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以前，在俄罗斯的一个村子里住着一位农民。这个家伙脾气暴躁，犟得像头牛，他的名字叫季米安。 季米安为人粗野，什么事儿都得由着他来。如果有谁胆敢顶撞或冒犯了他，季米安随时可能回敬以拳头。 比如说，有时,他会邀请一些邻居来家里做客,用好吃好喝的招待客人。按照当地古老的习俗，邻居们会假装推辞一番。季米安马上开始辩驳：“你们必须得听从主人的安排!” 一次，一位精明的家伙前来拜访他。季米安在餐桌上摆满了最丰盛的食品，一想到下面有好戏看了，他就乐不可支。 年轻的客人风卷残云般地将桌上的食物一扫而光,季米安惊得目瞪口呆。他又拿出了自己的土耳其长衫。 “脱下你的羊皮长衫，"他以命令的口吻对客人说，"穿上我新做的土耳其长衫。" 他表面上邀请客人穿衣，内心却在盘算着： “我敢打赌他不敢接受长衫，然后我就给他点颜色瞧瞧。” 但小伙子很快就穿上了土耳其长衫，束紧腰带，摇了摇卷发的头，说：“大叔，您送我这样的礼物，我真是感激不尽！我怎敢不接受你的礼物呢？客人必须得听从主人的安排嘛。" 季米安的火气一拥而上，无论付出什么样的代价,他都要出了这口恶气，满足自己的心意。他会干出什么样的事情呢？他急急地走进马厩里，牵出了自己最好的一匹马，对客人说： “这儿所有的东西都是礼物,欢迎你带走。’’他的心里却在想："这次他肯定会拒绝，该由我来狠揍他一顿了。" 出乎他意料，小伙子根本没有拒绝，而是笑着答道： ‘‘在这座房子里你是一言九鼎的主人。"眨眼间他就跃上了马背，对农民季米安大喊："再见，主人！这可是你自己把自己推进了陷阱。”说着小伙子拍马飞奔而去。 季米安望着他的背影，无奈地摇了摇头。“唉！这次遇到刺儿头了！”他自言自语说。 Dimian the Peasant Not long ago, there lived a village, some place in Russia, was a stubborn and a quick¬tempered fellow, and his name was Dimian. Dimian was harsh by nature, and he wanted everything to go his own way. If any one talked or acted against him, Dimian’s fists were soon prepared for answer. Sometimes, for instance, he would invite one of his neighbors and treat his guest with fine things to eat and to drink. And the neighbor in order to maintain the old custom would pretend to refuse. Dimian would at once begin the dispute, “Thou must obey thy host!” Once it happened that a shrewd fellow called on him. Dimian covered the table with the very best he had and rejoiced over the good time he foresaw. The fellow guest speedily ate everything up. Dimian was rather amazed, but brought out his kaftan. “Take off thy sheepskin，” said he to the guest, “and put on my new kaftan.” In proposing it he thought within himself, “I will bet that this time he will not dare accept； then I will teach him a lesson.” But the fellow quickly put on the new kaftan, tightened it with the belt, shook his curly head and answered, “Have my thanks, uncle, for thy gift. How could I dare not take it? Why, one must obey his host’s bidding.” Dimian's temper was rising, and he wanted at any rate to have his own way. But what would he do? He hastened to the stable, brought out his best horse, and said to his guest， “Thou art welcome to all my belongings,” and within himself he thought, “He certainly will refuse this time, and then my turn will come.” But the fellow did not refuse, and smilingly answered, “In thy house thou art the ruler,” and quickly he jumped on the horse’s back and shouted to Dimian, the peasant, “Farewell, master! No one pushed thee into the trap but thyself,” and with these words the fellow was off. Dimian looked after him and shook his head. Well, I struck a snag,” said he. |
