家
我独自走在穿越田地的小路上，夕阳如同一个吝啬鬼，正藏起它最后的一点金子。
白昼渐渐没入深沉的黑暗之中，那已收割了的田野更加孤寂、沉默地躺在那里。
突然，天空中传来一个男孩尖锐的歌声，他正穿越看不见的黑暗，把他的歌声留在静谧的黄昏里，久久回荡。
他的家就在荒地边缘的村落里，穿过甘蔗园，在香蕉树和瘦长的槟榔树后面，椰树和深绿色的榴莲的阴影里。
我在星光下独自行走，途中停留了片刻，幽暗的大地正在我面前展开，用她的双臂拥抱着无数的家庭，在那里有摇篮和床铺，有母亲们的心和夜晚的灯光，还有年轻的生命，自然而欢乐，却全然不知这欢乐对于世界的价值。
The Home
I paced alone on the road across the field while the sunset was hiding its last gold like a miser.
The daylight sank deeper and deeper into the darkness，and the widowed land，whose harvest had been reaped，lay silent.
Suddenly a boy's shrill voice rose into the sky. He traversed the dark unseen，leaving the track of his song across the hush of the evening.
His village home lay there at the end of the waste land，beyond the sugar-cane field，hidden among the shadows of the banana and the slender areca-palm，the coconut and the dark green jack-fruit trees.
I stopped for a moment in my lonely way under the starlight，and saw spread before me the darkened earth surrounding with her arms countless homes furnished with cradles and beds，mothers'hearts and evening lamps，and young lives glad with a gladness that knows nothing of its value for the world.
婴儿之道
只要婴儿愿意，此刻他便可飞上天堂。
他之所以不离开我们，并非没有缘由。
他喜欢把头倚靠在妈妈的怀中，哪怕一刻没见到她也是不行的。
婴儿知道所有智慧的语言，虽然世间很少有人能知晓其含义。
他之所以不愿意说话，并非没有缘由。
他想做的事，就是要学会从妈妈嘴里说出来的话。这就是为什么他看起来如此天真。
婴儿有成堆的金银珠宝，但他却像个乞儿一样来到这个世界。
他之所以这样伪装，并非没有缘由。
这个可爱的小乞儿裸露着身体，装作完全无助的样子，是想乞求妈妈爱的财富。
婴儿在纤细的新月之境，是自由自在，无所束缚的。
他放弃自由，并非没有缘由。
他知道在妈妈心房的小小一隅里，藏有无穷的欢乐，被搂在妈妈爱的臂弯里，其甜蜜远胜于自由。
婴儿永不懂如何啼哭。他住在极为幸福的国度里。
他之所以要流泪，并非没有缘由。
虽然他那可爱的小脸儿的微笑，系着妈妈热切的心，然而他因小小麻烦而发出的啜泣，却编织成了怜与爱的双重牵绊。
Baby's Way
If baby only wanted to，he could fly up to heaven this moment.
It is not for nothing that he does not leave us.
He loves to rest his head on mother's bosom，and cannot ever bear to lose sight of her.
Baby knows all manner of wise words，though few on earth can understand their meaning.
It is not for nothing that he never wants to speak.
The one thing he wants is to learn mother's words from mother's lips. That is why he looks so innocent.
Baby had a heap of gold and pearls，yet he came like a beggar on to this earth.
It is not for nothing he came in such a disguise.
This dear little naked mendicant pretends to be utterly helpless，so that he may beg for mother's wealth of love.
Baby was so free from every tie in the land of the tiny crescent moon.It was not for nothing he gave up his freedom.
He knows that there is room for endless joy in mother's little corner of a heart，and it is sweeter far than liberty to be caught and pressed in her dear arms.
Baby never knew how to cry. He dwelt in the land of perfect bliss.
It is not for nothing he has chosen to shed tears.
Though with the smile of his dear face he draws mother's yearning heart to him，yet his little cries over tiny troubles weave the double bond of pity and love.
开始
“我是从哪里来的，你在哪里把我捡来的？”孩子问他的妈妈。
她把孩子紧紧地搂在胸前，半哭半笑地回答道：
“你曾经是我藏在心底的心愿，我的宝贝。
“你曾藏在我小时候玩的泥娃娃身上；每天早晨我用泥土塑造我的神像，那时我塑造完又捏碎的就是你。
“你曾同我们家的守护神一同受到祀奉，我敬拜家神时也就敬拜了你。
“你曾活在我一切的希望和爱里，活在我的生命里，活在我母亲的生命里。
“在主宰着我们家庭的不灭精神之膝上，你已经被抚育好几代了。
“当我在女孩时代时，我的心如花瓣儿张开，你就像那一股散发出的花香。
“你的轻软温柔在我青春的肢体上开花了，像一道曙光在太阳出来之前划过天空。
“天堂里的第一个宠儿与晨曦一同降临，你沿着世界生命的溪流浮泛而下，终于停泊在我的心头。
“当我凝视你的脸蛋儿时，神秘感震撼着我，原属于一切的你，竟成了我的。
“因为怕失去你，我把你紧紧地搂在怀里。是什么魔术把这世界的宝贝牵引到我这纤细的臂膀中来的呢？”
The Beginning
“Where have I come from，where did you pick me up？”the baby asked its mother.
She answered half crying，half laughing，and clasping the baby to her breast.
“You were hidden in my heart as its desire，my darling.
You were in the dolls of my childhood's games；and when with clay I made the image of my god every morning，I made and unmade you then.
You were enshrined with our household deity，in his worship I worshipped you.
In all my hopes and my loves，in my life，in the life of my mother you have lived.
In the lap of the deathless spirit who rules our home you have been nursed for ages.
When in girlhood my heart was opening its petals，you hovered as a fragrance about it.
Your tender softness bloomed in my youthful limbs，like a glow in the sky before the sunrise.
Heaven's first darling，twin-born with the morning light，you have floated down the stream of the world's life and at last you have stranded on my heart.
As I gaze on your face，mystery overwhelms me；you who belong to all have become mine.
For fear of losing you I hold you tight to my breast. What magic has snared the world's treasure in these slender arms of mine？”
孩子的世界
我愿我能在我孩子自己的世界中占一方净土。
我知道繁星会对他私语，天空也会在他面前垂下，用它傻傻的云朵和彩虹来逗弄他。
那些让人以为是哑巴的和看起来永不会动弹的人，都带着他们的故事和满是五彩缤纷的玩具托盘，匍匐地爬到他的窗前。
我愿我能在穿越孩子心灵的道路上旅行，摆脱一切的束缚；
在那儿，使者徒然奔走于没有历史的王国君主间；
在那儿，理智把她的法则当作纸鸢而放飞，真理也会使事实摆脱羁绊，得以自由。
Baby's World
I wish I could take a quiet corner in the heart of my baby's very own world.
I know it has stars that talk to him，and a sky that stoops down to his face to amuse him with its silly clouds and rainbows.
Those who make believe to be dumb，and look as if they never could move，come creeping to his window with their stories and with trays crowded with bright toys.
I wish I could travel by the road that crosses baby's mind，and out beyond all bounds；
Where messengers run errands for no cause between the kingdoms of kings of no history；
Where Reason makes kites of the laws and flies them，and Truth sets Fact free from its fetters.
责备
为什么你的眼中有泪水，我的孩子？
他们是多么可恶，常常无故责备你？
你写字时墨水玷污了小手和小脸——这就是他们骂你肮脏的原因么？
呸，他们也敢骂满月肮脏吗，因为墨水也弄脏了它的脸？
他们总是为每一件小事去责备你，我的孩子，他们总是平白无故地寻人错处。
你在玩耍时不小心扯破了衣服——这就是他们说你邋遢的原因么？
呸，那从破碎的云翳中露出微笑的秋之晨，那么，他们要怎么说它呢？
别去理睬他们对你说什么，我的孩子。
他们把你的错误行径罗列了一长串。
谁都知道你十分钟情于糖果——这就是他们说你贪婪的原因么？
呸，那我们如此喜爱你，那么，他们要怎么说我们呢？
Defamation
Why are those tears in your eyes，my child？
How horrid of them to be always scolding you for nothing？
You have stained your fingers and face with ink while writing—is that why they call you dirty？
O，fie！Would they dare to call the full moon dirty because it has smudged its face with ink？
For every little trifle they blame you，my child. They are ready to find fault for nothing.
You tore your clothes while playing—is that why they call you untidy？
O，fie！What would they call an autumn morning that smiles through its ragged clouds？
Take no heed of what they say to you，my child.
They make a long list of your misdeeds.
Everybody knows how you love sweet things—is that why they call you greedy？
O，fie！What then would they call us who love you？
法官
你想说他什么就尽情地说罢，但我了解我孩子的不足。
我爱他不是因为他好，只是因为他是我的小宝贝。
如果你只是衡量他的优缺点，你怎会明白他有多么的可爱？
当我必须责罚他时，他更成为我生命中的一部分了。
当我让他流泪时，我的心也同他一起哭泣。
唯有我才有权去责罚他，因为只有深爱他的人才可以惩戒他。
The Judge
Say of him what you please，but I know my child's failings.
I do not love him because he is good，but because he is my little child.
How should you know how dear he can be when you try to weigh his merits against his faults？
When I must punish him he becomes all the more a part of my being.
When I cause his tears to come my heart weeps with him.
I alone have a right to blame and punish，for he only may chastise who loves.
玩具
孩子，整个清早你都那么快活地坐在泥土里，玩耍着折断的小树枝儿。
我微笑着看你在那玩那根折断的小树枝儿。
我正忙着算账，一小时一小时地加叠着数字。
也许你瞥了我一眼，想：“这种无聊的游戏，竟毁了你整个早晨！”
孩子，我已忘了一心一意玩树枝儿与泥饼的方法了。
我寻求贵重的玩具，收集大量的金银。
无论找到什么，你总能创造出使你快乐的游戏，而我却把自己的时间和精力都消磨在我永远无法得到的东西上。
在我单薄的独木舟里，我挣扎着要驶过欲望之海，竟忘了原来自己也在其中游戏。
Playthings
Child，how happy you are sitting in the dust，playing with a broken twig all the morning.
I smile at your play with that little bit of a broken twig.
I am busy with my accounts，adding up figures by the hour.
Perhaps you glance at me and think，“What a stupid game to spoil your morning with！”
Child，I have forgotten the art of being absorbed in sticks and mudpies.
I seek out costly playthings，and gather lumps of gold and silver.
With whatever you find you create your glad games，I spend both my time and my strength over things I can never obtain.
In my frail canoe I struggle to cross the sea of desire，and forget that I too am playing a game in it.
天文学家
我只不过说：“当黄昏，圆圆的满月缠绕在昙花枝头时，难道无人能捉得住它吗？”
哥哥却笑着对我说：“孩子呀，你真是我所见过的最傻的孩子。月亮离我们如此远，谁能捉得住它呢？”
我说：“哥哥，你才傻呢！当妈妈向窗外探望，微笑地俯视我们嬉戏时，你能说她与我们相距甚远吗？”
哥哥依旧说：“你这个傻孩子！可是，孩子啊，你到哪里去找到一张大得足以捉住月亮的网呢？”
我说：“你肯定可以用双手去捉住它呀。”
但是哥哥还是笑着说：“你真是我所见过的最傻的孩子！如果月亮近了，你便会知道它有多大了。”
我说：“哥哥，你们学校里所教的真是一派胡言！当妈妈俯下脸亲吻我们时，她的脸看起来很大吗？”
但哥哥还是说：“你真是个傻孩子。”
The Astronomer
I only said，“When in the evening the round full moon gets entangled among the branches of that Kadam tree，couldn't somebody catch it？”
But dada laughed at me and said，“Baby，you are the silliest child I have ever known. The moon is ever so far from us，how could anybody catch it？”
I said，“Dada how foofish you are！When mother looks out of her window and smiles down at us playing，would you call her far away？”
Still dada said，“You are a stupid child！But，baby，where could you find a net big enough to catch the moon with？”
I said，“Surely you could catch it with your hands.”
But dada laughed and said，“You are the silliest child I have known. If it came nearer，you would see how big the moon is.”
I said，“Dada，what nonsense they teach at your school！When mother bends her face down to kiss us does her face look very big？”
But still dada says，“You are a stupid child.”
雨天
喔，孩子，别出去！
湖边一排棕榈树，正把头撞向阴沉的天空；羽毛凌乱的乌鸦，悄然栖息在罗望子的枝上，河流的东岸萦绕着浓浓的忧郁。
我们的牛拴在篱笆上正高声鸣叫着。
喔，孩子，就在这里等着，等我把牛牵进棚里。
许多人都挤在清水流溢的田间，捉那些从溢出的池水中溜出来的鱼儿；
雨水涨成了溪流，从狭小的巷子淌过，像一个嬉闹的孩子从他妈妈那儿跑开，故意要惹怒她似的。
听呀，有人在渡口喊船夫呢。
喔，孩子，天色昏暗，渡口的渡船已经停泊。
天空像疾驰在滂沱的雨中；河水暴躁地喧嚣着；
女人们早已从恒河河畔汲满了水，带着水罐匆匆归家。
夜用的灯，一定要准备好。
喔，孩子，别出去！
去市场的大道已无人行走，去河边的小径亦很滑。
风在竹林里咆哮挣扎着，酷似一只落入陷阱的野兽。
The Rainy Day
O child，do not go out！
The palm trees in a row by the lake are smiting their heads against the dismal sky；the crows with their draggled wings are silent on the tamarind branches，and the eastern back of the river is haunted by deepening gloom.
Our cow is owing loud，tied at the fence.
O child，wait here till I bring her into the stall.
Men have crowed into flooded field to catch the fishes as they escape from the over lowing ponds；
the rain-water is running in rills through the narrow lanes like a laughing boy who has run away from his mother to tease her.
Listen，someone is shouting for the boatman at the ford.
O child，the daylight is dim，and the crossing at the ferry is closed.
The sky seems to ride fast upon the madly-rushing rain；
the water in the river is loud and impatient；
women have hastened home early from the Ganges with their filled pitchers.
The evening lamps must be made ready.
O child，do not go out！
The road to the market is desolate，the lane to the river is slippery.
The wind is roaring and struggling among the bamboo branches like a wild beast tangled in a net.
纸船
我每天把纸船一只只地放入急流中。
我在纸船上用大黑字写着我的名字和我住的村名。
我企盼着住在异乡的人会发现这纸船，知道我是谁。
我在小船上放了花园里长出的雪莉花，希望这些在拂晓时分开放的花儿能在夜里被平平安安地带到岸上。
我把我的纸船投进水里，仰天长望，看见小小的云朵正扬起鼓满了风的白帆。
我不知道，天上的哪个玩伴把这些船送下来和我的船比赛！
夜幕降临，我的脸埋在手臂里，梦见我的纸船在午夜的星空下缓缓前浮。
睡仙坐在船里，带着载满了梦的篮子。
Paper Boats
Day by day I float my paper boats one by one down the running stream.
In big black letters I write my name on them and the name of the village where I live.
I hope that someone in some strange land will find them and know who I am.
I load my little boats with shiuli flowers from our garden，and hope that these blooms of the dawn will be carried safely to land in the night.
I launch my paper boats and look up into the sky and see the little clouds setting their white bulging sails.
I know not what playmate of mine in the sky sends them down the air to race with my boats！
When night comes I bury my face in my arms and dream that my paper boats float on and on under the midnight stars.
The fairies of sleep are sailing in them，and the lading is their baskets full of dreams.
花的学校
当乌云在天空轰鸣时，六月的阵雨落下来。
湿润的东风从荒野掠过，在竹林间奏响它的风笛。
忽然，成簇的花朵从无人知晓的地方跑来，在绿草上跳舞狂欢。
妈妈，我真的认为那成簇的花是在地下的学校里上学。
他们关门闭户地做功课，如果他们想在放学之前出来玩耍，老师是要罚他们站墙角的。
一下雨，他们便放假了。
树枝在林中交错，叶子在狂风中簌簌作响，雷雨云拍着巨手，小花儿们就在那时身穿粉的、黄的、白的衣裳，冲了出来。
你可知道，妈妈，他们的家是在天上，在星星居住的地方。
你没有看见他们怎样地急着要去那儿？你难道不知道他们为何那样匆忙吗？
当然，我能够猜出他们的双臂是为谁而张开：他们也有他们自己的妈妈，就像我有自己的妈妈一样。
The Flower-school
When storm clouds ramble 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.
商人
妈妈，想象一下，你待在家里，我要去异乡旅行。
再想象，我的船已在码头等候启碇，船上满载货物。
现在，妈妈，好好想一想再告诉我，回来时我要为你带些什么。
妈妈，你想要成堆的黄金吗？
那么，在黄金河的两岸，田野里满是金黄色的稻谷。
在林荫道上，香柏花一朵朵地飘落在地上。
我将为你而收集它们，放进数以百计的篮子里。
妈妈，你想要如秋天雨点般大的珍珠吗？
我将渡到珍珠岛的海岸上去。
在那里的晨曦，珍珠在草地的花朵上颤抖，落在绿草地上，被狂野的海浪一把一把地撒在沙滩上。
我将送哥哥一匹带翼的马，能在云端翱翔。
我要送爸爸一枝有魔力的笔，在他还未察觉时，就能写出字来。
你呢，妈妈，我一定要把那个价值七个王国的首饰盒和珠宝送给你。
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 raindrops 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.
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，你会不会对我说“不”？
你是不是会把我赶开，对我说“滚开，你这淘气的小狗”？
那么走吧，妈妈，走吧！当你呼唤我时，我再也不到你那里去了，也永远不再要你喂东西给我吃了。
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，你会不会把我紧紧地锁住，怕我飞走？
你是不是会对我指指点点地说“真是一个不领情的贱鸟呀！整天整夜尽知道啄它的链子”？
那么走吧，妈妈，走吧！我要跑到树林里去，我决不再让你把我抱在怀中了。
Sympathy
If I were only a little puppy，not your baby，dear mother，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.
职业
清晨的钟敲至十下时，我沿着我们的小巷到学校去。
我每天都遇见那个小贩，他叫着：“手镯呀，亮晶晶的手镯！”
他没有什么事要急着去做，没有哪条街道非去不可，也没有哪个时辰一定要回家。
我希望自己是一个小贩，整天在街上混日子，叫着：“手镯呀，亮晶晶的手镯！”
下午四点，我放学回家。
我从一家门口看见一个园丁在那里掘土。
他用他的锄子，想怎么挖，便怎么挖，他的衣服落上了尘土，如果他被太阳晒黑或是被雨淋湿了，不会有人骂他。
我希望自己是一个园丁，在花园里掘土，谁也不会来阻止我。
天一黑，妈妈就送我上床睡觉。
我从敞开的窗口看见更夫来回走动着。
小巷漆黑冷清，路灯就像一个脸上长着一只红眼睛的巨人立在那里。
更夫摇着他的灯笼，他的影子随之一起移动，他一生从未上床歇息过。
我希望自己是一个更夫，整夜在街上行走着，提了灯笼去追逐影子。
Vocation
When the gong sounds ten in the morning and I walk to school by our lane.
Every day I meet the hawker crying，“Bangles，crystal bangles！”
There is nothing to hurry him on，there is no road he must take，no place he must go to，no time when he must come home.
I wish I were a hawker，spending my day in the road，crying，“Bangles，crystal bangles！”
When at four in the afternoon I come back from the school.
I can see through the gate of that house the gardener digging the ground.
He does what he likes with his spade，he soils his clothes with dust，nobody takes him to task if he gets baked in the sun or gets wet.
I wish I were a gardener digging away at the garden with nobody to stop me from digging.
Just as it gets dark in the evening and my mother sends me to bed.
I can see through my open window the watchman walking up and down.
The lane is dark and lonely，and the street-lamp stands like a giant with one red eye in its head.
The watchman swings his lantern and walks with his shadow at his side，and never once goes to bed in his life.
I wish I were a watchman walking the streets all night，chasing the shadows with my lantern.
小大人
我人很小，因为我是一个小孩，到了像我爸爸一样的年纪时，我便会变大了。
我的老师要是走过来说：“时候不早了，去把你的石板和书拿来。”
我将告诉他：“你难道不知道我已经有爸爸那么大了吗？我再也不做什么功课了。”
我的老师将惊讶地说：“他不爱读书就不读书，因为他是大人了。”
我给自己穿好衣裳，走到人群拥挤的集市里去。
我的叔叔要是跑来说：“你会迷路的，我的孩子；让我牵着你吧。”
我将会回答：“你没看见吗，叔叔，我已经有爸爸那么大了，我决定一个人去集市。”
叔叔将会说：“是的，他爱去哪儿就去哪儿，因为他是大人了。”
妈妈从沐浴处归来时，我正拿钱给我的保姆，因为我知道怎样用我的钥匙去开启钱箱。
妈妈会问：“你在做什么，淘气的孩子？”
我将会告诉她：“妈妈，你难道不知道我已经有爸爸那么大了吗？我得拿钱给保姆。”
妈妈将自言自语地说：“他爱把钱给谁就给谁，因为他是大人了。”
在十月的假期里，爸爸将要回家，他以为我还是个小孩，从城里为我带了小鞋子和小绸衫。
我会说：“爸爸，把这些东西给哥哥吧，因为我已经有你那么大了。”
爸爸将会想一下，然后说：“他爱给自己买衣衫就去买，因为他是大人了。”
The Little Big Man
I am small because I am a little child. I shall be big when I am as old as my father is.
My teacher will come and say，“It is late，bring your slate and your books.”
I shall tell him，“Do you not know I am as big as father？And I must not have lessons any more.”
My master will wonder and say，“He can leave his books if he likes，for he is grown up.”
I shall dress myself and walk to the fair where the crowd is thick.
My uncle will come rushing up to me and say，“You will get lost，my boy；let me carry you.”
I shall answer，“Can't you see，uncle，I am as big as father I must go to the fair alone.”
Uncle will say，“Yes，he can go wherever he likes，for he is grown up.”
Mother will come from her bath when I am giving money to my nurse，for I shall know how to open the box with my key.
Mother will say，“What are you about，naughty child？”
I shall tell her，“Mother，don't you know，I am as big as father，and I must give silver to my nurse.”
Mother will say to herself，“He can give money to whom he likes，for he is grown up.”
In the holiday time in October father will come home and，thinking that I am still a baby，will bring for me from the town little shoes and small silken frocks.
I shall say，“Father，give them to my dada，for I am as big as you are.”
Father will think and say，“He can buy his own clothes if he likes，for he is grown up.”
十二点钟
妈妈，我现在真不想做功课。我已经读了整个上午的书了。
你说，现在才十二点钟。就算现在没有超过十二点罢，难道你就不能把刚刚十二点想成下午吗？
我可以很容易地想象出：此刻，太阳已经照到那片稻田的边缘了，那个老态龙钟的渔妇正在池边采撷草叶作为她的晚餐。
我一闭上眼就想得到，马塔尔树下的阴影愈发深邃了，池塘里的水看起来黝黑发亮。
假如十二点钟能在夜晚降临，为什么黑夜不能在十二点钟的时候到来呢？
The Twelve O'clock
Mother，I do want to leave off my lessons now. I have been at my book all the morning.
You say it is only twelve o'clock. Suppose it isn't any later；can't you ever think it is afternoon when it is only twelve o'clock？
I can easily imagine now that the sun has reached the edge of that rice field，and the old fisher-woman is gathering herbs for her supper by the side of the pond.
I can just shut my eyes and think that the shadows are growing darker under the madar tree，and the water in the pond looks shiny black.
If twelve o'clock can come in the night，why can't the night come when it is twelve o'clock？
结束
是我离开的时候了，妈妈，我走了。
当清晨孤寂的破晓时分，你在幽暗中伸出双臂，想抱起你睡在床上的孩子时，
我要说：“孩子不在那里了呀！”——妈妈，我走了。
我将化为一缕清风爱抚着你；
我将化为串串涟漪，当你沐浴时，把你吻了又吻。
在大风之夜，当雨点在树叶上滴答作响时，
你在床上会听到我的私语，当电光从开着的窗口闪进你的屋里时，我的笑声也随之一同闪现。
如果你清醒地躺在床上，在深夜仍想着你的孩子，
我便会在星空对你吟唱：“睡呀！妈妈，睡呀。”
乘着四处游移的月光，我偷偷地来到你床上，趁你睡着时，躺入你怀中。
我要变成一个梦，从你眼皮的微缝中，滑入你的睡眠深处；当你醒来，惊奇地张望时，我就像一只熠熠闪光的萤火虫，向黑暗中飞去了。
普耶节时，当邻居的孩子们来屋里游玩时，
我便会融合在笛声里，终日荡漾在你心头。
亲爱的阿姨带了普耶礼来，她会问：
“我们的孩子在哪里，姐姐？”
妈妈，你将要温柔地告诉她：
“他此刻在我的眼眸里，在我的身体里，在我的灵魂里。”
The End
It is time for me to go，mother；I am going.
When in the paling darkness of the lonely dawn you stretch out your arms for your baby in the bed，
I shall say，“Baby is not there！”—mother，I am going，
I shall become a delicate draught of air and caress you；and I shall be ripples in the water when you bathe，and kiss you and kiss you again.
In the gusty night when the rain patters on the leaves you will hear my whisper in your bed，and my laughter will flash with the lightning through the open window into your room.
If you lie awake，thinking of your baby till late into the night，
I shall sing to you from the stars，“Sleep！mother，sleep.”
On the straying moonbeams I shall steal over your bed，and lie upon your bosom while you sleep.
I shall become a dream，and through the little opening of your eyelids I shall slip into the depths of your sleep；and when you wake up and look round startled，like a twinkling firefly I shall flit out into the darkness.
When，on the great festival of puja，the neighbours' children come and play about the house.
I shall melt into the music of the flute and throb in your heart all day.
Dear auntie will come with puja-presents and will ask，
“Where is our baby，sister？”Mother，you will tell her softly，
“He is in the pupils of my eyes，he is in my body and in my soul.”
呼唤
她离开的时候，夜漆黑一片，他们都睡去了。
现在，夜也漆黑，我呼唤着她：
“回来，我的宝贝；世界在沉睡；当繁星相互凝望时，你回来一会儿是无人知晓的。”
她离开的时候，草木吐芽，春意正浓。
现在，花儿正怒放，我呼唤着：“回来，我的宝贝。孩子们肆无忌惮地在游戏中把花儿聚散离合，你若回来，带走一朵小花，没有人会察觉到的。”
那些常常嬉戏的人，仍旧在那里玩，生命就这样被荒废掉了。
我聆听着他们的空谈，呼唤着：“回来，我的宝贝。妈妈的心里充溢着爱，你若回来，仅仅从她那里取得一个小小的吻，没有人会妒忌的。”
The Recall
The night was dark when she went away，and they slept.
The night is dark now，and I call for her，
“Come back，my darling；the world is asleep；and no one would know，if you came for a moment while stars are gazing at stars.”
She went away when the trees were in bud and the spring was young.
Now the flowers are in high bloom and I call，“Come back，my darling.The children gather and scatter flowers in reckless sport. And if you come and take one little blossom no one will miss it.”
Those that used to play are playing still，so spendthrift is life.
I listen to their chatter and call，“Come back，my darling，for mother's heart is full to the brim with love，and if you come to snatch only one little kiss from her no one will grudge it.”
榕树
喂，你，立在池边的枝叶蓬乱的榕树，你是否已经将那个小孩遗忘了，那宛如曾在你枝头筑巢，而又离你而去的鸟儿似的小孩？
你是否还记得他是怎样坐在窗前，诧异地望着你那盘绕在地下的树根？
女人们常到池边汲了满满一罐子水，于是，你巨大的黑影在水面上荡漾，宛如沉睡的人要挣扎着醒过来一样。
阳光在微波上舞动，好似片刻也不停息的梭子在编织着金黄的花毡。
两只鸭子在芦苇边游荡，在芦苇影子上面摇晃，孩子静静地坐在那里沉思。
他想变成风，吹过你萧萧的枝丫；想变成你的影子，随了阳光在水面上消长；想成为一只鸟儿，栖息在你最高的枝头上；还想变成那两只鸭，在芦苇与影子中穿梭。
The Banyan Tree
O you shaggy-headed banyan tree standing on the bank of the pond，have you forgotten the little child，like the birds that have nested in your branches and left you？
Do you not remember how he sat at the window and wondered at the tangle of your roots that plunged underground？
The women would come to fill their jars in the pond，and your huge black shadow would wriggle on the water like sleep struggling to wake up.
Sunlight danced on the ripples like restless tiny shuttles weaving golden tapestry.
Two ducks swam by weedy margin above their shadows，and the child would sit still and think.
He longed to be the wind and blow through your rustling branches，to be your shadow and lengthen with the day on the water，to be a bird and perch on your topmost twig，and to float like those ducks among the weeds and shadows.
祝福
祝福这颗小小的心灵，这个圣洁的灵魂，他为我们的大地，赢得了上天的亲吻。
他爱阳光，他爱看妈妈的脸。
他还未学会鄙夷尘埃而渴求黄金。
将他紧抱在你的心里，并且祝福他。
他已来到这个歧路百出的大地上了。
我不知道他怎样从人群中把你挑选出来，来到你的门前握住你的手问路。
他紧紧追随着你，说着，笑着，没有一丝疑心。
不要辜负了他的信任，引导他到正路，并且祝福他。
把你的手轻轻放在他的头上，祈祷着：虽然下面波涛汹涌，然而从上面来的风，会扬起他的船帆，送他至平安的港口。
不要在忙碌中将他遗忘，让他来到你的心里，并且祝福他。
Benediction
Bless this little heart，this white soul that has won the kiss of heaven for our earth.
He loves the light of the sun，he loves the sight of his mother's face.
He has not learned to despise the dust，and to hanker after gold.
Clasp him to your heart and bless him.
He has come into this land of an hundred crossroads.
I know not how he chose you from the crowd，came to your door，and grasped your hand to ask his way.
He will follow you，laughing and talking，and not a doubt in his heart.
Keep his trust，lead him straight and bless him.
Lay your hand on his head，and pray that though the waves underneath grow threatening，yet the breath from above may come and fill his sails and waft him to the haven of peace.
Forget him not in your hurry，let him come to your heart and bless him.
礼物
我想送些东西给你，我的孩子，因为我们同在世界的溪流中漂泊。
我们的生命会被分开，我们的爱也会被遗忘。
但我却没傻到那分上，希望能用我的礼物来收买你的心。
你正值生命的青春期，你的路还很漫长，你一口气饮尽了我们给你的爱，就转过身，头也不回地离我们而去了。
你有你的游戏、你的玩伴。如果你没有时间和我们在一起，或者你不曾想到我们，那又有什么伤害呢？
在我们年老时，自然会有许多闲暇时间，去细数那往昔的时光，把从我们手中永久失去的东西，放在心里好好珍藏。
河水歌唱着奔流而去，冲破所有的堤防。然而山峰却将忆念留在那里，依依不舍地与她相随。
The Gift
I want to give you something，my child，for we are drifting in the stream of the world.
Our lives will be carried apart，and our love forgotten.
But I am not so foolish as to hope that I could buy your heart with my gifts.
Young is your life，your path long，and you drink the love we bring you at one draught and turn and run away from us.
You have your play and your playmates. What harm is there if you have no time or thought for us？
We，indeed，have leisure enough in old age to count the days that are past，to cherish in our hearts what our hands have lost for ever.
The river runs swift with a song，breaking through all barriers. But the mountain stays and remembers，and follows her with his love.
我的歌
我的孩子，我这支歌将扬起它悠扬的乐声萦绕在你的身旁，如同那炽热的爱之臂膀。
我这支歌将抚摸着你的前额，如同那祝福的亲吻一般。
当你独处时，它将坐在你身旁，在你耳边私语；当你在人群中，它会将你围绕，使你远离尘嚣。
我的歌将成为你梦想的羽翼，它将载着你的心移送到那未知的边缘。
当黑夜覆盖了你的路时，它又将成为照耀你头顶的忠实星光。
我的歌将伫立在你瞳孔里，将你的视线植入万物心中。
当我的声音因死亡而沉寂时，我的歌仍会在你年轻活泼的心中吟唱。
My Song
This song of mine will wind its music around you，my child，like the fond arms of love.
This song of mine will touch your forehead like a kiss of blessing.
When you are alone it will sit by your side and whisper in your ear，when you are in the crowd it will fence you about with aloofness.
My song will be like a pair of wings to your dreams，it will transport your heart to the verge of the unknown.
It will be like the faithful star overhead when dark night is over your road.
My song will sit in the pupils of your eyes，and will carry your sight into the heart of things.
And when my voice is silent in death，my song will speak in your living heart.
小小天使
他们喧哗争吵，他们猜疑失望，他们争辩着却终无结果。
让你的生命融入他们中吧，我的孩子，就像一线镇定而圣洁的光芒，使他们欢悦而静谧。
他们的贪婪和嫉妒是残酷的；他们的言语，似暗藏的刀，渴欲饮血。
去，站在他们愤懑的心中，我的孩子，把你那和善的目光投到他们身上，好像那夜晚宽容的和平遮蔽了白日的纷扰一样。
我的孩子，让他们看看你的脸，因此他们明白了万物的意义；让他们爱你，因此他们能够相爱。
来，坐在无垠的怀抱里，我的孩子。日出时，敞开并抬起你的心，像一朵盛开的花儿；夕阳西下时，低下你的头，默默地完成这一天的膜拜。
The Child-Angel
They clamour and fight，they doubt and despair，they know no end to their wranglings.
Let your life come amongst them like a flame of light，my child，unflickering and pure，and delight them into silence.
They are cruel in their greed and their envy，their words are like hidden knives thirsting for blood.
Go and stand amidst their scowling hearts，my child，and let your gentle eyes fall upon them like the forgiving peace of the evening over the strife of the day.
Let them see your face，my child，and thus know the meaning of all things；let them love you and thus love each other.
Come and take your seat in the bosom of the limitless，my child. At sunrise open and raise your heart like a blossoming flower，and at sunset bend your head and in silence complete the worship of the day.
最后的交易
清晨，我走在石铺的路上，叫着：“来雇用我呀！”
国王手执利剑乘着马车驾临。
他抓住我的手说道：“我用权势雇用你。”
但是他的权势一文不值，于是，他乘着马车离去了。
炎热的正午，家家都关门闭户。
我沿着蜿蜒的小巷漫游。
一位老者带了一袋黄金走出来。
他斟酌了一下，说：“我用金钱来雇用你。”
他一个一个地细数着他的金币，我却转身离去了。
黄昏，花园的篱笆上繁花似锦。
漂亮的姑娘走出来，说：“我要用微笑来雇用你。”
她的笑容黯淡，在泪痕中消匿，她孤寂地转身走回黑暗里去。
阳光照在沙滩上，海浪肆意地泼溅浪花。
一个孩子坐在那里玩着贝壳。
他抬起头，好像与我相识一样，说：“我雇用你，什么都不用。”
从今往后，在这个孩子的游戏中完成的交易，让我成了一个自由的人。
The Last Bargain
“Come and hire me！”I cried，while in the morning I was walking on the stone-paved road.
Sword in hand，the King came in his chariot.
He held my hand and said，“I will hire you with my power.”
But his power counted for nought，and he went away in his chariot.
In the heat of the midday the houses stood with shut doors.
I wandered along the crooked lane.
An old man came out with his bag of gold.
He pondered and said，“I will hire you with my money.”
He weighed his coins one by one，but I turned away.
It was evening. The garden hedge was all a flower.
The fair maid came out and said，“I hire you with a smile.”
Her smile paled and melted into tears，and she went back alone into the dark.
The sun glistened on the sand，and the sea waves broke waywardly.
A child sat playing with shells.
He raised his head and seemed to know me，and said，“I hire you with nothing.”
From thence forward that bargain struck in child's play made me a free man.
