在风景如画的江南，
有一个美丽的村庄。
祝员外家的庄园，
就座落在村子的中央。
祝员外的女儿英台，
是一个十五岁的姑娘。
她从小就喜爱读书，
还能写一手好文章。
去杭城上学读书，
是她由来已久的渴望。
可这小小的要求却不能被允许，
自古以来女孩儿只能伴在父母身旁。
如何能说服父母？
英台是朝也想，暮也想。
终于想出了个好主意，
女扮男装，扮男装！
找机会她玩了个恶作剧，
扮成了个学者模样。
她大摇大摆地来到祝家，
说是慕祝家名前来拜访。
员外夫妇笑脸相迎，
话题涉及英台姑娘。
学者提了个大胆的建议，
送英台到杭城去上学堂。
“家里只是知识的小池，
学校却是知识的海洋。”
员外听了却叹了口气说，
“可惜女儿不能变成男儿的模样。”
学者进一步劝导员外，
“最好不要让孩儿失望。
为了让她进城读书，
可以让她女扮男装。”
员外连连地摇了头：
“说起来容易，做起来就只是瞎忙。”
学者不同意员外的看法：
“那要看装扮的怎么样。”
禁不住学者不停的劝说，
员外夫妇终于软了心肠。
“英台如果真能装得像男儿，
我就让她进城，去实现她的梦想。”
学者听了开怀大笑，
“你们瞧瞧我，仔细端详。”
员外夫妇打量半天，
却没有发现有任何异样。
“父亲母亲，我是英台。”
员外夫妇方知上当。
英台的请求终被批准，
英台不由地心花怒放。
In the beautiful south of China
There was a watery village.
Family Zhu’s house was
Inside the watery image.
Zhu’s daughter Yingtai
Was eye-catching and bright.
She loved reading books,
And was also able to write.
She longed to go to school,
Most eagerly when she was fifteen.
This was not allowed, however.
It was only a dream.
How to get approval
From prudent parents,
Yingtai thought over and over
Trying to find an argument.
Finally she came across an idea,
“Disguise as a man”.
She could not help but laughed,
“Let me test the plan”.
One day she disguised
As a male scholar.
She visited her parents,
In a mood of vivid color.
Her parents welcomed their daughter,
With a bright smile,
They talked about knowledge,
Also about Yingtai for a while.
The scholar made a suggestion of
Sending Yingtai to school.
“School is an ocean of knowledge,
While home is only a pool.”
Mr. Zhu sighed:
“This is her only desire,
Beginning many years ago.
Should she be a boy,
She would be ready to go.”
The scholar suggested:
“She could disguise herself,
Dressed like a young man.”
Mr. Zhu replied:
“It is difficult in practice,
Although it sounds like a good plan.”
The scholar persuaded parents:
“It is worthwhile trying.”
The parents finally agreed,
After quite a while pondering.
“If Yingtai can disguise herself well
To be a good fake,
We do not object to her desire,
Indeed, for her sake.
The scholar smiled:
“Look at me, please.
Do you know who I am?”
Mr. Zhu looked for a while and replied:
“You are a scholar,
A well-respected person.”
To the parents’ big surprise:
“I am your daughter Yingtai.
Please let me go”.
Seeing her so stubborn,
To her request of schooling,
They did not say no.
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