龙和他的祖母

你好。

Hello.

欢迎收听Stories Podcast。

Welcome to storiespodcast.

我是你们的主持人，阿曼达·韦尔登。

I'm your host, Amanda Weldon.

今天的故事叫《龙和奶奶》，这是丹尼尔·欣兹为你们改编的经典寓言。

Today's story is called the dragon and his grandmother, an adaptation of a classic fable written for you by Daniel Hinds.

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龙和他的奶奶

The dragon and his grandmother.

很久以前发生过一场大战，国王手下有大批士兵，个个英勇自豪，甘愿为国作战。

There was once a great war, and the king had a great many soldiers who were all brave and proud to fight.

但战争拖得越来越久，国王连军饷都快付不起了，许多士兵开始吃不饱饭。

But as the war went on and on, the king could barely afford to pay his soldiers, and many started to go hungry.

逃兵是重罪，一旦被抓，就会被关进地牢，终身不得释放。

It was illegal to run away from the army, so illegal that they'd throw you in the dungeon forever.

可随着士兵们越来越饿，愿意冒险逃跑的人也越来越多。

But as the soldiers got hungrier, more were willing to take the chance.

有一晚，三个战前就认识的老兵围在篝火旁，低声商量着。

One night, three soldiers, old friends from before the war, came together around their fire and talked quietly.

其中一个对另外两人说：‘我们再不逃，就得饿死。’

One of them said to the others, we must escape or starve.

可要是被抓到，我们就会被扔进地牢。'

But if we are caught, we shall be tossed in the dungeon.

我们该怎么动手呢？

How shall we set about it?

另一个说，你看见那边那片大玉米地了吗？

The other said, do you see that large cornfield there?

如果我们躲进那里面，谁也找不到我们。

If we were to hide ourselves in that, no one could find us.

军队不能进那片地，而且明天他们就要开拔了。

The army cannot come into it, and tomorrow it is to march on.

他们悄悄溜进了玉米地，但军队并没有立刻开走。

They crept into the corn, but the army did not march on right away.

军队就在他们周围扎营，寸步不离。

It remained encamped close around them.

他们在玉米秆里躲了两天两夜，可玉米还太嫩，一颗穗子都没有，饿得比之前更厉害了。

They sat for two days and two nights in the corn stocks, which were still too young to have any corn on them, and they grew hungrier than even before.

可现在他们已经失踪一天了，要是再出去，肯定会被扔进地牢。

But now that they'd been missing for a day, if they came back out, they'd be tossed in the dungeon.

最后他们说，逃出来又有什么用呢？

They said at last, what use was it our deserting?

我们好不容易跑到这边，结果却要在这儿饿死。

We made it one field over, and now we'll starve here.

他们正说着，一条幽灵般的龙从空中飞了过来。

While they were speaking, a ghostly dragon came flying through the air.

它在他们附近盘旋，别人都看不见它。

It hovered near them, invisible to everyone else.

喂，藏在玉米地里的士兵们，它低沉地说道。

Hello, soldiers in the corn, he rumbled.

你们在这儿干什么？

What are you doing here?

他们回答说。

They answered.

我们是三个士兵，因为军饷太低才逃出来的。

We are three soldiers and have deserted because our pay was so small.

要是我们留在这儿，肯定会饿死；要是跑出去，又会被关进大牢。

Now if we remain here, we shall die of hunger, and if we move out, we shall be tossed into the dungeon.

我会带你们穿过军队中间，保证没人能抓住你们，龙说道。

I will lead you through the midst of the army so that no one shall catch you, said the dragon.

不过，在享受了七年的自由之后，你们得为我服务接下来的七年。

But after seven years of freedom, you must come and serve me for the next seven years.

你们怎么可能带我们出去呢？

How could you even get us out?

其中一个人问道。

One asked.

作为回应，龙用他幽灵般的身躯将他们包裹起来，让他们在军队面前也变成了隐形状态。

In response, the dragon wrapped them in his ghostly body, and they too turned invisible to the army.

不过，七年可是段很长的时间。

Still, seven years is a long time.

龙说道。

Said the dragon.

作为额外的条件，等我们落地后，我会给你们宝藏。

To sweeten the deal, I'll give you treasure when we land.

你们会先当七年富人，然后再给我当七年差。

You'll spend seven years as rich men, and then serve me for another seven.

也没那么糟。

It won't be so bad.

四周都是军队，地牢就在眼前，老朋友们对视一眼，长叹了一口气。

The army all around them and the dungeon looming, the old friends looked at each other and sighed.

我们别无选择。

We have no choice.

我们只能接受你的提议，他们说。

We must take your offer, they said.

很好，龙说。

Good, said the dragon.

接着他用爪子抓住他们，说：抓紧了。

Then he seized them in his claws and said, hold on.

巨龙猛地一跃，冲天而起，飞越了整支军队。

With one massive leap, the dragon launched into the air over the army.

他们飞过田野、河流，还有那片波光粼粼的大湖，最后，巨龙在远离战场的远方把他们放了下来。

They sailed over fields and rivers and a great shining lake, and finally, the dragon set them down a long way from the war.

现在你们有七年自由了，但别忘了咱们的约定。

You're free now for seven years, but don't forget our deal.

他一打响指，一根小鞭子就出现在眼前。

And then he snapped his claws and a little whip appeared.

他把那根小鞭子递给他们，说：‘用这鞭子抽打草地，想要多少钱，钱就会自动蹦出来。’

He gave them the little whip saying, whip and slash the grass with this, and as much money as you want will jump up before you.

你们可以当大富翁，养马，坐马车到处跑。

You can then live as great lords, keep horses, and drive about in carriages.

但七年一到，你们就归我了。

But after seven years, you are mine.

接着，他把一本册子放在他们面前，要求三个人都签字。

Then he put a book before them, which he asked all three of them to sign.

不过，龙当然说了，按照龙的规矩，当你们七年的服务开始时，我会出个谜语给你们，”他说。

But, of course, the dragon said, according to dragon law, I will then give you a riddle when your seven years of service is to start, he said.

要是你们猜中了，就能获得自由，彻底摆脱我的掌控。

If you guess it, you shall be free and out of my power.

要是猜不中，就得乖乖继续为我效力。

But if not, you'll serve me without complaint.

士兵们答应了，签下了名字。

The soldiers agreed and signed.

龙笑了笑，随后飞走了，留下他们和那根魔法鞭子。

The dragon smiled and then flew away, leaving them there with the magic whip.

士兵们捡起鞭子，试着挥了一下。

The soldiers picked up the whip and tried it.

鞭子打到草地上，金币就蹦了出来。

Where it hit the grass, gold coins leapt up.

真是龙的魔法啊！他们欢呼着，赶紧捡起地上的金币。

Dragon magic, they cheered and gathered the coins.

他们一起走遍了各地。

Together, they journeyed across the land.

他们想花多少钱就花多少钱，穿得体面光鲜，闯荡天下。

They had as much money as they wanted, wore grand clothes, and made their way into the world.

无论走到哪里，他们都过着富裕体面的生活，乘马车、吃喝玩乐，但从没忘记自己的出身，总是不断接济饥饿和贫困的人。

Wherever they went, they lived in happiness and splendor, drove about in horses and carriages, ate and drank, but never forgot where they came from, and constantly donated to the hungry and needy.

他们离开一座城市时，城里连一个乞丐都不会留下。

When they left the city, there would not be a beggar left in their wake.

时间过得飞快。

The time passed quickly away.

眼看七年快到了，有两个人变得极度焦虑和害怕。

And when the seven years were nearly ended, two of them grew terribly anxious and frightened.

但第三个人却满不在乎，说：别担心，兄弟们。

But the third made light of it, saying, don't be afraid, brothers.

我又不是刚出娘胎的娃娃。

I wasn't born yesterday.

我来猜这个谜语。

I will guess the riddle.

他们走进一片田野，坐下来，开始琢磨谜语的内容，以及该怎么回答。

They went into a field, sat down, and began to talk over what the riddle could be and how they might answer.

那两个沮丧的人越想越难过，这时一位老妇人路过，问他们为什么这么伤心。

The two depressed ones only got more so, and finally, an old woman passed by and asked them why they were so sad.

哦，这是魔法和龙的问题，夫人。

Oh, it's magic and dragon trouble, ma'am.

我真不确定有谁能帮得上我们。

I'm I'm not sure anyone could really help us out with this.

谁知道呢？

Who knows?

她回答说。

She answered.

为什么不把你的烦恼告诉我呢？

Why don't you confide your trouble in me?

于是他们告诉她，他们答应给龙当七年的仆人，而龙给他们的钱多得像野莓一样遍地都是。

Then they told her that they had agreed to become the servants of the dragon for seven long years, and how he had given them money as plentifully as blackberries.

但因为他们签了名字，就等于卖身给了他。

But as they had signed their names, they were his.

除非七年过去后，他们能猜出一个谜语。

Unless when the seven years had passed, they could guess a riddle.

老妇人说，要是你们想自救，其中一人得往那边的树林里走，那儿有一座破败的石屋，看起来像个小房子。

The old woman said, if you would help yourselves, one of you must go into the woods over that way, and there you will come upon a tumble down building of rocks which looks like a little house.

然后你进去，就能找到解救的办法。

Then you must go in, and there you will find help.

那两个沮丧的人心想，这根本救不了我们，于是原地没动。

The two depressed ones thought, that won't save us, and they remained where they were.

但第三个充满希望的人一下子跳起来，冲进树林，终于找到了那座石屋。

But the third and eager one jumped up and went into the woods till he found the rock hut.

石屋里坐着一位年迈的妇人，身形古怪，浑身鳞片，原来是龙的祖母。

In the rock hut sat a very old woman, strangely shaped and scaled, who was the dragon's grandmother.

她问他怎么来的，来这儿有什么事。

She asked him how he came and what his business was there.

他把所有经过都告诉了她，因为态度诚恳有礼，她心生怜悯，答应帮他。

He told her all that had happened, and because he was kind and polite, she took compassion on him and said she would help him.

她掀开一块压在地窖口的大石头，说：你躲进去。

She lifted up a large stone which lay over the cellar saying, hide yourself there.

你在下面能听见这屋里说的每一句话。

You can hear all that is spoken in this room.

只管安安静静待着，别乱动。

Only sit still and don't stir.

等龙回来，我会问它那个谜语的答案——它什么事都跟我说，你仔细听清楚。

When the dragon comes, I will ask him what the riddle is for he tells me everything, then listen carefully to what he says.

午夜时分，龙飞了进来，要吃晚饭。

At midnight, the dragon flew in and asked for his supper.

奶奶摆好桌子，端出吃的喝的，直到他吃饱喝足，两人一起用餐。

His grandmother laid the table and brought out food and drink till he was satisfied, and they ate and drank together.

接着，谈话中她问他今天做了什么，收服了多少灵魂。

Then in the course of the conversation, she asked him what he had done in the day and how many souls he had conquered.

今天运气不太好，”他说，“但我牢牢抓住了三个战俘。

I haven't had much luck today, he said, but I have a tight hold on three soldiers from the war.

真的吗。

Indeed.

三个士兵，”她说，“他们都没法逃出你的手心？

Three soldiers, she said, who cannot escape you?

他们归我了，”龙回答，“因为我只给他们出一个谜语，他们永远猜不出来。

They are mine, answered the dragon, for I shall only give them one riddle which they will never be able to guess.

这是个什么样的谜语？

What sort of riddle is it?

她问。

She asked.

有一样东西，什么也不是，却有个名字。

There is a thing that nothing is, and yet it has a name.

它有时高，有时矮，总能加入我们的谈话和游戏，每场活动都有它的身影。

It is sometimes tall and sometimes short, joins our talks, joins our sport, and plays at every game.

这确实是个难解的谜题。

A tricky riddle indeed.

我挺为这个谜题得意的，龙说。

I'm rather proud of it, said the dragon.

但当他上床睡觉后，他的老祖母掀开那块石头，放走了士兵。

But when he had gone to bed, his old grandmother pulled up the stone and let out the soldier.

你刚才都听仔细了吗？

Did you pay attention to everything?

是的，他回答。

Yes, he replied.

我听得够多了，完全能自己脱身。

I know enough and can help myself splendidly.

接着他从窗户另找路径悄悄溜走，拼命地跑啊跑啊，赶回同伴身边。

Then he went by another way through the window secretly and ran, ran, ran in all haste back to his comrades.

他告诉他们，是他的祖母智胜了龙，还亲耳听到了那个谜语。

He told them how the dragon had been outwitted by his grandmother and how he had heard from his own lips the riddle.

大家一听都高兴极了，纷纷掏出鞭子，一抽就是一大把金币，蹦得满地乱跳。

Then they were all delighted and in high spirits, took out their whip, and cracked so much money that it came jumping up from the ground.

他们天天讨论这个谜语，足足说了好多天，最后终于觉得自己猜出了答案。

They talked about the riddle for days and days and finally were sure they had an answer.

七年期满那天，龙带着他的书来了。

When the seven years had quite gone, the dragon came with his book.

他指着那些签名说：‘现在该你们跟我到地下去干活了。’

And pointing at the signatures said, I will take you underground with me to serve now.

希望你们喜欢在狭窄的洞穴里挖金子。

I hope you like mining gold in cramped caverns.

他笑了。

He laughed.

我们可还记着那个谜语呢，士兵们说。

We still have the riddle, said the soldiers.

你可以试试看，

You're welcome to try, said the dragon.

有样东西，明明什么都没有，却有个名字。

There is a thing that nothing is, and yet it has a name.

有时高，有时矮，陪我们聊天，陪我们打球，每个游戏里都有它。

It's sometimes tall and sometimes short, joins our talks, joins our sport, and plays at every game.

士兵们装出一副困惑的样子，互相看了看，最后那个勇敢的说：我知道答案了，龙。

The soldiers looked at each other in pretend puzzlement, but then the brave one said, I have your answer, dragon.

那是什么？

What is it?

龙轻声说。

Purred the dragon.

他们肯定答错了。

Sure they had it wrong.

是影子。

It is a shadow.

什么？

What?

怎么做到的？

How?

不行。

No.

龙试图直接扑向士兵们，但自己签订的魔法契约却阻止了它。

The dragon tried to snatch the soldiers anyway, but the magic of his own contract prevented it.

它只能被迫放弃，只能尖叫着飞向远方，去寻找新的猎物引诱。

He was forced to leave them be, instead shrieking and flying into the distance, looking for new victims to lure.

三名士兵在空地上紧紧拥抱，欢呼起来。

The three soldiers hugged and cheered in the clearing.

他们带着财富在城里盖了三栋挨着的房子，并把鞭子锁起来，只留作紧急时使用。

They took their fortunes and built three houses alongside each other in the city and kept the whip locked away for emergencies.

每个月，他们都会去龙的奶奶家吃饼干、喝茶。

And once a month, they'd go to the dragon's grandmother's house for cookies and tea.

从此以后，所有人都过上了幸福的生活，除了那只龙。

And they all, except the dragon, lived happily ever after.

故事讲完了。

The end.

今天的故事《龙和奶奶》是丹尼尔·欣德斯专为你们改编的经典寓言。

Today's story, the dragon and his grandmother, was an adaptation of a classic fable written for you by Daniel Hinds.

本集由艾莉·欣德斯编辑制作，由我，阿曼达·韦尔登为您朗读。

It was edited and produced for you by Ellie Hinds and performed for you by me, Amanda Weldon.

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谢谢收听。

Thanks for listening.