18. 化成鱼形的龙

DRAGON IN DISGUISE

从前，有个60多岁的楚姓老人。他一生做了很多好事。那时候，交通极不便利。于是他捐钱造桥修路，方便百姓。他还经常伸出援手助人之需。邻人对他的善行赞不绝口。　　

　　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.

有一天，他看到一个渔夫正在去集市的路上，准备把刚刚捕获的鲤鱼卖掉。这条鱼非常漂亮，它的红色斑纹就像冬日的火焰一样明亮温暖，眼睛就像天上闪烁的星辰。老楚觉得把这么美丽的鱼吃掉太可惜了，于是他以高价买下鱼，把它放到池塘里。他对此颇感欣慰。　　

　　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.

老楚年纪大了，没人能长生不老。不久后，他觉得无力、昏沉、沮丧。他料到自己活不了多久了。　　

　　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.

一天，他卧病在家，一个小仆童进来对他说："楚先生，我的主人派我来邀请您去和他一起吃饭。"　　

　　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."

老楚没认出这个小男孩是谁家的仆童，但是他想，起来出去走走或许会对他的身体好一点，到外面去吃饭也能让自己提提神。于时他跟着那个仆童去了。"我一定是真的病了。"他边走边想，"所有的东西看起来都很模糊，还隐隐约约地发着金光。"　　

　　Old Chu didn't 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."

没多久，他来到一座雕梁画柱、金壁辉煌的宫殿前，上书"水晶宫"。"奇怪啊！这不是龙王的宫殿吗？"老楚很疑惑。　　

　　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! Isn't that the name of the dragon's palace?" wondered Old Chu.

不一会儿，主人出来了，他相貌非凡：浓浓的眉毛，细长的眼睛，还有五缕长胡须。看起来体力充盈，很有威仪，但很面善。聊了一会儿后，老楚知道了，他就是老龙王！　　

　　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!

他们一起享用了一桌满是山珍海味的盛宴。龙王对老楚说："前些日子，我的一个儿子出去玩耍，被一个强盗绑架了，差点丢了命！幸亏有你救了他，我们都很感激不尽。"　　

　　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."

"实际上，你在世的日子不多了。但是因为你救了变化成鱼形的龙，你将得到长寿的果报。我简单设宴，正是为了表达我的谢意，也向您解释一下这件事情。"　　

　　"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."

"您的厚意我不敢当。"老楚谦逊地回答说，"今后，我定会做更多的好事来表达我的感激之情。"　　

　　"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."

宴后，老楚醒了，发现自己肚子很饱。"那肯定是个梦，"他自语道，"但我肚子怎会这么饱？"　　

　　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?"

后来，老楚做了更多的好事，120岁时，他无疾而终。　　

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