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从前，有个农夫的妻子从市场往家走。她快到家的时候，突然路遇一个年轻人,不停地抬头看天。 "他这是什么意思？”老太太想。她走近年轻人，问道：“我的朋友，你为什么往空中看呀？那里出事了？" 他回答说："我刚从天上掉下来，现在找不到那个洞了。” “那么，”老太太说，“要是你是从天上掉下来的,你一定对那儿很熟悉了？” “当然。”年轻人说。 “那也许认识我的儿子基斯？他去年刚去世的。" “基斯！”这个人说，"他是你的儿子？你问我是不是认识他？他是我最近的邻居啊！" “那真是太好了。”老太太说，“他过得怎么样?’’ “不错！不错！但是，上周他还发牢骚，说袜子穿破了，香肠、火腿和黄油也没了。不过除了这些，他还不错。" "噢，哎呀：难道没有人管理衣服吗？” "没有，”这个人说，“在天堂，自己的衣服自己管。" “他不能买香肠和黄油吗？” "可以买，但是那里什么都贵得吓人。那里的东西他买不起。” "噢，天呀，基斯死了还那么穷兮兮的，太糟糕了。我完全可以给他些东西！” 于是，这个人详细地给她讲了基斯过得如何，正在干什么，住在哪里。最后，他说他必须走了。否则的话，他回天堂就晚了。" “你现在就赶回天堂吗？”老太太问道。 “的确是要回去。”他说。 "那么，既然你那么了解基斯，麻烦你帮我个忙吧！跟我回家,我包点东西，你带给他。" “嗯，”他说，“是帮基斯带的，我愿意帮这个忙。不过离开天堂这么久了，我耳朵都会被扯下来的。" 他们一块回到农舍，老太太准备了两个包:一个给从天上掉下来的的人,感谢他那么友好。另一个给基斯，这个包更大一些。老太太还给那人了一袋子钱。于是，那人告辞了往天堂赶。 老太太想："邻居回家后，基斯听说他到过自己的家该多么高兴啊。”老太太一直目送着他走得看不见了。 老太太再也没有听说基斯是否收到她的包裹。据说，那个人还没有找到从天上掉下来的那个洞呢! The Man Who Fell from Heaven Once upon a time there was a peasant's wife who was just returning from the market. She had almost reached home when she met a young man on the road who was continuously looking up toward heaven. “What is the meaning of that?” thought the old woman, and when she came closer to him, she asked, “My friend, why are you looking up into the air? Did something happen up there?” He said, “I just fell from heaven, and now I cannot find the hole again. ” “So,” said the old woman, “if you just fell from heaven, then you must know your way around up there pretty well?” “Of course," said the young man. “Then perhaps you know my son Kees, who died last year?” “Kees!” said the man, “Is he your son? And you ask me if I know him? He is my nearest neighbor!” “That is wonderful，” said the old woman, “and how is he doing?” “Quite well! Quite well! But last week he was complaining that his stockings are worn out. And the sausage, the ham, and the butter are all gone, but other than that he is doing well. ” “Oh, man! Isn’t there anyone there who can take care of his clothes?” “No,” said the man, “in heaven you have to take care of your own clothes. ” “Can’t he buy sausage and butter?” “Yes, they are for sale, but everything is terribly expensive, and he cannot afford what is there. ” “Oh dear, it is too bad that Kees still has to be in need now that he is dead. And I could well afford to give him something! ” Then the man told her in detail how Kees was doing，and what he was doing，and where he lived. Finally he said that he had to go, otherwise he would be late in returning to heaven. “Are you going back to heaven now?” asked the old woman. “Yes, indeed,” he said. “Then because you know Kees so well, would you be so kind as to do me a great favor? Come home with me, and I will pack a few things that you can give to him. ’’ “Well，，，he said, “I will do it because it is for Kees, but I shall get my ears pulled for being away so long.，’ They went together to the farmhouse，and the old woman prepared two packages ： one for the man who had fallen from heaven, because he had been so friendly, and one for Kees, but the package for Kees was the larger one. She also gave him a bag of money for her son. Then he took leave in order to make his return trip. Thinking, ‘Kees will be so happy when his neighbor comes home, and Kees hears that he has been here,” the old woman watched him until he was out of sight. She never learned if Kees received her package. It is said that the man still has not found the hole through which he had fallen from heaven. |
