双语读电影 《魔发奇缘》第03章 :我希望今年你能带我去看飘浮的天灯

“Okay,” Rapunzel said to Pascal, trying to be calm. “No big deal, I’m just going to do it. I’m just going to say, ‘Mother? There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you!’” Rapunzel’s strong voice grew faint as she added, “For eighteen years.” She was beginning to feel her heart sinking. Maybe she wasn’t ready to go outside.

Pascal took one look at Rapunzel and arched his little body, puffing out his chest to tell her to be brave.

“I know, Pascal,” Rapunzel said, appreciating the encouragement. “Come on, now,” she said, motioning to him to hide. “Don’t let her see you.” Mother Gothel had never approved of indoor pets.

Pascal nodded and camouflaged himself to look like the stone on the mantel.

Down below, Mother Gothel yelled, “Rapunzel! I’m not getting any younger down here!” Rapunzel hurried toward the window.

“Coming, Mother!” Rapunzel shouted. She placed a loop of her golden hair around a pulley outside the window and lowered it down. As soon as Mother Gothel set her foot in the loop of hair, Rapunzel began to pull her slowly up to the tower window. It was hard work!

“Hello, Mother!” Rapunzel said, nearly out of breath.

“Rapunzel, how do you manage to do that every day? It looks absolutely exhausting!” Mother Gothel said as she climbed inside.

“Oh, it’s nothing,” Rapunzel replied cheerfully.

“Then I don’t know why it takes so long,” Mother Gothel snapped, adding in the sweetest voice she could muster, “Oh, I’m just teasing.”

Meanwhile, Rapunzel remained focused on her big question.

“Uh, so, Mother —” she began. But Mother Gothel immediately interrupted her.

“Oh, Rapunzel, look in the mirror. Do you know what I see?” she said, pulling Rapunzel into a half hug as they stood side by side. “I see a strong, confident, beautiful young lady.”

Rapunzel was puzzled, until she realized Mother Gothel was talking about her own reflection!

Rapunzel took a breath and tried to speak to her mother again.

“So ... Mother?” Rapunzel began, stumbling nervously over her words. “As you know, tomorrow I turn eighteen. And I wanted to ask ... what I really want for this birthday ... actually, I’ve wanted it for quite a few birthdays now ...”

Mother Gothel shook her head impatiently. “Oh, Rapunzel, please stop with the mumbling. You know how I feel about the mumbling. ‘Blah blah blah!’ It’s very annoying.”

Rapunzel sighed. Pascal made a gesture for Rapunzel to keep going.

Rapunzel nodded and blurted out, “I want to see the floating lights!”

Mother Gothel was stunned. Rapunzel herself was stunned. I did it! she thought. I finally asked!

“What?” Mother Gothel said to Rapunzel.

“Well,” Rapunzel answered, “I was hoping you would take me to see the floating lights this year.”

“Oh, you mean the stars,” Mother Gothel said, hoping Rapunzel was still young enough to be fooled.

Rapunzel shook her head. “That’s the thing,” she said excitedly, “I’ve charted stars and they’re always constant. But these? They appear every year on my birthday, Mother! Only on my birthday! And I can’t help but feel that they’re meant for me!

“I need to see them, Mother,” she said. “And not just from my window — in person. I have to know what they are.”

Mother Gothel tried to appear calm. “Go outside?” she said as she gathered her wits. “Why, Rapunzel, you know why we stay up in this tower.”

“I know,” Rapunzel replied. A shiver crept up her back as Mother Gothel described terrible, frightening things — men, ruffians and thugs, with sharp fangs and weapons.

Mother Gothel kept going until she felt certain Rapunzel understood that she was responsible for protecting her gift: her magical golden hair. Then she spoke firmly: “Rapunzel. Don’t ever ask to leave this tower again.”

“Yes, Mother,” Rapunzel replied obediently, slumping in sadness.

“Oh ...” Mother Gothel changed her tone and swept Rapunzel into a warm hug. “I love you very much, dear.”

“I love you more,” Rapunzel answered quietly, as she always did.

“I love you most!” Mother Gothel whispered as she kissed Rapunzel atop her head and got ready to leave again.

Rapunzel looked up at the sky. How could she doubt her mother’s love? She looked down and waved as Mother Gothel disappeared beyond the walls of the valley ... into the mysterious world beyond.