Silver moonlight lies everywhere, turning the bamboo forests on the hills black. The chirring of insects in the undergrowth is steady as a down-pour of rain. An oriole gives a few trills before realizing it is too late for such a commotion. Closing its little eyes, it settles back to sleep.

 

    月光如银子，无处不可照及，山上篁竹在月光下皆成为黑色。身边草丛中虫声繁密如落雨。间或不知道从什么地方，忽然会有一只草莺“嘘！”啭着她的喉咙，不久之间，这小鸟又好像明白这是半夜，不应当那么吵闹，便仍然闭着那小小眼儿安睡了。

 

    From The Border Town

 

    Written by Shen Congwen

 

    Translated by Yang Xianyi & Gladys Yang

 

    Xinyi Translation Studio

 

    Website: http://www.xinyifanyi.com