杰克与豌豆

Jack and the Bean

很久很久以前,有一个穷寡妇,她有个独子叫杰克。母子俩仅有的财产就是他们住的房子和一头奶牛。后来,他们穷得连奶牛都养不起了。一天,寡妇就对杰克说:“你把奶牛牵到镇上卖了吧!那样我们家就能买面包了。你要尽可能多卖点价钱。”这个心地善良但却心思单纯的杰克便牵着奶牛出发了。在前往集市的途中,他被一位牵着小猪的人叫住了:“早呀!”“早上好!”杰克回答。那人说:“我可以用我这头胖胖的小猪来换你那头老奶牛吗?”杰克心想这是个好主意,于是便用奶牛换了小猪。

Once upon a time there was a poor widow1 who had an only son named Jack. All that they had was the house they lived in and a cow. At last they became too poor to keep the cow.The widow said to Jack one day,“Take this cow to the market and sell her. Then we’ll be able to buy bread. Try to get as much money as you can.”Jack, who was a good but thoughtless2 boy, started for the market with his cow. On his way to the market he met a man who had a pig with him.“Good morning,”said the man.“Good morning,”answered Jack.“Won’t you give me your old cow for this fat young pig?”said the man. Jack thought it a good idea. So he exchanged his old cow for the young pig.