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54 The Meteor
流星
Once upon a time, there was a crab who lived in a crack on the side of a creek.
從前，一條小溪的裂縫里住著一只蟹。
One day, he and his daughter crawled to the bank to apply for credit.
一天蟹和他女兒一起爬到銀行去申請信用貸款。
The manager of the bank was credulous individual named Mr. Fish.
銀行經(jīng)理稱“魚先生，”是個輕信的人。
Mr. Fish invited the crab and his daughter into his cozy office.
魚先生把蟹和他女兒請進他舒適的辦公室。
“Here are some crayons to keep your daughter busy,” said Mr. Fish.
“這里有些彩筆，讓你女兒畫著玩吧。”魚先生說，
“Now, what can I do for you?”
“說吧，我能幫你做什么？”
“I would like to apply for some credit,” said the crab.
“我想申請些信用貸款。”蟹說，
“Here are my credentials.”
“這是我的信用證。”
“Your prior creditor, Mr. Frog, told me that you still haven't paid his back.” said Mr. Fish.
“可你從前的債權人青蛙先生告訴我你還沒有還清他的帳。”魚先生說。
“But this is an emergency,” said the crab.
“但這次很緊急，”蟹說，
“A meteor crashed into my home.
“一顆流星墜落下來，
It created a large crater and crammed us into a small corner.
把我們家砸了個大坑，把我們擠進了一個小角落里。
I need the credit to buy stones and glue to fix my house.”
所以我需要貸款買石頭和膠來修房子。”
“Ha ha ha,” laughed the crab.
“哈哈哈，”魚先生大笑起來，
“You and I share the same creed, so I would like to believe you.
“我們有共同的信仰，所以我愿意相信你。
But I can't give credence to your still story.”
但我不會相信你愚蠢的故事。”
“Okay,” relied the crab.
“好吧，”蟹說道，
“By the way, the meteor also caused some worms to lose their homes.
“順便問一句，流星墜地還使一些蚯蚓流離失所。
I crafted a small box for you and filled it with worms.”
這是我為你精心制作的小盒子，里面裝滿了好多蚯蚓。”
“You know how I crave worms,” said Mr. Fish, as he grabbed one that was creeping away.
“你知道我是多么渴望得到蚯蚓啊！”魚先生一邊說，一邊迅速抓住一個正在往外爬的蚯蚓。
“There's more where that came from,” said the crab.
“那里還有很多呢！”蟹說。
“Really?” said Mr. Fish.
“真的嗎？”魚先生說，
“You are a crafty customer.
“你是個機靈的顧客。
I know there's no meteor and that you just want to build another room for your cramped house.
我知道根本沒有流星墜地。你就是想再建一個大房間以取代你那狹窄的舊屋子。
But I'll give you the credit this time.”
不過這次會貸款給你的。”
“Great, shall we shake on it?” asked the crab, extending his sharp pinchers.
“好極了！讓我們?yōu)榇宋帐职桑 毙氛f著，伸出了他尖尖的雙螯。
“No, thanks,” said Mr. Fish. “I'd rather not.”
“不，謝謝了。”魚先生說，“我才不與你握手呢。”
