英语寓言故事：会说话的鱼(2)

The worker thought, "I suppose it's better to take the cow now than to go hungry. At least we'll be able to sell the milk and live for three years, and then we'll see what happens. Maybe we'll be lucky enough to answer those questions." So he accepted the terms, took the cow and went home relieved(得到安慰的) and happy.

Indeed, the cow gave plenty of good milk, enough for the worker and his wife to drink and to sell, and in this way, provide the necessities of life.

In the evenings, the worker and his wife would often sit together at their door, thinking about the Monster. They tried to imagine what the answers might be. But as they had no clue(线索) what sort of questions the Monster would ask, they would always end their talks with a sigh(叹息) and go to bed with troubled hearts. Day by day, the end of the three years grew closer and closer.

One evening, a handsome youth came up to them.

"Good evening!" he said. "I am so tired, and it is getting dark. If you please,英语作文：婚姻保鲜的秘密是什么？, may I spend the night under your roof?"

"Of course you may, only tonight you must know that something terrible is going to happen to us! Three years ago, we took a cow from a Monster. He told us we could keep the cow for three years, but at the end of that time he could come and ask us some questions. If we answer those questions correctly, then the cow will be ours to keep, but if we can't then we will become the Monster's prisoners forever. So if you stay with us tonight, be careful that no harm comes to you!"

"I see," said the youth. "Well, if it is all right with you,城市生活的利与弊(The pros and cons of city life), I'd just as soon stay the night." And so he did.

Exactly at midnight, a loud knock was heard at the door.

"Who's there?"

"It is I, the Monster! Three years have passed. The time has come to answer my questions!"

"We'll never be able to answer them!" wailed the poor worker and his wife, clutching(紧握) at each other's shoulders.

Suddenly, the youth stepped toward the door. He said to them, "Don't worry, I'll answer for you."