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一个春天的早晨，一个小牧童一边在两个山脚下郁郁葱葱的山谷里看着羊群，一边高兴地唱着歌。那个国家的王子恰巧在附近的树林里打猎，他看到小牧童就问道：“为什么你那么高兴呢，小牧童？” 小牧童并没有认出王子，回答说：“我为什么要不高兴呢？即使是我们至高无上的王子，也不比我富有。" “是那样吗？”王子笑着说，‘‘你能告诉我你的财富是什么吗?” “当然可以！”小牧童说，“我的财富就是蓝天上的太阳，它照在王子身上，也照在我的身上;还有群山和峡谷，它们为王子开满鲜花，也同样为我开满鲜花。我不会为了一千英镑而舍弃我的双手，也不会为了宫殿里的财宝而放弃一只眼睛。而且，我拥有了我想要的一切，因为我对于自己仅有的这些必需品已经感到很满足了。每天，我都可以吃饱，有合身的衣服穿,每年都可以工作赚得我需要的东西。你认为王子会说他比我还富有吗？” 好心的王子笑了，把他的真实身份告诉了牧童，说道："确实如你所说，小牧童，现在，你可以说，你的君主都同意你的看法了。祝你一辈子都快乐啊！” The Merry Shepherd One spring morning a gay little shepherd boy was guarding his flock in a green valley at the foot of two hills and was singing happily. The prince of that particular kingdom who happened to be hunting in the nearby woods saw the lad and calling out to him asked： “Why are you so merry, my little boy?” The little shepherd boy, who did not recognize the stranger, replied： “And why should I not be happy? Even our sovereign, the gracious prince, is certainly no richer than I.，’ “Is that so!” exclaimed the Prince smiling. “Will you tell me which your riches are?” “Certainly,” replied the lad, “my riches are the sun in the beautiful blue sky which shines down on me as on the prince； the hills and valleys which blossom so much for me as for the prince. I would not give away my hands for a thousand pounds nor one of my eyes for all the treasures in the palace. Besides, I have all that I desire because I am satisfied with these mere necessities； I eat my full daily, I have clothes to suit my person and with my work I earn what I need each year. Do you think that the Prince could say that he is richer than I?” The good Prince smiled and revealed himself and said： “It is indeed as you say, my dear boy, and you can now say that your sovereign has agreed with you. Be merry all your life!” |
