我的二爺爺與他的石担

我的二爺爺與他的石担

我爺爺有兩個弟弟，一個大弟弟和一個小弟弟。我們叫他們二爺爺和三爺爺。三爺爺是我們生命中的最大主角，也是我們這一家的貴人。但是我在這兒要先說一下我這位短命的二爺爺。

據說我爺爺和二爺爺都是帶兵打仗的。20,30年代，軍閥在膠東半島混戰，搞得民不聊生。我的兩個爺爺都會功夫，學過武術，大概在軍隊裡也比較出人頭地。

我的二爺爺力大無窮，他有一個非常重的石担（槓鈴）。有一天，他命令兩個小兵把石担抬到倉庫裡去，兩個小兵費盡吃奶之力也抬不動。我二爺爺一怒之下，自己把它抬進倉庫去了。累了一身大汗，就在院子裡拿井水沖了個涼，沒想到卻得了感冒，後來又染了肺炎，就一命嗚呼了。可見那年代的醫學多不發達。

石担是中國古時舉重鍛鍊身體的器材，有如今日的槓鈴。是由兩片中間鑿洞的扁圓石，插在一根木棍的兩邊。據說用它來練身體的人，不但要練有肌肉，還要練內功。

My second granduncle and his stone barbell

My grandfather had two younger brothers, a big one and a little one. We call them second granduncle and third granduncle. The third granduncle is the biggest protagonists in our lives and the benefactor of our family. But here I would like to talk about my short-lived second granduncle.
It is said that my grandfather and the second granduncle were both officers in the army. In the 1920s and 1930s, the warlords fought in the Jiaodong Peninsula, making people's lives miserable. My two grandfathers have learned kung fu and martial arts. So they might be promoted easily in the army of the warlord.
My second granduncle was physically strong. He had a very  shidan(stone barbell). One day, he ordered two soldiers to carry the stone barbell to the warehouse. The two soldiers tried with all their might but could not lift the stone barbell. My second granduncle got very angry and carried it into the warehouse by himself. After that, he was covered in sweet, he then showered himself with the cold water from the well in the yard. Unfortunately, he caught cold and later was  infected with pneumonia. Since the medication at that time was not very advanced. He died soon after.

Shidan is the equipment used to lift weights in ancient China. Like barbells today, so I translate it as stone barbell. It is made up of two stone slabs with holes in the middle, which are inserted on both sides of a wooden stick. It is said that people who use it to practice must not only have muscles but also internal strength（Chi Kung).