The Merchant and the Genius - 1

Sire, there was once upon a time a merchant who possessed ¹ great wealth, in land and merchandise, as well as in ready money. He was obliged from time to time to take journeys to arrange his affairs. One day, having to go a long way from home, he mounted his horse, taking with him a small wallet in which he had put a few biscuits（饼干，小面包） and dates, because he had to pass through the desert where no food was to be got. He arrived without any mishap²（灾祸 ，晦气）, and, having finished his business, set out on his return. On the fourth day of his journey, the heat of the sun being very great, he turned out of his road to rest under some trees. He found at the foot of a large walnut-tree a fountain of clear and running water. He dismounted, fastened his horse to a branch of the tree, and sat by the fountain, after having taken from his wallet some of his dates and biscuits. When he had finished this frugal³（节俭的） meal he washed his face and hands in the fountain. , ,When he was thus employed he saw an enormous genius, white with rage, coming towards him, with a scimitar in his hand. , ,"Arise," he cried in a terrible voice, "and let me kill you as you have killed my son!" , , ,"I shall kill you," repeated the genius, "as you have killed my son." , ,"But," said the merchant, "How can I have killed your son? I do not know him, and I have never even seen him." , ,He behaved like someone possessed.他行为举止像是魔怔了。,I'm afraid your son had a slight mishap in the playground.不好了，你儿子在操场上出了点小意外 。