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,要到寺院裡去遊玩。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裡的和尚,準時備好飯菜。So all the monks in the temple busied themselves with the preparation.
於是,寺院裡所有的和尚,都忙著張羅了起來。
The temple was situated in a remote mountain,surrounded by bamboo groves,and very tranquil.
寺院坐落在深山裡,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!”