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The boy watched as his companion went to his horse and withdrew a scimitar. With its blade, he drew a circle in the sand, and then he placed the snake within it.
男孩见炼金术士走到马跟前，抽出那把弯月形长刀，在地上画了一个圆圈，将那条毒蛇放进圈中。
The serpent relaxed immediately.
蛇立刻就安静下来。
"Not to worry," said the alchemist.
“你可以放心了。”炼金术士说，
"He won't leave the circle. You found life in the desert, the omen that I needed."
“它不会出这个圈。你已经发现了沙漠里的生命，发现了我需要的预兆。”
"Why was that so important?"
“为什么这一点那么重要呢？”
"Because the Pyramids are surrounded by the desert."
“因为金字塔被沙漠包围着。”
The boy didn't want to talk about the Pyramids. His heart was heavy, and he had been melancholy since the previous night.
男孩不愿听人谈到金字塔。从昨天晚上开始，他的心情就变得异常沉重和伤感。
To continue his search for the treasure meant that he had to abandon Fatima.
如果要继续寻找宝藏，就意味着必须抛下法蒂玛。
"I'm going to guide you across the desert," the alchemist said.
“我将引领你穿行沙漠。”炼金术士说。
"I want to stay at the oasis," the boy answered.
“我想留在绿洲。”男孩回答，
"I've found Fatima, and, as far as I'm concerned, she's worth more than treasure."
“我已经找到了法蒂玛，对我来说，她比财宝更珍贵。”
"Fatima is a woman of the desert," said the alchemist.
“法蒂玛是沙漠中的女人。”炼金术士说，
"She knows that men have to go away in order to return. And she already has her treasure: it's you. Now she expects that you will find what it is you're looking for."
“她明白，男人走出去，为的是能够回来。她已经找到了她的宝藏，也就是你。现在，她期盼着你找到你要寻找的东西。”
"Well, what if I decide to stay?"
“如果我决定留下呢？”
"Let me tell you what will happen. You'll be the counselor of the oasis. You have enough gold to buy many sheep and many camels.
“你将是绿洲的顾问。你会有足够的黄金去购买很多羊和很多骆驼。
You'll marry Fatima, and you'll both be happy for a year.
你会跟法蒂玛结婚，而且第一年你们会生活得很幸福。
You'll learn to love the desert, and you'll get to know every one of the fifty thousand palms.
你将会热爱沙漠，将对那五万棵椰枣树中的每一棵都了如指掌。
You'll watch them as they grow, demonstrating how the world is always changing.
你会观察到它们如何生长，如何展示出一个不断变化的世界。
And you'll get better and better at understanding omens, because the desert is the best teacher there is."
你还会明白越来越多的预兆，因为沙漠是所有老师中最好的一个。”
"Sometime during the second year, you'll remember about the treasure.
“第二年你会记起那一批财宝。
The omens will begin insistently to speak of it, and you'll try to ignore them.
预兆开始不断地提示你这一点，而你则极力对那些预兆视而不见。
You'll use your knowledge for the welfare of the oasis and its inhabitants.
你只运用你的知识去为绿洲和绿洲居民谋福。
The tribal chieftains will appreciate what you do.
部落头领们会因此而感激你。
And your camels will bring you wealth and power."
你的骆驼将为你带来财富和权力。”
