A provincial graduate who wished to attend the imperial examinations in the capital had three dreams.

有一个秀才，要进京赶考，做了三个梦。

The first was that he was planting cabbage on the top of a wall.

第一个梦是在墙头上种白菜。

The second, that in the rain he was wearing both a bamboo raincoat and carrying an umbrella.

第二个梦是在下雨天戴着斗笠又打着伞。

The third was that he was sleeping in the bridal chamber with the girl that he yearned after, but back-to-back.

第三个梦是跟朝思暮想的姑娘入了洞房躺在一起，但却是背靠着背。

He asked a Daoist priest to interpret the dreams for him.

秀才请求一个术士给他解梦。

The Daoist said: “Wretched graduate that you are, these three dreams of yours are really bad luck.

术士说：“嗨，你这个倒霉的秀才，你这三个梦太晦气了！

The cabbages on the wall are a waste of time; the umbrella and the raincoat in the rain are superfluous; and as to sleeping back-toback in the bridal chamber with the girl you love, it’s useless to think of that as a sign of a successful conclusion.

墙头上种白菜，这不是白种吗；下雨天，戴着斗笠又打着把伞，这不是多此一举嘛；跟心爱的姑娘都入了洞房了，却还是背靠着背，这不是好事成空想也白想了吗？

You’d best not take the imperial exams but pack your bags and go home!”

你呀，不要去赶考了，赶快收拾行李回家去吧！”

The graduate was downcast and preparedto leave.

秀才闷闷不乐，准备打起包袱回家。

中文大意：

有一个秀才，要进京赶考，做了三个梦。第一个梦是在墙头上种白菜，第二个梦是在下雨天戴着斗笠又打着伞，第三个梦是跟朝思暮想的姑娘入了洞房躺在一起，但却是背靠着背。

秀才请求一个术士给他解梦。术士说：“嗨，你这个倒霉的秀才，你这三个梦太晦气了！墙头上种白菜，这不是白种吗；下雨天，戴着斗笠又打着把伞，这不是多此一举嘛；跟心爱的姑娘都入了洞房了，却还是背靠着背，这不是好事成空想也白想了吗？你呀，不要去赶考了，赶快收拾行李回家去吧！”

秀才闷闷不乐，准备打起包袱回家

摘自: 吴言生著《CHINESE ZEN   A PATH TO PEACE AND HAPPINESS》，
                         TONY BLISHEN 译，Better Link 出版社，纽约 )