【明報專訊】Dr Panda comes across MoMo, who is in a hurry. She looks very tired.

“ MoMo: Exhausted after the exams and extra classes, but I'm on my way to take the piano class now... ”

“ Dr Panda: You should tell your piano teacher that you need to take a rest. ”

“ MoMo: It would be like bearding the lion in his den! ”

“ Dr Panda: Don't be silly! He couldn't be that frightening! ”

“ Dr Panda: ...He looks...kind and gentle, I'm sure he's reasonable... ”

After MoMo told Mr. Lion her situation...

“ Mr. Lion: You poor bunny! Just take a good rest. ”

“ Mr. Lion: Don't push yourself too hard, sweetheart. ”

“ Dr Panda: See? I told you. ”

■Culture tips

Henry VIII of England

Did you know that the Anglican Church (英國國教會) and the Roman Catholic Church(羅馬天主教會) are separate churches? The Anglican Church owes its existence to the temperamental King of England Henry VIII. On 7 March 1530, the Pope wrote to the king forbidding him from marrying Anne Boleyn and later announced that he had been excommunicated(開除教籍). Despite this, Henry VIII invalidated his first marriage and made Anne Boleyn his second wife. He declared himself leader of the English Church. His first wife then died of an unknown cause.

Serving Henry VIII must have been like bearding the lion in his den. During his reign, he executed Chancellor Sir Thomas More, a man of integrity, as well as two of his own wives. However, by wiping out Rome's influences, the king succeeded in making England an independent country.

■English highway﹕to beard the lion in his den

This idiom means to confront or to show your disagreement with somebody who is powerful or formidable.

e.g. He dare not to disobey his boss's order rather than beard the lion in his den.

■Glossary

temperamental(adj) 喜怒無常的

invalidate(v) 使……無效

execute (v) 處死

formidable (adj) 駭人的

[Smarties' Power English 第210期]