A blessing in disguise

原文

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 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!

译文

一个名叫佛林立小镇盛传一颗“被诅咒的树”。因为在报纸上报道过，来佛林立这里观光的人开始增多。这棵树是栽在离教堂附近有50年了，但是直到最近几年才传出不好的名声。盛传如果任何人触摸这棵树，他就会交上厄运；如果有人捡起它的落叶，他就会死亡。越来越多的居民相信这棵树让一些人受害。人们想请教区牧师把这棵树砍掉，但是他直到现在都不同意。他说这是一条有用的生财之道，旅游者会从全国各地来到这个地方看这棵树。尽管有种种说法，旅游者还是照常捡起落叶和把他们的名字刻在树干上。尽管如此，没有人因为这个立即死掉。

转载于:https://my.oschina.net/robinsonlu/blog/514403