A good friend told me this anecdote about Prince Philip.

    In 1986, Prince Philip led a WWF survey inspection of Yunnan province in China. Instead of sitting with the provincial leaders in the limousine, the Prince got on the large coach with the other surveyors as he wanted to observe the trees and animals more freely.  

    After a long drive, the motorcade stopped halfway up a mountain so that everyone could stretch and take a break. The team leader was considerate and went up to the Prince and said:

   “Sir, you can go to the toilet now.”

    This seemed crass to the Prince, who didn’t like being told when to use the washroom, and didn’t avail himself of the opportunity.

   However, soon the Prince did feel nature’s call and asked his interpreter:

  “Where can I wash my hands?”

   The interpreter replied:

   “Oh, there are basins behind the tree, you can wash your hands there. There are also brand new towels and soaps for you. You can wash your hands, and also your face.”

   The Prince was dumbstruck, but as it was urgent, he tried to explain to the interpreter:

  “I need to have a pee.”

   This simple request sparked a long discussion between the interpreter and the provincial leaders. Eventually, the interpreter came back and told the Prince:

   “Sorry, sir, pea is not in season yet.”

Of course, all’s well that ends well. Prince Philip made the rounds with this story when he returned to the UK.

I Need to Have a Pee (菲利普亲王趣事)

       1986年，英国菲利普亲王带领WWF代表团来中国考察。在云南省调查动植物状况时，接待方考虑到山路崎岖漫长，中途安排了一个休息点。一到该点，领队亲自前来告诉菲利普亲王,

“Sir, you can go to the toilet now ”

菲利普亲王对如此直白的说法极感不快，端着架子未与其他人一起下车“自由行动”。过了一会他感到内急，不得不问身边的翻译：

“Where can I wash my hands?”

翻译不明白他的意思，说：

“There are basins behind the tree, you can wash your hands there.  There are also brand new towels and soaps for you. You can wash your hands, and also your face.”

菲利普亲王明白翻译根本没有搞懂他的意思，只好进一步解释：

“I need to have a pee.”

翻译听后与旁边云南省委的负责人叽叽咕咕了半天，然后面有难色地对亲王说：

“Sorry, pea is not in season yet.”

(WWF: World Wide Fund for Nature)

Pictures are from:

https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1FDuUOVXXXXayXpXXq6xXFXXXD/Vegetable-fruit-sweet-font-b-pea-b-font-seeds-Snow-font-b-peas-b-font-seed.jpg

https://img.clipartfest.com/03322a6a78c7cf6588fdc8cad4449088_peas-in-a-pod-clip-art-two-pea-clipart_236-236.jpeg

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