There was once a wise old woman who lived back in the hills. All the children used to come back and ask her questions. She always gave the right answers.

从前，有一位博学的老妇人，她住在后山。过去所有的孩子都经常来找她问问题。她总是有求必应。

There was a naughty little boy among the children. One day he caught a tiny bird and held it in his cupped hands.

其中有一个调皮的小男孩。有一天，他抓到一只小鸟，双手捧住

Then he gathered his friends around. He said, “Let’s trick the old woman. I’ll ask her what I’m holding in my hands.

然后把伙伴们叫到身边，说：“咱们去哄一下那个老太太。我要问她我手里握着什么东西。她肯定会回答说我握的是小鸟。

Of course, she’ll answer that I have a bird.

然后，我问她小鸟是活的还是死的。

Then I will ask her if the bird is living or dead. If she says the bird is dead,

如果她说鸟是死的，我就张开手让小鸟飞走

I’ll open my hands and let the bird fly away. If she says the bird is alive, I’ll quickly crush¹ it and show her the dead bird. Either way, she’ll be wrong.”

如果她说小鸟是活的，我就马上用劲一捏，让她看到那只死鸟。不管用什么方法，她都说不对。”

The children agreed that this was a clever plan. Up the hill they went to the old woman’s hut².

孩子们都异口同声的说这是一个聪明的计划。他们爬上山，来到了老妇人的小屋。

“Granny, we have a question for you,” they all shouted.

“奶奶，我们要问您一个问题。”他们都大声说道。

“What’s in my hands?” asked the little boy.

“我手里是什么东西？”那个小男孩问道。

“Well, it must be a bird,” replied the old woman.

“噢，肯定是一只小鸟，”老妇人回答说。

“But is it living or dead?” demanded the excited boy.

“可是活的还是死的呢？”小男孩兴奋的问到。

The old woman thought for a moment and then replied, “It is as you will, my child.”

老妇人想了一会儿，然后回答说：“孩子，这由你来决定。”