There was this preacher(n.牧师，传教士) who was an avid(adj.渴望的，热衷的) golfer. Every chance he could get, he could be found on the golf course swinging(v.摇摆,挥动) away. It was an obsession(n.迷恋). One Sunday was a picture perfect day for golfing. The sun was out, no clouds in the sky, and the temperature was just right.

The preacher was in a quandary（左右为难）as to what to do, and shortly, the urge to play golf overcame(v.战胜，胜过) him. He called an assistant to tell him that he was sick and could not do church, packed the car up, and drove three hours to a golf course where no one would recognize him. Happily, he began to play the course.

An angel up above was watching the preacher and was quite perturbed(v.烦恼不安). He went to God and said, "Look at the preacher. He should be punished for what he is doing."

God nodded in agreement. The preacher teed up（把球放在球座上） on the first hole. He swung at the ball, and it sailed(v.轻快地前行) effortlessly through the air and landed right in the cup three hundred and fifty yards away. A picture perfect hole-in-one. He was amazed and excited.

The angel was a little shocked. He turned to God and said, "Begging Your pardon, but I thought you were going to punish him?"

God smiled. "Think about it -- who can he tell?"

    从前，有一个酷爱打高尔夫球的牧师。他无比沉迷于此，只要一有机会，就会去球场挥上几杆。这天正好是一个清爽的周日，阳光明媚，万里无云，温度刚刚好，很适合打高尔夫球。
    这个牧师正犹豫该干些什么，突然产生了一种要去打高尔夫球的冲动。于是他对一个助手说他生病了，不能去教堂布道。然后整理好自己的东西，开着车走了。三个小时后到了一个高尔夫球场，这里离他家很远，不会有人认出他。他高高兴兴地挥起杆来。
    一个看见了一切的天使很不满意牧师的所作所为，他找到上帝说：“您看那个牧师，应该给他点惩罚。”
    上帝同意了。这时牧师将球摆好，准备打第一洞。他挥动球杆，只见那球整整飞了350码，稳稳当当地进了最后一洞。无比完美的一杆进洞！他既惊讶又激动，兴奋难以言表。
天使不理解上帝为什么要这么做，他说道：“对不起，但我认为你会惩罚他的?”
    上帝笑了笑：“想想看——如此神奇的事，但他又能告诉谁？”

来源：英语口语陪练网