半世清闲

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

His subordinates notified the monks2 in the temple three days in advance to prepare a good meal on time. So all the monks in the temple busied themselves with the preparation.

The temple was situated3 in a remote mountain, surrounded by bamboo groves4, and very tranquil5. After the high official had strolled about for a while, he was very pleased. While dining, he recited lines from a poem of the Tang Dynasty: "Passing through the bamboo courtyard and meeting a monk1,A half day's leisure is gained in this fleeting6 life."

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

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

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

一天，有一个大官，要到寺院里去游玩。

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。于是，寺院里所有的和尚，都忙着张罗了起来。

寺院坐落在深山里，四面都是竹林，的确非常清静。大官游玩了一番之后，非常高兴，一面吃饭，一面吟起了唐人的诗句：“因过竹院逢僧话，又得浮生半日闲。”

老和尚听了诗句，不觉笑了起来。

大官连忙问道：“你笑什么?”

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!”

1 monk

n.和尚，僧侣，修道士

参考例句：

The man was a monk from Emei Mountain.那人是峨眉山下来的和尚。

Buddhist monk sat with folded palms.和尚合掌打坐。

2 monks

n.修道士，僧侣( monk的名词复数 )

参考例句：

The monks lived a very ascetic life. 僧侣过着很清苦的生活。

He had been trained rigorously by the monks. 他接受过修道士的严格训练。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 situated

adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的

参考例句：

The village is situated at the margin of a forest.村子位于森林的边缘。

She is awkwardly situated.她的处境困难。

4 groves

树丛，小树林( grove的名词复数 )

参考例句：

The early sun shone serenely on embrowned groves and still green fields. 朝阳宁静地照耀着已经发黄的树丛和还是一片绿色的田地。

The trees grew more and more in groves and dotted with old yews. 那里的树木越来越多地长成了一簇簇的小丛林，还点缀着几棵老紫杉树。

5 tranquil

adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的

参考例句：

The boy disturbed the tranquil surface of the pond with a stick. 那男孩用棍子打破了平静的池面。

The tranquil beauty of the village scenery is unique. 这乡村景色的宁静是绝无仅有的。

6 fleeting

adj.短暂的，飞逝的

参考例句：

The girls caught only a fleeting glimpse of the driver.女孩们只匆匆瞥了一眼司机。

Knowing the life fleeting,she set herself to enjoy if as best as she could.她知道这种日子转瞬即逝，于是让自已尽情地享受。