安徒生童话英文阅读

　　安徒生的童话一般大家都是看中文版的，英文版的大家有没有看过呢?

　　安徒生童话英文版之(THE TINDER-BOX)

　　TIRE came a soldier marching along the high road---- one , two ! one , two ! He had his knapsack on his back and a sabre by his side, for he had been in the wars , and now he wanted to go home . And on the way he met with an old witch: she was very hideous, and her under lip hung down upon her breast . She said , “ Good evening, soldier. What a fine sword you have, and what a big knapsack ! You're a proper soldier! Now you shall have as much money as you like to have .”

　　“I thank you , you old witch ! ”said the soldier .

　　“ Do you see that great tree?” quoth the witch ; and she pointed to a tree which stood beside them . “It' s quite hollow in side . You must climb to the top , and then you'll see a hole , through which you can let yourself down and get deep into the tree . I' ll tie a rope round your body, so that I can pull you up again when you call me.”

　　“ What am I to do down in the tree?” asked the soldier.

　　“Get money , ” replied the witch . “ Listen to me . When you come down to the earth under the tree, you will find yourself in a great hall: it is quite light, for many hundred lamps are burning there . Then you will see three doors; these you can open, for the keys are in the locks. If you go into the first chamber, you'll see a great chest in the middle of the floor; on this chest sits a dog, and he's got a pair of eyes as big as two tea-cups. But you need not care for that . I'll give you my blue ---- checked apron, and you can spread it out upon the floor; then go up quickly and take the dog, and set him on my apron; then open the chest, and take as many farthings as you like. They are of copper: if you prefer silver, you must go into the second chamber. But there sits a dog with a pair of eyes as big as mill-wheels . But do not you care for that . Set him upon my apron , and take some of the money . And if you want gold , you can have that too ---- in fact , as much as you can carry ---- if you go into the third chamber. But the dog that sits on the money-chest there has two eyes as big as the round tower of Copenhagen. He is a fierce dog, you may be sure ; but you needn't be afraid , for all that . Only set him on my apron, and he won't hurt you; and take out of the chest as much gold as you like . ”