It was the Christmas season and the judge was in a merry mood as he asked the prisoner, “What is your offense¹?”

圣诞佳节到来，法官心情愉悦地问犯人：“你做了什么坏事啊？”

“I did my Christmas shopping early this year,” cried the prisoner.

“我今年圣诞节购物早了些”犯人回答。

“There's nothing wrong with that,” said the Judge. How early were you doing this shopping?”

“这么做没错啊，”法官说：“到底多早之前啊？“

“Before the store opened, ”answered the prisoner.

“商店开门之前“犯人答道。