52 . 三只勇敢的比利山羊(新编)
在一个依山旁水的山坡上住着三只比利山羊,他们是大哥、二哥和三弟。一条川流不息的小河绕过山脚,河上架着一座小桥。河的对岸是一望无际的大草原,那里长着取之不尽的青草。
山坡上的草吃得差不多了,看着河那边嫩绿的青草三只山羊馋涎欲滴(注1),虽然近在咫尺,但有桥也过不去,过桥比登天还难。这是因为桥底下有只水怪蛮不讲理地终日把持着这座桥,谁要是过桥,它就会跳出水面把谁吞掉。
于是,聪明的山羊兄弟们商量出了一个过桥的办法,他们要除掉水怪,还要保全自己。一次勇敢的壮举开始行动了,先是三弟上了桥。水怪听到桥上有滴滴答答的蹄声就问:“是谁在桥上?我要吃掉你。”小山羊说:“我是小山羊。我太小了,还不够你塞牙缝呢!俺二哥比我胖,你还是吃他吧。”水怪说:“当然,我还是吃那个胖点儿的。”
接着,桥上第二次发出滴滴答答的蹄声。水怪问:“是谁上了桥,我要吃你。”山羊二哥说:“我是山羊二哥。俺大哥最肥,肉最多,你还是等着吃他吧。”
最后,山羊大哥来了。水怪听到桥面上一阵沉稳的蹄声就问:“是谁在桥上?我要吃你。”
山羊大哥说:“我是大山羊。”
水怪说:“哈哈!终于让我等来了一顿美餐。”
大山羊假装对水怪挺感兴趣地说:“据说在这个世界上长得最美的就是您,可是您老是藏在水里,谁能看得见呢?如果您能高高地跳起来向我展示一下您的风姿的话,我死而无憾。”
水怪上当了,它得意洋洋地从水里跳了出来,跳得老高老高的,甚至比桥面还高出许多。说时迟,那时快,大山羊低下头来用他那又弯又尖的角刺中了水怪身体的正中央,并且顺势把它挑到了空中。水怪在半空中翻了个大跟斗,一头栽到了水里,殷红的鲜血流淌到河里,连五脏六腑都露出来了。水怪死了,它的尸体被河水冲到大海里成了鱼、鳖的饲料。山羊兄弟们以其勇敢、机智和团队精神战胜了邪恶的水怪。
三只山羊欢呼雀跃(注2),他们过上了幸福的生活。当然,河对岸那取之不尽,用之不竭(注3)的青草把山羊兄弟们养得个个都膘肥体壮(注4)。
注1:馋涎欲滴 chánxián yù dī mouth drooling withgreed
注2:欢呼雀跃 huānhū-quèyuè shout and jump forjoy
注3:取之不尽,用之不竭 qǔ zhī bù jìn,yòng zhī bù jiéinexhaustible
注4:膘肥体壮 biāoféi-tǐzhuàng plump and sturdy
Passage52 The Three Billy GoatsGruff
Narrator: There was once a field of lovely green grass beside ariver. On the other side of the river lived three goats. Theywanted to cross the bridge and eat the grass, but a big, ugly trolllived under the bridge. He would jump out and gobble up anyone whotried to cross the bridge. But one day the goats thought of a wayto get to that green grass. So the little goat trotted to thebridge and started across.
Troll: Who is that trotting over my bridge?
Small Billy Goat Gruff: It’s only me, Small Billy GoatGruff.
Troll: You’ll be my dinner!
Small Billy Goat Gruff:Oh ,no! Don’t eat me; wait for mybrother, Middle-sized Billy Goat Gruff. He’s much plumper then me,and he’ll be a better dinner.
Troll: Ok, but he better be good and fat!
Narrator: Soon the troll heard hooves trotting over his bridgeagain.
Troll: Who’s that?
Middle-sized Billy Goat Gruff: It’s just me, Middle-sized BillyGoat Gruff.
Troll: I’m going to eat you for dinner!
Middle-sized Billy Goat Gruff: Oh, no! Don’t eat me! Wait for mybig, fat brother, Big Billy Goat Gruff.
Troll: Ok, but he better be very fat!
Narrator: The troll waited and waited. Finally he heard heavyhooves on the bridge.
Troll: Who is that?
Big Billy Goat Gruff: It’s me, Big Billy Goat Gruff!
Troll: I’m going to eat you for dinner!
Big Billy Goat Gruff: Oh, no, you’re not! I’ll toss you into theair with my sharp, curly horns.
Narrator: The angry troll jumped up and rushed at the goat. BigBilly Goat Gruff lowered his head and charged at the troll. He hitthat troll right in his middle, and tossed him into the river. Thetroll was never seen again. The three goats happily ate the rich,green grass beside the river, and got very fat indeed.