名著精读小妇人第四章负担 第12节.docVIP

名著精读《小妇人》第四章:负担 第12节 ????? Once upon a time, there were four girls, who had enough to eat and drink and wear, a good many comforts and pleasures, kind friends and parents who loved them dearly, and yet they were not contented. (Here the listeners stole sly looks at one another, and began to sew diligently.) ????? “从前，有四个姑娘，她们衣食不愁，安逸舒适，有好心的朋友和深深爱着她们的父母，然而她们并不满足。”这时听众们狡黠地互相交换个眼色，又继续飞针走线。 ????? These girls were anxious to be good and made many excellent resolutions, but they did not keep them very well, and were constantly saying, If only we had this, or If we could only do that, quite forgetting how much they already had, and how many things they actually could do. So they asked an old woman what spell they could use to make them happy, and she said, When you feel discontented, think over your blessings, and be grateful. (Here Jo looked up quickly, as if about to speak, but changed her mind, seeing that the story was not done yet.) ????? “这些姑娘们都想做个好孩子，并作了许多宏图大计，但总是不能持久。她们老说：如果我们有这些东西就好了。或如果我们能够这样多好。完全忘记了自己已身处福中。于是她们问一位老妇人有什么魔法可以使她们幸福。老妇人说：当你们感到不满足时，想想自己所拥有的东西，并为此而心存感激。（这时乔马上抬起头来，似乎有话要说，但想到故事尚未结束，便把话咽了回去。） ????? Being sensible girls, they decided to try her advice, and soon were surprised to see how well off they were. One discovered that money couldnt keep shame and sorrow out of rich peoples houses, another that, though she was poor, she was a great deal happier, with her youth, health, and good spirits, than a certain fretful, feeble old lady who couldnt enjoy her comforts, a third that, disagreeable as it was to help get dinner, it was harder still to go begging for it and the fourth, that even carnelian rings were not so valuable as good behavior. So they agreed to stop complaining, to enjoy the blessings already possessed, and try to deserve them, lest they should be taken away entirely, instead of increased, and I believe they were never disappointed or sorry that they took the old womans advice. ????? “姑娘们是聪明人，决定采纳这个建议，不久便惊奇地发现她们是多么富有。一个姑娘发现，金钱并不能使有钱人家免受羞辱和