The Magic Mill

英汉对照

A long time ago, far, far away, there lived two brothers. One of them was quite rich: the other was very poor. The rich brother lived on a little island; he was a seller of salt. He had sold salt for many years and had got a great deal of money. The other brother was so poor that he had not got enough food for his wife and children.

His wife said, "What will happen to us? Do you want me and the children to die? There is nothing to eat. Why don't you go and ask your brother for some money."

"My brother loves his money very much. I'm sure that he will not give me any. Perhaps he will want to give me a handful of salt. But I will go and see him."

He got into his boat and sailed across to the island where his brother lived.

He found his rich brother at home, counting his money.

"What is the matter? Why have you come here?"

"Please, brother, I have no food in my house. Please give me one of those gold pieces you are counting."

"No. These are mine. You are very lazy. Why do you not go and work?"

"I have tried to find some work, but I cannot. Now there is no bread in my house for my children."

"I will not give you any money, but I'll give you some bread. If I give you a loaf of bread, will you go away and not come back?"

"Yes. Please give me the bread."

The rich man threw a loaf of bread to him, and he went away.

While he was on his way to his house, he came to an old man sitting by the side of the road.

"What is that you are carrying?" said the old man. "Is it bread? I have not had any thing to eat for two days."

He cut a piece of the loaf and gave it to the old man, who thanked him and began to eat. When he had finished, the old man said, "Now I will do something for you. I will show you the home of the fairies who live underground. If you show them the bread, they will want to buy it from you. But do not let them give you any money. Ask them for the little mill that stands behind their door. Do as I say, and you will become rich. When you come back, I will show you how to use it."

The old man then led him into a wood. He pointed to a hole in the ground. It looked like the hole made by a big rabbit. Inside, the hole grew bigger and a little stone door could be seen.

"That is the fairies' home. Get in and open the door. I will wait until you come out," said the old man.

The poor man got into the hole, opened the door, and went in. It was dark inside the door: for some time he could see nothing. Then, when he could see more clearly, he saw many little fairies: they came and stood round him.

"What is that?" said one of them. "Is it white bread? Please give it to us, or sell it to us."

"We will give you gold and silver for it," said another.

"No," said the poor man. "I don't want gold or silver. Give me that old mill that stands behind the door, and I will give you the loaf of bread."joozone.com