杯中物(The Things in the Cup)
中國的晉王朝時代，有一個著名的文學家與詩人，他的名字叫做陶淵明(西元365年-西元427)。
他對於人生的追求與他所寫的詩與散文影響了中國歷史上許多著名的詩人與文學家。他生活的年代是在晉王朝的末年，那是一個混亂的年代，他在40幾歲的時候辭職並且回到他的家鄉成為一個農夫，他過著簡單但貧苦的生活，但他的內心感到很快樂。。
他有五個小孩，他曾經寫過一首詩，這一首詩的大概內容如下。
我的兩邊鬢角的頭髮已經變白，我的皮膚也不再像年輕時那麼結實與充滿彈性。
我有五個兒子，這五個兒子、沒有一個像我一樣喜歡研究與學習。
我的大兒子的名字叫做(阿舒)，他今年已經十六歲了，我這輩子還沒有看過比他更懶惰的人。
我的第二個兒子的名字叫做(阿宣)，他已經快十五歲了，他很討厭念書與學習新知識。
第三個兒子與第四個兒子是雙胞胎，他們的名字分別是(阿雍)和(阿端)，他們兩個人剛滿13歲，這兩個小孩讓我很擔心，他們竟然連六和七這兩個簡單的數字都無法分辨。
最小的那個孩子是(阿通)，他快要九歲了，他每天只知道吃東西，他最喜歡吃梨子與栗子，其他的事情他都不在乎。
看到我的這幾個小孩，我的心中這樣想。
既然這幾個小孩是命運安排給我的，那我只能接受了。
我雖然已經接受這個現實，但我為了讓自己不要那麼焦慮，我還是再喝一點杯子中的那些東西吧。
這句成語直接翻譯的意思是杯子中的那些東西。
這句成語的原本意思就是陶淵明要喝點中國米酒，但是他用那些東西這個詞組來代替中國米酒。
這句成語被用來指代酒，任何種類的酒。
親愛的朋友，你聽完這個故事有怎樣的感受或有怎樣的想法呢。
你有小孩了嗎?你的家人中誰讓你感到最煩心呢?
我希望這故事能讓你產生一些新的收穫。
出處為陶潛-責子詩
https://zh.wikisource.org/zh-hant/%E8%B2%AC%E5%AD%90
The Things in the Cup(杯中物)
During the Jin dynasty in China, there was
a famous writer and poet named Tao Yuanming (365–427 AD).
His approach to life, as well as his poetry
and prose, influenced many renowned poets and writers in Chinese history. He
lived at the end of the Jin dynasty, a chaotic era. In his forties, he resigned
from his job and returned to his hometown to become a farmer. He lived a simple
but poor life, and was happy.
He had five children. He once wrote a poem,
the gist of which is as follows:
My temples are grey, and my skin is no
longer as firm and elastic as it was in my youth.
I have five sons, but none of them enjoy
studying as much as I did.
My eldest son's name is Ashu, and he is
sixteen this year. I have never seen anyone lazier than him.
My second son's name is Axuan, and he is
almost fifteen. He hates reading and learning new things.
My third and fourth sons are twins named
Ayong and Aduan, respectively. They have just turned thirteen, and I am very
worried about these two children as they cannot even distinguish between the
numbers six and seven.
My youngest child is Atong, who is almost
nine years old. All he cares about is eating. He loves pears and chestnuts the
most and cares about nothing else.
Looking at my children, this is what I
think.
Since these children are what fate has
given me, I can only accept it.
However, to ease my anxiety, I'll drink a
little more of things in the cup.
This idiom literally translates as ' The
things in the cup'.
The original story behind this idiom is
that Tao Yuanming wanted to drink some Chinese rice wine, but he used the
phrase 'those things' to represent it.
Nowadays, this idiom is used to refer to
any kind of alcohol.
Dear friend, what are your thoughts or
feelings after hearing this story?
Do you have children? Who in your family causes you the most trouble?
I hope this story gives you some new insights.