有声英语儿童童话故事 海的女儿 第1章

Far out in the ocean, wherethe water is as blue as the prettiest cornflower and as clear as crystal, it isvery, very deep; so deep, indeed, that no cable could sound it, and many churchsteeples, piled one upon another, would not reach from the ground beneath tothe surface of the water above. There dwell the Sea King and his subjects.

We must not imagine that there isnothing at the bottom of the sea but bare yellow sand. No, indeed, for on thissand grow the strangest flowers and plants, the leaves and stems of which areso pliant that the slightest agitation of the water causes them to stir as ifthey had life. Fishes, both large and small, glide between the branches asbirds fly among the trees here upon land.

In the deepest spot of all standsthe castle of the Sea King. Its walls are built of coral, and the long Gothicwindows are of the clearest amber. The roof is formed of shells that open andclose as the water flows over them. Their appearance is very beautiful, for ineach lies a glittering pearl which would be fit for the diadem of a queen.

The Sea King had been a widowerfor many years, and his aged mother kept house for him. She was a very sensiblewoman, but exceedingly proud of her /haɪ/ birth, and on that account wore twelveoysters on her tail, while others of high rank were only allowed to wear six.