当雷云在天上轰响,六月的阵雨落下的时候,
润湿的东风走过荒野,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着,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。
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.