浮华背后15：Precious Hands宝贵的双手

There was once a shepherd who had a daughter whose greatbeautyattracted a lot of young men from all over the country. Oneday,the shepherd asked his daughter, My dear daughter, tell me,whatkind of man do you want to be your husband?
从前，有个牧羊人，他有一个非常美丽的女儿，她的美吸引了方圆几百里的年轻小伙子，他们慕名前来求婚。牧羊人问女儿：“孩子，告诉父亲，你想要什么样的人做你的丈夫呢？”

His daughter said,Mydear father, my future husband can be poor but also a wealthyman.How could that be, poor and rich are two opposite things!saidher father.
女儿回答说：“亲爱的父亲，我将来的丈夫是个既贫穷又富有的人。”“这怎么可能呢？”牧马人好奇地说，“贫穷和富有是相对的啊！”

Dear father, a poor person also has his wealth.Saidhis daughter. The shepherd then announced that his daughterwasready for marriage.
女儿回答说：“亲爱的父亲，我将来的丈夫是个既贫穷又富有的人。”“这怎么可能呢？”牧马人好奇地说，“贫穷和富有是相对的啊！”

One day, there were many eligible¹ mengatheredoutside the shepherds home. He came out and said, Allright,gentlemen, those who think they are eligible, please comeforwardand tell me your qualifications! A few well-dressedgentlemen cameforward followed by their servants and camel loads ofgifts carriedby camels. We are rich men, we have gold and silvermines, silk,fur and red carpets. Please choose one of us.
一天，许多有心的求婚男子云集在牧马人居住的帐篷外面。牧羊人走出帐篷，对大家说：“好，有心来求婚的人士，请上前来说说自己的条件吧！”几个衣着华丽的小伙子首先走上前来，他们的仆人牵着满载礼品的骆驼跟在后面。“我们都是有钱人。我们拥有金山银山、丝绸、羊毛和红毡。请从我们当中选一个作你的丈夫吧。”

The shepherdsdaughter just smiled. Then came five young men with somejewelryboxes. These golden boxes contain rare jewelry². You will bethemost wealthy person if you choose one of us to be your husband.All of you are not my idea of an ideal husband, saidthedisappointed lady. One by one young men came forward but theywererejected by her.
牧羊人的女儿只是报以微笑。接着，五位手捧珠宝盒子的小伙子走上前来。“这些金盒子里装满了稀世珍品。如果你选择我们其中之一作为你的丈夫，你将成为最富有的人。”“你们都不是我心目中的理想丈夫。”牧羊人的女儿失望地说。小伙子们一个个走上前来求婚，但都被她拒绝了。

The shepherd began to worry. Suddenly, aplainlydressed young man appeared. The shepherd asked, Young man,youlook so poor. What can you offer my daughter? My wealth isalwayswith me and it is my hands, the young man said, I am agoodtailor. I am also a good carpenter. I can make tables andchairswithin an hour.
牧羊人开始着急起来。突然，有个衣着朴素的青年走了过来。牧羊人问：“年轻人，你看上去很穷啊。那么，你有什么宝物要献给我女儿吗？”“我的财富一向随身携带,它就是我的双手，”青年说，“我是一个技艺精湛的裁缝师；我还是一个熟练的木匠，我能在一个小时内，给你们订制一套桌椅；

Moreover, I can also put up a tent for youall!The lady smiled. The young man continued, I can cook too. Icancook delicious meals. However, I do not have any property,servantsor jewelry. But, with my pair of hands, I do have a wholelife ofwealth! Thats great! shouted the shepherds daughterexcitedly.You are more wealthy than any of them because you have apair ofprecious hands. You are my idea of an ideal husband!
而且，我还能给你们搭一个帐篷。”牧羊人的女儿笑了。“我还会烹饪，”青年继续说，“我能煮出最美味的饭菜。然而，我既没有什么财产，也没有仆人，更没有什么金银珠宝。但我有一双手，有了这双手，我就拥有了一生用之不尽的财富！”“太好了！”牧羊人的女儿激动地高声喊道，“你比他们中任何人都富有！因为你有一双宝贵的手，你正是我心目中的理想丈夫。”

A pair of hardworking hands can create much wealth.
一双勤劳的手，可以创造无限的财富。
 

1 eligible   

adj.有条件被选中的；(尤指婚姻等)合适(意)的

参考例句：

• He is an eligible young man.他是一个合格的年轻人。
• Helen married an eligible bachelor.海伦嫁给了一个中意的单身汉。

2 jewelry   

n.（jewllery）（总称）珠宝

参考例句：

• The burglars walked off with all my jewelry.夜盗偷走了我的全部珠宝。
• Jewelry and lace are mostly feminine belongings.珠宝和花边多数是女性用品。