[英汉对照]中国经典神话故事：夸父追日

In ancient times, in the north of the country, there was a magnificent towering mountain range called Tianshan, where a giant clan known as the Kuafu tribe lived.
远古时代，在我国北部，有一座巍峨雄伟的天山，山上住着一个巨人氏族叫夸父族。

The leader of the Kuafu tribe was named Kuafu. He was extremely tall, incredibly strong, and had an extraordinary spirit.
夸父族的首领叫做夸父，他身高无比，力大无穷，意志坚强，气概非凡。

During that time, the world was desolate, wild beasts and poisonous snakes roamed freely, and people's lives were miserable.
那时候，世界上荒凉落后，毒蛇猛兽横行，人们生活凄苦。

Kuafu's purpose was to ensure that his people could survive and thrive every day, leading them in their struggle against these calamities.
夸父为了本部落的人能够活下去，每天都率领众人跟洪水猛兽搏斗。

Kuafu often adorned himself with ferocious yellow snakes hanging from his ears, taking pride in this unusual decoration.
夸父常常将捉到的凶恶的黄蛇挂在自己的耳朵上作为装饰，引以为荣。

One year, there was a severe drought. The scorching sun dried up crops and rivers, making life unbearable for the people.
有一年，天大旱。火一样的太阳烤焦了地上的庄稼，晒干了河里的流水。人们热得难受，实在无法生活。

Seeing this dire situation, Kuafu made a bold vow to catch the sun and compel it to listen to the people's needs, to better serve everyone.
夸父见到这种情景，就立下雄心壮志，发誓要把太阳捉住，让它听从人们的吩咐，更好地为大家服务。

One day, as the sun rose from the sea, Kuafu took significant strides from the edge of the East China Sea and began his daily journey.
一天，太阳刚刚从海上升起，夸父就从东海边上迈开大步开始了他逐日的征程。

The sun soared in the sky, moving quickly, while Kuafu chased it across the ground as swiftly as the wind.
太阳在空中飞快地转，夸父在地上疾风一样地追。

He kept pursuing tirelessly, eating wild fruits when hungry, drinking from rivers when thirsty, and taking short naps when exhausted.
夸父不停地追呀追，饿了，摘个野果充饥；渴了，捧口河水解渴；累了，也仅仅打盹。

He continually encouraged himself: "Soon, we will catch up with the sun, and people's lives will improve."
他心里一直在鼓励自己：“快了，就要追上太阳了，人们的生活就会幸福了。”

For nine days and nights, he pursued the sun, drawing ever closer, until the scorching sun seemed to be directly overhead.
他追了九天九夜，离太阳越来越近，红彤彤、热辣辣的太阳就在他头上了。

Kuafu crossed one mountain after another, traversed many rivers, and finally reached Yugu Valley, where he was on the verge of catching the sun.
夸父又跨过了一座座高山，穿过了一条条大河，终于在禺谷就要追上太阳了。

At this moment, Kuafu was extremely excited. As he reached out to grasp the sun, his overexcitement and physical and mental exhaustion overwhelmed him.
这时，夸父心里兴奋极了。可就在他伸手要捉住太阳的时候，由于过度激动，身心憔悴，突然，夸父感到头昏眼花，竟晕过去了。

Suddenly, he felt dizzy and fainted. When he woke up, the sun had long since disappeared.
他突然感到头晕眼花，竟晕过去了。他醒来时，太阳早已不见了。
 

英语词汇

• Magnificent - 壮丽的
• Towering - 高耸的
• Clan - 部落
• Leader - 领袖
• Vow - 誓言
• Drought - 干旱
• Scorching - 炽热的
• Calamities - 灾难
• Tirelessly - 不知疲倦地
• Exhausted - 精疲力竭的
• Overwhelmed - 不堪重负的
• Pursue - 追赶
• Improvements - 改善