小(xiǎo)儿(ér)垂(chuí)钓(diào)

胡(hú)令(lìnɡ)能(nénɡ)〔唐(tánɡ)代(dài)〕

蓬(pénɡ)头(tóu)稚(zhì)子(zǐ)学(xué)垂(chuí)纶(lún)，

侧(cè)坐(zuò)莓(méi)苔(tāi)草(cǎo)映(yìnɡ)身(shēn)。

路(lù)人(rén)借(jiè)问(wèn)遥(yáo)招(zhāo)手(shǒu)，

怕(pà)得(dé)鱼(yú)惊(jīnɡ)不(bù)应(yīnɡ)人(rén)。

Explanation of Ancient Chinese Poetry

 A disheveled child is learning to fish by the river, sitting sideways on moss and ferns, his figure obscured by the green grass. Upon hearing a passerby asking for directions, he waved his hand from afar, dare not respond for fear of disturbing the fish.

Annotations

  • 蓬头 (Péngtóu): Describes a child’s cute appearance.
  •  稚子 (Zhìzi): A young, innocent child.
  •  垂纶 (Chuílún): To fish.
  •  纶 (Lún): Silk thread used for fishing.
  •  莓 (Méi): A type of wild grass.
  •  苔 (Tái): Moss.
  •  映 (Yìng): To obscure.
  •  借问 (Jièwèn): To ask someone for information.
  •  鱼惊 (Yújīng): The fish are startled.
  •  应 (Yìng): To respond, answer, or acknowledge.

Creation Backgrounds

The specific creation time of this poem is unknown. “A Child Fishing” was written by Hu Lingneng after asking a fishing child for directions while searching for a friend in the countryside.