英语阅读《雅典为什么叫做雅典》
雅典是希腊首都，也是希腊最大的'城市。雅典是世界上最古老的城市之一，有记载的历史就长达3000多年。现在雅典是欧洲第八大城市。古雅典是一个强大的城邦，是驰名世界的文化古城。希腊是哲学的发源地，是柏拉图学院和亚里士多德的讲学场所的所在地。但是，你知道雅典为什么叫做雅典吗?
HOW ATHENS WAS NAMED
A Play Based on a Greek Myth retold by Pat Betteley
Characters: Narrator, City Leader, Citizen 1, Citizen 2, Citizen 3, Poseidon, Athena
Narrator: A group of people stood on the Acropolis in Greece trying to choose a name for their new city.
City Leader: Thank you all for joining me here today. From this shelf of rocks, we have a great view of the place that will shape our futures. I hope it will inspire us al
Citizen 1: Let's name it Rockview.
Citizen 2: No. How about Hilltop-opolis?
Citizen 3: I've got it - Hilltopolis?
Narrator: The democratic leader looked up to the sky in frustration.
City Leader: Those are all very...er, creative...suggestions, but since this is such an important decision, let's call upon the gods to help.
Narrator: Poseidon, god of the sea, and Athena, goddess of wisdom, immediately appeared before them.
City Leader: Thank you for coming, immortal ones. Please help us choose a name for our fair city.
Poseidon: That is easy. Name it after me. Now I need to be getting back to the sea.
Athena: Not so fast, Poseidon. Explain to the good people why they should name their city for you.
Poseidon: Well, er...because...because of THIS...
Narrator: The god of the sea hurled his three-pronged trident across the rock ledge. Water gushed out in a stream from the place where it had landed. Poseidon made a sweeping gesture with his hand.
Poseidon: Behold, this stream will give you access to the sea, which will carry trade ships and make you all rich and powerful. I like the sound of Poseidonapolis, I think.
Narrator: The people turned to each other with eyes sparkling, smiling happily at their good fortune.
Athena: Very impressive, Poseidon. But the water is as salty as the sea that you rule. Let the people hear my proposal. Perhaps they will want to name their city after me.
Poseidon: Choose the gift of a mere goddess over that of an all- powerful god such as me? Ha, that is rich! But of course, Athena, you are right. You must present your little gift. Go ahead, we are all waiting breathlessly.
Narrator: Poseidon stood back, smirking, and Athena continued calmly.
Athena: It is my great honor to present my gift to the people.
Narrator: She tapped the rock with her toe, took a deep breath, and blew gently on the ground. A tiny seedling with silvery leaves appeared.
Poseidon: Ha! A scrawny little twig. What a difficult decision! Let's review the choices: a gift that will make you rich and powerful or...a skinny tree. Hmmm, riches or branches? That is a tough one.
Athena: Patience, Poseidon.
Narrator: The crowd gasped as the twig filled out before their eyes, becoming a flourishing olive tree. It was the first olive tree the people had ever seen.
Athena: I will give a gift that will keep growing. This tree will multiply and grow throughout your land. It will provide food to eat, wood for your ships, soap for your skin, and oil for cooking and lighting lamps. Oh, yes, and each tree will produce thousands of olives for trade on Poseidon's sea.
Poseidon: I feel all green and glowing just thinking about it. Nice try, Athena. It is obvious which is the better gift.
Athena: I agree. So now we must let the mortals decide. I know they will make the wise choice.
Narrator: The people looked gratefully upon both gifts and met privately in a small circle to make their decision. Finally, the leader stepped forward.
City Leader: Poseidon, we are eternally thankful for your gift of sea trade, as it is very important.
Poseidon: I knew it. Good decision. Well, I need to go. I will come visit my city every year or so, and we can have a big festival in my honor.
City Leader: But, we feel that the food and benefits from the olive tree are most important, as we wouldn't have energy to build boats or travel the seas without them. So, we have decide, to name our city in honor of Athena.
Narrator: Poseidon muttered under his breath, dug his trident into the rocki,and disappeared. The City Leader turned to the goddess of wisdom.
City Leader: To show our sincere appreciation for your gift of the olive tree, Parthenos, we will build a temple to you on this very spot.
Citizen 1: Let's call it the Athena-Dome,
Citizen 2: No, how about the Athen-iseum.
Citizen 3: I've got it. We'll call it the Parthenon.
Athena: Perfect.
Narrator: Athena whistled for her wise and trusted owl to come perch on her shoulder.
Athena: Thank you all. From this beautiful spot, I shall proudly keep watch over my city, Athens.
Narrator:And she did.
A trident is a three-pronged spear.
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