第33章 陳酒

從前，有個富翁，不無理由地以他的酒窖和窖藏美酒自豪。其中有一瓶遠年陳葡萄酒，是他珍藏著留作盛會用的，究竟是什麼盛會，可只有他自己知道。 地方官來拜訪他，他心中尋思道："不過是地方官罷了，不必為他開這瓶酒。" 教區的主教來拜訪他，可他跟自己說道："不，我不願為他開這瓶酒。他不會懂得這酒的價值，這酒的香味地也聞不出來。" 王國的王子來臨，和他一同進餐。但是他想："他不過是個小小的王子，不配喝那麼高貴的美酒。" 甚至在他自己的侄兒結婚的時候，他也對自己說道："不，那瓶酒可不拿出來給那些客人們喝。" 歲月流逝，這老頭兒終於死了，埋了，像種子和橡實一樣。

他下葬的那天，那瓶遠年陳葡萄酒和其它的酒都拿出來了，被農民和鄰居們分著喝掉了。 沒有一個人辨別出這瓶酒是遠年陳酒。 對他們說來，凡是倒進酒杯裡的，都不過是酒罷了。 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.