Then, one year, the rice did not grow, and there was a famine.

于是，有一，稻子未能生长，随之而来的是饥荒。

But today, rice isn't at the most in Mr Yang's mind. He has bigger fish to fry.

然而今天稻子却不是老杨心中首位。他有更重要的事要做。

Years ago, you could ask your neighbors to help build your house, reap the rice or dig a well.

前你还能喊你的邻居们帮着盖房子、割稻子或挖口井。

I just wanted to plant the rice and make the food.

我只想种稻子、做饭。

" Oh, my rice is growing green and healthy! " replied the neighbor.

“哦，我家的稻子长得又绿又健康！ ” 邻居回答。

" The rice does not seem to be growing, " the farmer complained.

“稻子好像长不出来了， ” 农民抱怨道。

There, he found all the rice had withered and died.

在那里，他发现所有的稻子都枯死了。

There was a great cornfield beyond the fence and not far away she saw a Scarecrow, placed high on a pole to keep the birds from the ripe corn.

墙那边是一块玉米田，她看见不远处有一个稻草人，高挂在竹竿上，看管着稻子，不让鸦雀啄走长得成熟的玉米。