在奇遇島上離公主的城堡不遠的地方,有一個名叫禮儀國度的小地方。這是一個溫柔又文雅的國度,甚至可以說是一個彬彬有禮的地方。就連風兒吹過樹木和小草時發出的沙沙聲,也像是在有禮貌地說著“謝謝”和“不客氣”似的。
這裏的所有居民都非常講禮貌:跳來跳去的小兔子們要麽打著領結,戴著大禮帽,要麽穿著漂亮的長裙子,戴著有花邊的遮陽?帽。
On the island of Serendipity, not far from the princess’s castle, was a land called Amenity. Amenity was a gentle place. A proper place, if you would, where the Please Trees rustled in the breeze that blew the pollen from the Urwelcome Weeds.
It was a polite land where bunnies hopped about in bow ties and top hats as others rustled about in lace shawls and bonnets.
這兒住著一隻奶黃兔,她不僅特別講禮貌,而且很注意保持各種文靜的好習慣。比如,她總是帶著一塊手絹兒,想打噴嚏的時候就用它遮住自己的小鼻子。看到玫瑰花開得正好,奶黃兔也隻會湊過去輕輕聞一聞,從來不隨隨便便把花朵摘下來。如果她不小心打了個嗝兒,她就會彬彬有禮地說一聲“不好意思”。
奶黃兔是禮儀國度裏所有動物的好榜樣,大家都為她感到驕?傲。
One of the bunnies that lived here was called Buttermilk. She was very polite and her manners were impeccable. She always carried a hanky to stifle her sniffles and she only smelled, never picked, the roses that grew in great profusion.
Buttermilk was the pride of all and the essence of Amenity as she politely said, “Excuse me,” if she hiccoughed or burped.
每天下午三點一刻,禮儀國度所有的動物都會暫時擱下手上的活計,圍著鋪了花邊桌布的圓木和樹樁一起坐下來。動物們喝著用蒲公英泡的茶,吃著澆了焦糖的煎餅和撒滿糖霜的脆餅幹。