事山神們都要聽從他的命令。宙斯將男女山神12人組成一個委員會，宙斯本人則坐第一把交椅，是衆神與人類的太上皇，也是雷電的操縱者。他旁邊是他那傲慢且嫉妒的皇后赫拉。波塞冬是大海的統治者。哈得斯是主宰陰間的冥王，他在委員會中沒有席位。阿波羅是太陽神、音樂和詩神。他的孿生姐妹阿耳特彌斯是月亮和狩獵女神。雅典娜是智慧女神和家居藝術品的守護女神。赫提斯是家室之神，象徵着家庭中的生命與幸福。氣勢洶洶的阿瑞斯是戰神。媚人的阿芙羅狄蒂是愛與美神。火神赫菲斯托斯是宙斯雷電的創造者。以翅代步的信使海爾墨斯掌管商業與發明事務。穀物與豐收女神得墨特爾負責管理農業，她是文明之母。

以上所提到的主要天神們都假裝成凡人的樣子，他們的美麗與魅力無可匹敵。因常受到凡人情感與願望的感染，他們不時地勃然大怒，妒嫉別人。他們捲入與人類世界無休止的爭鬥中。在奧林波斯，他們之間也充滿了陰謀與權力之爭。在凡人的世界裏，他們經歷了敵對與挫折。他們珍惜人間的愛與友善。這羣長生不老的天神們的外表與行爲完全符合人間的方式。這就是奧林波斯山神們的本來面目。

雙語故事桃太郎

Momotaro

文章背景

《桃太郎》是日本童話故事中最受兒童喜愛的'一篇古老童話。雖然經歷了很多世紀後，故事的講述形式和內容略有變動，但是大多數版本都緊緊地圍繞着同樣的主題：一對無兒無女的老夫婦意外地在一顆桃子裏發現了一個小男孩。這個孩子長大後，立志去征服邪惡的食人怪。他帶着一袋老婆婆做的小米餅上路了，途中遇到了一條狗，一隻猴子和一隻野雞。後來，在這幾個忠實夥伴的幫助下，桃太郎把食人怪打得落花流水，光榮地凱旋故里。

故事的語言簡短，結構明快，生動塑造了日本的一個傳奇形象--桃太郎。值得一提的是，童話在頌揚桃太郎這樣一個勇敢，機智，善良，強壯人物的同時，也反映了他幼年時的懶惰，從而使這個形象變得豐滿起來。和世界上其他童話相似，該故事中也用豐富的想象，爲桃太郎安排了很多得力的助手，從而使故事在一系列巧合中體現“善良最終戰勝邪惡”的主題。

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,一個地方住着老爺爺和老奶奶.通常,爺爺上山砍柴,奶奶去河邊洗衣服.一天,奶奶洗衣服時,一個大桃子一沉一浮地順水漂來.看到了這個桃子,奶奶就把它帶回了家,想讓爺爺嚐個鮮.吃中午飯時,爺爺從山裏回來了,看到了這個桃子後歡喜得不得了.兩個人剛剛將桃子切開,不由得嚇了一大跳,原來呀,一個活蹦亂眺的小男孩從桃子裏面跳了出來.

爺爺和奶奶沒有孩子,於是歡天喜地地認爲孩子是天賜的,就把他叫做"桃太郎", 奶奶做好了飯給他吃,儘管桃太郎有點兒害怕,但仍然吃得很香甜.於是,桃太郎漸漸地長大了.

桃太郎不停地吃,不停地長,變成了一個大力士,同時也是一個大懶漢.每天的任務只是吃了睡,睡了吃.村裏的年輕人每日上山撿柴,可桃太郎卻什麼活也不幹.爺爺和奶奶挺擔心的,就拜託村裏年輕人說:"叫上桃太郎一起去吧."當他們來找桃太郎一起上山並說:"桃太郎,一塊兒打柴去吧"時,他卻推說:"沒有揹簍,去不成啊."說完後,繼續睡午覺.第二天,這些年輕人又來邀桃太郎,他推諉道:"沒鞋,去不了哇."又過了一天,奶奶終於忍不住生氣了,沒有辦法,桃太郎不得不和村裏的年輕人們一起上山了.

大家在山裏拾柴,桃太郎卻只是睡大覺.等到大家收拾好柴簍要回家時,桃太郎說:"我也想拾點兒柴,然後一起回去吧."大家說:"天色都已經不早了,來不及了."就在這時, 桃太郎抓住了一棵大樹,突然間將它拔了出來,把大家嚇了一大跳.於是,他扛着大樹和大夥返回了村裏.見到了這種情況,爺爺和奶奶非常吃驚.這事傳到了大人的耳朵裏,大人萌生了特別想見桃太郎的念頭.見了面,大人說:"前一陣兒總有壞魔鬼騷擾村民,偷盜各種物品器具.因爲你很有力氣,那麼請你去征服魔鬼吧."因此,桃太郎伏鬼這件事就這麼定了.

爺爺和奶奶作好了黃米麪團給桃太郎帶上.就這樣他出發了.途中他遇到了一條狗, 狗問他,:

"桃太郎,你這是去哪兒呀."

"魔鬼要去島上,我正要去除鬼."

"那你腰間掛的是什麼呢?"

"最最好吃的黃米麪團."

"給我一個好嗎,我和你一起去",狗說.

於是桃太郎給了狗一個黃米麪團.

和狗一起繼續行進時,又遇到了一隻猴子,猴子問:"桃太郎,你這是去哪兒呀."

"魔鬼要去島上,我去除鬼."

"那你腰間掛的是什麼呢?"

"最最好吃的黃米麪團."

"給我一個吧,我和你們一塊兒去",猴子說.

桃太郎又給了猴子一個黃米麪團.

於是,桃太郎帶着狗和猴子繼續趕路了.這回跳出來一隻野雞.同樣地,野雞問他:

"桃太郎,你這是去哪兒呀."

"魔鬼要去島上,我去除鬼."

"你腰間掛着的是什麼呀?"

"最最好吃的黃米麪團."

"給我一個吧,我和你們一塊兒去."

這樣,桃太郎又給了野雞一個黃米麪團. 桃太郎,狗,猴子,野雞好不容易纔到了海邊,因爲魔鬼們已經去了島上,他們就划船向海島出發了.搖啊搖,搖啊搖,怎麼也看不到那個島嶼.野雞就飛到了空中,觀察到了島嶼的位置,指揮着大家向那個地方劃去,這樣,大家到達了島上.島上有一座大城,城門緊閉, 猴子敏捷地爬到了門裏,將門栓摘掉,把門開啟了.而魔鬼們仍一無所知地又是喝酒又是唱歌.桃太郎大聲喝道:"我乃桃太郎是也,前來消除你們.

"魔鬼們見他們勢單力薄,並不把他們放在眼裏.但是,吃了最最好吃的黃米麪團後精力充沛的桃太郎和夥伴們並肩作戰, 瞬間就把魔鬼們打得落花流水.

魔鬼們賠罪說:"我們歸還搶盜來的寶物,決不再做壞事了,給我們留一條活路吧." 懲治了魔鬼後,桃太郎和夥伴們帶着寶物回到了村裏.正擔驚受怕的爺爺和奶奶見狀非常高興.從那以後,桃太郎與爺爺和奶奶一直過着幸福愉快的生活.

III. New Words and Expressions 生詞和詞組

1. sandal n. 拖鞋，涼鞋

2. bundle n. 捆，束

3. ogre n. 食人魔鬼，怪物

4. cookie n. 麪糰

5. feast n. 宴會

英語故事：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(參考譯文)

從前，有一個國王，他生了病，誰都認爲沒救了。國王有三個兒子，他們都爲國王的病難過，在王宮花園裏不停地哭。這時，走來一位老人。老人問他們爲什麼那樣難過，兒子們說，父親得了重病，可能會死去，因爲他吃什麼藥都不管用。老人說：“我知道一種藥--救命水。國王喝下去就會好的。不過，救命水太難找了。”大王子說：“我一定要找到救命水。”於是他走到生病的國王那裏，請求他允許他出去找救命水，因爲只有救命水才能治好他父親的病。“不行，”國王說，“那太危險了，我寧死也不讓你去。”但是，大王子不住地央求，後來，國王答應了，大王子心想：我要是拿回來救命水，爸爸一定最疼愛我，我就一定能繼承王位了。

於是大王子出發了。他騎馬走不多遠，就看到一個站在大道上的小矮人召喚他說：“你這麼匆匆忙忙地走，是往哪兒去呀？”“愚蠢的小傢伙！不關你的事！”大王子擺着臭架子說完，催馬往前走去了。小矮人生氣了，給大王子唸了一個咒語。大王子往前走不多遠，就發現自己進到一個山谷裏。他越走山道越窄，後來，山道狹窄得連一步都不能往前走。他想撥馬往回走，或從馬鞍子上下來都不行了。他在那兒被困住了。

患病的國王等大王子回來，等了很久很久，還不見影兒。二王子說：“爸爸，讓我出去找那救命水吧！”二王子心裏想：哥哥要是死了，這個國家就是我的了。國王起初不同意二王子去，可是最終還是答應了。二王子和大王子走的是同一條路，他也遇見了那個小矮人，小矮人也攔住他問他急急忙忙地是到哪兒去。“小個子，不關你的事！”二王子連看都不看他一眼，催馬往前跑。小人兒給二王子也念了一個咒語。於是，二王子和他哥哥一樣，也迷失在一個可怕的山谷裏，前進不得，後退不得。驕傲的傢伙就應該有這樣的遭遇。

二王子也總不回來，這時三王子就對國王說，他也想去找那救命水。後來，國王也只好答應了。三王子也遇見了小矮人兒。小矮人兒問他，那麼急急忙忙的，是往哪兒去呀？三王子停住腳步，對他說：“我找救命水去，爸爸病得快要死了！”“你知道哪兒才能找到救命水嗎？”三王子說：“我不知道。”“既然你很有禮貌，知情達理，不象你那品質惡劣的哥哥那樣，我就來告訴你怎麼才能拿到那救命水吧。救命水呀，是從一個魔宮院內的泉眼裏冒出來的。你要是沒有我給你的一根鐵棍子和兩塊麪包，就進不去。你要用這根鐵棍子，在那魔宮鐵門上敲三下，門就會開了。你一進門，那裏躺着兩隻張着大嘴的獅子。你往每隻獅子嘴裏扔塊麪包，獅子就老實了。然後，你快點去拿那救命水。一定要趕在十二點鐘以前出來，要是過了時間，門就會關上，把你關在裏邊了。”

三王子謝過小矮人兒，拿起鐵棍子和麪包，上路了，就走了。他一到魔宮，真都像小人兒說的那樣。他就用鐵棍子把那鐵門敲三下，門開了。他又給那些獅子吃了麪包，讓獅子老實了。然後，他進到宮殿裏來，那裏有一個又大又漂亮的客廳。這裏坐着不知是哪國的被施了魔法的兩個王子。三王子摘下他們手上的戒指。他看見地上有一把刀和一塊麪包，三王子也拿走了。然後，他又往前走。在另一間房子裏，站着一個美麗的姑娘。姑娘一看見王子，就非常高興地吻他，說他已經把他解救了，她要把她的國家全部贈送給三王子。如果三王子一年後再到那裏去，他們就舉行結婚典禮。然後，姑娘又告訴他救命泉的地方，但提醒他必須在十二點種以前把救命水打出來。於是，王子繼續往前走。後來，他走進一個房間，裏面有一個漂漂亮亮的剛鋪好的牀。三王子太累了，想躺上去休息一會兒。可是，他躺下就睡着了。當他醒來的時候，已經是十一點四十五分了。三王子嚇了一大跳，飛跑到泉水邊，用旁邊的杯子舀完水，又急急忙忙往回跑。他剛邁出鐵門，十二點到了，鐵門一下子關上了，三王子的鞋後跟被切下去一塊兒。

三王子因爲找到了救命水，心裏很高興，他開始往家走。路上他又遇到了小矮人兒。小矮人兒看到他的刀和麪包就說：“你已經得到了很貴重的寶貝。有了這把刀，不管遇到什麼軍隊，你都能打勝仗。這塊麪包，不管你怎麼吃，都吃不光。”三王子沒有見到兩個哥哥，不想自己一人回到爸爸那裏去。他對小矮人兒說：“親愛的小矮人兒，你能告訴我我的兩個哥哥在哪裏嗎？兩個哥哥是在我出來以前來找救命水的，現在還沒有回家呢！”小矮人回答說：“你的兩個哥哥呀，夾在兩個山中間出不來了。他們太驕傲了，是我念了咒語，讓他們嚐嚐我的厲害。”三王子再三地懇求，小矮人兒才把他的兩個解救出來。但是小矮人兒告訴三王子說：“你對你的哥哥得格外小心啊，他們的心眼太壞了。”

兩個哥哥來了以後，三王子非常高興，就把他如何找到救命水，如何救了那位美麗的公主並且一年後要去和她舉行結婚典禮以及將得到一個國家等等過去的事全告訴了他們。說完，他們就一起上路了。走着走着，到了一個又鬧饑荒又處於戰爭中的國家。這個國家的國王已經絕望了，他認爲國家困難重重，瀕臨滅亡。三王子去見這個國家的國王，把麪包交給了他。國王又把麪包分給了全國的人們吃。人們都吃得飽飽的。然後，三王子又把那口刀交給了國王。國王把敵人的軍隊打敗了，人們過上了太平的日子。於是，三王子把麪包和寶刀又都收回來，弟兄三人繼續騎馬趕路。途中他們又經過兩個遭受饑荒和戰爭折磨的國家，三王子又把麪包和寶刀借給他們，這樣他拯救了三個國家。

III. New Words and Expressions 生詞和詞組

f n. 不幸

dy n. 治療法

ding n. 懇求

ent n. 許可

f n. 聾子

e n. 峽谷

gant a. 傲慢的

e v. 切下

伊索寓言：驢和買驢的人（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."

驢和買驢的人

●一個買主到市場上去買驢，他看中一頭外表不錯的驢，但是他想要牽走試一試。

●他把驢牽回家，放在自己其他的驢之間，這驢四處看看，立即走向一頭好吃懶做的驢旁邊。

●於是，買驢的人立刻給那頭驢套上轡頭，牽去還給驢的賣主。

●賣主感到很奇怪，他問買主：“你怎麼這麼快就回來了？”買主說：“不必再試了，從他所選擇什麼樣的朋友來看，我已經知道他是什麼樣了。”

寓意: 物以類聚，人以羣分。人們往往喜歡跟與自己相同的人交往，所以，我們可以根據一個人的朋友來推斷他的爲人。