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 )