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.

邁諾斯國王得了重病，而且身體狀況每況日下。他有三個兒子，雖然很愛他們，但必須從中選出一人繼位。

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.

兩位王子在國王寢宮外等候消息。提修斯是三個兒子當中最年長也是最強大的一個。所以他自認為繼位是理所當然的。二兒子珀利阿斯卻不這么想。他精通十八般兵器，所以認為父親會選擇自己繼位。

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

“我繼位后，”提修斯對珀利阿斯說，“我會把軍隊交給你來指揮，以保護我們的國家。”

Pelias became angry. “Father knows I’m famous for my sword skills. He’ll make me king.”

珀利阿斯聽后勃然大怒：“父王知道我精通劍術，我才是未來的國王。”

You? Theseus yelled. “He won’t choose you!”

“你？”提修斯大喊道，“別做夢了！”

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

珀利阿斯宣稱：“這國王我當定了。父王要是不傳位于我，那我就以武力奪取！”

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

提修斯突然拔出寶劍，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!”

“你打不過我的，”提修斯說道。“我們來打一場，誰贏誰就是國王！”

Pelias agreed.

珀利阿斯對此表示同意。

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.

邁諾斯國王聽到兩個兒子在爭斗，而最小的兒子詹森此刻伺候在一旁。他能感受到父親的傷悲。邁諾斯國王抓著詹森的手。

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.”

“你兩個哥哥太好斗了，”他對小兒子說道，“我得保證這個國家的完整，不然他們肯定會把它一分為二的。那樣的話，民眾將不知該何去何從，國家也將陷入戰亂之中。他們兩都不能繼位。所以，我要讓你當下一任國王。你和你兩個哥哥最大的不同在于你的仁慈，你因此脫穎而出。你可以帶來和平，但他們不能。”

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.

國王說完就駕鶴西去了。提修斯和珀利阿斯都沒想到父親竟然把王位傳給了詹森。他們這才意識到這場王位之爭是錯誤的，他們因此錯過了見父親最后一面的機會。他們同意詹森當國王，因為他才是最合適的人選。

單詞

allow v.允許

announce v.宣布

beside prep.在…旁邊

challenge n.挑戰

claim v.宣稱

condition n.狀況

contribute v.貢獻

difference n.差距，差異

divide v.劃分

expert n.專家

famous adj.著名的

force n.力量

harm n.傷害

lay v.擺放

peace n.和平

prince n.王子

protect v.保護，防衛，警戒

sense v.感知

sudden adj.突然的

therefore adv.因此