生命之水
导读
这是又一则'谦逊的小儿子笑到最后'的格林故事（可以和本站的《金鹅》对照读）。三位王子出发去寻找能救活父亲的'生命之水'，一路上都遇到了同一个小矮人——他其实是一场'考验'：两个哥哥傲慢无礼，被困在了大山之间；只有小王子彬彬有礼、如实相告，才得到指点，取回了生命之水。'生命之水'（长生不老的神水、青春之泉）是全世界许多神话里都有的古老母题。这个故事最精彩的设计，是结尾那条'金子铺成的路'：公主说，谁笔直地骑过这条金路来找她，谁就是真命之人。两个哥哥都因为舍不得踩坏金子而绕道走——他们心里算计的是'金子'；只有小王子满心想着公主，压根没注意脚下是金是土，径直骑了过去。真心与算计，这条金路一试便知。读的时候可以和孩子聊聊：两个哥哥'舍不得踩金路'，听起来像是爱惜东西，其实暴露了他们心里最看重的是什么？
《生命之水》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。
Very upset, worried, or unhappy.
苦恼的；忧伤的；痛苦的。
He had three sons who were much distressed about it, and went down into the palace-garden and wept.
他有三个儿子，对此非常苦恼，来到宫殿的花园里哭泣。
A cure or way to put right something that is wrong.
疗法；药物；补救办法。
I know of one more remedy, and that is the water of life; if he drinks of it he will become well again.
我知道还有一个办法，那就是生命之水；如果他喝了它，就会好起来。
To receive money, property, or a title from someone after they die.
继承（财产、头衔等）。
If I bring the water, then I shall be best beloved of my father, and shall inherit the kingdom.
如果我带回了水，我就能成为父亲最宠爱的儿子，并将继承王位。
In a proud way that looks down on others.
傲慢地；高傲地。
Silly shrimp, said the prince very haughtily, it is nothing to do with you, and rode on.
'蠢侏儒，'王子非常傲慢地说，'这跟你没关系，'说完就骑走了。
A deep, narrow valley with steep sides.
深谷；峡谷。
Soon after this the prince entered a ravine, and the further he rode the closer the mountains drew together.
不久之后，王子进入了一个峡谷，越往前骑山就靠得越近。
A thin rod, often with magic power.
魔杖；杖；棒。
Strike thrice with the wand on the iron door of the castle and it will spring open.
用铁杖敲三次城堡的铁门，门就会弹开。
Made someone or something calm or satisfied, especially to avoid trouble.
平息；安抚；使息怒。
When he had appeased the lions with the bread, he entered the castle, and came to a large and splendid hall.
当他用面包安抚了狮子后，他走进城堡，来到一个宏伟的大厅。
A serious lack of food across a whole region.
饥荒。
They chanced upon a land where war and famine reigned, and the King already thought he must perish.
碰巧经过一个战乱饥荒的国家，国王以为自己必死无疑。
Harm done to someone in return for harm they caused.
报复；报仇。
They then began to seek revenge, and plotted with each other to destroy him.
于是他们开始寻求报复，密谋要毁了他。
To forgive someone for something.
原谅；宽恕；赦免。
Then the prince said, Say openly what it is, I will pardon you.
王子说：'直说吧，我会原谅你的。'
Announced something publicly and officially.
宣告；公布；宣布。
He had it proclaimed in every country that his son might return and be taken into favour again.
他在各国宣告他的儿子可以回来并再次受到恩宠。
Without stopping; continually.
不停地；持续不断地。
He thought of her so incessantly, and wished to be with her so much, that he never noticed the golden road at all.
因为不停地想着她，太想和她在一起，根本没注意到那条金路。
延伸阅读与亲子共读
故事寓意
谦逊、真诚与善良终会得到回报，傲慢和算计只会自食其果；真心待人，不必计较得失。
教育价值
引导孩子体会谦逊待人与真诚的可贵，辨别真心与算计，并理解宽恕的力量。
家长共读提示
重点和孩子讨论结尾的'金路'考验——为什么只想着金子的人反而输了？也可以和本站《金鹅》对照，聊聊'谦逊的小儿子'。
和孩子聊一聊
- 三个王子遇到的是同一个小矮人。两个哥哥和小弟弟对他的态度有什么不同？结果又有什么不同？
- 结尾那条金路，两个哥哥都绕着走，小王子却直直骑了过去。这条路到底'考'的是什么？
- 哥哥们偷换了生命之水、还诬陷弟弟，小王子却选择了保持沉默、保护他们。如果是你，你会替陷害你的人保守秘密吗？
- 大家都想要'生命之水'。如果真有一样东西能让人长生不老，你觉得是好事还是麻烦？
