評論
打印
4. Babbitty Rabbitty and Her Cackling Stump
4. 兔子巴比蒂和她的呱呱樹樁
A long time ago, in a far-off land, there lived a foolish king who decided that he alone should have the power of magic.
很久很久以前，在一個遙遠的地方，住著一個愚蠢的國王，他認為只應該讓他一個人擁有魔法的力量。
He therefore commanded the head of his army to form a Brigade of Witch-Hunters, and issued them with a pack of ferocious black hounds.
因此，國王命令他軍隊的首領成立一支女巫追捕小分隊，并分配給他們一批兇猛的黑色獵狗。
At the same time, the King caused proclamations to be read in every village and town across the land: “Wanted by the King, an Instructor in Magic.”
與此同時，他還在全國的城鎮鄉村發布公告：“國王招聘一位魔法教員。”
No true witch or wizard dared volunteer for the post, for they were all in hiding from the Brigade of Witch-Hunters.
那些真正的巫師，誰也不敢出來主動應聘，因為他們都躲避著女巫追捕小分隊。
However, a cunning charlatan with no magical power saw a chance of enriching himself, and arrived at the palace, claiming to be a wizard of enormous skill.
然而，有一個根本不會魔法的狡猾的江湖騙子看到了發財的機會，他來到王宮，聲稱自己是一位技藝高超的巫師。
The charlatan performed a few simple tricks, which convinced the foolish King of his magical powers, and was immediately appointed Grand Sorcerer in Chief, the King's Private Magic Master.
江湖騙子變了幾個簡單的戲法，愚蠢的國王就相信他確實會魔法，立刻任命他為首席大魔法師和國王的私人魔法大師。
The charlatan bade the King give him a large sack of gold, so that he might purchase wands and other magical necessities.
江湖騙子吩咐國王給他一大袋金子，讓他拿去買魔杖和其他魔法必需品。
He also requested several large rubies, to be used in the casting of curative charms, and a silver chalice or two, forthe storing and maturing of potions.
他還索要了幾顆很大的紅寶石，說要用來完成療傷咒；還有一兩只銀質高腳杯，說要用來保存和釀制魔藥。
All these things the foolish King supplied.
所有這些東西，愚蠢的國王都提供給了他。
The charlatan stowed the treasure safely in his own house and returned to the palace grounds.
江湖騙子把這些財寶存放在自己家里，然后回到了王宮的庭院里。
He did not know that he was being watched by an old woman who lived in a hovel on the edge of the grounds.
他不知道，一個住在庭院邊小茅屋里的老太婆正在注視著他。
Her name was Babbitty, and she was the washerwoman who kept the palace linens soft, fragrant and white.
她名叫巴比蒂，是一個洗衣婦，負責把王宮里的床單被罩洗得柔軟、芳香、潔白。
Peeping from behind her drying sheets, Babbitty saw the charlatan snap two twigs from one of the King's trees and disappear into the palace.
從她晾曬的床單后面偷偷看著，巴比蒂發現江湖騙子從國王的一棵樹上折了兩根樹枝，然后進了王宮。
The charlatan gave one of the twigs to the King and assured him that it was a wand of tremendous power.
江湖騙子把一根樹枝遞給了國王，信誓旦旦地說這是一根威力無比的魔杖。
“It will only work, however,” said the charlatan, “when you are worthy of it.”
“不過，等你有資格了，它才會管用。”江湖騙子說。“等你有資格了，它才會管用。”
Every morning the charlatan and the foolishKing walked out into the palace grounds, where they waved their wands and shouted nonsense at the sky.
每天早晨，江湖騙子和愚蠢的國王來到王宮庭院，揮舞著他們的魔杖，沖著天空喊叫一些胡言亂語。
The charlatan was careful to perform more tricks, so that the King remained convinced of his Grand Sorcerer's skill, and of the power of the wands that had cost so much gold.
江湖騙子又謹慎地變了幾個戲法，讓國王相信他這位大魔法師確實技藝超群，花這么多金子弄來的魔杖確實威力無比。
