When Nian heard and saw all that the villagers were doing, he immediately turned away from the village and headed out into the quiet darkness of the countryside. The villagers, thinking that they had frightened the monster and won their safety, rejoiced with exceeding great Joy. Actually, however, the truth was not so joyful. Could you have seen the monster's face as he turned, you would have discovered a most cruelly devilish grin. “Fireworks! Red banners! Bonfires! Ha!” the monster said, chuckling to himself. “How they must fear me! I have them right where I want them; they're mine! I can have them whenever I want. Why not save them for later, when I'm exhausted from the night's work and need an easy meal?”
As he turned to head on his way to the next village, however, he noticed, standing right in front of him, a small boy. This little child stood all alone. He was looking straight at Nian, and he didn't seem one bit afraid.
“Little fellow!” growled Nian., “you had better run as fast as those little legs will carry you, or 1 will eat you up!” “You dare not eat me, Nian,” said the boy, still looking straight into the monster's eyes and still not the least afraid, “I know who you are, and I know your power. I am older than you and stronger. Even though you swallow me, you cannot hold me. I will be the end of you and your reign of fear.”
The boy's boldness infuriated the monster; he shook with anger. His rage deafened him to the child's warnings. With one ferocious gulp, he swallowed the child whole. And he smiled. Only then did he realize the enormity of his mistake. His belly could not hold this strange child. He felt himself weaken as his pain grew stronger and stronger. He could no longer endure it. “My end has certainly come!” he thought. Pain pierced him through, as if a lightening bolt had passed clean through that monstrous belly of his.
The next thing he knew, the child was standing in front of him again. The mighty beast's head quivered as the boy gently stroked him. “Dear Nian,” he said in his ever-gentle voice, “how it hurts to make new and to be made new! Now that you know you are mine, will you serve me? There is something I want you to do.”
Is there any greater proof of forgiveness than a commission? A new sort of smile appeared on Nian's face as this wondrous child mounted the monster's back. Nian felt as if he really had been made new, and—little wonder—for, when he passed a pool of water and saw his reflection, he saw that he had been. What had before been hideous and horrifying was now noble and awe-inspiring. Nor was Nian the only one to notice the change. As he passed village after village with the child still riding on his back, he was greeted with cheers and rejoicing.
Year after year, the banners still wave, and fireworks burst with joy. In some places, bonfires still warm the hands and hearts of those who keep vigil, awaiting his passing. For the “Passing of Nian” now brings back thoughts of the child who mastered time and is bringing all things into the glory of his new day, his eternal spring.
Here my story ends. I am just a storyteller. If there is some deeper meaning to what you have heard, some profound truth to the tale of the monster and the child, I have no doubt that there are those among you, wiser than I, who can help you discover it. My work is finished, except to say “Congratulations! Happy New Year! Life abundant and life eternal is yours!” | .. | 字汇
1. growl 咆啸
2. infuriate 激怒
3. ferocious 凶恶的
4. quiver 颤抖
当年兽听到看到村民所做的一切，它马上离开村庄，走向乡野宁静的黑暗中。村民们认为他们吓走了怪兽，赢得了安全，欢欣雀跃。然而实情却没有那么令人喜悦。如果你看见怪兽转身时的面目，你会发现最残酷狰狞，魔鬼般的轻蔑。「烟火！红色！火堆！哼！」怪兽暗自发笑。「他们必定怕死我了！他们完全在我掌握之中；他们是我的了！我随时就可以要他们的命。何不先把他们留着，等我晚上工作得精疲力尽，需要吃顿毫不费力的晚餐时再说？」
然而当年兽转向另一村庄时，它注意到，就在它面前，站着一个小男孩。他孤伶伶一个人，直直望着年，看来一点也不害怕。
「小家伙！」年咆啸着，「你那两条小腿最好跑快点儿，不然我就把你吃了！」
「你不敢吃我的，年，」小男孩仍然直直望着年的眼睛，仍然一点不害怕。「我知道你是谁，我知道你的力量。我比你大，比你强。就算你吞了我，你也不能掌控我。我是你和你那个恐怖权势的终结者。」
男孩的大胆激怒了怪兽；它气得发抖。狂怒使它听不见小孩的警告。它狂暴地一口吞下整个小孩，然后它笑了。可是那时候它才意识到自己犯的错有多大。它的肚子容不住这个奇怪的小孩。它觉得越来越痛，也越来越虚弱。它没办法忍受了，它想：「我死定了！」它浑身刺痛，腹中好像有闪电经过。
接下去它意识到的就是，那小孩再次站在它面前。男孩轻轻抚摩着这巨大怪兽，它的头哆嗦起来。「亲爱的年，」他用最温柔的声音说，「创新和被更新都是多痛苦的事啊！现在你知道你属于我，你会服事我吗？我有些事要你做。」
还有什么比被交付任务更能证明被赦免呢？当这个奇妙的小孩爬到年的背上，年的脸上出现一种新的笑容。年觉得它真的被更新了，并且--有一点奇怪—因为，当它经过一处水塘，看见自己的倒影，它看见以前它是什么样子。以前吓人的恐怖样子，现在成为尊贵，令人敬畏的样子。不是只有年自己注意到这个改变。当孩子仍然骑在它背上，一个村庄一个村庄地走过，人人以欢呼来迎接它。
一年一年，红色的装饰仍然飞舞，烟火爆出喜悦的声音。有些地方，火堆仍然温暖了那些等候年兽经过，守夜人的手和心。因为现在「过年」使人想起那掌管时间的小孩，他将万物带入新日子，在永恒春天的荣耀中。
我的故事结束了。我只是个说故事的人。如果这怪兽和孩子的故事中，有什么更深的意义，有什么真理，我一点不怀疑各位当中有人比我更有智慧，可以帮你发现这个真理。我的工作结束了，最后要说，「恭喜恭喜！新年快乐！年年有余！长命百岁！」
思考与应用
1. 万象更新，也包括我们的心被更新吗？
2. 把这个故事讲给别人听。 |
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转寄
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