In ancient China lived an artist whose paintings were almost lifelike. The artist’s reputation had made him proud. One day the emperor wanted to get his portrait (画像) done so he called all great artists to come and present their finest work, so that he could choose the best. The artist was sure he would be chosen, but when he presented his masterpiece to the emperor’s chief minister, the old man laughed. The wise old man told him to travel to the Li River-perhaps he could learn a little from the greatest artist in the world.
Filled with curiosity, the artist packed his bags and left. When he asked the villagers on the banks of the river where he could find the legendary (传奇的) artist, they smiled and pointed down the river. The next morning he hired a boat and set out to find the well-known painter. As the small boat moved, gently along the river he was left speechless by the mountains being silently reflected in the water. He passed milky white waterfalls and mountains in many shades of blue. And when he saw the mists rising from the river and the soft clouds surrounding the mountain tops, he was reduced to tears. The artist was finally humbled (谦卑) by the greatest artist on earth, Mother Nature.
In ancient China lived an artist whose paintings were almost lifelike.
古时候我国有一位画家,他的画栩栩如生。
The artist’s reputation had made him proud.
画家的美名远扬,自己引以为豪。
One day the emperor wanted to get his portrait (画像) done so he called all great artists to come and present their finest work, so that he could choose the best.
有一天,国王想画张自画像,所以召见了五湖四海的最伟大的画家觐见,呈上他们最好的作品,这样国王就可以从中选出最好的。
The artist was sure he would be chosen, but when he presented his masterpiece to the emperor’s chief minister, the old man laughed.
这位声名远播的画家相信自己必将选中,但是当他把的大作呈给宰相时,这位老人笑了。
The wise old man told him to travel to the Li River-perhaps he could learn a little from the greatest artist in the world.
这位睿智的宰相告诉他去游历一下漓江——也许能从大自然的巧夺天工中学习一二。
Filled with curiosity, the artist packed his bags and left.
心中满是好奇,这位画家还是收拾行囊出发了。
When he asked the villagers on the banks of the river where he could find the legendary (传奇的) artist, they smiled and pointed down the river.
他向河岸的村民打听哪里才能找到最传奇的画家,村民们指了指河岸下面的漓江。
The next morning he hired a boat and set out to find the well-known painter.
第二天清早他雇了艘小船,出发去寻找那个“出名的”画家。
As the small boat moved, gently along the river he was left speechless by the mountains being silently reflected in the water.
小船悠悠,轻声划过,倒映在水中的山脉犹如水墨画,让他叹为观止。
He passed milky white waterfalls and mountains in many shades of blue.
船经过乳白色的瀑布,绕过浓淡深浅不一的蓝色的大山。
And when he saw the mists rising from the river and the soft clouds surrounding the mountain tops, he was reduced to tears.
看到江面上薄雾袅袅,山顶云雾环绕,整个人潸然泪下。
The artist was finally humbled (谦卑) by the greatest artist on earth, Mother Nature.
这位画家最终在世上最伟大的画家——大自然——面前显得相形见绌,从此虚怀如谷。