Urgent translation needed for book

[danielle2006]

I am compiling nursery rhymes for a book. The one from China is:

Old Grandmother Wind

Old grandmother Wind has come from the East

She's ridden a donkey -- a dear little beast

Old mother-in-law Rain has come back again

She's come from the North on a horse, it is plain

Old grandmother Snow is coming you know,

From the West on a crane -- just see how they go

And old aunty Lightning has come from the South,

On a big yellow dog with a bit in his mouth.

Can anyone translate or do you know the original? Alternatively, does anyone have a favourite rhyme in both Chinese (romanized letters) and English that they can share with me?

Kind regards,

Dani

[trevelyan]

I've never heard of it. If it rhymes in English though, it is guaranteed to be a loose translation.

[roddy]

Source seems to be this page of Traditional Chinese Nursery Rhymes - I've never heard any of them but some of them are fun. Have emailed the site owner to ask if she has the originals.

Little Cow

This little cow eats grass,

This little cow eats hay,

This little cow drinks water,

This little cow runs away,

This little cow does nothing,

Except lie down all day.

We'll whip her.

Poor cow.

[danielle2006]

Thanks! It would be fantastic if they had the originals, keep me posted

[roddy]

They don't. "No Chinese versions, sorry". Which is a pity, because I'd love to know if there are any more verses about the lazy cow.