Black Beauty

Black Beauty

《黑骏马》

Chapter 1 In the beginning When I was very young, my life was gloriously happy. I galloped with other colts by day and slept by my mother's side at night.

第一章 最初的时光 我还很小的时候，日子过得快活极了。 白天我和其他小马驹一起奔跑，晚上就睡在妈妈身边。

But when I was four years old, a man named Squire Gordon came to talk to my master, the horse -breeder. He stroked my black coat and the white star on my forehead. Beautiful! he exclaimed. Break him in and I'll buy him.

可我四岁那年，一个名叫戈登乡绅的男人来找我的主人，也就是 养马人。 他摸了摸我乌黑的皮毛，还有我额头上的白色星斑。 “真漂亮！”他惊叹道。 把他驯好我就买走。

Then he touched the white patch on my back. It's like a beauty spot, he said. I'll call him Black Beauty. I shook with fear. I was going to be sold. Would I have to leave my mother? And what was breaking in?

接着他摸了摸我背上的白斑。 “这就像颗美人痣呢。”他说。 我就叫他黑骏马吧。 我吓得浑身发抖。 我要被卖掉了。 我是不是必须离开妈妈呀？ 还有，驯马是什么意思？

You must learn to wear a saddle and bridle," my mother explained. Then the groom thrust a cold steel bar into my mouth, and held it there, with straps over my head and under my throat. There was no escape. At first the bar frightened me. But with kind words and treats of oats, I learnt to get used to it.

“你得学会戴马鞍和笼头呀。”妈妈解释道。 接着马夫把一根冰凉的金属条塞进我嘴里固定好，带子绕过 我的头顶，勒在喉咙下面，我根本逃不掉。 一开始那根金属条把我吓坏了，可他们对我说话很温和，还给我吃燕麦当奖励，我慢慢学会 适应它了。

Just before I was taken to Squire Gordon, my mother spoke to me for the last time. Now, Black Beauty, she whispered, be brave. All young horses must leave their mothers to make their way in the world. Just remember, never bite or rear or kick. And whatever happens, always do your best.

就在我要被送去戈登乡绅家之前，妈妈最后一次跟我说话。 “听着，黑骏马，”她轻声说，“要勇敢。” 所有小马都得离开妈妈，去闯出自己的一片天地。 你要记住，永远不要咬人、不要尥蹶子、不要踢人。 不管遇到什么事，永远要尽你最大的努力。