第53章 接骨木树妈妈 The Little Elder－Tree Mother (第1/15页)

《接骨木树妈妈》，1845 年

the Little Elder-tree mother, 1845

从前有个小男孩，他着凉了；他出门去，把脚弄湿了。

there was once a little boy who had caught cold; he had gone out and got wet feet.

谁也不知道这到底是怎么回事；天气可是相当干燥的。

Nobody had the least idea how it had happened; the weather was quite dry.

他妈妈给他脱掉衣服，让他上床躺下，还吩咐把茶壶拿进来，这样她就可以用接骨木花给他泡一杯好茶，接骨木花茶喝了很暖和。

his mother undressed him, put him to bed, and ordered the teapot to be brought in, that she might make him a good cup of tea from the elder-tree blossoms, which is so warming.

与此同时，住在这房子楼上、独自生活的那位好心的老人进来了；他过着孤独的生活，因为他没有妻子和儿女；但他非常喜欢别人家的孩子，而且他能讲那么多的童话和故事，听他讲故事真是一种享受。

At the same time, the kind-hearted old man who lived by himself in the upper storey of the house came in; he led a lonely life, for he had no wife and children; but he loved the children of others very much, and he could tell so many fairy tales and stories, that it was a pleasure to hear him.

“现在，把茶喝了，” 妈妈说，“也许你能听一个故事。”

“Now, drink your tea,” said the mother; “perhaps you will hear a story.”

“好的，要是我能想出一个新的来就好了，” 老人说，然后微笑着点了点头。

“Yes, if I only knew a fresh one,” said the old man, and nodded smilingly.

“可这小家伙的脚是怎么弄湿的呢？” 他接着问道。

“but how did the little fellow get his wet feet?” he then asked.

“这个呀，” 妈妈回答说，“谁也弄不明白。”

“that,” replied the mother, “nobody can understand.”

“你能给我讲个故事吗？” 男孩问道。

“will you tell me a story?” asked the boy.

“好的，要是你能尽可能准确地告诉我，你上学走的那条小街上的排水沟有多深就行。”