In a certain region of China,
in the southwest, not far from the mountains of Yunnan,
a kind of apple is to be found
with such an exquisite flavor
that in ancient times the emperors would spend
their gold to buy them, and offer them
at feasts and banquets in the great palace.
But they didn’t actually taste like apples.
I read that this was because of a beetle
which is only found on the trees of that region
and which lays its eggs for the time of their growing
in the heart of the apples. They do not stay
for long, but a marvelous fragrance
spreads through each fruit. After the worm
has spread its wings and fled
no trace remains of its sojourn
except an amber glow in the flesh
of the apple and a wonderful aroma
that all the scholars and gardeners
of the court were unable to explain.

That is what I do with this language.

Ann an ceàrn àraidh de Shìona,
san iar-dheas, chan fhada bho bheanntan Iunnàn,
tha seœrsa ùbhlan rim faighinn
a tha cho anabarrach taitneach
‘s gum biodh na h-ìompairean o shean a’ cosg
an œir rin ceannach, is gan tairgse
aig fèisdean ‘s cuirmeannan san àros mhœr.
Ach cha robh dìreach blas nan ubhal aca.
Leugh mi gu robh daolag coireach ri sin,
nach fhaighear ach air craobhan na ceàirn ud,
‘s a dh’fhàgas a h-uighean airson tràth a’ chinntinn
an cridhe nan ubhal. Chan fhan iad fada ann,
ach thèid cùbhraidheachd iongantach
a sgaoileadh feadh gach meas. An dèidh don chnuimh
a sgiathan a shìneadh a-mach is teicheadh,
chan fhàgar lorg de fantainn ann ach sgleœ
œmarach an lì an ubhail, ‘s boladh
mìorbhaileach a dh’fhairtlich e
air sgoilearan is gàirnealairean
na cùirt gu lèir a mhìneachadh.

‘S e sin a nì mi leis a’ chànain seo.