雙語 ● The Child’s Guardian Angel 孩子的守護(hù)天使
The Child’s Guardian Angel 孩子的守護(hù)天使
◎ Erma Bombeck
Once upon a time there was a child ready to be born. So one day he asked God, “They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?”
從前，有個(gè)孩子就要出生了。有一天，他問上帝：“他們對(duì)我說，你明天就要把我送到人間了?？墒牵疫@么弱小和無助，怎么在那兒生活呢？”
God replied, “Among the many angels, I chose one for you. She will be waiting for you and will take care of you.”
上帝回答道：“我從眾多天使中為你挑選了一位，她會(huì)守在你身邊、照顧你。”
But the child wasn’t sure he really wanted to go. “But tell me, here in Heaven, I don’t do anything else but sing and smile, that’s enough for me to be happy.”
可小孩不敢確定自己是不是真的想去?！翱墒窃谔焯美铮退阄沂裁词虑槎疾蛔?，只是唱唱笑笑，我就很開心了?！?
“Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you every day. And you will feel your angel’s love and be happy.”
“你的天使每天都會(huì)為你唱歌，為你微笑。你能感受到天使對(duì)你的愛。你會(huì)很幸福的?！?
“And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me,” the child continued, “if I don’t know the language that men talk?”
“那我怎樣才能聽懂人類對(duì)我說的話呢？”孩子繼續(xù)問道，“萬一我聽不懂人類的語言怎么辦？”
God patted him on the head and said, “Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak.”
上帝拍了拍孩子的頭，說道：“你的天使會(huì)用你從未聽過的、最美麗、最動(dòng)聽的語言跟你說話。她還會(huì)耐心地教你說話。”
“And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?”
“如果我想和你說話怎么辦？”
But God had an answer for that question too. “Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray.”
對(duì)于這個(gè)問題，上帝心中早已有了答案：“你的天使會(huì)將你的雙手合攏，教你如何禱告?！?
“I’ve heard that on earth there are bad men, who will protect me?”
“我聽說人間有壞人，那誰來保護(hù)我呢？”
“Your angel will defend you even if it means risking her life!”
“你的天使會(huì)保護(hù)你，哪怕獻(xiàn)出她的生命?！?
“But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore,” the child continued warily.
“可我再也見不到你了，那樣我會(huì)難過。”孩子小心翼翼地說道。
God smiled on the young one. “Your angel will always talk to you about me and will teach you the way for you to come back to me, even though I will always be next to you.”
上帝朝小孩笑了笑，說道：“盡管你我近在咫尺，你的天使還會(huì)經(jīng)常提起我，并教你如何回到我的身邊?！?
At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from earth could already be heard. The child knew he had to start on his journey very soon. He asked God one more question, softly, “Oh God, if I am about to leave now, please tell me my angel’s name.”
這時(shí)，平靜的天堂傳來了人間的聲音。小孩知道自己該啟程了。于是，他又輕輕地問了一個(gè)問題：“噢，上帝！我就要走了，請(qǐng)你告訴我，我的天使叫什么名字。”
God touched the child on the shoulder and answered, “Your angel’s name is not hard to remember. You will simply call her Mommy.”
上帝拍了拍孩子的肩膀，答道：“你的天使有個(gè)很好記的名字。你就叫她——媽媽?！?
