1, his face is dusty and smoky, and his temples are gray and his fingers are black. What is the money from selling charcoal for? Buy the clothes and the food in your mouth. Poor he was wearing thin clothes, but his heart was worried that charcoal could not sell out, and he hoped it would be colder. -from the Tang dynasty: Bai Juyi's "Selling Charcoal Weng"
Interpretation in the vernacular: the face is dusty, showing the color of smoky fire, the hair on the temples is gray, and ten fingers are also burnt black by charcoal. What is the money from selling charcoal used for? Buy clothes to wear and food to eat in your mouth. Pity that he is only wearing thin clothes, but he is worried that charcoal can't be sold, and he hopes it will be colder.
2, the cypress is bitter, but the morning glow is high. The world is reckless, and my way is difficult. If the well is not frozen in the morning, it will be cold at night without a bed. I'm afraid I'm shy if I'm empty, so I'll save a dollar to see it. -from the Tang Dynasty: Du Fu's Empty Capsule
Interpretation in vernacular Chinese: Even though the cypress tastes bitter and the morning glow is high, it can still be used as a meal. Most people in the world drag out an ignoble existence, so it is extremely difficult for me to keep the discipline. There is no fire in the morning, the well water is frozen, and it is difficult to keep out the cold at night without clothes. Too poor to be afraid of jokes, you should still leave a penny in your bag.
3. In August, the high wind howled, and it swept the triple grass on my house. The children in Nancun bully me, and I can't stand being a thief in the opposite direction, openly carrying Mao into the bamboo. I can't breathe when my lips are burnt and my mouth is dry. When I return, I sigh on my staff. -from the Tang Dynasty: Du Fu's "The Cottage is Broken by Autumn Wind"
Interpretation in the vernacular: In August, it was late in autumn, and the wind roared, and the wind swept away several layers of thatch on my roof. A group of children in Nancun bullied me for being old and weak, so they had the heart to be "thieves" to rob things face to face and ran into the bamboo forest with thatch in their arms without scruple. My lips are dry and I can't stop drinking. When I come back, I sigh alone on crutches.
4, how can you avoid life's sorrow and hate, and what is the limit of ecstasy! The dream of the old country has returned, and I feel tears hanging down my eyes. Who is the tallest building? Keep in mind that autumn is sunny. The past is empty, still like a dream. -from the Five Dynasties: Li Yu's "Midnight Song How Can I Avoid Life's Sorrow and Hatred"
Interpretation in the vernacular: How can I avoid life's sorrow and hate? Only I am sad and sad! I dreamed that I was back in my old country, and when I woke up, my tears fell. Who will climb the building with me? I will always remember a sunny autumn, looking out from a tall building. The past is empty, as if in a dream.
5, it's too thin after a strong meal, and it's already cold after a narrow dress and autumn. Children are full of memories, and it is difficult to walk. Dew into the hut, the sound of the stream is loud and the stone beach. -From the Jin Dynasty: Yuan Haowen's Mid-Autumn Festival in Nizhuang
Interpretation in the vernacular: I don't want to eat, my body is getting thinner and thinner, and I wear rags, and the chill of autumn comes unconsciously. Unconsciously, I slowly recalled my childhood. At that time, how did I know the hardships of life? The morning dew floated into the hut, and the sound of streams could be heard on the beach.