An old man was gathering sticks in a forest.

　　At last he grew very tired and hopeless. He threw down all the sticks and cried out, "I cannot bear this life any longer. Ah, I wish Death would come and take me!"

　　As he spoke, Death appeared, and said to him, "What would you do, old man? I heard you call me."

　　"Please, sir," replied the old man, "would you help me lift this bundle of sticks up to my shoulder?"

　　译文

　　老人与死神

　　有个老人在森林中砍了不少柴，十分吃力地挑着走了很远的路。

　　一路上他累极了，实在挑不动了，便扔下柴担，叫喊起来：“这种日子我受不了了，死神啊，带我走吧。”

　　这时，死神来了，对他说：“老头，你想做什么，我听见你叫我?”

　　“先生”，老人说，“您能帮忙将那担子放在我的肩上吗?”

　　寓意

　　即使生活不幸，人们仍需爱惜生命。

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（实习编辑：高奕飞）