To Leon Werth

To Leon Werth

I ask the indulgence of the children who may read this book for dedicating¹ it to a grown-up.  I have a serious reason: he is the best friend I have in the world. I have another reason: this grown-up understands everything, even books about children. I have a third reason: he lives in France where he is hungry and cold. He needs cheering up. If all these reasons are not enough, I will dedicate² the book to the child from whom this grown-up grew. All grown-ups were once children-- although few of them remember it. And so I correct my dedication³:

To Leon Werth
when he was a little boy




                        献给列翁.维尔特

    我请孩子们原谅我把这本书献给了一个大人。我有一个很重要的理由：这个大人是我在世界上最好的朋友。我还有另一个理由：这个大人他什么都能懂，甚至给孩子 们写的书他也能懂。我的第三个理由是：这个大人住在法国，他在那里挨饿、受冻。他很需要安慰。如果这些理由还不够的话，那么我愿意把这本书献给儿童时代的 这个大人。所有的大人都曾经是孩子。（可惜，只有很少的一些大人记得这一点。）因此，我就把献词改为：
                                                                                                                                 献给还是小男孩时的列翁.维尔特

1 dedicating   

v.奉献( dedicate的现在分词 )；（为表示感情或敬意将著作、乐曲、艺术作品等）题献给（某人、某事业等）(to)；（在书、音乐或作品的前部）题献辞；以…供奉

参考例句：

• With confidence, you will find pleasure in serious dedicating life. 有了信心，你就会在严肃的献身生活中找到乐趣。 来自互联网
• The Beauty Queen spends her time dedicating parks and bursing homes. 她为自己的事业贡献了毕生的精力。 来自互联网

2 dedicate   

vt.献身，致力于，把（时间、精力等）用于

参考例句：

• She vowed to herself that she would dedicate her life to scientific studies.她默默地发誓要献身于科学研究。
• To my father I dedicate this volume in token of affection and gratitude.我谨以此书献给我的父亲，以表示对他的爱戴和感激之情。

3 dedication   

n.奉献，献身，致力，题献，献辞

参考例句：

• We admire her courage,compassion and dedication.我们钦佩她的勇气、爱心和奉献精神。
• Her dedication to her work was admirable.她对工作的奉献精神可钦可佩。