The Best Prince

最好的王子

King Minos was very sick. His condition was getting worse. He had three sons. He loved them all. He had to announce who would become king.

迈诺斯国王得了重病，而且身体状况每况日下。他有三个儿子，虽然很爱他们，但必须从中选出一人继位。

Two of the princes stood waiting outside the king's room. Theseus was the oldest and strongest. He thought his father would make him king. Pelias, the second son, thought differently. He was an expert with weapons. He thought the king would choose him.

两位王子在国王寝宫外等候消息。提修斯是三个儿子当中最年长也是最强大的一个。所以他自认为继位是理所当然的。二儿子珀利阿斯却不这么想。他精通十八般兵器，所以认为父亲会选择自己继位。

When I'm king, Theseus told Pelias, "I'll let you contribute to the defense of our country. You can lead the army."

“我继位后，”提修斯对珀利阿斯说，“我会把军队交给你来指挥，以保护我们的国家。”

Pelias became angry. "Father knows I'm famous for my sword skills. He'll make me king."

珀利阿斯听后勃然大怒：“父王知道我精通剑术，我才是未来的国王。”

You? Theseus yelled. "He won't choose you!"

“你?”提修斯大喊道，“别做梦了!”

The kingdom is mine! Pelias claimed. "Father will give it to me- or I'll use force to take it!"

珀利阿斯宣称：“这国王我当定了。父王要是不传位于我，那我就以武力夺取!”

Theseus made a sudden move to take out his sword. Then Pelias did the same.

提修斯突然拔出宝剑，珀利阿斯也不甘示弱。

Beating me will be a challenge, Theseus said. "Fight me now. The winner gets the kingdom!"

“你打不过我的，”提修斯说道。“我们来打一场，谁赢谁就是国王!”

Pelias agreed.

珀利阿斯对此表示同意。

King Minos could hear his sons fighting. The youngest son, Jason, stood beside him. He sensed his father's sadness. The king laid his hand flat on Jason's arm.

迈诺斯国王听到两个儿子在争斗，而最小的儿子詹森此刻伺候在一旁。他能感受到父亲的伤悲。迈诺斯国王抓着詹森的手。

Your brothers fight too much, the king told him. "I must protect my kingdom from all harm. They'll divide it between them. The people won't know what to do. There'll be war. I can't allow either of them to be king. Therefore, I'm making you king. Your kindness has always made you special. It's the difference between you and your brothers. You can bring peace. They can't."

“你两个哥哥太好斗了，”他对小儿子说道，“我得保证这个国家的完整，不然他们肯定会把它一分为二的。那样的话，民众将不知该何去何从，国家也将陷入战乱之中。他们两都不能继位。所以，我要让你当下一任国王。你和你两个哥哥最大的不同在于你的仁慈，你因此脱颖而出。你可以带来和平，但他们不能。”

Then the king died. Theseus and Pelias heard that their youngest brother was king. They were surprised. They realized that their fighting was wrong. It had kept them from saying goodbye to their father. They agreed to have Jason as their king. He was the best choice.

国王说完就驾鹤西去了。提修斯和珀利阿斯都没想到父亲竟然把王位传给了詹森。他们这才意识到这场王位之争是错误的，他们因此错过了见父亲最后一面的机会。他们同意詹森当国王，因为他才是最合适的人选。

单词

allow v. 允许

announce v. 宣布

beside prep. 在...旁边

challenge n. 挑战

claim v. 宣称

condition n. 状况

contribute v. 贡献

difference n. 差距，差异

divide v. 划分

expert n. 专家

famous adj. 著名的

force n. 力量

harm n. 伤害

lay v. 摆放

peace n. 和平

prince n. 王子

protect v. 保护，防卫，警戒

sense v. 感知

sudden adj. 突然的

therefore adv. 因此

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