THE FLOWER-SCHOOL
When storm clouds rumble in the sky and June showers come down,
The moist east wind comes marching over the heath to blow its bagpipes among the bamboos.
Then crowds of flowers come out of a sudden, from nobody knows where, and dance upon the grass in wild glee.
Mother, I really think the flowers go to school underground.
They do their lessons with doors shut, and if they want to come out to play before it is time, their master makes them stand in a corner.
When the rains come they have their holidays.
Branches clash together in the forest, and the leaves rustle in the wild wind, the thunder-clouds clap their giant hands and the flower children rush out in dresses of pink and yellow and white.
Do you know, mother, their home is in the sky, where the stars are.
Haven't you seen how eager they are to get there? Don't you know why they are in such a hurry?
Of course, I can guess to whom they raise their arms: they have their mother as I have my own.
花的学校
当雷云在天上轰响，六月的阵雨落下的时候，
湿润的东风走过荒野，在竹林中吹着口笛。
于是一群一群的花从无人知道的地方突然跑出来，在绿草上狂欢地跳着舞。
妈妈，我真的觉得那群花朵是在地下的学校里上学。
它们关了门做功课。如果它们想在散学以前出来游戏，它们的老师是要罚它们站壁角的。
雨一来，它们便放假了。
树枝在林中互相碰触着，绿叶在狂风里萧萧地响，雷云拍着大手。这时花孩子们便穿了紫的、黄的、白的衣裳，冲了出来。
你可知道，妈妈，它们的家是在天上，在星星所住的地方。
你没有看见它们怎样地急着要到那儿去么？你不知道它们为什么那样急急忙忙么？
我自然能够猜得出它们是对谁扬起双臂来：它们也有它们的妈妈，就像我有我自己的妈妈一样。
THE MERCHANT
Imagine, mother, that you are to stay at home and I am to travel into strange lands.
Imagine that my boat is ready at the landing fully laden.
Now think well, mother, before you say what I shall bring for you when I come back.
Mother, do you want heaps and heaps of gold?
There, by the banks of golden streams, fields are full of golden harvest.
And in the shade of the forest path the golden champa flowers drop on the ground.
I will gather them all for you in many hundred baskets.
Mother, do you want pearls big as the rain-drops of autumn?
I shall cross to the pearl island shore.
There in the early morning light pearls tremble on the meadow flowers, pearls drop on the grass, and pearls are scattered on the sand in spray by the wild sea-waves.
My brother shall have a pair of horses with wings to fly among the clouds.
For father I shall bring a magic pen that, without his knowing, will write of itself.
For you, mother, I must have the casket and jewel that cost seven kings their kingdoms.
商人
妈妈，让我们想象，你待在家里，我到异邦去旅行。
再想象，我的船已经装得满满的，在码头上等候启碇了。
现在，妈妈，你想一想告诉我，回来时我要带些什么给你。
妈妈，你要一堆一堆的黄金么？
在金河的两岸，田野里全是金色的稻实。
在林荫的路上，金色花也一朵一朵地落在地上。
我要为你把它们全都收拾起来，放在好几百个篮子里。
妈妈，你要秋天的雨点一般大的珍珠么？
我要渡海到珍珠岛的岸上去。
那个地方，在清晨的曙光里，珠子在草地的野花上颤动，珠子落在绿草上，珠子被汹狂的海浪一大把一大把地撒在沙滩上。
我的哥哥呢，我要送他一对有翼的马，会在云端飞翔的。
爸爸呢，我要带一支有魔力的笔给他，他还没有感觉到，笔就写出字来了。
你呢，妈妈，我要把值七个王国的首饰箱和珠宝送给你。
SYMPATHY
If I were only a little puppy, not your baby, mother dear, would you say “No” to me if I tried to eat from your dish?
Would you drive me off, saying to me, “Get away, you naughty little puppy?”
Then go, mother, go! I will never come to you when you call me, and never let you feed me any more.
If I were only a little green parrot, and not your baby, mother dear, would you keep me chained lest I should fly away?
Would you shake your finger at me and say, “What an ungrateful wretch of a bird! It is gnawing at its chain day and night?”
Then, go, mother, go! I will run away into the woods; I will never let you take me in your arms again.
同情
如果我只是一只小狗，而不是你的小孩，亲爱的妈妈，当我想吃你盘里的东西时，你要向我说“不”么？
你要赶开我，对我说道：“滚开，你这淘气的小狗”么？
那么，走罢，妈妈，走罢！当你叫唤我的时候，我就永不到你那里去，也永不要你再喂我吃东西了。
如果我只是一只绿色的小鹦鹉，而不是你的小孩，亲爱的妈妈，你要把我紧紧地锁住，怕我飞走么？
你要对我指指点点地说道：“怎样的一只不知感恩的贱鸟呀！整日整夜地尽在咬它的链子”么？
那么，走罢，妈妈，走罢！我要跑到树林里去；我就永不再让你将我抱在你的臂里了。