让我试一试

让我试一试
作者：牟少平等
来源：《高中生·高考指导》2013年第12期
large company had been invited to a banquet，and just before the hour the confectioner， who had been making a large ornament for the table，sent word that he had spoiled the piece. “If you let me try， I think I can make something that will do，”said a boy who had been employed as a scullion at the mansion of Signor Faliero. “You！” exclaimed the head servant，in astonishment，“And who are you？” “I am Antonio Canova，the grandson of Pisano，the stone-cutter，”replied the pale-faced little fellow.
“And what can you do？”asked the majordomo. “I can make you something that will do for the middle of the table，if you’ll let me try.” The servant was at his wits’ end，he told Antonio to go ahead. Calling for some butter，the scullion quickly modeled a large crouching lion，which the admiring majordomo placed upon the table.
Dinner was announced，and many of the most noted merchants，princes，and noblemen of Venice were ushered into the dining-room. Among them were skilled critics of artwork.
When their eyes fell upon the butter lion，they forgot the purpose of which they had come in their wonder at such a work of genius. They looked at the lion long and carefully，and asked Signor Faliero what great sculptor had been persuaded to waste his skill upon such a temporary material. So Antonio was brought before the company.
When the distinguished guests learned that the lion had been made in a short time by a scullion，the dinner was turned into a feast in his honor. The rich host declared that he would pay the boy’s expenses under the best masters.
Some may not have heard how the boy Antonio took advantage of this first great opportunity but all know of Canova，one of the greatest sculptors of all time.
法里罗先生邀请一大群人来他家参加宴会。

在宴会开始前不久，负责做餐桌上大件装饰品的糖果师托人带话说他把东西搞砸了。

这时，一个做勤杂工的男孩站了出来，说：“如果你们让我试试的话，我能做出些有用的东西来。

” “你？”管家诧异地喊道，“你是谁？”“我是安东尼奥·卡诺瓦，是凿石匠皮撒诺的孙子。

”这个脸色苍白的小家伙答道。

“你能做些什么？”管家问。

“如果你让我试试的话，我可以帮你做些东西来装饰一下这张桌子。

”管家实在没有别的办法，只好让安东尼奥试一试。

这个小工要了些黄油，迅速雕成一头蹲伏的大狮子。

管家对这个塑像倍加赞赏，把它摆在桌子的中央。

晚宴开始了，许多威尼斯的著名商人、王室成员和贵族被招待员带进宴会厅，他们中很多人都擅长艺术品鉴赏。

当他们的目光落在那头黄油制成的狮子上时，这些人都被这件天才的作品所震惊，忘了享用食物。

他们长时间地认真观赏着这头狮子，然后才想起来问法里罗先生是怎样说动大师级的雕刻家，让他在这样一种只能维持一时的小东西上浪费自己的技艺。

于是，安东尼奥被带到大家的面前。

当这些尊贵的客人得知这头狮子是这个小工用很短的时间雕出来的时候，宴会立刻变成为这个男孩举办的盛会。

富有的主人当众宣布自己将出钱让这个孩子去跟最好的大师学习。

许多人也许没有听说过这个叫安东尼奥的男孩是如何利用自己的第一次良机的，但所有的人都知道卡诺瓦是有史以来最伟大的雕塑家之一。

（责任编校彭益）。