老苏丹
导读
《老苏丹》是格林童话里一则温暖又诙谐的动物故事（民俗学分类 ATU 101，'老狗救孩子'）。它的开头带着一丝辛酸：忠心耿耿的老狗牙齿掉光、干不动活了，主人竟打算一枪把它打死——这其实道出了一个古老又现实的问题：当曾经忠诚的仆人（无论是牲口还是人）老去、不再'有用'，我们该怎样待它？故事给出的答案是感恩与善待。有意思的是，狼替老狗设的那出'假绑架、真营救'，本身是一场善意的骗局；而后半段狼与狗的'决斗'，则是一段经典的滑稽戏：三条腿的猫因疼痛翘起尾巴，竟被狼和野猪误当成军刀，一瘸一拐捡食的样子又被当成在捡石头——这种'认错武器'的桥段，早在中世纪的《列那狐》等动物史诗里就逗乐过无数听众。还有个小知识：故事里狼管狗叫'gossip'，这个词在古英语里并不是'八卦'的意思，而是'老朋友、教亲'一般的亲昵称呼。读的时候，可以和孩子聊一聊：主人一开始要杀老狗，做得对吗？到最后连狼和狗都能重归于好，这又说明了什么？
《老苏丹》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。
Loyal and true; always doing what you should for someone you serve or love.
忠诚的；忠实的；尽职尽责的。
A farmer once had a faithful dog called Sultan, who had grown old, and lost all his teeth, so that he could no longer hold anything fast.
从前，有个农夫养了一只忠诚的狗，名叫苏丹。苏丹现在老了，牙齿也掉光了，什么东西也咬不住了。
Moved slowly and quietly so as not to be noticed.
悄悄地移动；蹑手蹑脚地走。
He had a good friend, the wolf, and he crept out in the evening into the forest to him.
它有个好朋友，就是森林里的狼。到了晚上，它溜进森林去找狼。
To watch over someone or something in order to keep them safe.
守护；看守；保护。
You lay yourself there too, just as if you wished to guard it.
你就躺在那里，假装在看护孩子。
To take hold of something suddenly and firmly.
抓住；夺取；一把抓过。
You must rush swiftly after me, as if you would seize it again from me.
你要立刻猛追过来，假装要把孩子从我手里抢回去。
Feeling thankful for something someone has done for you.
感激的；感恩的。
You will take it back to its parents, who will think that you have saved it, and will be far too grateful to do you any harm.
你再把他送回父母身边。他们会以为是你救了孩子，肯定对你感激不尽，绝不会伤害你。
To count on or expect something.
指望；料想；认为（会怎样）。
"Do not reckon upon that," answered the dog; "I will remain true to my master."
'别指望这个，'狗回答说，'我会对我的主人保持忠诚。'
A tool made of a stick swinging from a handle, once used to beat grain from its stalks.
连枷（一种用来打谷脱粒的农具，柄端连着可甩动的木棒）。
But the farmer, to whom the faithful Sultan had told the wolf's plan, caught him and dressed his hide soundly with the flail.
但是农夫已经听了忠诚的苏丹的告密，逮住了狼，用连枷狠狠地把它的皮梳理了一顿。
A dishonest or wicked person; a rascal.
恶棍；无赖；坏蛋。
He cried out to the dog, "Wait a bit, you scoundrel, you shall pay for this."
它对狗大叫道：'等着瞧，你这个坏蛋，你会为此付出代价的。'
Walked unevenly because one leg or foot was hurt.
一瘸一拐地走；跛行。
As they went out together the poor cat limped along, and at the same time stretched out her tail into the air with pain.
这只可怜的猫一瘸一拐地走着，同时因为疼痛把尾巴翘到了空中。
A sword with a long, curved blade.
军刀；马刀（刀身长而弯曲的剑）。
But when they saw their enemy coming they thought that he was bringing a sabre with him.
但当它们看到敌人走来时，以为对方带了一把军刀。
Wrongly thought that one thing or person was another.
认错；把……误认为（别的东西）。
For they mistook the outstretched tail of the cat for one.
因为它们把猫翘起的尾巴误认为是刀。
Shy and easily frightened; not brave.
胆小的；胆怯的；羞怯的。
The dog and cat looked up and saw the wolf, who was ashamed of having shown himself so timid, and made friends with the dog.
狗和猫抬头一看，看见了狼。狼为自己表现得如此胆小而感到羞愧，于是和狗重归于好了。
延伸阅读与亲子共读
故事寓意
忠诚与善意值得被铭记、被回报；不该因为一个人（或一只动物）年老、不再'有用'，就把它抛弃。
教育价值
引导孩子体会忠诚、感恩以及善待弱者与长者的价值；诙谐的'决斗'情节也让孩子在笑声中明白'误会'是怎样一步步产生的。
家长共读提示
借老狗的遭遇，和孩子谈谈该如何对待家里的老人和养了很久的宠物；也可以让孩子找一找：故事里那场'误会'，是怎么一步步闹大的？
和孩子聊一聊
- 老苏丹忠诚地为主人干了一辈子，老了却差点被杀掉。你觉得主人一开始的打算，做得对吗？
- 狼帮老狗演了一出'假绑架'。这虽然是骗人，却救了老狗一命。这样'善意的谎言'，你怎么看？
- 老狗受了狼的大恩，可当狼想偷主人的羊时，它却拒绝了。你觉得它这样做对吗？换作是你会怎么办？
- 故事最后，狼和狗没有真的打起来，反而重新做了朋友。是什么让他们和好的？
- 家里的老人、用了很久的旧物，或养了很久的宠物，就算'不再有用'，我们该怎样对待它们？
