雙語閱讀：由你決定（內附音頻）

There was once a wise old woman who lived back in the hills. All the children used to come back and ask her questions. She always gave the right answers.

從前,有一位博學的老婦人,她住在後山.過去所有的孩子都經常來找她問問題.她總是有求必應.

There was a naughty little boy among the children. One day he caught a tiny bird and held it in his cupped hands.

其中有一個調皮的小男孩.有一天,他抓到一隻小鳥,雙手捧住

Then he gathered his friends around. He said, "Let's trick the old woman. I'll ask her what I'm holding in my hands.

然後把夥伴們叫到身邊,說："咱們去哄一下那個老太太.我要問她我手裡握着什麼東西.她肯定會回答說我握的是小鳥.

Of course, she'll answer that I have a bird.

然後,我問她小鳥是活的還是死的.

Then I will ask her if the bird is living or dead. If she says the bird is dead,

如果她說鳥是死的,我就張開手讓小鳥飛走,

I'll open my hands and let the bird fly away. If she says the bird is alive, I'll quickly crush it and show her the dead bird. Either way, she'll be wrong."

如果她說小鳥是活的,我就馬上用勁一捏,讓她看到那隻死鳥.不管用什麼方法,她都說不對."

The children agreed that this was a clever plan. Up the hill they went to the old woman's hut.

孩子們都異口同聲的說這是一個聰明的計劃.他們爬上山,來到了老婦人的小屋.

"Granny, we have a question for you," they all shouted.

"奶奶,我們要問您一個問題."他們都大聲說道.

"What's in my hands?" asked the little boy.

"我手裡是什麼東西?"那個小男孩問道.

"Well, it must be a bird," replied the old woman.

"噢,肯定是一隻小鳥,"老婦人回答說.

"But is it living or dead?" demanded the excited boy.

"可是活的還是死的呢?"小男孩興奮的問到.

The old woman thought for a moment and then replied, "It is as you will, my child."

老婦人想了一會兒,然後回答說："孩子,這由你來決定."