ENG
Craving fortune's smile, but met with bitter strife,
Toiling by the Bitter Lake, in a grumpy life.
In that realm of paint, the last hopes' retreat,
The green one brought him sweetness, a long-awaited treat.
A scroll lay spread out on the desk, surrounded by four figures: a skinny monkey, a mangy dog, an old loong, and a fierce tiger.
The old loong asked, "The Sacred Divinity sent us such a treasure. Do you know his intent?"
The skinny monkey laughed strangely, "I don't know. Maybe it's meant to be hung up for decoration. If you don't want it, I'll trade it for wine."
The mangy dog, holding a palm fan, paced around the desk twice and said, "We were banished to the mortal realm because of the Great Sage's affair. Undoubtedly, it must be related to this. However, he..." His voice trailed off, unsure how to proceed.
The fierce tiger, frustrated by the dog's hesitation, asked, "Do you mean to say, is he here to help or to harm?"
The mangy dog fanned himself and retorted, "Such profound matters cannot be spoken of so crudely."
The old loong asked, "What's on your minds?"
The skinny monkey lounged in his seat and said, "Not to help, not to help. I'm just a drunkard. What good can I do but earn some wine money? The rest is none of my concern." With that, he closed his eyes and pretended to sleep, saying no more.
The fierce tiger chuckled and added, "I only know how to smith. If someone comes seeking my help, I assist them, and that's all."
The mangy dog, growing anxious, exclaimed, "Why are you all cowering in fear? We used to act justly. Look at us now, as if things could possibly get any worse. I will lend my aid, I will lend my aid!"
The old loong quickly intervened, "Brother, patience. We understand your intentions. We need a plan, so if the Sacred Divinity reprimand us, we have a response."
He paused, and the other three nodded in agreement. He continued, "Since we are of the same plan, let's proceed accordingly. Each of us should prepare and set off on an appointed day."
The scene opens with someone who has been hoping for better luck while working by the Bitter Lake. Life has been hard and grim, but at last something called “the green one” brought him a long-awaited sweetness. That sets the mood: people desperate for change who suddenly have a chance tied to this gift.
A scroll is then laid out on a desk and four figures gather around it. They are described as a skinny monkey, a mangy dog, an old loong, and a fierce tiger. The old loong says that the Sacred Divinity sent this treasure and asks if the others understand what the divinity’s intent might be.
Each of the four reacts differently. The skinny monkey laughs and treats the scroll lightly, saying it might just be decoration and offering to trade it for wine; he presents himself as a drunkard who is only after money for drink. The mangy dog mentions that they were banished to the mortal realm because of the Great Sage’s affair and thinks the scroll must be connected to that, but he trails off and seems unsure how to continue.
The fierce tiger presses the dog, asking plainly whether the arrival is meant to help them or harm them. The dog rebukes speaking about serious matters so plainly. The old loong asks what everyone is thinking. The monkey shrugs and pretends to sleep again, refusing to help beyond earning wine money. The tiger says he only knows how to smith and will help if someone asks. The dog, increasingly anxious, insists they used to act rightly and declares he will lend his aid.
The old loong steps in to calm things and to set a plan. He tells the others to be patient, that they understand the dog’s intention, and that they need a coordinated response in case the Sacred Divinity reprimands them. The other three agree. The old loong concludes that because they share a common plan, each should prepare and leave on an appointed day. The story ends with them united in purpose and preparing to act, implying a coordinated mission tied to the scroll and whatever consequences might follow.