英语绘本 ▏每日一读之《宝莲灯 Lotus Lantern》

传说在很久以前，巍峨的华山脚下有一座圣母庙，庙里供奉着一位女神——三圣母。

According to legend, a long time ago, there was a temple of the Holy Mother at the foot of the majestic Huashan, where a goddess, the Three Holy Mothers, was enshrined.

三圣母有一件法宝叫宝莲灯。

The Three Holy Mothers had a magic weapon called the Precious Lotus Lantern.

一天，有一个扭伤了脚的书生昏倒在了圣母庙里，善良的三圣母救活了书生。

One day, a scholar who sprained his foot fainted in the temple of the Holy Mother, and the kind-hearted Three Holy Mothers saved the scholar.

后来，他们相爱了。不久，他们就生下了一个可爱的宝宝，三圣母给他取名叫：沉香。

Later, they fell in love. Soon, they gave birth to a lovely baby, and the Three Holy Mothers named him: Chenxiang.

这件事被三圣母的哥哥二郎神知道了，二郎神勃然大怒来捉拿三圣母。

This matter was known by Erlang Shen, the brother of the Three Holy Mothers, who was furious and came to capture the Three Holy Mothers.

三圣母说道：“哥哥，我不会跟你回去的。”说完，拿出宝莲灯打败了二郎神。

The Three Holy Mothers said, "Brother, I will not go back with you." After that, she took out the Precious Lotus Lantern and defeated Erlang Shen.

很快，夜深了，二郎神悄悄地命令哮天犬偷走了宝莲灯。

Soon, it was late at night, and Erlang Shen quietly ordered Xiaotian Dog to steal the Precious Lotus Lantern.

有了宝莲灯的二郎神可神气了，他将可怜的三圣母关在华山下面。

Erlang Shen, who had the Precious Lotus Lantern, was very proud, and he locked the poor Three Holy Mothers under Huashan.

几年后，沉香渐渐地长大了，他才知道母亲被压在华山下受苦，于是暗暗下决心：“我一定要把母亲救出来。”

A few years later, Chenxiang gradually grew up and learned that his mother was trapped under Huashan and suffered. So he made up his mind: "I must save my mother."

好心的霹雳大仙对沉香说：“你现在一点本领都没有，救不出你母亲的，不如我收你做徒弟吧。”沉香点头答应了。

The kind-hearted Thunderbolt Immortal said to Chenxiang: "You have no skills at all now and cannot save your mother. Why don't I take you as my apprentice?" Chenxiang nodded and agreed.

沉香在大仙的指点下，学会了很多的本领。大仙传给他一柄开山神斧，让他劈山救母。

Under the guidance of the Immortal, Chenxiang learned a lot of skills. The Immortal gave him a mountain-splitting axe and asked him to split the mountain to save his mother.

沉香腾云驾雾来到华山，大声呼唤：“母亲！”

Chenxiang rode the clouds to Huashan and called out loudly: "Mother!"

三圣母听到后对沉香说：“好孩子，你去求求你的舅舅吧！让他放我出来。”

After hearing this, the Three Holy Mothers said to Chenxiang: "Good boy, go and beg your uncle! Let him let me out."

沉香来到二郎神庙，向二郎神苦苦哀求道：“舅舅，求你放了我的母亲吧。”谁知道二郎神说：“哼！我是不会放了你的母亲的。”

Chenxiang came to Erlangshen Temple and begged him: "Uncle, please let my mother go." Who knew that Erlangshen said: "Humph! I will not let your mother go."

沉香抡起神斧和二郎神打了起来，沉香越斗越勇，二郎神抵挡不住，只得掏出宝莲灯，沉香只好暂时逃走。

Chenxiang swung the magic axe and fought with Erlangshen. Chenxiang became more and more courageous. Erlangshen could not resist and had to take out the Lotus Lantern. Chenxiang had to escape temporarily.

“哈哈哈，我有宝莲灯，看谁能打得过我！”二郎神得意地大笑起来。

"Hahaha, I have the Lotus Lantern. Let's see who can beat me!" Erlangshen laughed triumphantly.

二郎神回到自己的庙里喝酒庆祝，很快就醉得不省人事了。

Erlangshen returned to his temple to drink and celebrate, and soon became drunk and unconscious.

晚上，沉香绕过看门的守卫，偷偷地拿回了宝莲灯，这下二郎神可没有办法阻止沉香了。

At night, Chenxiang bypassed the guards at the gate and secretly took back the Lotus Lantern. Now Erlangshen had no way to stop Chenxiang.

沉香飞回华山举起开山神斧，只听轰隆隆一声巨响，地动山摇，华山裂开了。

Chenxiang flew back to Huashan and raised the axe to split the mountain. There was a loud rumbling sound, the ground shook, and Huashan split apart.

沉香大喊：“母亲！”三圣母也大声喊道：“我的好孩子！”重获自由的三圣母和沉香紧紧地抱在了一起。

Chenxiang shouted: "Mother!" The Third Holy Mother also shouted: "My good child!" The freed Third Holy Mother and Chenxiang hugged each other tightly.

This story is also called "Chenxiang Saves His Mother". It tells us that when we encounter difficulties, we must face them bravely and have strong beliefs and an indomitable spirit, then we will be able to overcome difficulties and achieve success.