远年陈酒The Old, Old Wine

Once there lived a rich man who was justly proud of his cellar and the wine therein. And there was one jug of ancient vintage kept for some occasion known only to himself. The governor of the state visited him, and he bethought him and said, "That jug shall not be opened for a mere governor." And a bishop of the diocese visited him, but he said to himself, "Nay, I will not open that jug. He would not know its value, nor would its aroma reach his nostrils." The prince of the realm came and supped with him. But he thought, "It is too royal a wine for a mere princeling." And even on the day when his own nephew was married, he said to himself, "No, not to these guests shall that jug be brought forth." And the years passed by, and he died, an old man, and he was buried like unto every seed and acorn. And upon the day that he was buried the ancient jug was brought out together with other jugs of wine, and it was shared by the peasants of the neighbourhood. And none knew its great age. To them, all that is poured into a cup is only wine.

从前，有个富翁，不无理由地以他的酒窖和窖藏美酒自豪。其中有一瓶远年陈葡萄酒，是他珍藏着留作盛会用的，究竟是什么盛会，可只有他自己知道。

地方官来拜访他，他心中寻思道："不过是地方官罢了，不必为他开这瓶酒。"

教区的主教来拜访他，可他跟自己说道："不，我不愿为他开这瓶酒。他不会懂得这酒的价值，这酒的香味地也闻不出来。"

王国的王子来临，和他一同进餐。但是他想："他不过是个小小的王子，不配喝那么高贵的美酒。"

甚至在他自己的侄儿结婚的时候，他也对自己说道："不，那瓶酒可不拿出来给那些客人们喝。"

岁月流逝，这老头儿终于死了，埋了，像种子和橡实一样。

他下葬的那天，那瓶远年陈葡萄酒和其它的酒都拿出来了，被农民和邻居们分着喝掉了。

没有一个人辨别出这瓶酒是远年陈酒。

对他们说来，凡是倒进酒杯里的，都不过是酒罢了。