熊皮人
导读
这是一个'别以貌取人''守信与坚持终有回报'的故事（民间故事学里叫 ATU 361'熊皮人'型）。它还有个可考的源头：德国巴洛克时代的作家格里美尔斯豪森在 1670 年前后写过一篇类似的故事，'Bärenhäuter'（熊皮人）这个词后来在德语里甚至变成了'邋遢懒汉'的意思。故事的主人公是个被裁掉、走投无路的老兵，他和魔鬼订了一个古怪的七年契约：只要七年里不洗脸、不梳头、不剪指甲、不祈祷，就能永远有花不完的钱。于是他变得又脏又吓人，像头怪兽——可他的心一直没变坏：他到处接济穷人，还慷慨地救了一位快被关进监狱的老人。老人的三个女儿里，两个嫌他丑、又是尖叫又是嘲笑，只有最小的女儿看重的是他'帮过父亲'的善良和'守信用'的人品，答应了婚约。七年一到，他洗净归来、恢复了英俊，娶了这位忠贞的姑娘；而那两个势利的姐姐，最后被自己的嫉妒毁掉。结尾魔鬼那句冷冰冰的话很有意思：他没抓到熊皮人，却因为两个姐姐的坏心，'反倒得了两个灵魂'。读的时候可以和孩子聊聊：三个姐妹面对'又脏又丑'的他，做出了完全不同的选择——她们各自看重的是什么？（提示家长：本篇有'与魔鬼交易'、结尾两姐妹自尽等黑暗情节，建议侧重'不以貌取人、守信有报'来讲。）
《熊皮人》词汇精讲
本故事精选 12 个重点词汇，附中英释义与原文例句，帮助孩子扩展英语词汇量。
Joined the armed forces.
参军；入伍。
There was once a young fellow who enlisted as a soldier, conducted himself bravely.
从前有个年轻人参军当兵，表现得非常勇敢。
The act of sending someone away from a job or service.
解雇；遣散；免职。
When peace was made, he received his dismissal, and the captain said he might go where he liked.
当和平到来时，他被遣散了，上尉说他可以去任何他想去的地方。
Extremely ugly or horrible.
丑陋的；可怕的；狰狞的。
A strange man stood before him, who wore a green coat and looked right stately, but had a hideous cloven foot.
一个陌生人站在他面前，穿着绿色外套，看起来很威严，但有一只可怕的裂蹄。
Not afraid of anything; very brave.
无畏的；大胆的。
First I must know if thou art fearless, that I may not bestow my money in vain.
但首先我必须知道你是否无畏，这样我才不会白白给予金钱。
The saving of the soul from sin; being rescued from harm.
（灵魂的）救赎；拯救。
If it does not endanger my salvation, replied the soldier, who knew very well who was standing by him.
'如果不危及我的灵魂，'士兵回答，他很清楚站在旁边的是谁。
The sharp curved nails on an animal's foot.
爪；爪子。
His hair covered nearly the whole of his face, his beard was like a piece of coarse felt, his fingers had claws.
他的头发几乎覆盖了整张脸，胡须像一块粗糙的毡子，手指长着爪子。
Feeling and showing sympathy for others' suffering.
有同情心的；富有怜悯的。
He had a compassionate heart, so he opened the door, and saw an old man weeping bitterly.
他有一颗同情心，于是打开门，看见一个老人正在痛苦地哭泣。
Became gradually smaller or less.
逐渐减少；缩小；衰减。
His property had dwindled away by degrees, he and his daughters would have to starve.
他的财产逐渐减少，他和女儿们将要挨饿。
A feeling that someone is worthless and deserves no respect.
蔑视；轻蔑；鄙视。
Nothing but contempt and mockery fell to her lot from her sisters.
她的姐姐们只给她蔑视和嘲笑。
In a kind, giving way, especially with money or help.
慷慨地；大方地。
Bearskin travelled about the world, did good where he was able, and gave generously to the poor that they might pray for him.
熊皮人周游世界，力所能及地行善，慷慨地施舍穷人，让他们为他祈祷。
Promised in marriage; engaged.
订了婚的；已许配的。
The poor betrothed bride dressed herself entirely in black, and when she thought of her future bridegroom, tears came into her eyes.
可怜的订婚新娘全身穿黑，想起未来的新郎就流泪。
Important, respected, and impressive.
杰出的；尊贵的；卓越的。
No one recognized him, the father took him for a distinguished general.
没人认出他，父亲以为他是位杰出的将军。
延伸阅读与亲子共读
故事寓意
不要以貌取人——真正重要的是内心的善良与守信；坚持和忠诚终会得到回报，而嫉妒与势利只会毁了自己。
教育价值
帮助孩子学会透过外表看内心、珍视善良与守信，理解嫉妒的危害，并体会坚持到底的力量。
家长共读提示
本篇有'与魔鬼交易'、结尾两姐妹自尽等黑暗情节，建议侧重'不以貌取人、守信有报'来讲。可以和孩子比较三姐妹的不同选择。
和孩子聊一聊
- 三个姐妹面对'又脏又丑'的熊皮人，做出了完全不同的选择。她们各自看重的到底是什么？
- 熊皮人外表变得像怪兽，可他一直在接济穷人、帮助别人。这告诉我们，判断一个人该看什么？
- 熊皮人躲过了魔鬼，魔鬼却因为两个姐姐的嫉妒'得了两个灵魂'。你觉得是什么'把'两个姐姐送给了魔鬼？
- 小女儿答应婚约，是因为熊皮人'帮过父亲'、'父亲许过诺'。守住一个承诺，有多重要？
