Hỏi mãi thế
English Ẩn / hiện bản dịch
Why Do You Keep Asking?
It is said that a king once toured Thanh Hóa. Hearing that descendants of Trạng Quỳnh were still living there, he summoned one of them. Xiển obeyed and came before him.
"Did Trạng Quỳnh leave any last words before he died?" the king asked.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Then tell me what he said."
"Your Majesty, my great-grandfather left only one sentence before he passed away."
"One sentence will do. Tell me."
"But I dare not say it."
"Why not?"
"I fear it would displease Your Majesty."
"Go ahead. Whatever he said, I will not punish you."
Xiển declined again and again, and the king kept pressing him. At last Xiển said, "Your Majesty, my grandfather told me this: 'Before my great-grandfather closed his eyes for the last time, his children and grandchildren crowded around his bed and asked whether he had any instructions for them. He gave no answer. Uneasy, they kept asking and asking. Finally, he shouted just one sentence: Are you asking about your bloody father's grave, or what? Why do you keep asking? Then he breathed his last.'"
Từ vựng trong truyện
- descendants: con cháu hậu duệ
- summoned: triệu đến
- passed away: qua đời
- displease: làm phật lòng
- pressing him: gặng hỏi ông
- breathed his last: trút hơi thở cuối cùng