In the olden time, when wishing was having, there lived a King, whose daughters were all beautiful;

从前，人们美好的愿望往往能够实现。就在那时，有一位国王，他的女儿都非常美丽。

but the youngest was so exceedingly beautiful that the Sun himself, although he saw her very often, was enchanted every time she came out into the sunshine.

尤其是他的小女儿，更是美若天仙，即使是经常见到她的太阳，每次照在她脸上时，都对她的美丽感到惊诧不已。

Near the castle of this King was a large and gloomy forest,

国王的宫殿附近，有一片幽暗的大森林。

and in the midst stood an old lime-tree, beneath whose branches splashed a little fountain;

在这片森林中的一棵老椴树下，有一个水潭。

so, whenever it was very hot, the King's youngest daughter ran off into this wood, and sat down by the side of this fountain;

天热的时候，国王的小女儿常常来到这片森林，坐在清凉的水潭边上。

and, when she felt dull, would often divert herself by throwing a golden ball up in the air and catching it.

当她感到无聊时，就会把一个金球抛向空中，然后再用手接住。

And this was her favourite amusement.

这成了她最喜爱的游戏。