因為「粒粒皆辛苦」，所以把剩飯剩菜塞進抽屜（？）

文／琦君

The old clock in the study languidly struck four times. Looking up, I saw the hour hand pointing to five. Oh well, that clock pretty much had a mind of its own. At any rate, I had studied for at least two hours.

Following Teacher’s instructions, I had carefully made notes of the reading assignments, and reviewed the morning lessons of The Analects of Confucius, Mencius, and Zuo Zhuan.

I could practically recite in my sleep one of my favorite poems—“Memorial of the Old Battlefield.” In my mind’s eye I saw that desolate battlefield with “mournful wind and scorching sun” over a “bleak desert stretching out to infinity.” I could not help feeling somewhat saddened.

It started to get dark. I would have liked to get the candles out of the drawer, but I was afraid to wake up Teacher from his sound sleep. The longer he slept the more freedom I would have.

Besides, I was afraid to find in the drawers cockroaches and ants attracted by leftover sweets. He said we should remember that every single grain is not easily obtained and therefore, he stuffed all the leftovers into the drawers.

本文摘自《英譯橘子紅了 WHEN TANGERINES TURN RED》，立即前往試讀►►►