重播：鹳鸟国王

听众朋友们，大家好。

Hello, listeners.

欢迎回到《圆桌故事》。

Welcome back to Circle Round.

我是本·布洛克·约翰逊。

My name is Ben Brock Johnson.

你可能认得我，就是那个偶尔在节目里念广告的人。

You might recognize me as the guy who reads those ads in the show sometimes.

你知道我说的是哪些广告。

You know the ones.

但那不是我的全部工作。

But that's not my only job.

我也是让《圆桌故事》活起来的人之一。

I'm one of the people who helps bring Circle Round to life.

所以今天，我要分享一个我特别珍视的故事，因为它讲的是我喜欢做的事——冒险。

So today, I'm sharing a story dear to my heart because it is about something that I love to do, taking risks.

所以大家围过来，听《鹳鸟国王》的故事吧。

So circle around everyone for The Stork King.

WBUR播客，波士顿。

WBUR Podcasts, Boston.

你听过“不入虎穴，焉得虎子”这句话吗？

Ever heard the expression nothing ventured, nothing gained?

它的意思是，如果你想有所成就，往往就得冒险。

What it means is if you want to achieve something, often you have to take risks.

今天的故事里，三个角色冒了很大的险，结果收获远超他们的预期。

In today's story, three characters take a big risk, and they wind up gaining more than they ever expected.

我是丽贝卡·希尔，欢迎来到“围坐听故事”，这里随时都有故事时间。

I'm Rebecca Scheer, and welcome to circle around where storytime happens all the time.

今天的故事叫《鹳鸟国王》。

Today, our story is called The Stork King.

这个故事灵感来自东欧国家乌克兰的民间传说。

It's inspired by tales from the Eastern European country of Ukraine.

一些非常棒的人聚在一起，为大家带来了我们版本的这个故事，其中包括朱利安·勒纳，他最近在ABC电视台的《奇迹年代》重启版中担任主演。

Some really great people came together to bring you our version of this tale, including Julian Lerner, who most recently starred in the reboot of The Wonder Years on ABC.

孩子们，你们可以在PBS的动画系列《阿尔玛的旅程》中听到朱利安的声音。

Kids, you can hear Julian's voice in the PBS animated series, Alma's Way.

大家围过来，听《鹳鸟国王》的故事吧。

Circle around everyone for The Stork King.

很久很久以前，在偏远的乡村，住着一位种小麦的农民。

Once upon a time, way out in the country, there lived a wheat farmer.

这位农民有三个孩子，马克西姆、萨莎和尤里。

The wheat farmer had three children, Maxim, Sasha, and Yuri.

一家人每天辛勤劳作，在田地里度过漫长的时光。

And the family spent long days diligently working the land.

好吧。

Okay.

也许不是家里每个人都这样。

So maybe not everyone in the family.

尤里总是很乐意帮忙。

While Yuri was always quick to offer help

妈妈，我来帮你。

I'll help you, mother.

而马克西姆和萨沙总是找借口推脱。

Maxim and Sasha were quick to offer excuses.

妈妈，我倒是想帮你，但我好像要感冒了。

I would help you, mother, but I feel a head cold coming on.

我还觉得肚子不舒服。

And I feel a stomach bug.

对了，我背还疼。

And did I mention I have a backache?

而且我耳朵疼得厉害。

And I have the worst earache.

一个阳光明媚的早晨，尤里出去办事了，马克西姆和萨沙还在那儿念叨自己这儿疼那儿疼的。

One sunny morning, while Yuri was running errands, and Maxim and Slasho were running on about their aches and pains.

还有感冒。

And head colds.

还有肚子疼。

And stomach bugs.

农夫走到马厩，那里养着她的牛。

The farmer went out to the stable where she kept her oxen.

这两头强壮的牲口是农夫唯一养得起的动物，它们在耕地、播种和收割方面都是出色的帮手。

The two strong creatures were the only animals the farmer could afford, and they were excellent workers when it came to plowing, planting, and harvesting.

早上好，我强壮的伙伴们。

Good morning, my brawny friends.

该去耕地了。

It's time for some plowing.

我去把车拉过来，这到底是怎么回事？

I'll just get the cart here and What in the world?

农夫倒吸一口气，麦田突然暗了下来，好像一大片阴影笼罩在上面。

The farmer gasped as the wheat field suddenly grew dark as if a large shadow had fallen across it.

太阳怎么了？

What happened to the sun?

是不是一大片暴风云飘过来把天空遮住了？

Did a whole bunch of storm clouds roll in and cover up the sky?

农夫抬头一看，但看到的不是暴风云。

The farmer tilted her head upward, but she did not see a bunch of storm clouds.

她看到的是一只鹳。

Instead, she saw A stork.

没错。

That's right.

但这可不是普通的鹳。

But not just any stork.

这只鹳特别大。

This stork was huge.

它的身体几乎和牛棚一样长，展开的翅膀差不多和农夫的房子一样宽。

Its body was nearly as long as the oxen's stable, and its outstretched wings were nearly as wide as the farmer's house.

你好，农夫。

Greetings, farmer.

我是鹳鸟之王。

I am the Stork King.

当这只巨大的鸟滑翔落地时，农夫一时语塞。

As the enormous bird glided to the ground, the farmer was at a loss for words.

她从未见过如此巨大的鹳鸟，更别说一只会说话的鹳鸟国王了。

She had never been in the presence of a gargantuan stork before, let alone a royal one who spoke.

您好，陛下。

Greetings, your highness.

不知您大驾光临，有何贵干？

To what do I owe the pleasure of this most unexpected visit?

其实，我的银宫外面也正好有一个农场。

Well, it just so happens that I too have a farm right outside my Silver Palace.

我的工人们正需要帮手呢。

My workers could use an extra hand.

所以我来带走你的牛。

So I've come to take your oxen.

带走我的牛。

Take my oxen.

农夫感到心一紧。

The farmer felt her heart clench.

你不能带走我的牛。

You can't take my oxen.

我需要它们来犁地、种地和收麦子，这样我和孩子们才能维持生计。

I need them to plow, plant, and harvest wheat so my children and I can make a living.

我明白了。

I see.

鹳王眨了眨他那明亮的灰色眼睛。

The Stork King blinked his bright gray eyes.

那样的话，不如我带走你的一个孩子怎么样？

In that case, how about I take one of your children instead?

有个帮手也挺好的。

Some human assistance could be useful.

你自己选吧。

The choice is yours.

农夫一下子愣住了，连靴子都忘了脱。

The farmer shut her down to her work boots.

这只说话的鸟，真的逼她在牛和孩子之间做选择吗？

Was this talking bird really forcing her to decide between her oxen and her offspring?

听着，

Listen,

我可不会让家里人受委屈。

I am not about to part with any member of my family.

行吧，牛你牵走吧。

So fine, you can take the oxen.

鹳鸟王盯着农夫看。

The Stork King gazed at the farmer.

然后他低下头，直直地看着她的眼睛。

Then he lowered his head until he was looking her straight in the eye.

我看得出来，你有一颗善良的心，农夫。

I see you possess a good heart, farmer.

所以，为了回报你的牛，我会给你报酬。

So in return for your oxen, I will offer payment.

让你的一个孩子来我的宫殿一趟。

Have one of your children visit my palace.

我会让他们带着自己选择的任何奖励回家。

I will send them home with whatever reward they choose.

农夫感到既放心又困惑。

The farmer felt relieved and confused.

我很感激您的提议，陛下，我会接受您的邀请。

I appreciate the offer, your highness, and I will take you up on it.

但我们不知道您的宫殿在哪里。

But we don't know where your palace is.

那我们怎么找到它呢？

How are we supposed to find it?

这么说吧，只要方法得当，谁都能找到。

Let's just say anyone can find it if they play their cards right.

不过你可以先从晨星东边找起。

But you can start by looking east of the morning star.

谢谢你的牛。

Thank you for the oxen.

说完，大鸟就用爪子抓起两头牛。

And with that, the great bird seized both oxen in his talons.

它扇动几下巨大的翅膀，就消失不见了。

And with a few flaps of his enormous wings, he disappeared from view.

农夫的孩子能找到鹳王宫殿吗？

Will one of the farmer's children find The Stork King's Palace?

如果能找到，你觉得他们会带什么奖励回家呢？

And if they do, what reward do you think they'll bring home?

我们稍作休息，马上回来揭晓结果。

We'll find out what happens after a quick break.

一百年后，在一个很远很远的地方——等等。

One hundred years from now in a land far, far away hang on.

其实，那个地方也没那么远。

It's not so far away at all, actually.

嘿，大家围过来吧。

Hey, circle around families.

我们在这里要分享一个来自WBUR的全新听觉体验——《午夜起义》。

We're here to share a new listening experience from WBUR, The Midnight Rebellion.

这是一档面向八岁及以上孩子的气候主题播客冒险节目。

It's a climate podcast adventure for kids eight and up.

穿越时空、解决问题、欢笑和危险，都在这里。

Time traveling, problem solving, laughs, and danger is here.

关注这个频道，收听节目吧。

Follow the feed to listen.

对了，记得带上护目镜和靴子。

Oh, and bring your goggles and boots.

这就是《午夜反抗》节目，你可以在你的播客订阅里找到，或者任何你收听播客的地方。

That's The Midnight Rebellion in your feed or wherever you get podcasts.

我是丽贝卡·谢尔。

I'm Rebecca Scheer.

欢迎回到《围坐讲故事》。

Welcome back to circle round.

今天的故事叫做《鹳鸟国王》。

Today, our story is called The Stork King.

休息之前讲到，《鹳鸟国王》带走了农夫的两头公牛。

Before the break, The Stork King took both of the farmer's oxen.

作为交换，他承诺给一份奖赏，农夫的一个孩子得去他的银色宫殿领取。

In exchange, he promised a reward, which one of her three children would have to pick up at his silver palace.

那天晚上，一家人围坐在厨房桌旁吃简朴的晚餐时，农夫宣布了一个消息。

That evening, as the family gathered around the kitchen table for a humble dinner, the farmer made an announcement.

马克西姆、萨沙、尤里，我有话要跟你们说。

Maxim, Sasha, Yuri, I have something to tell you.

妈妈，什么事？

What is it, mother?

请快点说，因为我正在跟胃病作斗争。

And please make it quick because I'm fighting off this stomach bug.

而我正在对付背痛。

And I'm dealing with this backache.

我记得你说的是耳朵疼。

I thought you said it was an earache.

我也记得你说的是感冒。

And I thought you said it was a head cold.

孩子们，拜托了。

Children, please.

我叫你们来是因为我有消息要告诉你们。

I called you here because I have some news.

所以，大家听好了。

So listen up.

农夫深吸了一口气，然后讲述了鹳王来访的故事。

The farmer took a breath then told the story of her visit from the Stork King.

马克西姆和萨莎目瞪口呆地看着母亲，仿佛她刚刚宣布自己来自外太空。

Maxim and Sasha gaped at their mother as if she had just declared she was from outer space.

那么，妈妈，你是说我们遇到了一只巨大的会说话的鹳？

So, mother, you're telling us you met a giant talking stork?

是的，马克西姆。

Yes, Maxim.

然后这只巨大的会说话的鹳带走了我们的牛？

And this giant talking stork made off with our oxen?

没错，萨莎。

That's right, Sasha.

你确定你不是在田里打瞌睡，开始做梦或者什么的？

And you're sure you didn't doze off in the fields and start dreaming or something?

因为这个故事听起来太离谱了。

Because this story sounds ridiculous.

哎呀，你们两个别这样。

Oh, come on, you two.

尤里对着他的兄弟姐妹们摇了摇手指。

Yuri wagged a finger at his siblings.

哎呀，别取笑妈妈了。

Oh, stop making fun.

至少我相信妈妈的故事，而且我自愿去鹳王宫殿讨个赏赐。

I, for one, believe mother story, and I volunteer to visit the Stork King's palace to get a reward.

那赏赐肯定很值钱，拿到镇上能换两头新牛，说不定还能换更多。

Surely, it'll be valuable enough to take into town and trade for two new oxen, maybe even more.

农夫摇了摇头。

The farmer shook her head.

哦，谢谢你的好意，尤里，但我不能让你去鹳王的宫殿。

Oh, I appreciate the offer, Yuri, but I can't send you to the Stork King's palace.

农场里有很多活儿要你干。

There's too much for you to do here on the farm.

没有牛，我们可能会挨饿。

Without our oxen, we're in danger of going hungry.

所以你得加倍努力。

So I'll need you to work extra hard.

农夫对尤里笑了笑，然后转向马克西姆。

The farmer flashed Yuri's smile then turned toward Maxim.

马克西姆，我希望你去鹳王宫殿把奖励带回来。

Maxim, I want you to visit the Stork King's palace and bring back the reward.

我吗？

Me?

马克西姆在座位上挪了挪身子。

Maxim shifted in his seat.

他当然不喜欢踏上可能危险的旅程，去一个可能永远找不到的地方，但他也不想挨饿。

He certainly didn't love the idea of embarking on a potentially dangerous journey to a destination that he may or may not ever find, but he didn't want to go hungry either.

好吧。

Alright.

行。

Fine.

我去。

I'll do it.

我明天一早就出发。

I'll leave first thing tomorrow.

于是第二天清晨，天还没亮，马克西姆就从床上爬起来，往包里塞了几块硬面包，然后朝着晨星东边出发了。

So the next morning, just before dawn, Maxim pulled himself out of bed, stuffed some crusty bread into a bag, then set off east of the morning star.

他穿过开满鲜花的草地，跨过潺潺的小溪。

He traipsed through flower covered meadows and walked across babbling brooks.

他翻过一座座绿草如茵的小山丘。

He trekked up and down grassy knolls.

每走一步，他就觉得更累，也更饿了。

With each step, he grew weirier and hungrier.

他弯弯曲曲地走进一片茂密的绿色森林，在一处湍急的小溪边停下来休息，吃点东西。

And after winding his way into a thick green forest, he stopped beside a rushing stream for a rest and a snack.

可就在他撕下一块面包的时候，他听到一个声音。

But just as he tore off a hunk of bread, he heard a voice.

打扰一下，先生？

Pardon me, sir?

你能把你的面包分给我一点吗？

Could you please share your bread with me?

马克西姆转过头。

Maxim turned his head.

跳进空地里的是一只鹳，一只普通大小的鹳，她的一只翅膀耷拉着，拖在地上。

Hopping into the clearing was a stork, a regular sized stork with one of her wings drooping and dragging behind her.

我翅膀受伤了，找食物太难了。

With this injured wing of mine, it's so hard to find food.

要是能给我一点吃的，我会很感激的。

I'd appreciate a nipple.

现在，

Now,

如果你站在马克西姆的角度，你心里大概会感到同情。

if you were in Maxim's shoes, you'd probably feel pity in your heart.

但马克西姆心里只有饥饿。

Well, all Maxim felt was hunger in his stomach.

听着，鹳。

Look, Stork.

这不可能。

It's not gonna happen.

我走了好几个小时了，饿得要命。

I've been traveling for hours, and I am famished.

而且，我前面还有很长的路要走，所以我每一口都得留着。

Not only that, but I have a long journey ahead, so I'll need every bite I have.

我要去拜访鹳王宫。

I'm going to visit the Palace Of The Stork King.

鹳鸟歪了歪头。

The Stork cocked her head.

鹳王宫殿？

The Palace Of The Stork King?

我知道怎么去那里。

I know how to get there.

如果你让我站在你肩膀上，我就给你带路。

If you let me perch on your shoulder, I'll show you the way.

马克西姆嗤笑了一声。

Maxim scoffed.

你在开玩笑吧？

You're joking, right?

我已经累得不行了。

I'm already exhausted.

我怎么可能让你这么一只瘦长的鸟站在我肩膀上？

How could I possibly carry a lanky bird like you on my shoulder?

没

No

门。

way.

好吧。

Alright.

随你便。

Suit yourself.

说完，鹳鸟眨了眨灰色的眼睛，展开双翅飞走了。

And with that, the stork blinked her gray eyes, then spread both of her wings and flew away.

你看看这事儿？

Would you look at that?

那只鸟飞走的时候一点问题都没有。

That bird flew away without any problem.

可她还试图让我相信她的翅膀受伤了。

Yet, she tried to convince me she had an injured wing.

真是个骗子。

What a phony.

幸好我没上她的当。

Good thing I didn't fall for her trick.

马克西姆咬了一口面包，然后站起身，继续穿过茂密的绿色森林。

Maxim took a bite of bread, then rose to his feet and resumed his journey through the thick green forest.

好的。

Okay.

所以如果我想去晨星东边，那我得走这条路

So if I want to head east of the Morning Star, then I need to go this way

或者也许

or perhaps

那条路？

that way?

哎呀。

Oh, dear.

这片森林太密了，我都完全迷路了。

This forest is so dense, I've gotten all turned around.

马克西姆东拐西拐，拐来拐去，直到发现自己彻底迷路了，无助又绝望。

Maxim zigged and zagged, zagged and zigged until he found himself helplessly, hopelessly lost.

他踉踉跄跄走到一棵树旁，蜷缩在树下，然后就睡着了。

He staggered over to a tree, curled up beneath it, then dropped off to sleep.

与此同时，农场那边，马克西姆的家人正耐心等待他回来。

Meanwhile, back at the farm, the rest of Maxim's family was patiently awaiting his return.

但几天过去了，农夫开始失去希望。

But after a few days, the farmer was losing hope.

萨沙、尤里，都这么多天了，马克西姆还没回来。

Sasha, Yuri, it's been days and Maxim has yet to return.

我担心他再也回不来了。

I fear he never will.

妈妈，您别担心。

Don't you worry mother.

我出去找他。

I'll go out and look for him.

然后我和他一起去鹳王宫。

Then he and I will go to the Stork King's palace together.

哦，谢谢你的好意，尤里。

Oh, I appreciate the offer, Yuri.

但不用了，我需要你在农场帮忙。

But no, I need your help on the farm.

她转向萨莎。

She turned toward Sasha.

萨莎，我希望你出去找马克西姆和鹳王宫，如果你能做到的话。

Sasha, I want you to go out and find Maxim and The Stork King's Palace if you're able.

否则，我们接下来的日子会很难过。

Otherwise, we'll have some very hard times ahead.

和马克西姆一样，萨莎也不太想去那个未知的地方，但她也不想挨饿。

Like Maxim, Sasha wasn't too keen on heading into the great unknown, but she didn't want to starve either.

所以第二天早上，她把一个煮土豆塞进包里，就往晨星东边出发了。

So the next morning, she stuffed a boiled potato into a bag and headed East of the Morning Star.

她走的正是马克西姆走过的那条路，穿过开满花的草地，跨过潺潺的小溪，翻过一个个草坡，没过多久，就来到了那片茂密的绿色森林。

She wound up taking the exact same path Maxim had, traipsing through flowered covered meadows, walking across babbling brooks, trekking up and down grassy knolls, and before long, she found herself in the same thick green forest.

和她哥哥一样，她找到了那条湍急的小溪，停下来休息，吃了点东西。

Like her brother before her, she found the rushing stream and stopped for a rest and a snack.

可就在她从包里拿出煮土豆的时候，

But just as she was taking her boiled potato out of her bag.

打扰一下，小姐。

Excuse me, miss.

你能分我一点土豆吗？

Could you please share your potato with me?

萨莎转过头，你猜怎么着，正是马克西姆见过的那只鹳，一只翅膀拖在地上。

Sasha turned her head, and wouldn't you know it, there was the same stork Maxim had seen with one of her wings dragging behind her.

我翅膀受伤了，找吃的太难了。

With this injured wing of mine, it's so hard to gather food.

就一口，行吗？

I'd appreciate just one bite.

你知道马克西姆当时是怎么对那只鹳说的吧？

Now, you know what Maxim said to The Stork, right?

嗯，你大概也猜到了，萨莎的反应一模一样。

Well, as you can probably guess, Sasha was no different.

没门儿，鹳。

Not a chance, Stork.

我走了一整天，饿坏了。

I've been wandering all day, and I am ravenous.

而且我前面还有很长的路要走，得把吃的都留着。

Plus, I have a lengthy voyage ahead, so I'll need all the food I can get.

我正要去鹳王宫殿呢。

I'm on my way to the Palace Of The Stork King.

鹳王宫殿？

The Palace Of The Stork King?

我知道怎么去那儿。

I know how to reach it.

如果你让我站在你肩膀上，我就给你指路。

If you let me perch on your shoulder, I'll show you the way.

萨莎翻了个白眼。

Sasha rolled her eyes.

哎呀，得了吧。

Oh, come on.

你真以为我会载着你这么一只又大又笨重的鸟吗？

Do you really think I'm about to chauffeur around a big unwieldy bird like you?

找别人搭车去吧。

Hitch a ride from someone else.

好吧。

Very well.

随你便。

Suit yourself.

说完，那只鹳就飞上了天，飞走了。

And with that, the stork took to the air and flew off.

你看看那个。

Get a load of that.

那只鸟根本就没受伤。

That bird wasn't injured at all.

幸好我没上她的当。

Lucky for me, I didn't fall for her trick.

萨莎咬了一口土豆，然后站起来，继续穿过茂密的绿色森林。

Sasha took a bite of potato, then got to her feet and continued her journey through the thick green forest.

但就像她哥哥之前一样，

But just like her brother before her

如果我要去晨星东边，那我得走这条路。

If I'm trying to head east of the Morning Star, then I need to take this path.

或者可能是那条路。

Or maybe that one.

萨莎东拐西拐，拐来拐去，最后完全不知道自己走到哪儿了。

Sasha zigged and zagged, zagged and zigged until she had no idea where she was.

她跌跌撞撞地走到一丛灌木旁，蜷缩在边上，然后迷迷糊糊地睡着了。

She stumbled over to a bush, snuggled up beside it, then drifted off to sleep.

与此同时，农场那边，农夫担心马克西姆和萨莎担心得要命。

Meanwhile, back at the farm, the farmer was worried sick about Maxim and Sasha.

所以，尤里又一次主动请缨。

So once again, Yuri volunteered his services.

我出去找妈妈。

I'll go out and find the mother.

说不定我还能找到鹳王宫，那样我们就能得到双份奖励了。

Maybe I'll find The Stork King's Palace too, then we'll be doubly rewarded.

尤里，我佩服你的自信，但你是我唯一的依靠了。

I admire your confidence, Yuri, but you're all I have left.

万一你在外面出了什么事怎么办？

What if something happens to you out there?

你看，妈妈。

Look, mother.

不入虎穴，焉得虎子。

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

求你了，让我去吧。

Please, let me do this.

农夫终于同意了。

The farmer finally gave in.

第二天一早，尤里往袋子里塞了半颗卷心菜，就出发往晨星东边去了。

And early the next morning, Yuri stuffed half a head of cabbage into a bag and began journeying East of the morning star.

巧的是，他走的正是他兄弟姐妹们走过的路，最后也来到了那片茂密的绿森林。

As it happens, he took the exact same path his siblings did and wound up in the thick green forest.

就在他在溪边停下来休息、吃点东西的时候，他看到了谁？正是那只翅膀耷拉着的鹳。

And just as he paused by the stream for a rest and a snack, who should he see but the stork with the drooping wing?

打扰一下，先生。

I beg your pardon, sir.

你能分点卷心菜给我吗？

Could you please share your cabbage with me?

你还记得尤里的兄弟姐妹是怎么对鹳说的吧？

Now, you remember what Yuri's siblings told the stork, right?

嗯，你猜得到，尤里的回答完全不一样。

Well, as you can guess, Yuri's answer was completely different.

当然可以，我愿意分享我的卷心菜。

Of course, I can share my cabbage.

翅膀受伤了，找食物一定很不容易吧。

It must be hard to find food with an injured wing.

来，你想吃多少就吃多少。

So here, have as much as you want.

谢谢你。

Thank you.

你真是太好了。

You are so kind.

尤里把他的卷心菜递给了那只鹳。

Yuri handed the stork his cabbage.

那只感激的鸟轻轻啄了一口。

The grateful bird took a nibble.

那么告诉我，

So tell me,

你要去哪里？

where are you off to?

嗯，我本来是要去找鹳王宫殿的，这样我就能从鹳王那里拿回他抢走我们农场牛群的奖励。

Well, I'm supposed to be looking for the palace of The Stork King so I can get a reward from the oxen he took from my family's farm.

但我也在找我的兄弟姐妹。

But I'm also trying to find my brother and sister.

我不知道你兄弟姐妹的事，但我知道怎么找到鹳王的宫殿。

I don't know about your siblings, but I do know how to find The Stork King's palace.

如果你让我停在你肩膀上，我就给你指路。

If you let me perch on your shoulder, I'll show you the way.

现在，我们都知道马克西姆对那只鸟的提议嗤之以鼻，萨沙也一样，但尤里却表示同情。

Now, we all know that Maxim scoffed at the bird's offer, as did Sasha, but Yuri sympathized.

当然，我愿意让你停在我的肩膀上。

Of course, I'll let you perch on my shoulder.

上来吧。

Climb on.

尤里伸出了他的肩膀。

Yuri held out his shoulder.

然而，出乎他意料的是，那只鸟并没有爬上来。

To his surprise, however, the bird did not climb on.

相反，她展开了双翅，示意他爬到她的背上。

Instead, she spread both her wings and motioned toward her back.

其实，不如你爬到我背上怎么样？

Actually, how about if you climb on instead?

尤里既惊讶又高兴。

Yuri was astonished and overjoyed.

他一条腿跨上鹳鸟的背，然后它们就冲上了天空。

He slung a leg over the Stork's back, and they soared into the sky.

它们飞过群山、河流和平原，然后当它们飞过一个宽阔的绿色山谷上方时

They flew over mountains and rivers and plains, and then as they passed above a wide green valley

我们快到了。

We're nearly there.

抓紧了。

Hold on tight.

尤里紧紧抱住鹳鸟的脖子，它们向下俯冲。

Yuri clung to the Stork's neck as they dove downward.

它们落地时，矗立在它们面前的是一座宏伟的宫殿，每一寸都是用闪闪发光的纯银打造的。

When they landed, towering above them was a magnificent palace with every last inch crafted from pure sparkling silver.

我们到了，这就是鹳鸟王的宫殿。

Here we are, The Stork King's palace.

我们就在这里分别吧，我的朋友。

This is where we part ways, my friend.

但在我走之前，给你一个建议。

But before I go, one piece of advice.

当鹳王问你想用什么来换那些牛时，告诉他你只想要他每晚枕在枕头下的东西。

When The Stork King asks you what you want in exchange for the oxen, tell him you want nothing more than what he puts under his pillow each night.

他每晚枕在枕头下的东西。

What he puts under his pillow each night.

好的。

Alright.

你一直这么好心，我会照你说的做。

You've been so kind, so I'll do as you say.

但我还能找到我的兄弟姐妹吗？

But will I ever find my brother and sister?

如果你好好把握机会的话？

If you play your cards, right?

说完这些话，鹳鸟展开翅膀飞走了。

And with those words, the Stork spread her wings and flew away.

尤里敲了敲宫殿的银色大门。

Yuri knocked at the palace's silver door.

一对鹳鸟守卫让他进去，把他领进了一个大殿，在那里他看到了鹳鸟国王，身穿银色长袍，高高地坐在银色的宝座上。

A pair of Stork guards let him in and ushered him into a great hall where he found the Stork King wearing a long silver robe and sitting high on a silver throne.

你一定是农夫的孩子吧。

You must be one of the farmer's children.

我欠你两头牛，我一向说话算话。

I owe you for two oxen, and I always keep my word.

所以告诉我，你想要什么作为报酬？

So tell me, what would you like as payment?

尤里环顾了一下这个宏伟的房间。

Yuri glanced around the grand room.

他看到了各种各样的财宝，银桌上的银盘，银墙上的银烛台，还有从银色天花板垂下的闪闪发光的银吊灯。

He saw all sorts of riches, silver platters on a silver table, silver candlesticks mounted on silver walls, a silver chandelier sparkling from the silver ceiling.

陛下，我看得出您的宫殿里有很多贵重的东西。

I can see your palace is filled with many valuable things, your highness.

但我只想要你每晚枕在头下的那个东西，作为两头牛的回报。

But all I ask in return for the oxen is what you put under your pillow each night.

鹳王灰色的眼睛变得阴沉。

The Stork King's gray eyes grew dark.

这就是你想要的？

That is what you request?

我每晚枕在头下的东西？

What I put under my pillow each night?

是的。

Yes.

不多不少。

Nothing more, nothing less.

鹳王沉默了。

The Stork King fell silent.

他看起来非常愤怒，像是在咬牙切齿——如果鹳有牙齿的话。

It looked furious if he were gnashing his teeth, if storks had teeth.

但这时，国王深吸了一口气，又缓缓吐了出来。

But then the king took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

好吧。

Very well.

你要的东西，可以给你。

You may have what you ask for.

好。

Good.

把赏赐拿给这个人。

Bring this fellow his reward.

卫兵们冲出了大厅。

The guards rushed out of the hall.

他们回来时，递给尤里一枚戒指。

When they returned, they handed Yuri a ring.

一枚朴素的圆戒指，不是银的，而是某种暗沉的金属做的。

A plain round ring, not made of silver, but some other dull metal.

趁我还没改变主意，现在就拿你的黄金赏赐吧。

Now take your reward in gold before I change my mind.

尤里把戒指塞进口袋，飞快地跑出了宫殿。

Yuri stuffed the ring into his pocket and ran from the palace.

他一冲出银色大门，就掏出戒指，盯着它看。

Once he burst through the silver doors, he took out the ring and stared at it.

我在想，为什么鹳王对我拿走这枚戒指这么生气。

I wonder why the Stork King was so upset about me taking this ring.

跟他宫殿里的财富比起来，这戒指看起来一文不值。

Compared with the riches in his palace, it seems worthless.

我还以为能带回家值钱的东西，换两头新牛呢。

And here I was thinking I would bring home something valuable enough to trade for two new oxen.

现在我只得到这枚破戒指，而且我的兄弟姐妹还是下落不明。

Now all I have is this silly ring, and my brother and sister are still missing.

真是倒霉透了。

What a horrible fortune.