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 mealon 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 verytranquil.
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 inthis 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 beenbusy 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!”
