Likelihood--location Literary cowboys The literati had no understanding of livestock.

文人牛仔 文人学士对牲畜 没有了解，

But that was what a group of literature experts traveling to the countryside were intent on learning about.

但一群文学专家 去乡下还就想 了解了解牲畜。

The likelihood that they would succeed was slim, but they had taken the recommendation of a famous author literally:.

虽说成功的可能性不大 但他们还是照字义采纳 了一位着名作家的建议

Get back in touch with the earth. And so a lively group of linguists.

与大地恢复接触。 一群充满活力的语言 学家、

Critics and professors descended into a locality famous for cattle intent on disturbing them and their livelihood.

批评家和教授 来到一个以养牛 闻名的地方， 一心要打扰他们 和他们的生活。

The location was actually quite appropriate; the literacy rate was low.

那个地方其实位置不错 因为那里文化水平低，

There were limitations in communication lines and the linguistic characteristics of the local dialect were quite interesting.

交通受到限制， 当地方言的语言特点 又十分有趣。

After two days, however, only the most literal of the literature experts were still lingering around looking to work with cattle.

但两天后，这群文学 专家中只剩下最讲究 实际的几位 还在农场周围徘徊，指 望能和牛群一起工作。

That was when the fun began and the locals welcomed them to their homes. One professor, who had never done a chore in his life.

到这时才开始有点儿 意思，当地人对他们 的到来表示了欢迎。 一位从未做过家务 的教授

Began to find peace loading stalls with cow feed. Another learned how to remove liquids from milk cows.

开始从给牛棚装饲料 中找到安宁， 另一位则学会了如何 从奶牛身上挤出奶液，

And yet another, actually allergic to cows, helped in the yard folding and cleaning linens.

还有一位实际上 对牛有些过敏， 于是他就在院子 里帮助叠洗衣物。

One farmer even loaned them some horses so that they could help round up cattle in the fields.

一个农民甚至借给 他们这帮人几匹马， 让他们帮着在地里驱拢 牛群。

This was the best of fun for the experts and they regretted the end of a vacation.

对这些专家们来说， 这算是最大的乐事了。 假期结束时， 他们倍感遗憾，

That they suddenly wished could be their life. Each said so to the other and the other repeated likewise back;.

突然希望这就是 他们的生活。 每个人都对另一个人 这么说，另一个人也都 给予同样的回答：

It would be good to live a life on a ranch. And then they each went home.

在农场生活真好啊! 然后他们各自回了家，

Back to his or her books, writing, critiquing etc. They made a pact to return each year to the ranch, however.

继续读书、写作、 批评等等。 但他们约定每年 回到农场，

And they have been doing so ever since.

从此以后他们一直都在 坚持这样做。