중급반 영어(30) 三國誌(16)

[jiji]

劉備; Mother, that was the most foolish thing I have ever done in my life.

劉備母; You got to get whipped on the calf.

劉備; Yes, it serves me right.

劉備母; You know who you are?

劉備; Yes. I am descended from Ching Ti(景帝) and his son 中山靖王.

劉備母; What about the sword?

劉備; That's the only thing that proves I am the emperor's descendent.

劉備母; Now, you know how big mistake you've made.

劉備; Yes, it is too late but I repent bitterly.

劉備母; I'll tell you something that I have cherished for a long time. In a spring day, when you were a little boy, an old man who passed by came in. He had a white goat with two wine bottles on its back. The animal's hair was so white and shiny that I was totally aghast. So I said "You have a nice goat. Do you sell it?"  Then he answered" This is my son. I don't sell him but I sell wine. Today I drank it all so there is no wine in the bottles." I asked "Do you need some money for trabling?" He answered "No, I was spelled by the mulberry tree there. It's not a ordinary tree. Look at that leaves spread like a carriage canopy. An eminent man will come from this family."  I asked the man his name. He was 李定.

劉備; I remember the goat he gave to us. Mother, as a matter of fact, on the way home from Luiyang I vowed to take an action to save people who have fallen into extreme distress in the Confucius grave yard.

劉備母; Oh, you are my son. I will see your dad without shame  in Heaven when I die.