A Golden Tragedy

A Golden Tragedy, an ancient Greek myth retold by Robin King, illustrated by Joel Snyder.

《黄金悲剧》，改编自古希腊神话，罗宾·金改写，乔尔·斯奈德绘图。

Long, long ago in a far -off land, there lived a very wealthy and kind king. King Midas had everything anyone could hope for. He had immense wealth, a peaceful kingdom, and a beautiful daughter whom he loved dearly. Yet despite his good fortune, the king had one weakness. He wanted more. Most of all, he wanted to please his devoted daughter Penelope.

很久很久以前，在遥远的国度，住着一位富有又善良的国王。 国王迈达斯拥有所有人梦寐以求的一切。 他有享不尽的财富，安宁的王国，还有一位他疼入心扉的美丽女儿。 可即便好运缠身，国王仍有一个执念。 他想要更多。 而他最大的心愿，就是讨宝贝女儿佩内洛普开心。

Penelope cared for the plumpest, most beautiful birds in all the land. She left little doubt that she liked feathered creatures such as chickens, turkeys, ducks, and geese, best of all the animals on earth. Their feathers glistened in the bright sunshine, and the cluckers, goblers, quackers, and honkers clucked, gobbled, quacked, and honked musical notes with golden tones.

佩内洛普养着全国最丰满、最漂亮的家禽。 全世界的动物里，她最爱的就是这些带羽毛的小家伙：鸡、火鸡、鸭子和鹅。 它们的羽毛在阳光下闪闪发亮，咯咯叫、咕咕叫、嘎嘎叫、哦哦叫，鸣叫声都带着金灿灿的悦耳调子。

Every day but Tuesday, each bird laid three eggs that seemed bigger than melons. But that was not good enough for Penelope. She wanted her fowl to lay golden eggs, too. Since the king never wanted to disappoint his daughter, he set off to visit a wise wizard to enlist his help.

除了星期二，这些鸟儿每天都会下三个蛋，个头比甜瓜还要大。 可佩内洛普还不满足。 她想让她的家禽也能下金蛋。 国王从来不想让女儿失望，于是动身去寻找聪明的魔法师，请他帮忙。

King Midas asked the wizard for one wish. And what is your wish, the wizard asked. Without thinking of the consequences, which was his usual way, King Midas stated, I would like the power to turn anything I touch into gold. The wizard, bewildered by the request, said, But you are already the wealthiest man in any kingdom. What could you possibly do with more gold? King Midas simply said, it is more important that I keep my daughter happy. Someday you will regret this, the wizard warned before casting the spell. The king fixed his thoughts on delighting his daughter. He didn't even bother to inquire why the wizard thought he would later regret his wish. This would prove to be a tragic mistake.

迈达斯国王向魔法师提出了一个愿望。 "你想要什么愿望呢？"魔法师问道。 迈达斯国王像往常一样没考虑后果，脱口而出：我想要触碰一切都变成金子的魔力。 魔法师对这个请求十分困惑，说：可你已经是全世界最富有的国王了。 你还要更多金子做什么呢？ 迈达斯国王只说：让我女儿开心才是最重要的。 "总有一天你会后悔的。"魔法师警告完，还是施了咒语。 国王满心只想着讨女儿开心。 他甚至懒得问，为什么魔法师会觉得他日后会后悔这个愿望。 而这，终将成为一个悲剧性的错误。

The king traveled the road back to the palace, testing his new power. His path became littered with golden rocks and bordered by glistening flowers and trees with leaves of gold. The king saw only the golden hue of everything around him. He failed to notice that his kingdom turned stiff and still in his wake.

国王踏上回王宫的路，一路试验他的新魔力。 路上满是点成黄金的石头，路边的花草树木都变成了金光闪闪的金叶子。 国王眼里只看得到周围一切都变成了金黄色。 他完全没发现，他走过之后，整个王国都在他身后变得僵硬静止了。