Why the Sea is Salt | 海水为何是咸的

English Original

The poor man thanked Hiysi, wrapped the magic millstone in his tattered cloak, and began the long walk home.

Upon arriving, he found his wife weeping, having feared him dead. After recounting his adventures, he placed the millstone on the table and commanded, 'Grind, my millstone! Give us a feast fit for a king.' Wonderful dishes poured forth. When they were full, he said, 'Enough and have done!' and the millstone stopped.

From then on, the millstone provided them with everything: a fine house, fields, livestock, food, and clothes. Soon, they had more than enough.

The rich brother, hearing of this change, visited to investigate. The poor brother, unsuspecting, demonstrated the millstone's power, producing delicious food. The rich brother, consumed by greed, begged to buy or borrow it. Reminded that he had provided the initial cow's hoof, the poor brother reluctantly agreed to a one-day loan.

Delighted, the rich brother snatched the millstone and rowed far out to sea, planning to sell salt to fishermen. He commanded, 'Grind, my millstone! Give me salt, as much as you can!' The millstone poured out fine, white salt, quickly filling the boat.

Panicking, he cried, 'Stop, my millstone!' but did not know the magic command. He begged and pleaded, but the millstone kept grinding. He tried to throw it overboard but couldn't lift it. The overloaded boat sank, drowning the greedy man.

The magic millstone, however, kept turning at the bottom of the sea, pouring out salt. It is said to grind there to this very day, making the sea salty.


中文翻译

穷人感谢了海希,将魔法磨石裹在他破烂的斗篷里,开始了漫长的回家之路。

到家时,他发现妻子正在哭泣,以为他已经死了。讲述完他的冒险后,他把磨石放在桌上命令道:“磨吧,我的磨石!给我们一顿配得上国王的盛宴。”精美的菜肴源源不断地涌出。吃饱后,他说:“够了,停下吧!”磨石便停止了。

从那以后,磨石为他们提供了一切:漂亮的房子、田地、牲畜、食物和衣服。很快,他们就富足有余了。

富哥哥听说了这个变化,便前来探查。穷弟弟毫无戒心,演示了磨石变出美食的能力。富哥哥被贪婪吞噬,恳求买下或借走磨石。被提醒正是自己提供了最初的牛蹄后,穷弟弟不情愿地同意借出一天。

富哥哥欣喜若狂,抓起磨石划船远航到海上,计划向渔民卖盐。他命令道:“磨吧,我的磨石!给我盐,尽你所能!”磨石涌出细白的盐,很快装满了船。

他惊慌地喊道:“停下,我的磨石!”却不知道停止的咒语。他哀求乞求,但磨石继续转动。他试图把它扔出船外,却举不起来。超载的船沉没了,贪婪的人淹死了。

然而,魔法磨石在海底继续转动,不断涌出盐。据说它至今仍在海底研磨,让海水变成了咸的。

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