78.The Most Valuable Offering 最贵重的礼物

The MostValuable Offering

最贵重的礼物

At onestopover in a town, a huge banner was written in bold letters: FAMINE INAFRICA, PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY TO SAVE THE STARVING PEOPLE. A large crowd wasqueuing to hand over their donations.

在一个镇上的中转站挂着一个巨型横幅，上面用黑体字写着：“非洲饥荒，请您慷慨解囊，拯救饥饿的人们。”在那儿有一大群人在排队捐赠。

Near thedoor of the town hall stood a beautiful young girl, poorly but neatly dressed.With shy glances she watched the people before her. She saw a merchant who laida bag of gold on the table. Then came a rich lady with haughty looks whooffered a variety of jewels; some others handed cash, clothing's and foods. Thegirl was reluctant to take her turn but at last, summoning up her courage, shestepped forward.

市政厅的门旁边站着一个漂亮的小姑娘，她的衣服质地很差，却很整洁。她注视着眼前的人们，眼里闪烁着害羞的神情。她看见一位商人把一袋金子放在了桌上。接着，一位傲慢的贵夫人拿出了各种珠宝，其他人也递上了现金、衣服和食物。轮到小姑娘的时候，她还在犹豫要不要捐，最终她还是鼓起勇气走上前去。

"But…itis so small I am ashamed to offer it. It seems worthless, but it is all Ihave," she said.

“可是……这太少了，我都不好意思拿出来。它看起来一文不值，但这是我所有的东西了。“她说道。

"Weare grateful for even the smallest offering," the man at the counterreplied kindly. "Here it is, I have nothing else to give." she addedtimidly. She drew under her cloak two long thick plaits of her golden hair.

”即使是最少的捐赠，我们也非常感激，“柜台旁的人和善地说。”给，我没有别的可捐了。”她羞怯地补充说。她从披风下拽出两根又长又粗的金色辫子。

As shedid so, the hood of her cloak fell back, showing the beautifully young headshorn of its golden glory.

这时，披风的风帽掉了下来，露出已失去金色光环的漂亮的小脑袋。

Thegenerosity of this beautiful girl to donate her most priceless possession, hergolden locks of hair, overshadowed all the glittering gold or jewels of theother donors.

这个漂亮的小姑娘慷慨地捐出了她最珍贵的财产——她的金发，令其他捐赠者的闪闪发光的金子、珠宝等捐赠物都黯然失色。