English Original
In ancient times, the people of Yongzhou lived by the river and were all excellent swimmers.
One day, the river water rose suddenly. Five or six people were crossing the Xiang River in a small boat. When the boat reached the middle of the river, it sprang a leak and sank. Everyone on board swam for their lives.
One man was seen paddling frantically in the water but making little headway. A companion asked in surprise, "You were always the best swimmer among us. Why are you lagging behind today?"
The man panted heavily and replied, "I have a thousand copper coins tied around my waist. They are very heavy, so I cannot swim fast."
His companions urged him anxiously, "Throw away the coins at once!"
The man only shook his head and gave no answer.
Soon, he grew weaker and weaker. Those already on the bank shouted to him desperately, "You stubborn fool! You are about to drown. What use is the money to you now?"
But the man shook his head again, sank rapidly, and drowned.
中文翻译
古时候，永州的人居住在河边，个个都是游泳好手。
一天，河水突然暴涨。五六个人乘着一艘小船横渡湘江。船到江心时，漏水沉没了。船上所有人都泅水逃生。
只见其中一人拼命划水，却前进缓慢。他的同伴惊讶地问道：“你一向是我们中水性最好的，今天为何落在后面？”
那人喘着粗气回答：“我腰上缠着一千枚铜钱，太重了，游不快。”
同伴们焦急地劝他：“快把铜钱扔掉！”
那人只是摇了摇头，没有回答。
不一会儿，他越来越没力气了。此时，已上岸的人拼命向他喊道：“你这顽固的傻瓜！都快淹死了，还要钱干什么？”
可是，那人又摇了摇头，迅速沉入水中，淹死了。