58_A_Blessing_in_Disguise

58 A Blessing in Disguise

原文译文

The tiny village of Frinley is said to possess a 'cursed tree'. Because the tree was mentioned in a newspaper, the number of visitors to Frinley has now increased. The tree was planted near the church fifty years ago, but it is only in recent years that it has gained an evil reputation. It is said that if anyone touches the tree, he will have bad luck; if he picks a leaf, he will die. Many villagers believe that the tree has already claimed a number of victims. The vicar has been asked to have the tree cut down, but so far he has refused. He has pointed out that the tree is a useful source of income, as tourists have been coming from all parts of the country to see it. In spite of all (that has been said), the tourists have been picking leaves and cutting their names on the tree-trunk. So far, not one of them has been struck down by sudden death!

据说弗林利这个小村里有一棵"该诅咒的树"。就因为报上提到过这棵树，所以现在来弗林利参观的人越来越多。 该树是50年前栽在教堂附近的，但只是近几年才得到了一个坏名声。 据说，谁要是触摸了这棵树，谁就会交上恶运；如果谁摘了一片树叶，谁就会死去。很多村民相信此树已经害了不少人。 人们曾请求教区的牧师叫人把树砍掉，但他直到现在也没有同意。 他指出，由于人们从全国各地纷纷前来参观这棵树，它成了一个有用的财源。 尽管有上述种种说法，但游客们还是照常摘树叶和把他们的名字刻在树干上。 然而到目前为止，还没有一个人暴死呢！

Words

• possess /pəˈzɛs/ v. 拥有
  1. The tiny village possesses a “cursed tree”.
• cursed /kɝst/ n. 被诅咒的
  1. My grandfather thinks this town is cursed.
  2. It’s a curse.
• mentioned /ˈmɛnʃənd/ 提及
• church /tʃɝtʃ/ n. 教堂
  1. I prefer to go to church alone.（L50）
  2. When I was young, my dad forbade me to go to church, for he didn’t believe in God.
  3. They went to the church together last Monday.
• evil /ˈivəl/ reputation /ˌrɛpjəˈteʃən/ n. 恶名
  1. have a good/ bad reputation…
  2. They said that Leo had a good reputation.
  3. The new owner has a reputation for honesty.
  4. The tree has gained an evil reputation.
• claimed /klemd/ n. 使失踪或死亡
  1. Is it possible you left it in baggage claim?
  2. claim one’s life…
  3. The tree has already claimed a number of victims.
  4. I refuse to live my life as a victim.
  5. It is a blessing that…
  6. Have a reputation for…
• victims /ˈvɪktəmz/ 受害者
• vicar /ˈvɪkɚ/ n. 教堂牧师
  1. The vicar took a taxi to work everyday.（L29）
  2. The vicar is different from a monk.（L56）
  3. I’m fairly certain that the new vicar is that man.（L55）
• struck /strʌk/ down /daʊn/ 杀死
• tiny /ˈtaɪni/ adj. 微小的
  1. I persuaded my girlfriend not to buy that tiny cat last week.（L54）
  2. This tiny little thing solved all my problems.
• increase /ɪnˈkris/ v. 增加
  1. This can increase the risks.
  2. Smoking can increase the risk of developing heart disease.（L20）
  3. Soon Ann asked me if she could increase the lessons to twice a week.
• plant /plænt/ v. 种植
  1. plant + tree /…
  2. My grandfather used to plant potatoes in his courtyard.（L31）
  3. We were eager to plant vegetables this spring.（L57）
  4. Don’t make me plant anything next year.（L57）
• source /sɔrs/ n. 来源
• income /ˈɪnˌkʌm/ 收入

Expressions

• bless 祝福 god bless 上帝保佑
• disguise 假装；掩饰；隐瞒
• A blessing in disguise 塞翁失马，焉知非福。
• be said to do sth. = it is said that... 据说

强调句

it is(was)+强调部分+that(who)+剩余部分