English Original
Pat O'Burke, a poor Irishman with a large family, woke early one morning from cold and hunger. He decided to go shooting in a nearby wood.
The wood belonged to the wealthy Lord Northwood, and Pat had no right to be there. However, swarms of rabbits and flocks of birds promised a good meal, so he took the risk.
Suddenly, he saw Lord Northwood and a group of friends approaching. Anger flashed across the lord's face at the sight of Pat's gun. Pat's heart sank, but seeing no chance of escape, he walked boldly up to the group.
"Good morning, sir," said Pat. "What brings you out so early?"
Lord Northwood, surprised, replied that he and his friends were taking exercise to work up an appetite for breakfast. He then looked at Pat suspiciously and asked, "But why are you out so early?"
"Well, sir," said Pat, "I just came out to see if I could get a breakfast for my appetite."
The whole crowd burst into laughter at Pat's ready wit. With a smile, Lord Northwood walked on, leaving Pat to try his luck with the rabbits.
中文翻译
帕特·奥伯克是个贫苦的爱尔兰人，有一大家子要养活。一天清晨，他又冷又饿，早早醒来，决定去附近林子里打猎。
这片林子属于富有的诺思伍德爵爷，帕特无权进入。但林中有成群的野兔和飞鸟，足以美餐一顿，于是他决定冒险一试。
突然，他看见诺思伍德爵爷和一群朋友正朝他走来。爵爷看到帕特手中的枪，脸上露出怒色。帕特心里一沉，但自知无处可逃，便鼓起勇气朝人群走去。
“早上好，先生，”帕特说，“什么事让您这么早就出来了？”
诺思伍德爵爷有些惊讶，回答说他和朋友们正在锻炼，好为早餐增进食欲。接着，他狐疑地看着帕特问道：“可你这么早出来又是为什么？”
“哦，先生，”帕特说，“我出来看看能不能为我的食欲弄到一顿早餐。”
帕特机智的应答引得众人哄堂大笑。诺思伍德爵爷笑了笑，继续前行，留下帕特去碰碰打兔子的运气。