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Thumbelina (1) |
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姆指姑娘 (1) |
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There once was a poor woman who wanted a child, but she could not have one. She went to a fairy to ask for help. |
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"Please help me," the woman said. "I want a child more than anything else in the world." |
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"Here is a seed," the fairy replied. "Plant it in a flowerpot and treat it with care. Then you will get your wish." |
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The woman did exactly as the fairy told her. Finally, a beautiful flower grew from the pot, and the petals burst open to reveal a tiny girl. The woman was delighted with the child, and her heart filled with love. "I will call you Thumbelina," the woman told the little girl, "for you are no bigger than my thumb." |
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The woman loved the little girl, and every day was filled with joy. Each night, Thumbelina sang for her mother in a voice that was sweeter than any bird's. Thumbelina was small, but her mother thought she was perfect. |
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One night, an ugly toad hopped up to the open window and saw Thumbelina asleep in her bed. "What a beautiful wife she will make for my son," thought the ugly toad. She stole Thumbelina and imprisoned her on a lily pad. |
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從前有個可憐的女子,非常想要孩子,但她無法生育,於是她去尋求仙子的協助。 |
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女子說:「請幫幫我吧,在世上我最想要的就是個孩子。」 |
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仙子回答說:「這裡有顆種子,把它種在花盆裡,細心照顧,妳的願望就會實現。」 |
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女子完全依照仙子的指示去做。終於,花盆裡長出一朵美麗的花,花瓣突然間綻放,裡頭出現了一個微小的女孩。女子看到這個小孩很高興,心中充滿了愛。她告訴這個小女孩說:「我就叫妳拇指姑娘吧,因為妳的身材還沒我的拇指大呢。」 |
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女子很疼愛這個小女孩,每天都充滿了喜悅。拇指姑娘每晚都唱歌給她媽媽聽,她的歌聲比任何鳥鳴聲都來得悅耳動聽。雖然拇指姑娘身材嬌小,但是她媽媽覺得她是完美無瑕的。 |
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有天晚上,一隻醜陋的癩蛤蟆跳上了打開的窗邊,看到拇指姑娘在床上熟睡著。醜蛤蟆心想:「這個女孩好漂亮啊,正適合給我兒子當妻子。」她擄走了拇指姑娘,把她束縛在一片睡蓮葉上。 |
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burst |
v. |
(花朵等)綻放;突然打開(三態同形) |
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delighted |
adj. |
高興的;快樂的 |
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hop |
v. |
(蛙、鳥等)齊足跳;跳越 (三態為hop-hopped-hopped) |
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imprison |
v. |
束縛;關押 |
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lily pad |
n. |
睡蓮的漂浮葉 |
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