引导语:《死神教父》,是格林童话故事之一,下面是小编收集的这篇童话故事的中英文版本,欢迎大家阅读!
从前有一个穷人,他有十二个孩子。他必须起早贪黑地干活才能养活他们。眼看第十三个孩子又要出世了,他在困境中一筹莫展,不知所措。他来到大路上,想请他碰到的第一个人在孩子命名受洗时当他的教父。他首先遇到的是仁慈的上帝。上帝已经知道他的心事,便对他说:"可怜的人,我怜悯你。让我当你孩子的教父吧,我会照应他,给他带来人世间的幸福。"
穷人问:"你是谁?"
"我是仁慈的上帝。"
穷人便说:"那我就不求你给孩子做教父了。你把什么都给了富人,而让穷人挨饿。"说完转身继续朝前走。不久他遇到了魔鬼。魔鬼说:"你还找什么?只要你让我给孩子当教父,我会给他用不完的金子,让他享受世界上一切欢乐。"
穷人问:"你是谁?"
"我是魔鬼。"
穷人便说:"那我不愿意你给孩子做教父,你骗人,并且害人。"说着继续朝前走。瘦骨嶙峋的死神朝他大步走来,说:
"让我做孩子的教父吧。"
穷人问:"你是谁?"
"我是使人人平等的死神。"
穷人便说:"那我就让你给孩子做教父吧。"
死神教父英文版:
Godfather Death
A poor man had twelve children and had to work day and night in order just to feed them. Thus when the thirteenth came into the world, not knowing what to do in his need, he ran out into the highway, intending to ask the first person whom he met to be the godfather. The first person who came his way was our dear God, who already knew what was in his heart, and God said to him, "Poor man, I pity you. I will hold your child at his baptism, and care for him, and make him happy on earth." The man said, "Who are you?" - "I am God." - "Then I do not wish to have you for a godfather," said the man. "You give to the rich, and let the poor starve." Thus spoke the man, for he did not know how wisely God divides out wealth and poverty. Then he turned away from the Lord, and went on his way. Then the devil came to him and said, "What are you looking for? If you will take me as your child's godfather, I will give him an abundance of gold and all the joys of the world as well." The man asked, "Who are you?" - "I am the devil." - "Then I do not wish to have you for a godfather," said the man. You deceive mankind and lead them astray." He went on his way, and then Death, on his withered legs, came walking toward him, and said, "Take me as your child's godfather." The man asked, "Who are you?" - "I am Death, who makes everyone equal." Then the man said, "You are the right one. You take away the rich as well as the poor, without distinction. You shall be my child's godfather. Death answered, "I will make your child rich and famous, for he who has me for a friend cannot fail." The man said, "Next Sunday is the baptism. Be there on time." Death appeared as he had promised, and served as godfather in an orderly manner.