A store owner was tacking a sign above his door that read "Puppies For Sale". Signs like that have a way of attracting small children, and sure enough, a little boy appeared under the store owner's sign. "How much are you going to sell the puppies for?" he asked.
一位店家在他的大門上釘起廣告牌,上面寫著“小狗待售”。這類的廣告似乎總能吸引小孩子,果然,一個小男孩來到了牌子下?!澳男」焚u多少錢?”小男孩問道。
The store owner replied, "Anywhere from $30 to $50."
店家回答說,“30到50美元之間?!?br />The little boy reached in his pocket and pulled out some change. "Can I please look at them?"
小男孩從口袋里掏出一疊鈔票?!拔夷懿荒芸纯此鼈兡兀俊?br />The store owner smiled and whistled and out of the kennel came Lady, who ran down the aisle[aɪl] of his store followed by five teeny, tiny balls of fur. One puppy was lagging considerably behind. Immediately the little boy singled out the lagging, limping puppy and said, "What's wrong with that little dog?"
店家笑了笑,然后吹了聲口哨。只見一位女士離開狗屋、從小店的過道上走出來,后面緊跟著五個小毛團。一只小狗明顯地落在了最后。小男孩的注意力立刻被這只落后而又一撅一拐的小家伙所吸引,“這小狗有什么問題么?”
The store owner explained that the veterinarian had examined the little puppy and had discovered it didn't have a hip socket. It would always limp. It would always be lame. The little boy became excited. "That is the little puppy that I want to buy."
店家告訴男孩,獸醫(yī)診斷說,這小狗缺少了膝蓋骨,因此將終生都這樣跛行、這樣帶著殘疾。小男孩變得興奮起來?!八褪俏蚁胍男」?。”他說。
The store owner said. "No, you don't want to buy that little dog. If you really want him, I'll just give him to you."
店家于是說,“不,你不會需要這小狗的。但如果你真的想要的話,我把它送給你了?!?/p>
The little boy got quite upset. He looked straight into the store owner's eyes, pointing his finger, and said, "I don't want you to give him to me. That little dog is worth every bit as much as all the other dogs and I'll pay full price. In fact, I'll give you $2.37 now, and 50 cents a month until I have him paid for."
小男孩頓時變得不悅起來。他直視著店家的雙眼,伸出手指說到“我不要你把它送給我。它和其它小狗一樣值錢,我會付全價的?,F(xiàn)在我就先給你2.37美元,而每月再給0.5元,直到全部付清。”
The store owner countered, "You really don't want to buy this little dog. He is never going to be able to run and jump and play with you like the other puppies."
店家還是不同意?!澳阏娴牟粫胍@小狗的。它永遠不能像其它小狗那樣跑、跳或者陪你玩耍的?!?br />To this, the little boy reached down and rolled up his pant leg to reveal a badly twisted, crippled left leg supported by a big metal brace. He looked up at the store owner and softly replied, "Well, I don't run so well myself, and the little puppy will need someone who understands!"
聽了店家的話,小男孩彎下腰,卷起自己的褲腿,里面是一條嚴重扭曲的殘疾的左腿,支撐它的是一個金屬架子。他抬起頭望著店家,輕輕回答道,“你看,我自己也不能正常的跑,這小狗會需要一個真正理解它的主人。”
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