The Drum

The Drum, an Indian Folk Tale. Retold by Katherine Follett. Illustrated by Teresa Martinez. Focus Question. What lesson does this story teach about kindness?

《鼓：一则印度民间故事》，凯瑟琳·福利特改写 特雷莎·马丁内斯 绘 核心问题：关于善良，这个故事告诉我们什么道理？

Once there was a boy who lived with his mother in Punjab, India. They were very poor and had only a bit of land to grow grain. They sold their grain at the market to buy sugar, butter, and clothing. One day, mother got ready to go to the market. She asked the boy, Would you like me to buy you anything? The boy's eyes went wide with delight. More than anything else, I want a drum.

从前，有个小男孩和妈妈住在印度的旁遮普。 他们家很穷，只有一小块地种粮食。 他们去集市卖掉粮食，换钱买糖、黄油和衣服。 有一天，妈妈准备去集市。 她问小男孩： 要不要我给你带点什么呀？ 小男孩开心得眼睛都瞪圆了。 我最最想要的就是一只鼓！

Mother sold her grain at the market. She bought butter, sugar, and clothing. There was no money left over. The boy wanted a drum so badly, but there was nothing she could do. On her way home, Mother found a fine, sturdy stick. It was not a drum, but it was better than nothing. She smiled sadly when she handed the boy his gift.

妈妈在集市上卖掉了粮食。 她买了黄油、糖和衣服。 剩下的钱一分都没有了。 小男孩特别想要鼓，可妈妈实在没办法给他买。 回家的路上，妈妈捡到了一根结实的好木棍。 它不是鼓，但总比什么都没有好呀。 她把这份礼物递给小男孩的时候，难过地笑了笑。

When the boy saw her face, he decided not to be disappointed. He said, Thank you, he said. He tapped, slapped, and banged on every object with his new stick.

小男孩看到妈妈的表情，决定不让自己失望。 他开口说： 谢谢您。 他拿着新木棍，到处敲敲、拍拍、打打，碰遍了所有东西。

As he went tapping along, he saw his neighbor trying to light her stove. The dung stank and smoked. Her eyes watered, and she coughed. Here, Auntie, he said. Use my stick to heat your stove.

他一路敲着走，看见邻居阿姨正试着点炉子。 烧的粪臭烘烘的，还直冒烟。 阿姨被熏得眼泪直流，不停咳嗽。 "阿姨，给您，"他说。 "用我的木棍来生炉子吧。"

The woman thanked the boy. When the burning stick got the stove nice and hot, she baked him a soft, round roti. The boy was looking for a shady place to enjoy his roti when he heard a baby crying. The baby was hungry, but the mother had no food.

阿姨谢过小男孩。燃烧的木棍把炉子烧得旺旺的，她给小男孩烤了一块软软的、 圆圆的印度薄饼。小男孩正找阴凉地方想吃饼，忽然听见小宝宝的哭声。 小宝宝饿坏了，可他的妈妈一点吃的都没有。