夏五
Tan Ai Lay
有女爱禮死
塟於此僑生
之年民國肇
始正月初九
其死之日在
十五年夏五
十一歲僅十
六性淑且敏
中西文字均
有心得待人
温厚事親善
承意志曾隨
余回國兩次
胡天不仁遽
奪其壽鳴籲
如此人品如
此短命心非
木石寧不悲
惻爰言勒石
盖欲奕世後
吾之子孫知
余有女未筓
而卒巳耳
陳延謙自撰
I had a daughter named Ai Lay who has died and buried here.
Born as an overseas Chinese
In the first year of the Republic of China,
On the ninth day of the first month.
The day of her death was in
The fifteenth year, summer, fifth month,
Eleventh day, at the age of only
Sixteen.
Her nature was kind and sensitive.
She had a good understanding of both Chinese and Western literature.
She treated people warmly, and served her parents with filial devotion.
She had accompanied me back to our country twice.
Why is heaven so unkind, to take her life so soon?
A person of such character, such a short life, how can one not grieve?
My heart is not made of stone, how can I not feel sorrow?
Therefore, I inscribe these words on stone,
So that future generations, my descendants, will know,
I had a daughter who died before she could even wear her hair in a bun.
Written by Tan Ean Kiam
Pic of Tan Ai Lay at Ean Keng Si 延慶寺
Courtesy of Tan Ean Kiam family
The term "未筓" refers to a girl who has not yet reached the age of 15, when she would traditionally wear her hair in a bun, symbolizing her coming of age.
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