Sing Softer, Maggie 轻点唱，玛吉

张恒选译

Maggie loved to sing. She sang when she got on the bus. All the passengers would smile. But her mather Mrs. Ellis would sigh1. She worked all night at a café. Then Maggies mother would say， “Sing softer， Maggie.”

玛吉喜欢唱歌。她坐公共汽车时唱歌，所有的乘客都会微笑，但是她的妈妈埃利斯夫人会叹气，她在一家咖啡馆通宵工作。然后，玛吉的妈妈会说：“轻点唱，玛吉。”

Maggie sang in the supermarket. All the shoppers would smile， except Ned the shop keeper. He would just roll2 his eyes. Then Maggies mother would say， “Sing softer， Maggie.” Maggie sang in the library. All the readers would smile， but not Mr. Baldwin， the librarian3. He would shush4 her. Then Maggies mother would say， “Sing softer， Maggie.”

玛吉在超市里唱歌，除了店主内德，所有购物者都会微笑，他只会翻白眼。然后，玛吉的妈妈会说：“轻点唱，玛吉。”玛吉在图书馆里唱歌，所有读者都会微笑，但图书馆员鲍德温先生不会，他会让她保持安静。然后，玛吉的妈妈会说：“轻点唱，玛吉。”

One day， Mother brought Maggie to the nursing home to visit Great-Grandma. They walked into a big， bright room with other great-grandmas and great-grandpas. Maggie looked for her great-grandma. When she saw her， she ran across the room and hugged5 her.

一天，母亲带玛吉去养老院看望曾祖母。她们和其他人的曾祖父和曾祖父一起走进一个明亮的大房间。玛吉到处找她的曾祖母。当看到她时，玛吉跑过房间去拥抱她。

After Maggies mother hugged Great-Grandma， Maggie asked， “May I sing her a song？” Maggies mother nodded. Softly， very softly， Maggie sang a song. Great-Grandma leaned6 forward. She frowned7， shook8 her head， and tapped9 Maggie on the shoulder.

瑪吉妈妈拥抱了曾祖母后，玛吉问：“我可以给她唱首歌吗？”玛吉的妈妈点点头。玛吉非常轻柔地唱了一首歌。曾祖母俯身向前，皱起眉头摇了摇头，轻轻拍了拍玛吉的肩膀。

Maggie stopped singing. Great-Grandma said something， but Maggie couldnt hear her. Maggie leaned in closer， so Great-Grandma could say in her ear. Then Maggie stood tall， took a deep breath， and opened her mouth. Her song broke out. And when the song ended， everyone clapped10 and cheered11. Mother and Great-Grandma clapped the loudest. Maggie smiled and took a bow.

玛吉停止唱歌，曾祖母说了几句话，但她没听清。玛吉靠得更近些，这样曾祖母可以在她耳边说。然后，玛吉昂首站起身，深呼吸，一张开嘴歌声就爆发出来了。当歌曲结束时，所有人都在鼓掌欢呼，母亲和曾祖母的鼓掌声最大。玛吉微笑着鞠了一躬。

【Notes】

1. sigh v. 叹气;叹着气说

2. roll v. （眼睛）转动

3. librarian n. 图书馆员;图书管理员

4. shush v. （要某人安静）嘘;告诉（或示意）保持安静

5. hug v. 拥抱;紧抱

6. lean v. 倾斜身体;倾斜;倚靠

7. frown vi. 皱眉;不同意

8. shake vt. 动摇;摇动;震动

9. tap v. 轻敲

10. clap vi. 鼓掌，拍手

11. cheer v. 欢呼，加油;安慰，鼓舞