The Golden Carpet

The golden carpet

金地毯

There was once a handsome prince named Aram. He loved to go out hunting with his friends. One summer day, they came to a village in the hills.

从前有位英俊的王子叫阿拉姆，他最喜欢和朋友们一起外出打猎。 一个夏天，他们来到了山里的一座村庄。

Prince Aram saw a beautiful girl fetching some water from the well. The prince and his friends were thirsty. Give us a drink of water! they cried. The girl poured water on the cloth. Please wipe your faces first, she said.

阿拉姆王子看见一个漂亮的姑娘正在井边打水。 王子和他的朋友们都渴坏了。 给我们点水喝呀！他们大声喊。 姑娘把水倒在布上。 请你们先擦擦脸吧，她说。

Then she poured some more water into a cup for them. You can drink now. Why did you do that? The prince asked. If you drink too quickly, it can make you thick, the girl explained. You need it to cool down.

接着她又往杯子里倒了些水递给他们。 现在你们可以喝啦。 你为什么要这么做呀？ 王子问道。 要是你们喝水太急，会不舒服的，姑娘解释道。 你们得先凉快凉快才行。

She smiled and went away. Prince Aram was amazed. Who is she? he wondered. His friends asked the villagers. That's Annie, the shepherd's daughter. They said proudly. She taught everyone in our village to read. Clever Annie.

她笑了笑就走了，阿拉姆王子惊讶极了。 她是谁呀？他心里纳闷。他的朋友们去问村民。 那是安妮，牧羊人的女儿。村民们骄傲地说。 她教了村里所有人读书识字呢，聪明的安妮。

I am going to marry her." Aram decided. His friends were shocked. You can't marry a shepherd's girl into a prince. But that evening, the prince went to the shepherd's house. It was full of fine carpets and lace. My daughter Ani made everything here.

我要娶她。 阿拉姆下定了决心。 他的朋友们都惊呆了。 你是王子，可不能娶牧羊人的女儿呀。 可当天晚上，王子就去了牧羊人的家。 屋子里摆满了精美的地毯和蕾丝织物。 这里的每一样东西都是我女儿安妮做的。