英文原文

In early 1977, the authorities announced the end of manual labor and arranged some type of work for us to do in the courtyard, so we could spend our days in our section. The end of manual labor was liberating. I could now spend the day reading, writing letters, discussing issues with my comrades, or preparing legal documents. The free time also allowed me to pursue what became two of my favorite hobbies on Robben Island: gardening and tennis.
To survive in prison, one must develop ways to take satisfaction in one's daily life. One can feel fulfilled by washing one's clothes so that they are particularly clean, by sweeping a hallway so that it is empty of dust, by organizing one's cell to save as much space as possible. Just as one takes pride in important tasks outside of prison, one can find the same pride in doing small things inside prison.
Almost from the beginning of my sentence on Robben Island, I asked the authorities for permission to start a garden in the courtyard. For years, they refused without offering a reason. But eventually they gave in, and we were able to cut out a small garden on a narrow patch of earth against the far wall.

参考译文

1977年初，当局结束了我野外的苦役，让我们在监狱内的院子里做些事，这样我们就可以在院子里安排自己的生活，这是一种解放vcQe!fzwK4G8UzZ。我于是可以终日看看书，写写信，与志同道合者探讨问题，或者准备一些法律文件ZI;~bpDUkHRf|。在监狱的所在地罗本岛，我还利用自由时间培养了两大业余爱好：种菜和打网球pxME86JoD3LdMT0]vZH。
要想度过狱中艰难的时日，你得想方设法为每天的生活寻找些许慰藉DI)VlqSnqFLC4PKjpR3。洗洗衣服，使之洁净如新；打扫打扫门厅走廊，使之一尘不染；收拾收拾房间，使狭窄的牢房尽可能宽敞等等lW^M^SVYgPZe2|Ph7Yjh。正如一个人可以在监狱外面从事他所引以为荣的事情一样，监狱里的人同样可以做到onwr!~j.iO,eAG]U(。
在被安置到罗本岛之初，我就要求当局允许我在狱中的院落里开辟一方菜园，当局对此多年来一直拒绝，也不说明原委~5TO0aN)ZCFz7。但是最终，当局做出了让步hv)WOe!JV%t-vy7B。我们得以在监狱大院靠墙处开垦了一片狭长的菜园US8W[NbY69mvn0RGm5。