一隻被稱為「靈鴿」的鴿子為什麼要救老虎？
當過國王的老虎下台後快要餓死了，靈鴿卻要救他，為什麼呢？請看惠言童話第13集《靈鴿和老虎》。
編輯寄語
受疫情影響，自3月16日起，大紐約地區學校陸續關閉，孩子們在家，除了上網課外，各種活動受到限制。如何幫助孩子們度過這個非常時期的枯燥生活，讓家長們十分操心。惠言先生在徵得參與創作者和組織者同意後，主動向我們編輯部提議，把他正在籌划出版的《惠言童話》18篇繪畫本稿子贈給我們網站連載，可以讓孩子們在網上看到和聽到這些故事，有助於提高他們的中文閱讀和聽力水平。
故事文稿是基於惠言先生前幾年在《世界日報》上發表的故事修改的，中美兩地34個孩子們參加了插畫稿創作，上海五里橋文化中心張煒瑋主任組織「音之魅」誦讀沙龍的語言藝術家們創作了9個朗誦作品。希望這些生動有趣的故事、童趣洋溢的圖畫和美妙的朗誦藝術作品，能伴隨孩子們度過新冠疫情這個困難時期。對此，我們向惠言先生；英文稿的校閱者Jason Kenny先生和趙蒙皓女士；上海五里橋文化中心及「音之魅」誦讀沙龍語言藝術家們；參與畫稿創作的孩子們及其家長表示衷心感謝！
本網站將於5月4日（周一）起，每逢周一、三、五連載推出，每次一篇《惠言童話》故事，大約持續六周，歡迎大家下載收看收聽。
13.靈 鴿 和 老 虎
Smart Pigeon and Tiger
文： 惠言
畫： 蔣懿楚（11歲，圖1-9）；王紫玄（10歲，圖10-19）
英文校閱： Jason Kenny & 趙蒙皓
中文朗誦： 小百靈
英文朗誦： Andrew Song (宋浩陽)
13.靈鴿和老虎中文朗誦
13.靈鴿和老虎英文朗誦
動物王國的國王老虎與熊貓比武輸了後，所有動物不再向老虎進貢食物，王國解體了，老虎只能離開山洞皇宮,獨自捕獵覓食。
When King Tiger, the leader of the entire animal kingdom was defeated by Panda in a fight, all the animals would no longer pay tribute to him. The kingdom disintegrated and King Tiger had to leave his palace and became an outcast.
由於長期過著不勞而獲的生活，老虎身體肥胖，動作遲緩，很難捕獲行動敏捷的動物。最糟糕的是老虎不熟悉狩獵線路，不知道去哪裡尋找獵物，經常一連幾天餓肚子，體型漸漸消瘦。離開國王寶座的老虎，一開始的日子過得非常艱難。
Because Tiger had always had all the animals bring food to him, he was slow and out of practice, and did not know where any of the hunting routes were, so he found it very hard to catch enough prey to feed himself. Tiger often went hungry for many days at a time, and gradually lost weight. Without the power of the throne, Tiger had a very hard time at the beginning.
這天，太陽快要下山了，老虎仍沒有進食，肚子咕嚕咕嚕地叫。實在無計可施，它想起山下有一個村莊，村裡農民養的牛羊豬雞都很溫順，決定冒險下山碰運氣，看能否抓一個填肚子，於是來到村邊。
One day, as dusk cast long shadows over the woods, Tiger still had not eaten anything; his stomach was growling. Though he searched desperately, he could not find any food. Suddenly, Tiger recalled that there was a village nearby. The cows, sheep, pigs and chickens raised by the farmers in the village would probably be easy prey for him. He decided to try his luck, and go over to the village to see if he could catch something to fill his stomach.
老虎有氣無力地走在進村的土路上，遠遠看到一群鴿子在啄食路上的玉米粒，便衝上前去。鴿群聽到老虎急促的腳步聲，全都飛走了。正當老虎為自己連只鴿子也抓不到而懊惱時，看到散落在地上的玉米粒，心想鴿子也許會飛回來，就躲進路邊的樹叢里。
As Tiger walked feebly on the dirt road that led to the village, he spied a group of pigeons in the distance, pecking at some corn kernels. In his eagerness to catch a meal, Tiger rushed forward. The pigeons immediately saw Tiger running towards them so they all flew away. Tiger was very annoyed that he could not even catch a pigeon, but then he realized the pigeons might fly back because there were still many corn kernels left on the ground. So he hid himself in the bushes by the roadside.
果然，一隻被鴿群稱為「靈鴿」的鴿子，在天空不見地上老虎蹤影，就大膽地飛回原地啄食玉米。老虎從樹叢中竄出，猛撲過去。說時遲，那時快，機敏的靈鴿展翅逃脫，飛落在路旁的樹上。
Sure enough, a pigeon who was called “Smart pigeon” by other pigeons, without seeing the tiger, boldly flew back to eat some more corn. Tiger leaped out of the bush, quicker than words can tell, but Smart pigeon flew up onto a tree and Tiger ended up pouncing on empty air.
老虎失望地抬頭看看樹上的靈鴿，轉身準備離開時，靈鴿開口了：「老虎，別走。我認識你，你不是從前的國王嗎？怎麼落魄到這個地步？以前大家進貢最好的肉，你還挑肥揀瘦，現在居然連一個小小的鴿子也不放過！」
Tiger looked up into the tree, disappointed that he had not managed to catch the pigeon. Tiger turned to leave, but before he could do so, Smart pigeon called from high up in the tree, “Don’t go yet! I know you, aren’t you Tiger, the former king? How did you come to be so thin? We always used to pay tribute to you with the best meat! You always used to be so picky, but now you are fine with eating pigeon meat!”
老虎聽了有點臉紅，坦白地告訴靈鴿：「我不知道獵物在哪裡，幾天沒有進食，快要餓死了。」 靈鴿說：「難怪如此。」 靈鴿若有所思，接著關心地問道：「看你怪可憐的，我可不想看著你餓死。這樣吧，我帶你去一個地方，那裡野豬多得成災，但比較遠，你去不去？」
Tiger blushed in embarrassment and confessed to the pigeon, “I don’t know where the prey is. I haven’t eaten for several days, and I’m going to starve to death.” “No wonder ,” acknowledged Smart pigeon. Smart pigeon thought about it, and then asked, “Well I don’t want to see you starve to death. I can take you to a place overrun by wild boars, but I』m afraid it’s very far away. Do you want to go?”
老虎尷尬地回答：「當然想去，我最喜歡吃野豬肉。可是我現在餓得跑不動，更談不上和野豬博斗。」 靈鴿說：「這倒也是，讓我想想。」老虎哀求靈鴿：「你飛得高看得遠，能不能先幫我找個動物充饑？哪怕死的也行。那樣明天我有力氣跟你走遠路。」 靈鴿答應了。
“Of course, I want to go.” Tiger replied awkwardly. ” Wild boar meat was my favorite. But I’m too hungry to run now, let alone fight wild boars. ” Smart pigeon replied, “That’s true. Let me think about it.” The tiger pleaded with the pigeon, ” You can fly high and see far. Can you help me find an animal to quell my hunger first? Even if it’s a dead one. Then I’ll have the strength to travel a long way with you tomorrow.” Smart pigeon agreed.
靈鴿飛到鹿群喝水經常出沒的小河邊，發現有幾隻狼正撕扯一頭剛被咬死的小鹿，靈鴿本來對狼就沒好感，於是趕快引領老虎前往。
As Smart pigeon was flying around looking for food that Tiger could eat, he saw a pack of wolves feasting on a dead deer near the river bank. Smart pigeon didn』t like wolves, so he brought tiger over.
狼群看到老虎來了，紛紛避讓，老虎獨佔了這頭死鹿。靈鴿告訴老虎：「你慢慢享用，我回家了，明天一早在這裡等我。」靈鴿走後，老虎狼吞虎咽，這是它不當國王后，第一次吃了頓飽飯。
When the wolves saw Tiger coming, they all ran away in fright, leaving the dead deer behind. Smart pigeon told the tiger, ” Enjoy your meal. I』m going home. Meet me here early tomorrow morning.” Tiger wolfed down the dead deer. It was his first satisfying meal after becoming an outcast.
靈鴿飛回鴿巢，對鴿群的親友們講了後來發生的事，大家齊聲責備它：「你怎麼給老虎帶路，那不是為虎作倀嗎？」 靈鴿談了與眾不同的想法：「我覺得世界萬物，物競天擇，各有其用。老虎快要餓死，但是它不該死，北山森林裡需要老虎。」大家疑惑地問：「為什麼？」
Smart pigeon flew back to the pigeon nest and told his relatives and friends about all the events that had just happened. All the other pigeons were outraged at smart pigeon』s actions; “How could you help a tiger?! Don』t hold a candle to the devil!” In his defense, Smart pigeon reasoned, “I think all lives in the world, due to natural selection, have their own purposes. Tiger is dying of hunger, but he shouldn’t die. Tiger is needed in the forest.” “Why?” The rest of the pigeons all asked in confusion.
靈鴿接著說：「你們看，北山森林裡現在野豬泛濫成災。野豬喜歡啃樹皮磨牙，樹死了。野豬翻掘草地找食，青草枯黃了。小動物都怕野豬，連狼都不敢碰野豬。只有強健的老虎能殺滅野豬，保持我們居住的森林草地生態平衡啊！」 大家聽完這席有見地的話，紛紛點頭稱是。
“The wild boar are flooding the Beishan forest.” Smart pigeon explained. “The wild boars like to bite off the bark and grind their teeth on the trees, making the trees die. The wild boars dig up the grass in the meadows for food, and the grass dies. Almost all the animals are afraid of the boars, even wolves are afraid to challenge them. Only a strong animal like Tiger can kill the wild boars and maintain the ecological balance of the forest.” After hearing this insightful speech, everyone nodded and agreed with Smart pigeon.
第二天一早，吃飽睡足的老虎精神抖擻，跟著靈鴿來到北山。遠遠看去，山上有一大片失去樹皮的樹木，枯萎而死，橫七豎八地傾倒在枯黃的草地上，四周一片狼藉。近處青蔥的樹林里，一群野豬正在用長長的獠牙翻掘草地，啃咬樹皮，滿地撒野。
Early the next morning, Tiger, who was now well rested, followed Smart Pigeon to the Beishan forest. All that could be seen around them was mostly either dead trees with torn bark, or land that looked like churned up dirt that once was grassy. Suddenly, Tiger noticed a small group of boars nearby. The boars were busy chewing tree bark and tearing up one of the few small patches of remaining grassland.
老虎看到野豬群，立即興奮起來，朝天大吼一聲。野豬聽到老虎的吼聲，大吃一驚，他們已經很久沒有聽過虎嘯聲，一時之間有些發懵，邁不開步子。
When Tiger saw the boars, he let out an earth-shattering roar. The wild boars were shocked to hear Tiger’s roar. They had not heard a tiger’s roar for a very long time, and were paralyzed with fear.
老虎迅速一連幾個虎跳，把一頭野豬撲翻在地，其他野豬見狀四散逃竄。
Tiger quickly leaped at one of the boars, and with one blow from his paw, he struck the boar down. The rest of the boars fled in terror, and Tiger was left with his dinner.
老虎一口氣吞下小半頭野豬，隨後在附近找了一個狹小山洞，把剩下的半頭野豬拖進洞里。
Tiger wolfed down part of the boar, and then he set out in search of a den. When he had found a suitable cave, he hid the remainder of the boar into the cave.
看老虎有了安身處，靈鴿與老虎告別，同時告誡老虎：「這地方野豬雖多，可別吃光了。」老虎哈哈大笑：「這個我懂，我會留它們繁衍生息，否則又要挨餓。」
Happy that Tiger found suitable shelter, Smart pigeon bid farewell to him and warned him not to eat all the boars up at once. “Don』t worry.” Tiger replied. “I won』t. If I do, I will go hungry again after they』re all gone.」
靈鴿飛回鴿巢，告訴親友們這個結果，大家誇獎靈鴿做了一件大好事。沒有多久，北山的野豬數量明顯減少，山林里經常傳出令人生畏的虎嘯聲，那片毀壞的森林和草地也漸漸恢復了生機。
Smart pigeon flew back to the nest and told his family and friends the result. Everyone praised Smart pigeon for having done a great thing. Soon, the number of wild boars in Beishan was significantly reduced, and the destroyed forest and grassland were gradually restored to life.
靈鴿和老虎 王紫玄（10歲）
作者簡介
惠言（實名：諸惠昌）
退休水處理專業工程師，退休後撰寫《惠言童話故事》和生活雜記。1946年生於中國浙江省慈溪市，1950年後在上海完成小學和中學。1968年9月畢業於北京清華大學土建系給排水專業。1994年3月在美國猶他州立大學獲土木和環境工程碩士學位。長期從事水處理領域科學研究、工程設計和項目管理。
趙蒙皓
資深跨國教育及文化諮詢師。曾在紐約市舉世聞名的K-12年制道爾頓學校(The Dalton School)任教多年，並曾任美國名校紐約大學（NYU）的客座教授。上海外國語學院，對外漢語系肄業；美國明德大學（Middlebury College），經濟學及日本文學文學雙學士；美國馬里蘭大學商學院（University of Maryland）工商管理碩士。
蔣懿楚
蔣懿楚,女，時年11歲，就讀於浙江慈溪市觀海衛鎮中心小學四年（3）班。學畫畫六年，獲得了很多榮譽：2015年PHE國際青少年書畫大會三等獎；2016年PHE國際青少年書畫大會三等獎；2017年PHE國際青少年書畫大會二等獎；2017年慈溪市小學生食品安全繪畫大賽中三等獎；2018年慈溪市中小學生藝術節繪畫大賽三等獎。
王紫玄
王紫玄，女，時年10歲，就讀於上海楊浦區五角場小學四年級（1）班。作品曾在第八屆國際少兒書畫大賽中榮獲特別金獎；獲上海市學生繪畫書法作品展二等獎；獲楊浦區第三十屆學生藝術節「陽光下成長」藝術作品展繪畫一等獎；獲上海市學生繪畫藝術作品展楊浦區活動繪畫類小學組一等獎。
小百靈
上海五里橋音之魅誦讀藝術團團員。
宋浩陽
英文名：Andrew Song，今年10歲，在西域的Franklin小學讀4年級。喜歡騎車、讀書、打遊戲和鄰居小朋友玩。
