忠實的朋友 The Devoted Friend

One morning the old Water-rat put his head out of his hole. He had bright beady eyes and stiff grey whiskers, and his tail was like a long bit of black india-rubber. The little ducks were swimming about in the pond, looking just like a lot of yellow canaries, and their mother, who was pure white with real red legs, was trying to teach them how to stand on their heads in the water.

一天早晨，老河鼠從自己的洞中探出頭來。他長著明亮的小眼睛和硬挺的灰色胡須，尾巴長得像一條長長的黑色橡膠。小鴨子們在池塘里游著水，看上去就像是一大群金絲鳥。他們的母親渾身純白如雪，再配上一對赤紅的腿，正盡力教他們如何頭朝下地在水中倒立。

'You will never be in the best society unless you can stand on your heads,' she kept saying to them; and every now and then she showed them how it was done. But the little ducks paid no attention to her. They were so young that they did not know what an advantage it is to be in society at all.

“除非你們學會倒立，否則你們永遠不會進入上流社會，”她老愛這么對他們說，并不停地做給他們看。但是小鴨子們并未對她的話引起重視。他們太年輕了，一點也不知道在上流社會的好處是什么。

'What disobedient children!' cried the old Water-rat; 'they really deserve to be drowned.'

“多么頑皮的孩子呀!”老河鼠高聲喊道，“他們真該被淹死。”

'Nothing of the kind,' answered the Duck, 'every one must make a beginning, and parents cannot be too patient.'

“不是那么回事，”鴨媽媽回答說，“萬事開頭難嘛，做父母的要多一點耐心。”

'Ah! I know nothing about the feelings of parents,' said the Water-rat; 'I am not a family man. In fact, I have never been married, and I never intend to be. Love is all very well in its way, but friendship is much higher. Indeed, I know of nothing in the world that is either nobler or rarer than a devoted friendship.'

“啊：我完全不了解做父母的情感，”河鼠說，“我不是個養(yǎng)家?guī)Э诘娜?。事實上，我從未結過婚，也決不打算結婚。愛情本身倒是挺好的，但友情比它的價值更高。說實在的，我不知道在這世上還有什么比忠實的友誼更崇高和更珍貴的了。”

'And what, pray, is your idea of the duties of a devoted friend?' asked a Green Linnet, who was sitting in a willow-tree hard by, and had overheard the conversation.

“那么，請問，你認為一個忠實的朋友的責任是什么呢?”一只綠色的紅雀開口問道，此時他正坐在旁邊一視柳樹上，偷聽到他們的談話。

'Yes, that is just what I want to know,' said the Duck, and she swam away to the end of the pond, and stood upon her head, in order to give her children a good example.

“是啊，這正是我想知道的，”鴨媽媽說。接著她就游到了池塘的另一頭，頭朝下倒立起來，為的是給孩子們做一個好榜樣。

'What a silly question!' cried the Water-rat. 'I should expect my devoted friend to be devoted to me, of course.'

“這問題問得多笨!”河鼠吼道，“當然，我肯定我忠實的朋友對我是忠實的。”

'And what would you do in return?' said the little bird, swinging upon a silver spray, and flapping his tiny wings.

“那么你又用什么報答呢?”小鳥說著，跳上了一根銀色的枝頭，并撲打著他的小翅膀。

'I don't understand you,' answered the Water-rat.

“我不明白你的意思，”河鼠回答說。

'Let me tell you a story on the subject,' said the Linnet.

“那就讓我給你講一個這方面的故事吧，”紅雀說。

'Is the story about me?' asked the Water-rat. If so, I will listen to it, for I am extremely fond of fiction.'

“是關于我的故事嗎?”河鼠問道，“如果是這樣的話，我很愿意聽，因為我特別喜歡聽故事。”

'It is applicable to you,' answered the Linnet; and he flew down, and alighting upon the bank, he told the story of The Devoted Friend.

“它也適合你，”紅雀回答說。他飛了下來，站立在河岸邊，講述起那個《忠實的朋友》的故事。

'Once upon a time,' said the Linnet, 'there was an honest little fellow named Hans.'

“很久很久以前，”紅雀說，“有一個誠實的小伙子名叫漢斯。”

'Was he very distinguished?' asked the Water-rat.

“他是非常出色的嗎?”河鼠問道。

'No,' answered the Linnet, 'I don't think he was distinguished at all, except for his kind heart, and his funny round good-humoured face. He lived in a tiny cottage all by himself, and every day he worked in his garden. In all the country-side there was no garden so lovely as his. Sweet-william grew there, and Gilly-flowers, and Shepherds'-purses, and Fair-maids of France. There were damask Roses, and yellow Roses, lilac Crocuses, and gold, purple Violets and white. Columbine and Ladysmock, Marjoram and Wild Basil, the Cowslip and the Flower-de-luce, the Daffodil and the Clove-Pink bloomed or blossomed in their proper order as the months went by, one flower taking another flower's place, so that there were always beautiful things to look at, and pleasant odours to smell.

“不，”紅雀答道，“我認為他一點也不出色，只是心腸好罷了，還長著一張滑稽而友善的圓臉。他獨自一人住在小村舍里，每天都在自己的花園里干活。整個鄉(xiāng)下沒有誰家的花園像他的花園那樣可愛。里面長著美國石竹，還有紫羅蘭、有薺，以及法國的松雪草。有粉紅色的玫瑰、金黃色的玫瑰，還有番紅花，紫羅蘭有金色的、紫色的和白色的。隨著季節(jié)的更迭，耬斗菜和碎米薺，牛膝草和野蘭香，蓮香花和鳶尾草，水仙和丁香都爭相開放。一種花剛凋謝，另一種便怒放開來，花園中一直都有美麗的花朵供人觀賞，始終都有怡人的芳香可聞。

'Little Hans had a great many friends, but the most devoted friend of all was big Hugh the Miller. Indeed, so devoted was the rich Miller to little Hans, that he [Hans] would never go by his garden without leaning over the wall and plucking a large nosegay, or a handful of sweet herbs, or filling his pockets with plums and cherries if it was the fruit season.

“小漢斯有許多朋友，但是最忠實的朋友只有磨坊主大休。的確，有錢的磨坊主對小漢斯是非常忠實的，每次他從小漢斯的花園經過總要從圍墻上俯過身去摘上一大束鮮花，或者摘上一把香草。遇到碩果累累的季節(jié)，他就會往口袋里裝滿李子和櫻桃。

'"Real friends should have everything in common," the Miller used to say, and little Hans nodded and smiled, and felt very proud of having a friend with such noble ideas.

“磨坊主時常對小漢斯說，‘真正的朋友應該共享一切。’小漢斯微笑著點點頭，他為自己有一位思想如此崇高的朋友而深感驕傲。

'Sometimes, indeed, the neighbours thought it strange that the rich Miller never gave little Hans anything in return, though he had a hundred sacks of flour stored away in his mill, and six milk cows, and a large stock of woolly sheep; but Hans never troubled his head about these things, and nothing gave him greater pleasure than to listen to all the wonderful things the Miller used to say about the unselfishness of true friendship.

“的確，有時候鄰居們也感到奇怪，有錢的磨坊主從來沒有給過小漢斯任何東西作為回報，盡管他在自己的磨坊里存放了一百袋面粉，還有六頭奶牛和一大群綿羊。不過，小漢斯從沒有為這些事而動過腦筋，再說經常聽磨坊主對他談起那些不自私的真正友誼的美妙故事，對小漢斯來說，沒有比聽到這些更讓他快樂的了。

'So little Hans worked away in his garden. During the spring, the summer, and the autumn he was very happy, but when the winter came, and he had no fruit or flowers to bring to the market, he suffered a good deal from cold and hunger, and often had to go to bed without any supper but a few dried pears or some hard nuts. Jn the winter, also, he was extremely lonely, as the Miller never came to see him then.

“就這樣小漢斯一直在花園中干著活。在春、夏、秋三季中他都很快樂，可冬天一到，他沒有水果和鮮花拿到市場上去賣，就要過饑寒交迫的日子，還常常吃不上晚飯，只吃點干梨和核桃就上床睡覺了。在冬天的日子里，他覺得特別的孤單，因為這時磨坊主從來不會去看望他。

'"There is no good in my going to see little Hans as long as the snow lasts," the Miller used to say to his wife, "for when people are in trouble they should be left alone, and not be bothered by visitors. That at least is my idea about friendship, and I am sure I am right. So I shall wait till the spring comes, and then I shall pay him a visit, and he will be able to give me a large basket of primroses, and that will make him so happy."

“磨坊主常常對自己的妻子說，‘只要雪沒有停，就沒有必要去看小漢斯，因為人在困難的時候，就應該讓他們獨處，不要讓外人去打攪他們。這至少是我對友誼的看法，我相信自己是對的，所以我要等到春天到來，那時我會去看望他，他還會送我一大籃櫻草，這會使他非常愉快的。’

"You are certainly very thoughtful about others," answered the Wife, as she sat in her comfortable armchair by the big pinewood fire; "very thoughtful indeed. It is quite a treat to hear you talk about friendship. I am sure the clergyman himself could not say such beautiful things as you do, though he does live in a three-storied house, and wears a gold ring on his little finger."

“‘你的確為別人想得很周到，’他的妻子答道。她此刻正安坐在舒適的沙發(fā)椅上，旁邊燃著一大爐柴火，‘的確很周到。你談論起友誼可真有一套，我敢說就是牧師本人也說不出這么美麗的話語，盡管他能住在三層樓的房子里，小手指頭上還戴著金成指。’

'"But could We not ask little Hans up here?" said the Miller's youngest son. "If poor Hans is in trouble I will give him half my porridge, and show him my white rabbits."

“‘不過我們就不能請小漢斯來這里嗎?’磨坊主的小兒子說，‘如果可憐的漢斯遇到困難的話，我會把我的粥分一半給他，還會把我那些小白兔給他看。’

"What a silly boy you are!" cried the Miller; "I really don't know what is the use of sending you to school. You seem not to learn anything. Why, if little Hans came up here, and saw our warm fire, and our good supper, and our great cask of red wine, he might get envious, and envy is a most terrible thing, and would spoil anybody's nature. I certainly will not allow Hans's nature to be spoiled. I am his best friend, and I will always watch over him, and see that he is not led into any temptations. Besides, if Hans came here, he might ask me to let him have some flour on credit, and that I could not do. Flour is one thing, and friendship is another, and they should not be confused. Why, the words are spelt differently, and mean quite different things. Everybody can see that."

“‘你真是個傻孩子!’磨坊主大聲渠道，‘我真不知道送你上學有什么用處。你好像什么也沒有學會。噢，假如小漢斯來這里的話，看見我們暖和的爐火，看見我們豐盛的晚餐，以及大桶的紅酒，他可能會妒忌的，而妒忌是一件非?？膳碌氖虑?，它會毀了一個人的品性。我當然不愿意把小漢斯的品性給毀了，我是他最要好的朋友，我要一直照顧他，并留心他不受任何誘惑的欺騙。再說，如果小漢斯來到我家，他也許會要我賒點面粉給他，這我可辦不到。面粉是一件事，友誼又是另一件事，兩者不能混為一談。對呀，這兩個詞拼寫起來差別很大，意思也大不一樣。每個人都清楚這一點。’

'"How well you talk!" said the Miller's Wife, pouring herself out a large glass of warm ale; "really I feel quite drowsy. It is just like being in church."

“‘你講得真好’!磨坊主的妻子說，給自己倒了一大杯溫暖的淡啤酒，‘我真的感到很困了，就像是坐在教堂里聽講道一樣。’

"Lots of people act well," answered the Miller; "but very few people talk well, which shows that talking is much the more difficult thing of the two, and much the finer thing also;" and he looked sternly across the table at his little son, who felt so ashamed of himself that he hung his head down, and grew quite scarlet, and began to cry into his tea. However, he was so young that you must excuse him.'

“‘很多人都做得不錯，’磨坊主回答說，‘可說得好的人卻寥寥無幾，可見在兩件事中講話更難一些，也更加迷人一些。’他用嚴厲的目光望著桌子另一頭的小兒子，小兒子感到很不好意思，低下了頭，漲紅著臉，淚水也忍不住地掉進了茶杯中。不過，他年紀這么小，你們還是要原諒他。”

'Is that the end of the story?' asked the Water-rat.

“故事就這么完了嗎?”河鼠問。

'Certainly not,' answered the Linnet, that is the beginning.

“當然沒有，”紅雀回答說，“這只是個開頭。”

'Then you are quite behind the age,' said the Water-rat. 'Every good story-teller nowadays starts with the end, and then goes on to the beginning, and concludes with the middle. That is the new method. I heard all about it the other day from a critic who was walking round the pond with a young man. He spoke of the matter at great length, and I am sure he must have been right, for he had blue spectacles and a bald head, and whenever the young man made any remark, he always answered "Pooh!" But pray go on with your story. I like the Miller immensely. I have all kinds of beautiful sentiments myself, so there is a great sympathy between us.

“那么你就太落后了，”河鼠說，“當今那些故事高手們都是從結尾講起，然后到開頭，最后才講到中間。這是新方法。這些話是我那天從一位評論家那兒聽來的，當時他正同一位年輕人在池塘邊散步。對這個問題他作了好一番高談闊論，我相信他是正確的，因他戴著一副藍色的眼鏡，頭也全禿了，而且只要年輕人一開口講話，他就總回答說，‘呸!’不過，還是請你把故事講下去吧。我尤其喜歡那個磨坊主。我自己也有各種美麗的情感，所以我與他是同病相憐。”

'Well,' said the Linnet, hopping now on one leg and now on the other, 'as soon as the winter was over, and the primroses began to open their pale yellow stars, the Miller said to his wife that he would go down and see little Hans.

“呵，”紅雀說，他時而用這一只腳跳，時而又用另一只腳跳。“冬天剛一過去，櫻草開始開放它們的淺黃色星花的時候，磨坊主便對他的妻子說，他準備下山去看望一下小漢斯。

'"Why, what a good heart you have!" cried his wife; "you are always thinking of others. And mind you take the big basket with you for the flowers."

“‘啊，你的心腸真好!’他的妻子大聲喊道，‘你總是想著別人。別忘了帶上裝花朵的大籃子。’

'So the Miller tied the sails of the windmill together with a strong iron chain, and went down the hill with the basket on his arm.

“于是磨坊主用一根堅實的鐵鏈把風車的翼板固定在一起，隨后將籃子挎在手膀上就下山去了。

'"Good morning, little Hans," said the Miller.

“‘早上好，小漢斯，’磨坊主說。

'"Good morning," said Hans, leaning on his spade, and smiling from ear to ear.

“‘早上好，’漢斯回答道，把身體靠在鐵鏟上，滿臉堆著笑容。

'"And how have you been all the winter?" said the Miller. "Well, really," cried Hans, "it is very good of you to ask, very good indeed. I am afraid I had rather a hard time of it, but now the spring has come, and I am quite happy, and all my flowers are doing well."

“‘整個冬天你都過得好嗎?’磨坊主又開口問道。

'"We often talked of you during the winter, Hans," said the Miller, "and wondered how you were getting on."

“‘啊，是啊，’漢斯大聲說，‘蒙你相問，你真是太好了，太好了。我要說我過得是有些困難，不過現(xiàn)在春天已經到了，我好快活呀，我的花都長得很好。’

'"That was kind of you," said Hans; "I was half afraid you had forgotten me."

“‘今年冬天我們常提起你，’磨坊主說，‘還關心你過得怎么樣了。’

'"Hans, I am surprised at you," said the Miller; "friendship never forgets. That is the wonderful thing about it, but I am afraid you don't understand the poetry of life. How lovely your primroses are looking, by-the-by!"

“‘太感謝你了，’漢斯說，‘我真有點擔心你會把我給忘了。’

'"They are certainly very lovely," said Hans, "and it is a most lucky thing for me that I have so many. I am going to bring them into the market and sell them to the Burgomaster's daughter, and buy back my wheelbarrow with the money."

“‘漢斯，你說的話讓我吃驚，’磨坊主說;‘友誼從不會讓人忘記，這就是友誼的非凡所在，但是只恐怕你還不懂得生活的詩意。啊，對了，你的櫻草長得多可愛呀!’

'"Buy back your wheelbarrow? You don't mean to say you have sold it? What a very stupid thing to do!"

“‘它們長得確實可愛，’漢斯說，‘我的運氣太好了，會有這么多的櫻草。我要把它們拿到市場上去賣，賣給市長的女兒，有了錢就去贖回我的小推車。’

'"Well, the fact is," said Hans, "that I was obliged to. You see the winter was a very bad time for me, and I really had no money at all to buy bread with. So I first sold the silver buttons off my Sunday coat, and then I sold my silver chain, and then I sold my big pipe, and at last I sold my wheelbarrow. But I am going to buy them all back again now."

“‘贖回你的小推車?你的意思是說你賣掉了它?這事你做的有多么傻呀!’

'"Hans," said the Miller, "I will give you my wheelbarrow. It is not in very good repair; indeed, one side is gone, and there is something wrong with the wheel-spokes; but in spite of that I will give it to you. I know it is very generous of me, and a great many people would think me extremely foolish for parting with it, but I am not like the rest of the world. I think that generosity is the essence of friendship, and, besides, I have got a new wheelbarrow for myself. Yes, you may set your mind at ease, I will give you my wheelbarrow."

“‘噢，事實上，’漢斯說，‘我不得不那樣做。你知道冬天對我來說是很困難的，我也的確沒錢買面包。所以我先是賣掉星期日制服上的銀鈕扣，然后又賣掉銀鏈條，接著賣掉了我的大煙斗，最后才賣掉了我的小推車。不過，我現(xiàn)在要把它們都再買回來。’

'"Well, really, that is generous of you," said little Hans, and his funny round face glowed all over with pleasure. "I can easily put it in repair, as I have a plank of wood in the house."

“‘漢斯，’磨坊主說，‘我愿意把我的小推車送給你。它還沒有完全修好，其實，它有一邊已掉了，輪緣也有些毛病，但不管怎么說，我還是要把它送給你。我知道我這個人非?？犊?，而且很多人會認為我送掉小車是很愚蠢的舉動，但是我是與眾不同的人。我認為慷慨是友誼的核心。再說，我還給自己弄了一輛新的小推車。好了，你就放寬心吧，我要把我的小推車給你的。’

'"A plank of wood" said the Miller; "why, that is just what I want for the roof of my barn. There is a very large hole in it, and the corn will all get damp if I don't stop it up. How lucky you mentioned it! It is quite remarkable how one good action always breeds another. I have given you my wheelbarrow, and now you are going to give me your plank. Of course, the wheelbarrow is worth far more than the plank, but true friendship never notices things like that. Pray get it at once, and I will set to work at my barn this very day."

“‘啊，你太慷慨了，’小漢斯說著，那張滑稽有趣的圓臉上洋溢著喜氣。‘我會毫不費力地把它修好，因為我屋里就有一塊木板。’ “‘一塊木板!’磨坊主說，‘對了，我正好想要一塊木板來修補我的倉頂。那上面有一個大洞，如果我不堵住它，麥子就會被淋濕。多虧你提到這事：一件好事總會產生另一件好事，這真是不可思議。我已經把我的小推車給了你，現(xiàn)在你要把木板給我了。其實，小車比木板要值錢得多，不過真正的友誼從來不會留意這種事的。請快把木板拿來，我今天就動手去修我的倉房。’

'"Certainly," cried little Hans, and he ran into the shed and dragged the plank out.

“‘當然了，’小漢斯大聲說，隨即跑進他的小屋，把木板拖了出米。

'"It is not a very big plank," said the Miller, looking at it, "and I am afraid that after I have mended my barn-roof there won't be any left for you to mend the wheelbarrow with; but, of course, that is not my fault. And now, as I have given you my wheelbarrow, I am sure you would like to give me some flowers in return. Here is the basket, and mind you fill it quite full."

“‘這木板不太大，’磨坊主望著木板說，‘恐怕等我修完倉頂后就沒有剩下來給你修補小推車的了，不過這當然不是我的錯。而且現(xiàn)在我已經把我的小推車給了你，我相信你一定樂意給我一些花作回報的。給你籃子，注意請給我的籃子裝滿了。’

'"Quite full?" said little Hans, rather sorrowfully, for it was really a very big basket, and he knew that if he filled it he would have no flowers left for the market, and he was very anxious to get his silver buttons back.

“‘要裝滿嗎?’小漢斯問著，臉上顯得很不安，因為這可真是一個大籃子，他心里明白，要是把這只籃子裝滿的話，他就不會有鮮花剩下來拿到集市上去賣了，再說他又非常想把銀鈕扣贖回來。

'"Well, really," answered the Miller, "as I have given you my wheelbarrow, I don't think that it is much to ask you for a few flowers. I may be wrong, but I should have thought that friendship, true friendship, was quite free from selfishness of any kind."

“‘噢，對了，’磨坊主回答說，‘既然我已經把自己的小推車給了你，我覺得向你要一些花也算不了什么。也許我是錯了，但是我認為友誼，真正的友誼，是不會夾帶任何私心的。’

'"My dear friend, my best friend," cried little Hans, "you are welcome to all the flowers in my garden. I would much sooner have your good opinion than my silver buttons, any day;" and he ran and plucked all his pretty primroses, and filled the Miller's basket.

“‘我親愛的朋友，我最好的朋友，’小漢斯喊了起來，‘我這花園里所有的花都供你享用。我寧愿早一點聽到你的美言，至于銀鈕扣哪一天去贖都可以。’說完他就跑去把花園里所有的美麗櫻草都摘了下來，裝滿了磨坊主的籃子。

'"Good-bye, little Hans," said the Miller, as he went up the hill with the plank on his shoulder, and the big basket in his hand.

“‘再見了，小漢斯，’磨坊主說。他肩上扛著木板，手里提著大籃子朝山上走去了。

'"Good-bye," said little Hans, and he began to dig away quite merrily, he was so pleased about the wheelbarrow.

“‘再見，’小漢斯說，然后他又開始高高興興地挖起土來，那輛小推車使他興奮不已。

'The next day he was nailing up some honeysuckle against the porch, when he heard the Miller's voice calling to him from the road. So he jumped off the ladder, and ran down the garden, and looked over the wall.

“第二天，小漢斯正往門廊上釘忍冬的時候，聽見磨坊主在馬路上喊叫他的聲音。他一下子從梯子上跳下來，跑到花園里，朝墻外望去。

'There was the Miller with a large sack of flour on his back.

“只見磨坊主扛著一大袋面粉站在外面。

'"Dear little Hans," said the Miller, "would you mind carrying this sack of flour for me to market?"

“‘親愛的小漢斯，’磨坊主說，‘你愿意幫我把這袋面粉背到集市上去嗎?’

'"Oh, I am so sorry," said Hans,"but I am really very busy to-day. I have got all my creepers to nail up, and all my flowers to water, and all my grass to roll."

一牧，實在對不起，’漢斯說，‘我今天真的太忙了。我要把所有的藤子全釘好，還得把所有的花澆上水，所有的草都剪平。’

'"Well, really," said the Miller, "I think that, considering that I am going to give you my wheelbarrow, it is rather unfriendly of you to refuse."

“‘啊，不錯，’磨坊主說，“我想是的?？赡阋紤]我將把我的小推車送給你，你要是拒絕我就太不夠朋友了。’

'"Oh, don't say that," cried little Hans, "I wouldn't be unfriendly for the whole world;" and he ran in for his cap, and trudged off with the big sack on his shoulders.

“‘啊，不要這么說，’小漢斯大聲叫道，‘無論如何我也不會對不起朋友的。’他跑進小屋去取帽子，然后扛上那大袋面粉，步履艱難地朝集市走去。

'It was a very hot day, and the road was terribly dusty, and before Hans had reached the sixth milestone he was so tired that he had to sit down and rest. However, he went on bravely, and at last he reached the market. After he had waited there some time, he sold the sack of flour for a very good price, and then he returned home at once, for he was afraid that if he stopped too late he might meet some robbers on the way.

“這一天天氣炎熱，路上塵土飛揚，漢斯還沒有走到六英里，就累得不行了，只好坐下來歇歇腳。不過，他又繼續(xù)勇敢地上路了，最后終于到達了集市。在那兒他沒有等多長時間，就把那袋面粉賣掉了，還賣了個好價錢。他立即動身回家，因為他擔心在集市上呆得太晚，回去的路上可能會遇上強盜的。

"It has certainly been a hard day," said little Hans to himself as he was going to bed, "but I am glad I did not refuse the Miller, for he is my best friend, and, besides, he is going to give me his wheelbarrow."

“‘今天的確太辛苦了，’小漢斯上床睡覺時這樣對自己說，‘不過我很高興沒有拒絕磨坊主，因為他是我最好的朋友，再說，他還要把他的小推車送給我。’

'Early the next morning the Miller came down to get the money for his sack of flour, but little Hans was so tired that he was still in bed.

“第二天一大早，磨坊主就下山來取他那袋面粉的錢，可是小漢斯太累了，這時還躺在床上睡覺呢。

'"Upon my word," said the Miller, "you are very lazy. Really, considering that I am going to give you my wheelbarrow, I think you might work harder. Idleness is a great sin, and I certainly don't like any of my friends to be idle or sluggish. You must not mind my speaking quite plainly to you. Of course I should not dream of doing so if I were not your friend. But what is the good of friendship if one cannot say exactly what one means? Anybody can say charming things and try to please and to flatter, but a true friend always says unpleasant things, and does not mind giving pain. Indeed, if he is a really true friend he prefers it, for he knows that then he is doing good."

“‘我得說，’磨坊主說，‘你實在是很懶，想一想我就要把我的小推車送給你，你本該工作得更勤奮才對。懶情是一件大罪，我當然不喜歡我的朋友是個懶漢了。你當然不會怪我對你講了這一番直言，假如我不是你的朋友，我自然也不會這么做的。但是如果人們不能坦誠地說出自己的心里話，那么友誼還有什么意思可言。任何人都可以說漂亮話，可以取悅人，也可以討好人，然而真正的朋友才總是說逆耳的話，而且不怕給人找苦頭吃。的確，只要一位真正的忠實的朋友樂意這么做的話，那么原因就在于他知道他正在做好事。’

'"I am very sorry," said little Hans, rubbing his eyes and pulling off his night-cap, "but I was so tired that I thought I would lie in bed for a little time, and listen to the birds singing. Do you know that I always work better after hearing the birds sing?"

“‘很對不起，’小漢斯一面說，一面揉著自己的眼睛，脫下了他的睡帽，‘不過我真是太累了，我想的只是再睡一小會兒，聽聽鳥兒的歌聲。你知道嗎，每當我聽過鳥兒的歌聲我會干得更起勁的?’

'"Well, I am glad of that," said the Miller, clapping little Hans on the back, "for I want you to come up to the mill as soon as you are dressed, and mend my barn-roof for me."

“‘好，這讓我很高興，’磨坊主拍拍小漢斯的肩膀說，‘我只想讓你穿好衣服立即到我的磨房來，給我修補一下倉房頂。’

'Poor little Hans was very anxious to go and work in his garden, for his flowers had not been watered for two days, but he did not like to refuse the Miller, as he was such a good friend to him.

“可憐的小漢斯當時很想到自己的花園里去干活，因為他的花草已有兩天沒澆過水了，可他又不想拒絕磨坊主，磨坊主是他的好朋友哇。

'"Do you think it would be unfriendly of me if I said I was busy?" he inquired in a shy and timid voice.

“‘如果我說我很忙，你會認為我不夠朋友嗎?’他又害羞又擔心地問道。

'"Well, really," answered the Miller, "I do not think it is much to ask of you, considering that I am going to give you my wheelbarrow; but of course if you refuse I will go and do it myself."

“‘噢，說實在的，’磨坊主回答說，‘我覺得我對你的要求并不過分，你想我就要把我的小推車給你，不過當然如果你不想干，我就回去自己動手干。’

'"Oh! on no account," cried little Hans; and he jumped out of bed, and dressed himself, and went up to the barn.

“‘啊!那怎么行，’小漢斯嚷著說。他從床上跳下來，穿上衣服，往倉房去了。

'He worked there all day long, till sunset, and at sunset the Miller came to see how he was getting on.

“他在那兒干了整整一天，直到夕陽西下，日落時分磨坊主來看他干得怎么樣了。

'"Have you mended the hole in the roof yet, little Hans?" cried the Miller in a cheery voice.

“‘小漢斯，你把倉頂上的洞補好了嗎?’磨坊主樂不可支地高聲問道。

'"It is quite mended," answered little Hans, coming down the ladder.

“‘全補好了，’小漢斯說著，從梯子上走了下來。

'"Ah!" said the Miller, "there is no work so delightful as the work one does for others."

“‘啊!’磨坊主說，‘沒有什么比替別人干活更讓人快樂的了。’

'"It is certainly a great privilege to hear you talk," answered little Hans, sitting down and wiping his forehead, "a very great privilege. But I am afraid I shall never have such beautiful ideas as you have."

“‘聽你說話真是莫大的榮幸，’小漢斯坐下身來，一邊擦去前額的汗水，一邊回答說，‘莫大的榮幸，不過我擔心我永遠也不會有你這么美好的想法。’

'"Oh! they will come to you," said the Miller, "but you must take more pains. At present you have only the practice of friendship; some day you will have the theory also."

“‘啊!你也會有的，’磨坊主說，‘不過你必須得更努力些才行?，F(xiàn)在你僅僅完成了友誼的實踐，今后有一天你也會具備理論的。’

'"Do you really think I shall?" asked little Hans.

“‘你真的認為我會嗎?’小漢斯問。

'"I have no doubt of it," answered the Miller; "but now that you have mended the roof, you had better go home and rest, for I want you to drive my sheep to the mountain to-morrow."

“‘我對此毫不懷疑，’磨坊主回答說，‘不過既然你已經修補好了倉頂，你最好還是回去休息，因為我明天還要你幫我趕山羊到山上去。’

'Poor little Hans was afraid to say anything to this, and early the next morning the Miller brought his sheep round to the cottage, and Hans started off with them to the mountain. It took him the whole day to get there and back; and when he returned he was so tired that he went off to sleep in his chair, and did not wake up till it was broad daylight.

“‘可憐的小漢斯對這件事什么也不敢說，第二天一大早磨坊主就趕著他的羊群來到了小屋旁，漢斯便趕著它們上山去了。他花了整整一天功夫才走了一個來回?；氐郊視r他已經累壞了，就坐在椅子上睡著了，一覺醒來已經是大天亮了。

'"What a delightful time I shall have in my garden," he said, and he went to work at once.

“‘今天能呆在自己的花園里我會是多么快樂呀。’說著，他就馬上去干活了。

'But somehow he was never able to look after his flowers at all, for his friend the Miller was always coming round and sending him off on long errands, or getting him to help at the mill. Little Hans was very much distressed at times, as he was afraid his flowers would think he had forgotten them, but he consoled himself by the reflection that the Miller was his best friend. "Besides," he used to say, "he is going to give me his wheelbarrow, and that is an act of pure generosity."

“然而他永遠也不能夠全身心地去照料好自己的花，因為他的朋友磨坊主老是不停地跑來給他派些差事，或叫他到磨坊去幫忙。有時小漢斯也很苦惱，他擔心自己的花會認為他已經把它們給忘了，但是他卻用磨坊主是自己最好的朋友這種想法來安慰自己。‘再說，’他經常對自己說，‘他還要把自己的小推車送給我，那是真正慷慨大方的舉動。’

'So little Hans worked away for the Miller, and the Miller said all kinds of beautiful things about friendship, which Hans took down in a note-book, and used to read over at night, for he was a very good scholar.

“就這樣小漢斯不停地為磨坊主干事，而磨坊主也講了各種各樣關于友誼的美妙語句，漢斯把這些話都記在筆記本上，晚上經常拿出來閱讀，因為他還是個愛讀書的人。

'Now it happened that one evening little Hans was sitting by his fireside when a loud rap came at the door. It was a very wild night, and the wind was blowing and roaring round the house so terribly that at first he thought it was merely the storm. But a second rap came, and then a third, louder than either of the others.

“有一天晚上，小漢斯正坐在爐旁烤火，忽然傳來了響亮的敲門聲。這是個氣候惡劣的夜晚，風一個勁地在小屋周圍狂歡亂咀。起初他還以為聽到的只是風暴聲呢，可是又傳來了第二次敲門聲，接著是第三次，而且比前兩次更響亮。

'"It is some poor traveller," said little Hans to himself, and he ran to the door.

“‘這是個可憐的行路人，’小漢斯對自己說，而且朝門口跑去。

'There stood the Miller with a lantern in one hand and a big stick in the other.

“原來門口站著的是磨坊主，他一只手里提著一個馬燈，另一只手中拿著一根大拐杖。

'"Dear little Hans," cried the Miller, "I am in great trouble. My little boy has fallen off a ladder and hurt himself, and I am going for the Doctor. But he lives so far away, and it is such a bad night, that it has just occurred to me that it would be much better if you went instead of me. You know I am going to give you my wheelbarrow, and so it is only fair that you should do something for me in return."

“‘親愛的小漢斯，’磨坊主大聲叫道，‘我遇到大麻煩了。我的小兒子從梯子上掉下來了，受了傷，我準備去請醫(yī)生?？墒轻t(yī)生住的地方太遠，今晚的天氣又如此惡劣，我剛才突然覺得要是你替我去請醫(yī)生，會好得多。你知道我將要把我的小推車送給你，所以你應該為我做些事來作為回報，才算是公平的。’

'"Certainly," cried little Hans, "I take it quite as a compliment your coming to me, and I will start off at once. But you must lend me your lantern, as the night is so dark that I am afraid I might fall into the ditch."

“‘當然羅，’小漢斯大聲說道，‘我覺得你能來找我是我的榮幸，我這就動身。不過你得把馬燈借給我，今夜太黑了，我擔心自己跌到水溝里去。’

'"I am very sorry," answered the Miller, "but it is my new lantern, and it would be a great loss to me if anything happened to it."

“‘很對不起，’磨坊主回答說，‘這可是我的新馬燈，如果它出了什么毛病，那對我的損失可就大了。’

'"Well, never mind, I will do without it," cried little Hans, and he took down his great fur coat, and his warm scarlet cap, and tied a muffler round his throat, and started off.

“‘噢，沒關系，我不用它也行。’小漢斯高聲說，他取下自己的皮大衣和暖和的紅禮帽，又在自己的脖子上圍上一條圍巾，就動身了。

'What a dreadful storm it was! The night was so black that little Hans could hardly see, and the wind was so strong that he could scarcely stand. However, he was very courageous, and after he had been walking about three hours, he arrived at the Doctor's house, and knocked at the door.

“那可真是個可怕的風暴之夜，黑得伸手不見五指，小漢斯什么也看不見。風刮得很猛，他連站都站不穩(wěn)。不過，小漢斯非常勇敢，他走了大約三個鐘頭，來到了醫(yī)生的屋前，敲響了門。

'"Who is there?"' cried the Doctor, putting his head out of his bedroom window.

“‘是誰呀?’醫(yī)生從臥室伸出頭來大聲問道。

'"Little Hans, Doctor."

“‘醫(yī)生，我是小漢斯。’

'"What do you want, little Hans?"

“‘什么事，小漢斯。’

'"The Miller's son has fallen from a ladder, and has hurt himself, and the Miller wants you to come at once."

“‘磨坊主的兒子從梯子上跌下來摔傷了，磨坊主請你馬上去。”

'"All right!" said the Doctor; and he ordered his horse, and his big boots, and his lantern, and came downstairs, and rode off in the direction of the Miller's house, little Hans trudging behind him.

“‘好的!’醫(yī)生說，并且叫人去備馬。他取來大靴子，提上馬燈，從樓上走了下來，騎上馬朝磨坊主的家奔去，而小漢斯卻步履踏酒地跟在后頭。

'But the storm grew worse and worse, and the rain fell in torrents, and little Hans could not see where he was going, or keep up with the horse. At last he lost his way, and wandered off on the moor, which was a very dangerous place, as it was full of deep holes, and there poor little Hans was drowned. His body was found the next day by some goatherds, floating in a great pool of water, and was brought back by them to the cottage. 'Everybody went to little Hans's funeral, as he was so popular, and the Miller was the chief mourner.

“然而風暴卻越來越大，雨下得像小河的流水，小漢斯看不清他面前的路面，也趕不上馬了。最后他迷了路，在一片沼澤地上徘徊著。這是一塊非常危險的地方，到處有深深的水坑，可憐的小漢斯就在那里給淹死了。第二天幾位牧羊人發(fā)現(xiàn)了他的尸首，漂浮在一個大池塘的水面上。這幾位牧羊人把尸體抬回到他的小屋中。哀悼儀式的主持人。

'"As I was his best friend," said the Miller, "it is only fair that I should have the best place;" so he walked at the head of the procession in a long black cloak, and every now and then he wiped his eyes with a big pocket-handkerchief.

“‘既然我是他最好的瀝友，’磨坊主說，‘那么就應該讓我站最好的位置。’所以他穿一身黑色的長袍走在送葬隊伍的最前邊，還時不時地用一塊大手帕抹著眼淚水。

'"Little Hans is certainly a great loss to every one," said the Blacksmith, when the funeral was over, and they were all seated comfortably in the inn, drinking spiced wine and eating sweet cakes.

“‘小漢斯的死的確對每一個人都是個大損失，’鐵匠開口說。這時葬禮已經結束，大家都舒適地坐在小酒店里，喝著香料酒，吃著甜點心。

'"A great loss to me at any rate," answered the Miller; "why, I had as good as given him my wheelbarrow, and now I really don't know what to do with it. It is very much in my way at home, and it is in such bad repair that I could not get anything for it if I sold it. I will certainly take care not to give away anything again. One always suffers for being generous."

“‘無論如何對我是個大損失，’磨坊主回答說，‘對了，我都快把我的小推車送給他了，現(xiàn)在我真不知怎么處理它了。放在我家里對我是個大妨礙，它已經破爛不堪，就是賣掉它我又能得到什么。我今后更要留心不再送人任何東西。大方總讓人吃苦頭。’”

'Well?' said the Water-rat, after a long pause.

“后來呢?”過了好一會兒河鼠說。

'Well, that is the end,' said the Linnet.

“什么，我講完了，”紅雀說。

'But what became of the Miller?' asked the Water-rat.

“可是磨坊主后來又怎樣了呢?’河鼠問道。

'Oh! I really don't know,' replied the Linnet, 'and I am sure that I don't care.'

“噢!我真的不清楚，”紅雀回答說，“我覺得我不關心這個。”

'It is quite evident then that you have no sympathy in your nature,' said the Water-rat.

“很顯然你的本性中沒有同情的成分，”河鼠說。

'I am afraid you don't quite see the moral of the story,' remarked the Linnet.

“我恐怕你還沒有弄明白這故事中的教義，”紅雀反駁說。

'The what?' screamed the Water-rat.

“什么?”河鼠大聲暖道。

'The moral.'

“教義。”

'Do you mean to say that the story has a moral?'

“你的意思是說這故事里還有一個教義?”

'Certainly,' said the Linnet.

“當然了，”紅雀說。

'Well, really,' said the Water-rat, in a very angry manner, 'I think you should have told me that before you began. If you had done so, I certainly would not have listened to you; in fact, I should have said "Pooh," like the critic. However, I can say it now;' so he shouted out 'Pooh' at the top of his voice, gave a whisk with his tail, and went back into his hole.

“噢，說真的，”河鼠氣呼呼地說，“我認為你在講故事之前就該告訴我那個。如果你那樣做了，我肯定不會聽你的了。其實，我該像批評家那樣說一聲‘呸!’但是，我現(xiàn)在可以這么說了。”于是他就大喊了一聲“呸!”，并揮舞了一下自己的尾巴，就回到了山洞中去。

'And how do you like the Water-rat?' asked the Duck, who came paddling up some minutes afterwards. 'He has a great many good points, but for my own part I have a mother's feelings, and I can never look at a confirmed bachelor without the tears coming into my eyes.'

“你覺得河鼠怎么樣?”母鴨開口問道，她用了好幾分鐘才拍打著水走上岸來。“他也有好些優(yōu)點，不過就我而言，我有一個母親的情懷，只要看見那些鐵了心不結婚的單身漢總忍不住要掉下眼淚來。”

'I am rather afraid that I have annoyed him,' answered the Linnet. 'The fact is, that I told him a story with a moral.

“我真擔心我把他給得罪了，”紅雀回答說，“事實是我給他講了一個帶教義的故事。”

'Ah! that is always a very dangerous thing to do,' said the Duck.

“啊，這事總是很危險的，”母鴨說。

And I quite agree with her.

我完全同意她的話。