58

Lesson 58 A blessing in disguise?
是因祸得福吗？
First listen and then answer the question.
听录音，然后回答以下问题。
Why does the vicar refuse to cut down the tree?
The tiny village of Frinley is said to possess a 'cursed tree'.
据说弗林利这个小村里有一棵“该诅咒的树”。
Because the tree was mentioned in a newspaper, the number of visitors toFrinley has now increased.
就因为报上提到过这棵树，所以现在来弗林利参观的人越来越多。
The tree was planted near the church fifty years ago,
该树是50年前栽在教堂附近的，
but it is only in recent years that it has gained an evil reputation.
但只是近几年才得到了一个坏名声。
It is said that if anyone touches the tree, he will have bad luck;
据说，谁要是触摸了这棵树，谁就会交上恶运；
if he picks a leaf, he will die.
如果谁摘了一片树叶，谁就会死去。
Many villagers believe that the tree has already claimed a number of victims.
很多村民相信此树已经害了不少人。
The vicar has been asked to have the tree cut down, but so far he has refused.
人们曾请求教区的牧师叫人把树砍掉，但他直到现在也没有同意。
He has pointed out that the tree is a useful source of income, as tourists havebeen coming from all parts of the country to see it.
他指出，由于人们从全国各地纷纷前来参观这棵树，它成了一个有用的财源。
In spite of all that has been said, the tourists have been picking leaves andcutting their names on the tree-trunk.
尽管有上述种种说法，但游客们还是照常摘树叶和把他们的名字刻在树干上。
So far, not one of them has been struck down by sudden death!
然而到目前为止，还没有一个人暴死呢！

魔乐岛蒙学•新概念英语第二册（58）