52

WHY did the lamp go out?

I shaded it with my cloak to save it from the wind, that is why the lamp went out.

Why did the flower fade?

I pressed it to my heart with anxious love, that is why the flower faded.

Why did the stream dry up?

I put a dam across it to have it for my use, that is why the stream dried up.

Why did the harp-string break?

I tried to force a note that was beyond its power, that is why the harp-string is broken.

52

灯为什么熄了呢？

我用斗篷遮住它怕它被风吹灭，因此灯熄了。

花为什么谢了呢？

我的热恋的爱把它紧压在我的心上，因此花谢了。

泉为什么干了呢？

我筑起一道堤把它拦起给我使用，因此泉干了。

琴弦为什么断了呢？

我强弹一个它力不能胜的音节，因此琴弦断了。