Lesson 58 A blessing in disguise? 是因祸得福吗？

Why does the vicar refuse to cut down the tree?

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! 参考译文

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！ 【New words and expressions】（16） 1 blessing ['blesi?] n.福分，福气 2 disguise [dis'gaiz] n.伪装 3 tiny ['taini] a.极小的 4 possess [p?'zes] v.拥有 5 cursed ['k?:sid] a.可恨的 6 increase [in'kri:s, 'inkri:s] v.增加 7 plant [plɑ:nt] v.种值 8 church [t??:t?] n.教堂 一、单词讲解 blessing

1)n. (single)神恩，福气，福分，神的保佑，祷告 ask for God's blessing求神保佑 say a blessing 做祷告 a blessing in disguise

初看似乎不幸，过后看来却是幸事，祸中福 count one' s blessings 知足

bless-blessed（过去时）-blessed（过去分词） 2)v. 求神赐福于某人或某事；赐予某人健康、幸福及成功

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9 evil ['i:v?l] a.坏的 10 reputation[repju'tei??n] n.名声 11 claim [kleim] v.以…为其后果 12 victim ['viktim] n.受害者，牺牲品 13 vicar ['vik?] n.教区牧师 14 source [s?:s] n.来源 15 income ['ink?m] n.收入 16 trunk [tr??k] n.树干 eg. Bless those who are hungry lonely or sick. 求神赐福于那些饥饿、孤独或患病的人。 Mrs. White is blessed with 12 children. Mrs. White太太有12个孩子，真有福气。

God bless you!（用作感叹，表示谢意或情义或别人打喷嚏时说） You' ve bought me a present? Bless you! 你给我买了个礼物是吗？太感谢你了！

disguise 1) n. 伪装

wear a bread as a disguise带个络腮胡子来伪装一下 eg. He was in disguise, so I couldn't recognize him. 他乔装打扮过了，所以我没认出他来。 She made no disguise of her contempt. 她很露骨地表示轻蔑之意。 2)v. 伪装，假扮

eg. I couldn't disguise my anger. 我掩饰不住自己的愤怒 He disguise himself as a woman for fun. 他男扮女装，只为了好玩。

disguise one' s voice 改变说话腔调，发假声音

tiny ['taini] adj. 极小的

tiny-tinier（比较级）-tiniest（最高级） small 小的

little 小的（含有可爱之意） mini-构成合成词 minibus 小公共汽车 miniskirt 迷你裙 minicab 小出租汽车

puny （贬义）弱小的，瘦小的，发育不完全的，未充分发挥的 eg. A tiny little girl was singing very well on TV. 一个纤小的女孩在电视上唱得很好。

possess v. 拥有

eg: They possess three cars.他们有三辆汽车。 possess patience 有耐心 possess courage 有勇气

be possessed with （尤指人的思想）被……控制，支配 be possess by（尤指人的思想）被……控制，支配 eg. She was suddenly possessed with fear. 她突然被恐惧的情绪所控制。

eg. She was suddenly possessed by fear.

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她突然被恐惧的情绪所控制。 Possession n.

1)[u](ownership) 领有，持有，具有

eg. I've had possession of this house for 7 years. 我拥有这房子己经七年了。 2)[c]财产

eg. He lost all his possession in the fire. 他在大火中丧失所有的财产。 be in possession of 拥有

eg. he is in lawful possession of a shotgun. 他合法的拥有一支猎枪。 possessor n. 拥有者(owner)

possessed adj.（被强烈的感情，恶魔等）缠附的，疯狂的 eg. He studied like one possessed. 他拼命用功。 He fought like man possessed. 他进行了殊死的战斗 Possession is nine points of the law.

现实占有， 败一胜九。（占有或控制某物者打起官司来总占上风）

cursed adj.可恨的，讨厌的（定） (hateful，unpleasant) a cursed person -个可恨的人 curse

1)n. 咒骂的话，咒语

be under a curse 被诅咒的

eg. the witch laid a curse upon the princess. 这个巫婆诅咒这个公主

the witch laid the princess under a curse. 这个巫婆诅咒这个公主 2)n. 脏话，咒骂之词 Go to hell Confound it You shit! 3)v. 诅咒

eg. He cursed(at)his bad luck. 他诅咒他的坏运气

I cursed her for spoiling my plans.因为他破坏我的计划，所以我诅咒他。

increase

1)[in'kri:s]v. 增加，增长 increase one' s speed 加速

eg. The population has increased greatly. 人口急剧增长。 increased profits 增大的利润 2)['inkri:s]n. 增加的量 a wage increase 工资增加额

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