The Bus That Took the Long Way
老张开了三十年的公交车。
Old-Zhang drive (PERF) thirty year (POSS) public-transit-car.
Old Zhang had driven a city bus for thirty years.
他熟悉每一条街，熟悉每一棵路边的树。
He familiar with every one (M) street, familiar with every one (M) road-side (POSS) tree.
He knew every street, every tree along every road.
下周一是他工作的最后一天。
Next Monday is he work (POSS) last one day.
Next Monday would be his last day on the job.
公司给他准备了一个小礼物，可是他自己也想做点什么。
Company give him prepare (PERF) one (M) small gift, but he self also want do a-bit what.
The company had a small gift waiting for him, but he wanted to do something himself, too.
周一早上，他像往常一样开车。
Monday morning, he like usual same drive-vehicle.
Monday morning, he started his shift like always.
可是到了第三站以后，他没有走平时的路。
But arrive (PERF) third stop after, he not walk usual-time (POSS) road.
But after the third stop, he didn't take the usual road.
他拐了一个弯，开过老市场，再回到原来的路。
He turn (PERF) one (M) bend, drive-pass old market, then return-arrive original road.
He made a turn, drove past the old market, then rejoined the normal route.
几个老人在车上小声说话。
Several (M) old person at car on small-voice speak.
A few of the older passengers murmured to each other.
一个常客问：“张师傅，今天走这条路？”
One (M) regular-guest ask: "Zhang master, today walk this road?"
A regular asked, "Master Zhang, you're taking this road today?"
老张笑了笑：“今天天气好，多看一眼。”
Old-Zhang smile (PERF) smile: "Today weather good, more look one eye."
Old Zhang smiled. "Nice weather. Wanted to see it."
车子还是准时到达了终点站。
Vehicle still on-time arrive (PERF) end-point station.
The bus still pulled into the final stop on time.
第二天，他又走了一条不一样的路。
Second day, he again walk (PERF) one (M) not same (POSS) road.
The next day, he took yet another different road.
这次经过那个他三十年前送过妻子上班的小街。
This time pass-by that (M) he thirty year ago send (EXP) wife on-work (POSS) small street.
This time he drove past the little street where he used to drop off his wife at work, thirty years ago.
他没有说话，只是把车开得很慢。
He not speak, only is (BA) vehicle drive (DE) very slow.
He didn't say anything, just drove very slowly.
车上有人开始觉得奇怪。
Vehicle on have person begin feel strange.
Some of the passengers were starting to wonder.
一个年轻的小姐说：“师傅，我要迟到了。”
One (M) young (POSS) miss say: "Master, I will be-late (PERF)."
A young woman said, "Driver, I'm going to be late."
老张点点头：“最多晚五分钟，我保证。”
Old-Zhang nod nod head: "Most late five minute, I guarantee."
Old Zhang nodded. "Five minutes at most. I promise."
果然，到了终点站，正好准时。
Sure-enough, arrive (PERF) end-point station, exactly on-time.
Sure enough, they reached the last stop right on time.
第三天，一个老人在车上问他：“张师傅，最近怎么了？”
Third day, one (M) old person at vehicle on ask him: "Zhang master, recent how (PERF)?"
On the third day, an old man asked him, "Master Zhang, what's going on lately?"
老张看了看车上的人。
Old-Zhang look (PERF) look vehicle on (POSS) person.
Old Zhang looked at the people on his bus.
有上班的年轻人，有去医院的老人，有上学的小孩。
Have on-work (POSS) young-person, have go hospital (POSS) old person, have on-school (POSS) small-child.
Young people heading to work, older people heading to the hospital, kids heading to school.
他说：“下周一我就退休了。我想再看一遍你们都住在哪儿。”
He say: "Next Monday I then retire (PERF). I want again look one round you (PL) all live at where."
He said, "Next Monday I retire. I wanted to see, one more time, where you all live."
车上一下子很安静。
Vehicle on one (M) instant very quiet.
The bus went quiet.
那个老人小声地说：“我坐你的车，坐了二十年了。”
That (M) old person small-voice (ADV) say: "I sit your (POSS) vehicle, sit (PERF) twenty year (PERF)."
The old man said quietly, "I've ridden your bus for twenty years."
老张点头：“我也认识您二十年了。”
Old-Zhang nod-head: "I also know you twenty year (PERF)."
Old Zhang nodded. "I've known you for twenty years too."
消息很快传开了。
News very fast spread-open (PERF).
Word got around quickly.
第二天，车上多了很多人，有的不是这条路的常客。
Second day, vehicle on more (PERF) very many person, some not is this road (POSS) regular-guest.
The next day, there were extra people on the bus, some who didn't usually ride this route.
他们就是来坐他的车的。
They just is come sit his (POSS) vehicle (POSS).
They had come just to ride his bus.
公司知道了，可是没说什么。
Company know (PERF), but not say what.
The company found out, but didn't say anything.
领导说：“他干了三十年，让他走他想走的路吧。”
Leader say: "He do (PERF) thirty year, let him walk he want walk (POSS) road (SUGG)."
The director said, "He's worked thirty years. Let him take the roads he wants to take."
周五，他经过自己小时候上的小学。
Friday, he pass-by self small-time on (POSS) primary-school.
On Friday, he drove past the primary school he had attended as a boy.
周六，他经过他第一次和妻子见面的公园。
Saturday, he pass-by he first time and wife see-face (POSS) park.
On Saturday, he drove past the park where he had first met his wife.
周日不上班。
Sunday not on-work.
He didn't work Sundays.
周一早上，最后一天，他的车上几乎坐满了。
Monday morning, last one day, his (POSS) vehicle on almost sit-full (PERF).
Monday morning, his last day, the bus was nearly full.
他选了最长的一条路。
He choose (PERF) most-long (POSS) one (M) road.
He chose the longest route of all.
他开过医院，开过老市场，开过那条小街。
He drive-pass hospital, drive-pass old market, drive-pass that (M) small street.
He drove past the hospital, past the old market, past that little street.
他开过他小时候的小学，开过那个公园。
He drive-pass he small-time (POSS) primary-school, drive-pass that (M) park.
He drove past his old school, past that park.
车上的人安静地坐着，看窗外的城市。
Vehicle on (POSS) person quiet (ADV) sit (CONT), look window-outside (POSS) city.
His passengers sat quietly, watching the city pass by the window.
到了终点站，他停下车。
Arrive (PERF) end-point station, he stop-down vehicle.
He pulled into the final stop.
他看了看表——正好准时。
He look (PERF) look watch — exactly on-time.
He glanced at his watch. Exactly on time.
他笑着对大家说：“到了。谢谢你们。”
He smile (CONT) toward everyone say: "Arrive (PERF). Thank you (PL)."
He smiled and said to them, "We're here. Thank you all."