A PRINCE and a princess were still celebrating their oneymoon．They were extremely happy； only one houghtdisturbed them， and that was how to retain their present appiness．For that reason they wished to own a talisman¹ with which to protect themselves against any unhappiness intheir marriage．

Now， they had often been told about a man who livedout in the forest，acclaimed by everybody for his wisdom and known for his good advice in every need and difficulty．So the Prince and Princess called upon him and told him about their heart's desire．After the wise man had listenedto them he said，"Travel through every country in the world，and wherever you meet a completely happily married couple，ask them for a small piece of the linen² they wear close to the body，and when you receive this， you must always carry it on you． That is a sure remedy！"

The Prince and the Princess rode forth， and on theirway they soon heard of a knight³ and his wife who were saidto be living the most happlly married life．They went to theknight's castle and asked him and his wife if their marriagewas truly as happy as was rumored．

"Yes， of course，"was the answer，"with the oneexception that we have no children！"

Here then the talisman was not to be found， and thePrince and Princess continued their journey in search of thecompletely happily married couple．

As they traveled on， they came to a country wherethey heard of an honest citizen who lived in perfect unity⁴ and happiness with his wife．So to him they went， and asked if he really was as happily married as people said．

"Yes，I am，"answered the man，"My wife and I live in perfect harmony； if only we didn' t have so many chil－dren， for they give us a lot of worries and sorrows！"

So neither with him was the talisman to be found，and the Prince and the Princess continued their journey through the country， always inquiring about happily mar- ried couples； but none presented themselves．

One day，as they rode along fields and meadows， they noticed a shepherd close by the road， cheerfully playing his flute． Just then a woman carrying a child in her arm， and holding a little boy by the hand， walked to- wards

点击收听单词发音  

1 talisman
n.避邪物，护身符
参考例句：
It was like a talisman worn in bosom.它就象佩在胸前的护身符一样。 Dress was the one unfailling talisman and charm used for keeping all things in their places.冠是当作保持品位和秩序的一种万应灵符。

2 linen
n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的
参考例句：
The worker is starching the linen.这名工人正在给亚麻布上浆。 Fine linen and cotton fabrics were known as well as wool.精细的亚麻织品和棉织品像羊毛一样闻名遐迩。

3 knight
n.骑士，武士；爵士
参考例句：
He was made an honourary knight.他被授予荣誉爵士称号。 A knight rode on his richly caparisoned steed.一个骑士骑在装饰华丽的马上。

4 unity
n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调
参考例句：
When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。 We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

5 wards
区( ward的名词复数 )； 病房； 受监护的未成年者； 被人照顾或控制的状态
参考例句：
This hospital has 20 medical [surgical] wards. 这所医院有 20 个内科[外科]病房。 It was a big constituency divided into three wards. 这是一个大选区，下设三个分区。

6 licked
舔( lick的过去式和过去分词 )； 打败； （波浪）轻拍； （火焰）吞卷
参考例句：
He licked his fingers. 他舔了一下自己的手指。 The flames of the fire licked the sides of the fireplace. 火焰卷烧着壁炉的边缘。

7 spoke
n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说
参考例句：
They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。 The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

8 decided
adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的
参考例句：
This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。 There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

9 reproached
责备( reproach的过去式和过去分词 )； 内疚
参考例句：
His mother reproached him for his bad manners. 他的母亲责备他礼貌不周。 In less than four hours my enthusiasm had waned and I rather reproached myself for coming. 不到两个时辰， 我早已意兴索然，颇悔此行了。