中國寓言故事雙語版 第131期:半日清閒

One day, a high official wanted to amuse himself in a temple.

一天，有一個大官，要到寺院裏去遊玩。

His subordinates notified the monks in the temple three days in advance to prepare a good meal on time.

他的手下人便在三天前就通知寺院裏的和尚，準時備好飯菜。

So all the monks in the temple busied themselves with the preparation.

於是，寺院裏所有的和尚，都忙着張羅了起來。

The temple was situated in a remote mountain,surrounded by bamboo groves,and very tranquil.

寺院坐落在深山裏，四面都是竹林，的確非常清靜。

After the high official had strolled about for a while, he was very pleased.

大官遊玩了一番之後，非常高興，

While dining, he recited lines from a poem of the Tang Dynasty:

一面吃飯，一面吟起了唐人的詩句:

“Passing through the bamboo courtyard and meeting a monk,A half day’s leisure is gained in this fleeting life.”

“因過竹院逢僧話，又得浮生半日閒。”

When the old monk heard these lines of the poem, he couldn’t help laughing.

老和尚聽了詩句，不覺笑了起來。

The high official asked hastily:“What are you laughing about？”

大官連忙問道:“你笑什麼?”

The old monk replied:“Your Honour have indeed gained a half day’s leisure, but I have been busy for three whole days.”

老和尚回答道:“您老人家固然清閒了半天，可是我老和尚卻已經忙了整整三天!”