Chapter 3

3

3

BANG! CLANK! CRASH! 'Bother!' CLINK! 'Oh dear!' THUMP! Ava gasped! All the clattering made Squishy JUMP! They crept into the lounge. They peeped over a shelf, And that's when they both saw...

哐当！叮当！哗啦！ “烦死啦！” 叮咚！ “哦天呐！” 咚咚！ 艾娃倒抽了一口冷气！ 哐哐当当的声响把软乎乎吓得蹦了起来！ 他们蹑手蹑脚溜进了客厅。 他们探着脑袋从架子上方偷看， 就在这时，他俩都看见了……

SANTA HIMSELF! Santa's beard was silvery white, and it twinkled! His face was so smiley and cheerfully wrinkled. His boots were all sooty, his red suit was felt And around his plump middle he wore a black belt.

是圣诞老人本人！ 圣诞老人的胡子银白银白的， 还闪着亮晶晶的光！ 他的脸上笑眯眯的，满是喜气的皱纹。 他的靴子沾着煤灰黑乎乎的， 红色外套是毛毡做的 他圆滚滚的腰上 系着一根黑腰带。

Squishy's eyes were so wide. Ava was beaming But, to be certain she wasn't just dreaming, She blinked both her eyes and pinched her own wrist, Then said: 'Santa! So we're NOT on your naughty list?' Well, Santa Claus gave a quick wink of his eye. 'No one's perfect!' he said 'But I know that you try. 'And one thing that sets all good children apart 'Is not to be perfect... but to have a kind heart.'

软乎乎的眼睛瞪得溜圆。 艾娃笑得合不拢嘴 但为了确认自己不是在做梦， 她眨了眨两只眼睛 又掐了掐自己的手腕， 然后开口问： “圣诞老人！那我们不在你的淘气名单上对不对？” 圣诞老人飞快地眨了眨一只眼睛。 “没有人是完美的！”他说 “但我知道你很努力做个好孩子。” “所有好孩子都有一个共同点” “不是要做到完美……” “而是要有一颗善良的心。”

By the fire were presents in all shapes and sizes. A wonderful mountain of gift-wrapped surprises! Ava gazed at the parcels, piled up so high,

壁炉边堆着好多礼物 形状各异，大小不一。 包着包装纸的惊喜堆成了一座超棒的小山！ 艾娃盯着这些包裹看， 它们堆得好高好高，

Yet she looked a bit glum and she gave a long sigh. Squishy McFluff gave a sad (silent) miaow... 'What's wrong?' Santa asked, crinkling his brow. 'It's just...' Ava whispered, 'what would have been better...' 'Ho ho!' Santa cried. 'Yes, I DID get your letter...' 'Your handwriting's lovely, you must be quite proud!' Santa took out the letter, then read it aloud:

可她看起来有点闷闷不乐 还长长地叹了口气。 软乎乎·麦克弗拉夫难过地（悄咪咪）喵了一声…… “怎么啦？”圣诞老人问， 皱起了眉头。 “就是……”艾娃小声说， “要是能更好一点就好了……” “呵呵！”圣诞老人笑着喊。 “对呀，我确实收到你的信啦……” “你的字写得好可爱，你肯定很自豪吧！” 圣诞老人掏出那封信， 然后大声读了起来：