The Buckwheat

Words: Joe

Translator:范朝颖

Art: 灵绘童工作室

“Hello there,” several sparrows asked a farmer, “would you like to hear a story about the proud buckwheat?” “Yes, tell me, little birds.” said the farmer after pausing for a moment. “The story starts with an old willow tree.” said the sparrows.

“嘿，”几只麻雀问一位农民，“要不要听一个关于骄傲的荞麦的故事？” “好吧，告诉我，小鸟儿。”农民迟疑一会儿后答道。 “故事还得从一棵老柳树讲起。”麻雀说。The old willow tree grew in a field. It bent forward slightly, so its

branches hung down like green hair. It had a split trunk and grass grew out of its crack. It was surrounded by oats, corns, and of course, the buckwheat.

这棵老柳树生长在田野上，它的身子微微向前倾，枝条像绿头发一样垂下来。它的树干裂开了，裂缝中长出了杂草。它的身边长着燕麦、玉米，当然还有荞麦。

The oats and the corns all bent their heads like the willow tree. The buckwheat held themselves upright and stiff. They were too proud. “Buckwheat, why don't you bend your heads like us?” the corns asked. “We are the beautiful buckwheat with full ears. We won't bend for anything, even nature.” they replied.

燕麦和玉米都像老柳树那样低着头。荞麦却挺直身子，僵硬地站着。它们太骄傲了。“荞麦，你为什么不像我们一样低下头呢？”玉米问。“我们是漂亮的荞麦，长着饱满的穗子。我们不会对任何事物屈服，就是大自然也不能让我们低头。”荞麦回答道。

Then they asked the willow, “Have you met anything prettier than us?” The old willow nodded his head, “Indeed I have.” But the buckwheat said arrogantly, “Who knows whether you have lied or not! How have you lived until now?” The old willow didn't reply.

然后，它们问老柳树：“你见过比我们还漂亮的吗？”老柳树点了点头说：“我确实见到过。”但荞麦傲慢地说：“谁知道你是不是在说谎！你怎么还能活到今天啊？”老柳树没有回答。

One day a storm came. The oats, corns and the willow tree bent their heads except the buckwheat.

“Bend your head as we do!” cried the oats.

“We won't!” replied the buckwheat.

“You will lose your lives!” said the old willow.

“We're the proud buckwheat.” replied the buckwheat.

一天，暴风雨来临了。燕麦、玉米和老柳树都低下了头，除了荞麦。

“像我们一样低下头呀！”燕麦喊道。

“我们才不呢！”荞麦说。

“你会丧命的！”老柳树说。

“我们可是骄傲的荞麦！”荞麦回答道。

“A lightning flashed across the sky and struck the buckwheat. When the storm had finished, the oats, corns and the willow all rose unhurt. Only the buckwheat became useless dead grass. That is the story,” said the sparrows. “About the overly proud buckwheat,” said the farmer.

“一道闪电划过天空，击中了荞麦。暴风雨过后，燕麦、玉米和柳树都安然无恙，只有荞麦变成了一无用处的枯草。这就是那个故事。”麻雀说。农民接着说道：“关于骄傲自大的荞麦的故事。”

故事改编自《安徒生童话》。