A Pair of Precious Hands 寶貴的雙手

楊慶春

There was once a shepherd who had a daughter whose great beauty attracted a lot of? young men.

One day， the shepherd asked his daughter， “My dear daughter， tell me， what kind of man do you want to be your husband？” His daughter said，“My dear father， my future husband can be poor but also a wealthy man.” “How could that be？ Poor and rich are two opposite things！” said her father. “Dear father， a poor person also has his wealth. ”said his daughter.

The shepherd then announced that his daughter was ready for marriage.

從前，有個牧羊人，他有一個非常美麗的女兒，她的美貌吸引了許多年輕小伙子。

一天，牧羊人問女兒：“親愛的孩子，告訴我，你想要什么樣的人做你的丈夫呢？”女兒回答說：“親愛的父親，我將來的丈夫是個既貧窮又富有的人?！?“這怎么可能呢？貧窮和富有是相對的??！”牧羊人說。女兒說：“親愛的父親，貧窮的人也有他自己的財富?！?/p>

然后，牧羊人就發(fā)出了招婿的通告。

One day， there were many eligible men gathered outside the shepherd’s home. He came out and said，“All right， gentlemen， those who think they are eligible， please come forward and tell me your qualifications！” A few well-dressed gentlemen came forward followed by their servants and loads of gifts carried by camels. “We are rich men. We have gold and silver mines， silk， fur and red carpets. Please choose one of us.” The shepherd’s daughter just smiled. Then came five young men with some jewelry boxes. “These golden boxes contain rare jewelry. You will be the most wealthy person if you choose one of us to be your husband.” “All of you are not my idea of an ideal husband，” said the disappointed lady.

一天，許多符合條件的求婚男子聚集在牧羊人的房子外面。牧羊人走出來，對大家說：“好，各位認為自己有資格來求婚的人士，請上前來說說自己的條件吧！”幾個衣著華麗的小伙子走上前來，他們的仆人牽著滿載禮品的駱駝跟在后面。“我們都是有錢人。我們擁有金山、銀山、絲綢、皮毛和紅毯。請從我們當中選一個吧。”牧羊人的女兒只是報以微笑。接著，五位手捧珠寶盒子的小伙子走上前來?！斑@些金盒子里裝滿了稀世珍寶，如果你選擇我們其中之一作為丈夫，你將成為最富有的人。”“你們都不是我心目中的理想丈夫。”牧羊人的女兒失望地說。

One by one young men came forward but they were rejected by her. The shepherd began to worry. Suddenly， a plainly dressed young man appeared. The shepherd asked，“Young man， you look so poor. What can you offer my daughter？” “My wealth is always with me and it is my hands，” the young man said， “I am a good tailor. I am also a good carpenter. I can make tables and chairs within an hour. Moreover， I can also put up a tent for you all！” The lady smiled. The young man continued， “l(fā) can cook too. I can cook delicious meals. However， I do not have any property， servants or jewelry. But， with my pair of hands， I do have a whole life of wealth！” “That’s great！” shouted the shepherd’s daughter excitedly. “You are more wealthy than any of them because you have a pair of precious hands. You are my idea of an ideal husband！”

小伙子們一個個走上前來求婚，但都被她拒絕了。牧羊人開始著急起來。突然，有個衣著樸素的年輕人走了過來。牧羊人問：“年輕人，你看上去很窮。那么，你有什么寶物要獻給我女兒嗎？”“我的財富一向隨身攜帶，它就是我的雙手，”年輕人說，“我是一個技藝精湛的裁縫師，我還是一個熟練的木匠。我能在一個小時內，給你們制作一套桌椅。而且，我還能給你們搭一個帳篷。”牧羊人的女兒笑了。青年繼續(xù)說：“我還會烹飪，我能做出最美味的飯菜。然而，我既沒有什么財產，也沒有仆人，更沒有什么金銀珠寶。但我有一雙手，有了這雙手，我就擁有了一生用之不盡的財富！”“大好了！”牧羊人的女兒激動地高聲喊道，“你比他們中任何人都富有！因為你有一雙寶貴的手，你正是我心目中的理想丈夫！”