(Global Village Department Chat Room Notes vi)

abrook water poem

liupu(aged8) Li Qufei English translation

(mingdynasty,1368-1644)

abrookinfrontofmygate, a ditch of water in front of the door,

runstotheeastnightandday. Flowing eastward day and night.

"hey, whereare youheading,mate?" I asked where to go?

"i’mtot’vastoceanfaraway!" Cangming stopped!

151. Touchstone

Mu Zhu: It’s not difficult to fill in the blanks with grammar this time, but the story is really fun.

Simei: Just have fun and just have fun. Tell me what you think.

Mu Zhu: Once upon a time, there was a rich man who helped the townspeople do something. But then he thought about it and did an experiment first.

Simei: What kind of experiment?

Mu Zhu: He wondered if his efforts were worth it.

Simei: Why is it worth it if you are kind and generous?

Mu Zhu: He moved a big stone and placed it in the middle of the road into the town. Then he hid it aside to see if anyone moved away.

Simei: When you see unfairness on the road, you should draw your sword to help you. How could you not move the stone when you see it?

Mu Zhu: It’s not as simple as you thought. Many people passed by, but they just complained but didn’t take any action.

Simei: Complaints cannot solve the problem, actions are the best proof.

Mu Zhu: If someone doesn’t act, what can you do?

Simei: The rich man must be very disappointed.

Mu Zhu: Disappointment is inevitable, and waiting must continue. Rich people do not give up and they must look at the final result.

Simei: Is there a turning point?

Mu Zhu: In the evening, a young man came. The young man was very kind and unwilling to stand by. He immediately rolled up his sleeves, used all his strength to move it to the side of the road.

Simei: What a good guy, he doesn’t blame others. When he sees uneven roads, he can prove it with his actions. What did he think?

Mu Zhu: While moving the stone, he muttered to himself: "It's going to be dark. If someone passes by, he may trip. I have to remove it and not let people fall."

Simei: The rich man must be very touched.

Mu Zhu: Aren’t you moved?

Simei: I almost burst into tears. Can you say I am not moved?

Mu Zhu: The story is not over yet.

Simei: And there is one? Did that rich man decide to take action?

Mu Zhu: "A gentleman's words are as good as a horse." He has already acted.

Simei: Where is it early? I didn’t see it.

Mu Zhu: The young man moved away the big stone, guess what is under the stone?

Simei: It’s not a snake, right? I’m most afraid of snakes.

Mu Zhu: Where did you think of it? Under the stone is a bag of money!

Simei: Are young people so happy?

Mu Zhu: Do you think everyone in the world is jealous of money? The young man said at the time: "How is this good? Hurry up and look for the owner." The rich man came towards him and said to the kind-hearted young man: "Young man doesn't need to look for it. I put this bag of money. In a sense, it not only represents money, but also looks like a touchstone, which tests the good and bad of people's hearts. You are a good person and a reward for you. From your words and deeds, you can see that you are a person who treats doing good deeds as a habit."

Simei: It’s true that good people will be rewarded.
Chapter completed!