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!”

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