穷人和富人
导读
把《穷人和富人》讲成中国寓言，其实是顺理成章的事。这则故事天生一副"讲道理"的骨架：同一位旅人登门，富人与穷人待客的态度判若云泥，结局也一喜一忧——这不正是"善有善报"最朴素的模样？在中国人的智慧里，这个故事能对上好几句老话："知足常乐"说的是穷人夫妇，只求健康温饱，便心满意足；"贪心不足蛇吞象"说的是那位富人，得了三个愿望还嫌不够，最后连到手的也守不住；至于"为富不仁"，恰是富人关窗那一瞬的写照。寓言的好处，在于把道理藏在故事里，让孩子自己品出来。这一版以讲古的口吻娓娓道来，节奏从容，字句凝练，正适合灯下共读。读完不妨问问孩子：三个人生愿望，到底该许什么？——答案没有对错，却藏着孩子对"什么最要紧"的第一层想法。
《穷人和富人》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。
A place where a traveller can stay for a short time.
借宿之处；临时住处。
"Only a night's lodging," the Lord answered.
"只求借住一宿，"主答道。
Old, worn, and in poor condition.
破旧的；寒酸的。
One was large and grand; the other was small and shabby.
一所又高又大，气派非凡；一所又矮又小，破旧寒酸。
Very surprised.
非常吃惊的。
The rich man was astonished and called to his wife.
他探身窗外，往路对面一看，顿时惊呆了。
Lasting forever, never ending.
永久的；永无穷尽的。
What should I ask for but everlasting happiness?
除了长久的福气，我还能求什么呢？
Rode a horse at full speed.
策马飞奔。
The rich man galloped down the road and soon caught up with the Lord.
富人纵马扬鞭，不多时便追上了主。
The long straps a rider holds to guide a horse.
缰绳。
Deep in thought, he let the reins hang loose, and the horse grew restless and began to prance.
他想着想着，不觉松了缰绳，马便撒起欢来。
Unwilling to spend or share money or things.
吝啬的；舍不得的。
He was too stingy to leave the good saddle behind, so he cut it free, hoisted it onto his back, and trudged on foot.
他生性吝啬，舍不得把一副好马鞍丢在路上，便割下鞍子，扛在背上，一步一步走着回去。
The unhappy feeling of wanting what someone else has.
嫉妒；眼红。
Then he remembered his wife, sitting cool and easy at home, and envy burned in his heart.
她正坐在凉快的屋里，享着清福呢。这一想，他心头火起。
Disappeared suddenly.
突然消失。
The words had barely left his lips when the saddle vanished from his back.
话一出口，鞍子便从他背上不见了。
The feeling of being annoyed or frustrated.
烦恼；气恼。
In the end he gained nothing but vexation, hard words, and the loss of his horse.
到头来，他什么也没落着，只落得一肚子气、一身麻烦、一顿数落，外加折了一匹马。
To waste something, such as money or a chance.
挥霍；糟蹋。
And this tale tells us: kindness is repaid with kindness, while greed and a sharp temper can squander every blessing.
这故事告诉我们：善有善报，知足常乐；贪心不足的人，纵有金山银山，也会被自己的脾气败得精光。
A quiet, peaceful feeling of being satisfied with what you have.
知足；满足。
The poor couple, meanwhile, lived in peace and contentment to the end of their days.
而那对穷人呢，从此安安稳稳、快快活活，一直过到白头。
延伸阅读与亲子共读
故事寓意
善有善报，知足常乐：善良知足的人，福气绵长；贪婪吝啬的人，纵有好运，也会被自己的贪心和坏脾气败得精光。
教育价值
让孩子懂得好客、善良与知足的可贵，看见贪婪、吝啬与坏脾气的代价；"三个愿望"的一得一失，也是训练孩子权衡选择的好教材。
家长共读提示
读到富人许愿一节，不妨停下来问孩子："若是你，这三个愿望怎么许？"再对照穷人的愿望，和孩子一起体会"想清楚再开口"的分量。
和孩子聊一聊
- 富人和穷人都接待过同一位旅人，一个关门，一个开门。你觉得，真正被考验的，是房子的大小，还是人心？
- 穷人夫妇只求健康、温饱和长久的福气，不要金银。这样的愿望，是太傻，还是太聪明？
- 富人的三个愿望，个个都是被自己的脾气糟蹋的。你能一个一个说说，坏脾气是怎么坏事的吗？
- 假如这三个愿望现在就落在你手里，你会许什么？会不会也担心许错？
- 故事结尾说，穷人"安安稳稳过到白头"，富人"什么也没落着"。你觉得，一个人真正的福气，到底是什么？
