true friend, and a great help to his poor father and mother.

他完全配得上公主和半個王國。

he was altogether worthy of the princess and of half the kingdom.

在他們要宣佈誰獲勝的那天，整個城鎮都裝飾一新。公主坐在她的寶座上。

on the day that they were to proclaim who had won, the whole town was bedecked and be - draped. the princess sat on her throne.

為了這個場合它剛剛被塞滿馬毛，但坐起來仍然遠談不上舒適或愜意。評委們會意地朝他們選中的那個人使眼色，那個人站在那裡是那麼高興和自豪。

It had been newly stuffed with horsehair for the occasion, but it was still far from fortable or pleasant. the judges winked knowingly at the man they had chosen, who stood there so happy and proud.

他的好運來了，因為他不是已經做出了最不可思議的事嗎！

his fortune was made, for had he not done the most incredible thing!

“不！” 一個高大、瘦削、強壯的傢伙大聲嚷道。“讓我來，我才是能做出最不可思議之事的人。” 然後他朝著工匠的時鐘掄起了斧頭。噼啪，嘩啦，粉碎！

“No!” a tall, bony, powerful fellow bawled out. “Leave it to me, I am the man to do the most incredible thing,” and then he swung his ax at the craftsman’s clock. crack, crash, smash!

整個時鐘就躺在那兒了。這兒滾著輪子，那兒飛著遊絲。

there lay the whole thing. here rolled the wheels, and there flew the hairsprings.

它被毀壞了。“是我乾的，” 這個粗人說。“我的作品勝過了他的，一下子就把你們都鎮住了。我做出了最不可思議的事。”

It was wrecked and ruined. “I did that,” said the lout. “my work beat his, and bowled you over, all in one stroke. I have done the most incredible thing.”

“毀掉這樣一件藝術品！” 評委們說。“哎呀，這是我們見過的最不可思議的事。” 人們也這麼說。於是他被授予公主和半個王國，因為法律就是法律，即使它碰巧是一條最不可思議的法律。

“to destroy such a work of art!” said the judges. “why it’