Once upon a time, there lived a despicable king who was known for his despotism. Practically everyone who knew him despised him. He used his ruthless and destructive armies to despoil everybody who lived within reach of his realm. The money he obtained, he destined for his own retirement.
從前,有一個卑鄙的國王,以其暴政二臭名昭著。實際上,每個知道他的人都鄙視他。他動用其破壞性的軍隊殘暴地掠奪國內(nèi)的人民。掠奪來的錢財被指定為養(yǎng)老專用。
His army of despoilers caused a great deal of destruction and left many people in a state of destitution. Some people felt so despondent that they chose to commit suicide rather than lice a desolate life. Some felt so desperate that they began stealing to feed their families.
他的掠奪成性的軍隊給國家、人民造成巨大的破壞,很多人生活再貧困當中。一些人消沉了,他們寧可自殺也不要過這種悲慘的生活。一些人絕望了,以至于他們開始偷竊來養(yǎng)家糊口。
The king had only one weakness. He had a sweet tooth. He was strongly desirous of anything made out of sugar. There was nothing he desired more than a beautiful and tasty dessert. He would dispatch his soldiers to the four corners of his realm to find the most desirable ingredients. No destination was too far. Then he would have his designing chef create the most aesthetic and appetizing treats.
這個國王只有一個致命的弱點。他喜歡甜食。他對任何糖制品都有強烈的渴望。沒有什么能比漂亮味美的餐后甜點更令他向往了。他會派軍隊到全國各地尋找最令人滿意的配料,目的地有多遠都無所謂。然后命令他那機智靈巧的廚師做出最令人賞心悅目、令人垂涎欲滴的美食佳肴。
Because of his appetite for sweets, the King became very fat. The King’s physician often pleaded with him to desist from consuming sugar. However, the King refused to listen. One day, the King lost consciousness while eating his favorite dessert. His face fell into the dessert and he died.
因為愛吃甜食,國王發(fā)胖了。醫(yī)生經(jīng)常請求他停止吃甜食。然而,國王哪里肯聽。終于有一天,國王在吃他最喜歡的甜食時昏倒了。他的臉撲到在甜食上死了。
Nobody had a kind word to say about him at his funeral. Nevertheless, on his headstone were written a few nice words: “Here lies a sweet person who died in his favorite dessert.”
葬禮上沒有人為他說一句好聽的話。然而,他的墓碑上卻寫著一句有趣的話——這里躺著的是一個吃著最愛吃的甜食食物的愛吃甜食的人。
Words:
designing adj. 狡猾的,蓄意的
desirable adj. 令人向往的,令人滿意的
desire n. 欲望,要求;vt. 想要
desirous adj. 渴望的
desist v. 停止,中止
desolate adj. 荒涼的;孤獨凄涼的;不幸的,悲慘的
dispatch v. 派遣,發(fā)送;迅速處理
desperate adj. 情急拼命的,鋌而走險的;危急的
despicable adj. 可鄙的,卑劣的
despise vt. 輕視
despoil v. 奪取,掠奪
despoiler n. 掠奪者
despondent adj. 失望的,沮喪的。消沉的
despotism n. 專制,暴政
dessert n. 餐后甜點
destination n. 目的地
destine vt. 命運注定;預定,指定(供某種用途)
destitution n. 窮困,缺乏
destruction n. 破壞,毀滅
destructive adj. 破壞的,毀壞性的