一日三餐已经是我们习以为常的事情，可为什么是三餐而不是两餐或者五餐呢？这还要从一个古老的传说说起。

Hundred of years ago, man had a hard life and was never able to get enough to eat. Sometimes he ate every third day, sometimes only every fifth or sixth day; so he was always hungry, although he worked day and night. He was really to be pitied.

The Emperor of Heaven pitied mankind because they laboured ceaselessly without getting enough to eat. He ordered his subject, the Kerbau, that is, the Kerbau star in the sky, to go down to earth and say to the people: "If you men are energetic¹, you can have one meal every three days."

The Kerbau, however, misunderstood his orders. He went quickly down to earth and announced to the people: "The Emperor of Heaven says you shall have three meals a day and not starve any more." When he returned to heaven and made his report, he was punished for his mistake. He was sent down to earth to help men at the plough². "I told you to tell them," said the Emperor," that they should have one meal every three days, but you have now given them three meals each day. Just think of it; men have only two hands and two feet - how can they prepare three meals a day? It is all your fault, and you must answer for it. You must go down to earth and help man plough, so that they will be able to get three meals a day."

Therefore, the Kerbau went down to earth and helped men to farm. These animals that are now on the earth originally³ came from heaven.

Kerbau: 水牛