放生的故事:變幻成魚的龍

　　There was an old man named Chu. He was well over sixty. He had done many good things throughout his life. In the old days， transportation was very difficult. He donated money to have roads made and bridges built so people could get around more easily. People in need could always count on him for a hand-out. His neighbors had many good things to say about him.

　　從前有個60多歲的老人，姓楚。他一生中做了很多好事。那時候，交通極不便利。于是他捐錢造橋修路，方便百姓。他還經常伸出援手助人之需。鄰人對他的善行贊不絕口。

　　One day he saw a fisherman on his way to the market to sell a carp he had caught. This beautiful fish had red markings as bright and warm as a fire in the winter. Its eyes were as shiny as stars in the sky. Old Chu thought it would be a shame to eat such a beautiful fish， so he bought the carp for a good price and put it in a pond. He felt very good about that.

　　有一天，他看到一個漁夫正在去集市的路上，準備把剛剛捕獲的鯉魚賣掉。這條魚非常漂亮，它的紅色的斑紋就像冬日的火焰一樣明亮溫暖，眼睛就像天上閃爍的星辰。老楚覺得把這么美麗的魚吃掉太悲慘了，于是他高價買下魚，把它放到池塘。他對此頗感欣慰。

　　But Chu was an old man， and nobody lives forever. Not long after that， he felt weak， giddy， and despondent. He thought he might not live much longer.

　　老楚年紀大了，沒人能長生不老。不久后，他覺得無力、昏沉，沮喪。他想他活不了多久了。

　　As he was lying home sick， a little serving boy came in， and said， Mister Chu， my master has sent me to invite you to eat with him.

　　一天他臥病在家時，來了一個小仕童，說，楚先生，我的主人派我來邀請您去和他一起吃飯。

　　Old Chu didnt recognize whose serving boy it was， but he thought getting out of bed might do him good; a meal out would lift his spirits. He followed the boy. I must really be sick， he thought as they made their way， Everything looks hazy， and glowing in a golden light.

　　老楚沒認出這個小男孩是誰家的仆童 ，但是他想起床也許會對他的身體好一點，到外面去吃飯也能讓自己提提神。他跟著那個仆童去了。我一定是真的病了，當走路時心想。所有的東西看起來都很模糊，還隱隱約約地發著金光。

　　Before long， he found himself standing in front of an ornate palace with carved pillars and painted beams. A sign over the front door read， The Crystal Palace. Strange! Isnt that the name of the dragons palace? wondered Old Chu.

　　沒多久，他就來到了一座雕梁畫柱，金壁輝煌的宮殿前，上書水晶宮.奇怪啊!這不是龍王的宮殿嗎?老楚很疑惑。

　　In a few moments， out came his host， a most impressive man with thick eyebrows， long eyes， and five long strands of whiskers. He looked lively and powerful， yet virtuous. After they had chatted a bit， Old Chu found out that his host was none other than the Dragon King himself!

　　不一會，主人出來了，他相貌非凡：濃濃的眉毛，細長的眼睛，還有五縷長胡須。看起來體力充盈，很有威儀但很面善。聊了一會后，老楚才知道他就是老龍王!

　　Together they enjoyed a rich feast of all the delicacies of mountain and sea. The Dragon King told Old Chu， One of my sons was out fooling around the other day， and was kidnaped by a bandit who was going to murder him! Fortunately， you were there to save him. For this we are most grateful.

　　他們一起享用了一桌滿是山珍海味的盛宴。龍王對老楚說，前些日子，我的兒子出去玩耍，被一個強盜誘拐了，他還差點要了他的命!幸虧有你救了他，我們都很感激不盡.

　　Actually， your time on this earth is just about up， but because you have rescued a dragon in the guise of a fish， you have earned the right to live longer. I have prepared this simple repast to express my gratitude， and explain this to you.

　　實際上，你在世的日子不多了。但是因為你救了變化成魚形的龍，你將得到長壽的果報。我簡單設宴，正是為了表達我的謝意，也向您解釋一下這件事情。

　　I hardly dare to accept your generosity， Old Chu humbly replied. From now on， I will do even more good deeds to show my deep gratitude.

　　您的厚意我不敢當 老楚謙遜地回答說 ，今后，我定會做更多的好事來表達我的感激之情。

　　After their feast， Old Chu woke up in bed with a full stomach. It must have been a dream， he told himself. But why am I so full?

　　宴后，老楚醒了，發現自己吃得飽飽的。那肯定是個夢，他說。但我肚子怎會這么飽?

　　He did many more good deeds， and died peacefully many years later without any suffering at the age of one hundred twenty years old.

　　他做了更多的好事，120歲時，他無疾而終。

　　There was an old man named Chu. He was well over sixty. He had done many good things throughout his life. In the old days， transportation was very difficult. He donated money to have roads made and bridges built so people could get around more easily. People in need could always count on him for a hand-out. His neighbors had many good things to say about him.

　　從前有個60多歲的老人，姓楚。他一生中做了很多好事。那時候，交通極不便利。于是他捐錢造橋修路，方便百姓。他還經常伸出援手助人之需。鄰人對他的善行贊不絕口。

　　One day he saw a fisherman on his way to the market to sell a carp he had caught. This beautiful fish had red markings as bright and warm as a fire in the winter. Its eyes were as shiny as stars in the sky. Old Chu thought it would be a shame to eat such a beautiful fish， so he bought the carp for a good price and put it in a pond. He felt very good about that.

　　有一天，他看到一個漁夫正在去集市的路上，準備把剛剛捕獲的鯉魚賣掉。這條魚非常漂亮，它的紅色的斑紋就像冬日的火焰一樣明亮溫暖，眼睛就像天上閃爍的星辰。老楚覺得把這么美麗的魚吃掉太悲慘了，于是他高價買下魚，把它放到池塘。他對此頗感欣慰。

　　But Chu was an old man， and nobody lives forever. Not long after that， he felt weak， giddy， and despondent. He thought he might not live much longer.

　　老楚年紀大了，沒人能長生不老。不久后，他覺得無力、昏沉，沮喪。他想他活不了多久了。

　　As he was lying home sick， a little serving boy came in， and said， Mister Chu， my master has sent me to invite you to eat with him.

　　一天他臥病在家時，來了一個小仕童，說，楚先生，我的主人派我來邀請您去和他一起吃飯。

　　Old Chu didnt recognize whose serving boy it was， but he thought getting out of bed might do him good; a meal out would lift his spirits. He followed the boy. I must really be sick， he thought as they made their way， Everything looks hazy， and glowing in a golden light.

　　老楚沒認出這個小男孩是誰家的仆童 ，但是他想起床也許會對他的身體好一點，到外面去吃飯也能讓自己提提神。他跟著那個仆童去了。我一定是真的病了，當走路時心想。所有的東西看起來都很模糊，還隱隱約約地發著金光。

　　Before long， he found himself standing in front of an ornate palace with carved pillars and painted beams. A sign over the front door read， The Crystal Palace. Strange! Isnt that the name of the dragons palace? wondered Old Chu.

　　沒多久，他就來到了一座雕梁畫柱，金壁輝煌的宮殿前，上書水晶宮.奇怪啊!這不是龍王的宮殿嗎?老楚很疑惑。

　　In a few moments， out came his host， a most impressive man with thick eyebrows， long eyes， and five long strands of whiskers. He looked lively and powerful， yet virtuous. After they had chatted a bit， Old Chu found out that his host was none other than the Dragon King himself!

　　不一會，主人出來了，他相貌非凡：濃濃的眉毛，細長的眼睛，還有五縷長胡須。看起來體力充盈，很有威儀但很面善。聊了一會后，老楚才知道他就是老龍王!

　　Together they enjoyed a rich feast of all the delicacies of mountain and sea. The Dragon King told Old Chu， One of my sons was out fooling around the other day， and was kidnaped by a bandit who was going to murder him! Fortunately， you were there to save him. For this we are most grateful.

　　他們一起享用了一桌滿是山珍海味的盛宴。龍王對老楚說，前些日子，我的兒子出去玩耍，被一個強盜誘拐了，他還差點要了他的命!幸虧有你救了他，我們都很感激不盡.

　　Actually， your time on this earth is just about up， but because you have rescued a dragon in the guise of a fish， you have earned the right to live longer. I have prepared this simple repast to express my gratitude， and explain this to you.

　　實際上，你在世的日子不多了。但是因為你救了變化成魚形的龍，你將得到長壽的果報。我簡單設宴，正是為了表達我的謝意，也向您解釋一下這件事情。

　　I hardly dare to accept your generosity， Old Chu humbly replied. From now on， I will do even more good deeds to show my deep gratitude.

　　您的厚意我不敢當 老楚謙遜地回答說 ，今后，我定會做更多的好事來表達我的感激之情。

　　After their feast， Old Chu woke up in bed with a full stomach. It must have been a dream， he told himself. But why am I so full?

　　宴后，老楚醒了，發現自己吃得飽飽的。那肯定是個夢，他說。但我肚子怎會這么飽?

　　He did many more good deeds， and died peacefully many years later without any suffering at the age of one hundred twenty years old.

　　他做了更多的好事，120歲時，他無疾而終。