谜语
导读
这是一个关于'谜语'的斗智故事。王子出的那道谜——'一个人也没杀，却杀了十二个'——是一种特别的谜语，民间故事学里叫'脖子谜'（因为猜不出就要掉脑袋）：它的谜底藏在只有出谜人自己才知道的一段亲身经历里，所以光靠聪明是猜不出来的。西方最有名的'脖子谜'来自《圣经》里的大力士参孙：'吃的从吃者出来，甜的从强者出来'（说的是他在狮子尸体里发现的蜂蜜）。这个故事的情节像多米诺骨牌一样精巧：女巫的毒药毒死了马，马毒死了啄食的乌鸦，乌鸦煮的汤又毒死了十二个强盗——'一只乌鸦'串起了整条因果链。骄傲的公主专给求婚者出难题、猜不出就砍头（已经死了九个）——这种'危险公主'的形象，和普契尼那部著名歌剧《图兰朵》里的公主是同一个大家族。而王子能赢，靠的不只是那道妙谜，还有忠诚又机灵的仆人（替主人睡在床上、抓住偷听的人）。读的时候可以和孩子聊聊：为什么这道谜'再聪明也猜不出来'？它和普通谜语（比如'什么东西越洗越脏'）有什么不一样？
《谜语》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 to someone.
忠诚的；忠实的。
There was once a King's son who was seized with a desire to travel about the world, and took no one with him but a faithful servant.
从前有一位王子，因为渴望周游世界，便只带了一名忠诚的仆人出发了。
Came upon or caught up with someone suddenly.
（黑夜、天气等）突然降临；赶上。
When darkness overtook him he could find no shelter, and knew not where to pass the night.
当夜幕降临时，他找不到栖身之所，也不知道该在哪里过夜。
A place that gives protection, especially from weather or danger.
庇护所；栖身之处；遮蔽。
Dear child, can I and my servant find shelter for the night in the little house?
亲爱的孩子，我和我的仆人能在小房子里借宿一晚吗？
Prepared a drink by boiling or mixing; here, cooked up an evil potion.
熬制；调制（饮料、药水）。
The daughter warned the two to be prudent, to eat nothing, and drink nothing, for the old woman brewed evil drinks.
女儿警告那两人要小心，什么都别吃、别喝，因为老太婆煮的是害人的毒药。
A drink, especially a measured amount of medicine or potion (old-fashioned).
（一饮而尽的）一剂饮料；一服药（旧式用法）。
Stop a moment, I will first hand you a parting draught.
等一下，我要先给你一杯临别饮料。
To fasten something with a buckle or strap.
扣紧；系上（扣带）。
The servant who had to buckle his saddle tight was the only one present when the wicked witch came with the drink.
只有负责勒紧马鞍的仆人还在场，这时邪恶的女巫拿着饮料来了。
A hidden place where wild animals or criminals live.
（野兽的）巢穴；（罪犯的）窝点。
They had, however, stumbled on a den of murderers, and during the darkness twelve of these came.
然而，他们误入了一个杀人魔窟，在夜色中，十二个强盗回来了。
Wicked; without respect for God or goodness.
邪恶的；不敬神的；伤天害理的。
There was no one else left in the house but the innkeeper's daughter, who was honest, and had taken no part in their godless deeds.
房子里只剩下店主的女儿，她是个诚实的人，没有参与那些伤天害理的勾当。
To risk something valuable on the result of something.
以……作赌注；拿……冒险。
The King's son arrived, and blinded by her great beauty, was willing to stake his life for it.
王子到了，被她的美貌迷住了，愿意为此赌上性命。
A loose cloak worn over the shoulders.
斗篷；披风。
Then came the princess herself, and she had put on a misty-grey mantle, and she seated herself near him.
这时公主亲自来了，她披着一件雾灰色的披风，坐在他身边。
Explained something in detail.
详细说明；阐释。
The King's daughter announced that she had guessed the riddle, and sent for the twelve judges and expounded it before them.
公主宣布她猜出了谜语，并叫来十二位法官，当着他们的面解释了谜语。
Decorated cloth by sewing patterns onto it with thread.
刺绣；在……上绣花。
Let the mantle be embroidered with gold and silver, and then it will be your wedding-mantle.
把这件披风绣上金银，它将成为你们的结婚礼服。
延伸阅读与亲子共读
故事寓意
智慧、勇气与忠诚的伙伴能一同战胜傲慢与危险；真正难倒对手的，往往是亲身经历里得来的东西。
教育价值
锻炼孩子的逻辑推理与因果思维（读懂'马→乌鸦→强盗'的连环），体会机智、勇气与忠诚友谊的价值。
家长共读提示
和孩子一起把'一个人也没杀，却杀了十二个'的谜底一步步推出来，是很好的逻辑游戏。也可以一起编几个'只有自己知道答案'的脖子谜。
和孩子聊一聊
- 王子的谜底藏在他亲身经历的一串事里，别人怎么想也想不到。这样的谜'公平'吗？和普通谜语比，它特别在哪？
- 那串'马→乌鸦→强盗'的连环中毒，像多米诺骨牌一样。你能把这条'因果链'一环一环讲清楚吗？
- 公主输了以后，偷偷溜进王子房间套答案。王子留下她的披风当证据。你觉得公主这样做对吗？
- 王子能赢，忠诚机灵的仆人帮了大忙。一个好帮手、好朋友，有多重要？
