The Legend Behind Famous Crossing-Bridge Rice Noodles

◎張開蘭

米線對于云南人來說，就像空氣一樣不可或缺。云南的米線花樣繁多，最有名的當數過橋米線。過橋米線歷經300 多年的傳承與發展，已經從“一個人的盛宴”演變成“一座城的盛宴”。你知道過橋米線的來歷嗎？一起了解下吧！

Long ago,just south of the Yunnan Province of Mengzi,there was a beautiful lake with water as clear as1)jade.In the center of the lake,there was a small island covered in green bamboo and giant trees whose ancient2)stalksreached the heavens.

Known for its natural beauty and pleasant atmosphere,the small island drew many scholars to study for the imperial exams.

Among these scholars was a particularly diligent person.Every day,his wife made the long walk to the lake,crossing the bridge to the island to bring him his midday meal.However,he was frequently so3)engrossedin his studies that he only remembered to eat long after the food had grown cold.

Due to his4)irregulareating habits,the scholar became noticeably thin and his warmhearted wife grew very worried.One day,she had an idea.She butchered a plump hen to make a hot chicken broth,and separately prepared her husband’s favorite local rice noodles,seasonings,and ingredients.

She brought them in different bowls,combining them just before he was ready to eat.On its own,the chicken broth stayed hot enough to cook the rice noodles and other ingredients,and created a thin layer of oil that kept the whole bowl piping hot.

Eventually,the scholar succeeded in passing the imperial exams.Remembering his wife’s great kindness and warmth,he joked that it was his wife’s wonderful rice noodles that helped him pass the exams.

Because there is a bridge to the island,in memory of the virtuous wife,later generations called the delicious food “crossing-bridge rice noodles”.And thus the food symbolizes affection and admiration.

Today,crossing-bridge rice noodles is still considered a Yunnan specialty—and it still comes in separate bowls,allowing you to pick your ingredients and add the hot soup yourself.In Yunnan,this delicious food is so popular that there are varieties of crossing-bridge rice noodles.In 2008,it was listed as an item of intangible cultural heritage of Kunming City.

1) jaden.玉石；翡翠

2) stalkn.莖；稈

3) engrossedadj.全神貫注的

4) irregularadj.不整齊的；不規則的

詞組加油站

succeed in doing 成功做某事

很久以前，在云南省蒙自以南的地方有一個美麗的湖泊，湖水清澈如玉。湖中央有一個小島，島上長滿了翠綠的竹子和古老的參天大樹。

這個小島以自然之美和宜人的環境而聞名，吸引了許多書生來此準備科舉考試。

在這些書生中有一個人學習特別勤奮。每天，他的妻子都會長途跋涉到湖邊，穿過橋梁到島上，將午飯送給他。然而，他常常沉迷于學習，以致總是在食物已經變冷之后才記起要吃飯。

由于飲食不規律，他明顯變得消瘦，善良的妻子十分擔心他。一天，她突然想到了一個主意。她宰殺了一只肥碩的母雞，熬制了熱騰騰的雞湯，并分別準備了丈夫最喜歡的當地米線、調料和配料。

她將這些裝在不同的碗里，等丈夫準備吃時再將這些食材混合在一起。雞湯本身足夠熱，可以加熱米線和其他配料，同時還會形成一層薄薄的油膜，讓整個碗都保持滾燙的溫度。

最終，書生成功通過了科舉考試。他記得妻子的善良和溫暖，開玩笑說正是妻子做的美味的米線幫助他通過了考試。

因為到島上要經過一座橋，為紀念這位賢惠的妻子，后人將這道美食稱為“過橋米線”，這道美食也因此象征著愛意和欽佩。

如今，過橋米線仍然被視為云南的特色美食——它仍然采用分碗盛裝的方式，讓顧客可以選擇自己喜歡的配料，并自行加入熱湯。在云南，這道美食非常受歡迎，有各種口味。2008年，這道美食被列入昆明市非物質文化遺產。