Page 72 - Viva Real English 3 : Ebook
P. 72
The snake said, ‘I am a thousand and one years old, yet I am not a dragon.
Ask Kuan-yin why it is so.’
In return to Po-wan’s kindness, the snake took him across the river on its
back.
Po-wan resumed his journey, and soon reached an inn. The innkeeper gave
him a bowl of rice and tasty dishes. While eating, Po-wan told the innkeeper
that he was going to meet Kuan-yin.
‘Then ask her a question for me,’ pleaded the innkeeper. ‘My beautiful
daughter cannot speak. Please ask Kuan-yin why this is so.’
Po-wan felt sorry for the innkeeper and readily agreed. After all, Kuan-yin
would answer three questions and Po-wan had only one to ask.
Po-wan spent the night at the inn, and the next morning he started his journey
again.
On the way, he met a rich man. The rich man looked very sad. He said to
Po-wan, ‘I have many special plants and trees in my garden. I looked after
them well for twenty years. Still none of them will flower or bear fruit. Please
ask Kuan-yin why this is so.’
‘Of course I will,’ promised Po-wan without any hesitation.
Alas! He could ask Kuan-yin only three questions, and now he already has
four. What should he do? Po-wan knew the answer. ‘I have made promises
to the Great Snake, the innkeeper and the rich man. Those promises must be
kept.’
Po-wan reached Kuan-yin’s temple. She invited him to ask three questions.
Po-wan began, ‘Why is the Great Snake not yet a dragon?’ He has waited for
a thousand and one years.
dragon : an imaginary creature inn : a small country hotel
that can breathe out fire. It pleaded : begged earnestly
also has wings and a long hesitation : wanting not to do
tail something because you are
resumed : started again not able to decide what to do
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