Once upon a time, there were no rivers and lakes on earth, but only the Eastern Sea, in which lived four dragons: the Long Dragon, the Yellow Dragon, the Black Dragon and the Pearl Dragon.
从前，地球上没有河流和湖泊，只有东海，里面住着四条龙:长龙、黄龙、黑龙和珍珠龙。
One day the four dragons flew from the sea into the sky. They played games in the clouds. “Come over here quickly!” the Pearl Dragon cried out suddenly. “What’s up?” asked the other three, looking down in the direction where the Pearl Dragon pointed.
一天，四条龙从海里飞到了天上。他们在云中做游戏。“快过来!”珍珠龙突然叫道。“有什么事吗?"另外三个人问，低头看着珍珠龙所指的方向。
On the earth they saw many people putting out fruits and cakes, and burning incense (香) sticks. They were praying because there had been no rain for a long time. The crops dried up and died, the grass turned yellow and fields cracked under the hot sun.
他们看见地上有许多人摆出水果和糕点，并烧香。他们在祈祷，因为很久没有下雨了。庄稼枯死了，草变黄了，田地在烈日下裂开了。
“How poor the people are!” said the Yellow Dragon. “And they will die if it doesn’t rain soon.” The Long Dragon nodded. Then he suggested, “Let’s go and beg the Jade Emperor for rain.” So saying, he leapt into the clouds. The others followed closely and flew towards the Heavenly Palace.
“这些人是多么可怜啊!“黄龙说。“如果不快点下雨，它们会死的。”长龙点点头。然后他建议说:“我们去求玉皇大帝下雨吧。”说着，他跳上了云。其他人紧随其后，飞向天宫。
Being in charge of all the affairs in heaven, on earth and in the sea, the Jade Emperor was very powerful. He was not pleased to see the dragons rushing in. “Why do you come here instead of staying in the sea and behaving yourselves?” The Long Dragon stepped forward and said, “The crops on earth are withering, Your Majesty. I beg you to send rain down quickly!” “All right. You go back first. I’ll send some rain down tomorrow.” The Jade Emperor pretended to agree. “Thanks, Your Majesty!” The four dragons went back merrily.
玉皇大帝掌管着天上、地上和海里的一切事务，非常强大。看到龙们冲进来，他很不高兴。“你们为什么到这里来，不呆在海里规矩点呢?”长龙走上前说:“陛下，地上的庄稼都枯萎了。我求你赶快降雨吧!”“好吧。你们先回去。我明天会降点雨下来。”玉皇大帝假装同意。“谢谢，陛下!”四条龙高高兴兴地回去了。
But ten days passed, and not a drop of rain came down._____▲____: some eating bark (树皮), some grass roots, and some were forced to eat white clay when they ran out of bark and grass roots. Seeing all this, the four dragons felt very sorry. They could only rely on themselves to help people. But how to do it?
可是十天过去了，一滴雨也没有下。_____▲____:有的吃树皮，有的吃草根，有的树皮和草根用完了就被迫吃白粘土。看到这一切，四条龙感到非常难过。他们只能依靠自己去帮助别人。但是怎么做呢?
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