巧言石傳奇(上) The Legend of the Blarney Stone

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給這塊石頭一個吻，便能舌粲蓮花地出入各種情境。

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文章主講 Chris, Antony

There’s a rock in Ireland that is truly popular and unique. For proof, just look at the long lines of people waiting to give the stone a great, big kiss. The rock is called the Blarney Stone. Legend has it that one kiss will give a person good luck and make them a smooth talker.

 　　The Blarney Stone is a piece of limestone built into Blarney Castle in Ireland. According to legend, the castle’s builder, Cormac MacCarthy, was caught up in a trial in the 15th century. To gain an advantage in the case, MacCarthy turned to the Queen of the Banshees for help. She said all he had to do was kiss the first stone he saw on the way to court. MacCarthy did just that, and while pleading his case, he was blessed with “the gift of gab,” and won! MacCarthy was so thankful that he took the stone and added it to the castle wall.

 　　In another version of the story, MacCarthy was going to see Queen Elizabeth I, who was going to take his land from him. On the way, he kissed the stone, and was gifted great powers of speech. Thanks to his powers of persuasion, he got to keep his land. Afterward, the legend of the strange stone’s power spread far and wide.

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