To Leon Werth

I ask the indu1gence of the chi1dren who may read this book for dedicating it to a grown-up.I have a serious reason：he is the best friend I have in the wor1d.I have another reason：this grown-up understands everything，even books about chi1dren. I have a third reason：he 1ives in France where he is hungry and co1d.He needs cheering up.If a11 these reasons are not enough，I wi11 dedicate the book to the chi1d from whom this grown-up grew.A11 grown-ups were once chi1dren--a1though few of them remember it.And so I correct my dedication：

To Leon Werth

when he was a little boy

□indulgence[Ιn＇dʌldʒəns]

n.纵容，宽容，迁就

□dedicate[＇dedΙkeΙt]

v.献，献给

□grown-up n.成年人

□cheer up

使振奋，感到振奋

□dedication[ dedΙ＇keΙʃn]

n.献辞