§47 贫人能作鸳鸯鸣喻
(47) the poor man crows like a duck
昔外国法,节庆之日,一切妇女尽持优钵罗花以为鬘饰。
it happened once that a foreign country was celebrating its religious day for festivities. all women wore blue lotus flowers as ornament in their hair.
有一贫人,其妇语言:“尔若能得优钵罗花来用与我,为尔作妻;若不能得,我舍尔去。”
to her husband, a woman said, "if you can get blue lotus flowers for me, i shall remain as your wife. otherwise. i'll walk out on you."
其夫先来常善作鸳鸯之鸣,即入王池,作鸳鸯鸣,偷优钵罗花。时守池者而作是问:“池中者谁?”
her husband was capable of crowing like a duck. he then entered the king's pond to steal blue lotus flowers. he crowed when he was caught by the palace guard. the guard asked: "who are you?"
而此贫人失口,答言:“我是鸳鸯。”
with a slip of the tongue, the poor man replied: "i'm a duck."
守者捉得,将诣王所,而扵中道复更和声作鸳鸯鸣。守池者言:“尔先不作,今作何益!”