Once, when I was crossing the stream

Of the Yellow Spring, I was in charge

Like the local Spirit of waters. Impressed,

I asked him whether such a skilful steering

Could be learned, and he said, 'Of course.

Good swimmers can learn it quickly;

As for divers, without having seen a boat,

They can even faster manage it perfectly.'

Since he did not directly tell me what I asked,

I ventured to ask him what he meant by that.

He calmly explained, 'Good swimmers

Acquire the ability quickly, as they forget

The water and its dangers completely.

As for those who are able to dive,

They look on the watery depth as though

It were a hillside, and any upsetting of a boat

They simply take as the going back of a cart.

Such upsetting and going back have occurred

Before them multitudes of times, and have not

Somehow seriously affected their spirit and mind.

That's why, wherever they go, they feel at ease

On their occurrences, on waters and otherwise.'