One day, a high official wanted to amuse himself in a temple.
一天,有一个大官,要到寺院里去游玩。
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里的和尚,准时备好饭菜。
So all the monks in the temple busied themselves with the preparation.
于是,寺院里所有的和尚,都忙着张罗了起来。
The temple was situated in a remote mountain,surrounded by bamboo groves,and very tranquil.
寺院坐落在深山里,四面都是竹林,的确非常清静。
After the high official had strolled about for a while, he was very pleased.
大官游玩了一番之后,非常高兴,
While dining, he recited lines from a poem of the Tang Dynasty:
一面吃饭,一面吟起了唐人的诗句:
“Passing through the bamboo courtyard and meeting a monk,A half day’s leisure is gained in this fleeting life.”
“因过竹院逢僧话,又得浮生半日闲。”
When the old monk heard these lines of the poem, he couldn’t help laughing.
老和尚听了诗句,不觉笑了起来。
The high official asked hastily:“What are you laughing about?”
大官连忙问道:“你笑什么?”
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:“您老人家固然清闲了半天,可是我老和尚却已经忙了整整三天!”