The Ballad of Mulan
BackSigh after sigh was heard, as Mulan sat weaving at the door. No sound of the loom and shuttle, only the sound of Mulan's sighs. When asked what she was thinking about, when asked what she was remembering, Mulan replied, "I am not thinking of anything, nor am I remembering anything.
Last night I saw the conscription notice, the emperor is calling for a great army. Each of the twelve scrolls of conscription notices has my father's name on it. My father has no grown-up son, and I, Mulan, have no elder brother. I am willing to go to the market to buy a saddle and horse, to take my father's place in the army.
I bought horse gear at various markets. Early the next morning, I left my parents, and in the evening I camped by the Yellow River. I couldn't hear my parents calling for their daughter, I could only hear the sound of the Yellow River's flowing water. The next morning I left the Yellow River, and by evening I arrived at Black Mountain. I couldn't hear my parents calling for their daughter, I could only hear the neighing of the enemy's horses at Yanshan.
Traveling thousands of miles to the battlefield, crossing mountains as if flying. In the northern cold air, the sound of the watchman's clapper is heard, the moonlight shines on the soldiers' armor. The generals have fought hundreds of battles, some have sacrificed for the country, and some have returned victorious after many years.
Returning victorious to see the emperor, the emperor sits in the great hall. He gives Mulan great merit, and rewards her with a hundred thousand gold pieces. The emperor asks Mulan what she desires, Mulan says she does not wish to be a high official, she only wishes to ride a swift horse to return to her hometown.
Her parents, hearing that their daughter has returned, support each other as they go out of the city to welcome her. Her elder sister, hearing that her younger sister has returned, dresses up by the door. Her younger brother, hearing that his elder sister has returned, sharpens the knife to kill a pig and a sheep.
Every room is opened to look inside, she takes off her wartime gown and puts on her old-time clothes. By the window, she arranges her hair, facing the mirror, she applies makeup. She goes out to see her comrades, they are all surprised, saying, "We have traveled together for twelve years, yet did not know Mulan was a girl."
When holding the rabbits by their ears, the male rabbit's feet kick and the female rabbit's eyes are blurred, so it is easy to tell them apart. But when the two rabbits run side by side, who can tell which is male and which is female?
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