(单词翻译:单击)
The Kind Brownie's Work
善良小棕仙的工作
All the people of the town were a little afraid at first, but in a week everyone was praising the brownie.
起初,小镇里的所有人都有点儿害怕,但不到一周,每个人都在夸赞小棕仙 。
For Aiken-Drum was the most wonderful worker that ever was seen, and the strange thing was that he did most of his work at night.
艾肯·德拉姆是他们见过的最棒的工人,而且奇怪的是,他多半在晚上工作 。
If there was a tired baby to sing to sleep, or a house to be made clean,
如果有孩子闹夜要人唱歌哄着睡觉,或是一个屋子要人去清扫,
or some cream that would not turn to butter, or bread that would not rise, Aiken-Drum always knew about it.
或是有些奶油无法变成黄油,或是一些面包发不起来,艾肯·德拉姆总会知道怎么办 。
He would come at just the right time.
他总会在恰当的时候出现 。
He gathered the sheep together on stormy nights.
他会在刮大风的夜晚把羊群赶到一起 。
He carried home the heavy bundle for a tired man.
他也会为疲惫不堪的人把一捆沉重的东西带回家 。
He put the grain safely in the barns.
他还会把粮食安全地收到谷仓里 。
Many a time some poor mother would be up all night with a sick child.
可怜的母亲整个晚上都要起来多次,去照顾生病的孩子 。
Then, in the morning, she would sit down in front of the fire and fall fast asleep.
而在早上,她会坐在火炉前,很快就睡着了 。
When she woke up, she would find that Aiken-Drum had made her a visit.
当她醒来的时候,她发现艾肯·德拉姆已经来过她家了 。
The floor would be swept, the dishes washed, the fire made, and the breakfast started.
地已经扫了,盘子已经洗了,火已经生着了,甚至连早饭也开始煮了 。
But the little man would be gone, for he never waited to be thanked.
但这个小人儿却走了,因为他从来不会等着别人感谢他 。