雙語散文:Precious Hands(寶貴的雙手)

【英文原文】

There was once a shepherd who had a daughter whose great beauty attracted a lot of young men from all over the country. 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. 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 camel 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. 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, "I 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!"　　
A pair of hardworking hands can create much wealth.

【中文譯文】

從前，有個牧羊人，他有一個非常美麗的女兒，她的美吸引了方圓幾百裏的年輕小夥子，他們慕名前來求婚。牧羊人問女兒：“孩子，告訴父親，你想要什麼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。”“這怎麼可能呢？”牧馬人好奇地說，“貧窮和富有是相對的啊！”“親愛的父親，”女兒說，“貧窮的人也有他自己的財富。”然後，牧羊人就發出了招婿的通告。一天，許多有心的求婚男子云集在牧馬人居住的帳篷外面。牧羊人走出帳篷，對大家說：“好，有心來求婚的人士，請上前來說說自己的條件吧！”幾個衣着華麗的小夥子首先走上前來，他們的僕人牽着滿載禮品的駱駝跟在後面。“我們都是有錢人。我們擁有金山銀山、絲綢、羊毛和紅氈。請從我們當中選一個作你的丈夫吧。”牧羊人的女兒只是報以微笑。接着，五位手捧珠寶盒子的小夥子走上前來。“這些金盒子裏裝滿了稀世珍品。如果你選擇我們其中之一作爲你的丈夫，你將成爲最富有的人。”“你們都不是我心目中的理想丈夫。”牧羊人的女兒失望地說。小夥子們一個個走上前來求婚，但都被她拒絕了。牧羊人開始着急起來。突然，有個衣着樸素的青年走了過來。牧羊人問：“年輕人，你看上去很窮啊。那麼，你有什麼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，” 青年說，“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，給你們訂製一套桌椅；而且，我還能給你們搭一個帳篷。”牧羊人的女兒笑了。 “我還會烹飪，”青年繼續說，“我能煮出最美味的飯菜。然而，我既沒有什麼財產，也沒有僕人，更沒有什麼金銀珠寶。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！”“太好了！”牧羊人的女兒激動地高聲喊道，“你比他們中任何人都富有！因爲你有一雙寶貴的手，你正是我心目中的理想丈夫。”
一雙勤勞的手，可以創造無限的財富。