必然的結果

尹玉生／譯

有一個僧院戒規森嚴。按照靜默誓言，任何人都不允許說只言片語。但這條戒規也有一個例外，每隔十年，許可僧侶們說兩個字。一位僧侶在這個僧院度過了他的第一個十年之后，來到主持僧侶面前。“已經十年了，”主持僧侶說道，“你想說的兩個字是什么？”

“床……硬……”這個僧侶說道。

我知道了，主持僧侶回答道。

十年之后，這個僧侶再次來到主持僧侶的面前。“又過了十年，”主持僧侶說道，“你想說的兩個字是什么？”

“飯……餿……”這個僧侶說道。

我知道了，主持僧侶回答道。

又一個十年過去了，這個僧侶再次來見主持僧侶，主持問道：“經過了這十年，現在，你想說的兩個字是什么？”

“他……們……”僧侶頓了頓，終于不顧戒規，憤憤地說道：“辭退了我！”

“我知道這是必然的。”主持僧侶回答道，“這么多年來，你所做的一切就是抱怨。”

There once was a monastery that was very strict. Following a vow of silence, no one was allowed to speak at all. But there was one exception to this rule. Every ten years, the monks were permitted to speak just two words. After spending his first ten years at the monastery, one monk went to the head monk. It has been ten years, said the head monk. What are the two words you would like to speak

Bed… hard… said the monk.

I see, replied the head monk.

Ten years later, the monk returned to the head monks office. It has been ten more years, said the head monk. What are the two words you would like to speak

Food… stinks… said the monk.

I see, replied the head monk.

Yet another ten years passed and the monk again met with the head monk who asked, What are your two words now, after these ten years

I…quit! said the monk.

Well, I can see why, replied the head monk. All you ever do is complain.