双语经典寓言故事大全.doc 10页

双语经典寓言故事集锦懒驴AmanboughtaDonkeyatthemarketonedayandtookhimhomeonapproval.一天，有个人在集市上买了一头驴，把驴牵回家先试用一下。NowthemanownedseveralDonkeysalreadyandhekneweachone"scharacterverywell.这人已经有好几头驴了，深知每头驴的习性。OneoftheDonkeywasverystrongandbrave.Anotherwaseagertopleasebutquicklyexhausted.有头驴又强壮、又勇敢；还有头驴急于讨人喜欢，可一会儿就累了；OneDonkeywasverylazy.Hehatedgoingtoworkinthemorningandhedidaslittleashepossiblycouldalldaylong.另有头驴非常懒，它不愿意一大早就去干活，一整天它都尽可能地少干点活，别的驴载东西时，Whentheotheranimalswerebeingloadeduphealwaystriedtobethelastsothathewouldgetthelightestload.它总是尽量排最后一个，这样载的东西就会最轻。ThemanledthenewDonkeyintothestableyard.Foramomenthestoodsniffingathisnewcompanions.Then,withouthesitation,hetrotteduptothelazyDonkeyandbeganfeedingcomfortablyathisside.这个人把新买的驴牵进牲口棚的院子里。驴站了一会儿，闻了闻它的新伙伴们，然后，毫不犹豫地跑到懒驴跟前，在它旁边悠闲自得地吃起草来。Thoughitwaslateintheday,themanimmediatelyledthenewDonkeyoutoftheyard,straightbacktothemarket.天色已经很晚了，这个人还是马上把新买的驴牵出了院子，径直回到集市上。"Youcannothavegivenhimafairtrialyet,"saidthemerchant."Itisonlytenminutessinceyouboughthim."“你不可能已经好好试过了，”卖驴的人说，“你买了它才十几分钟。”"Idon"tneedtotryhimanymore,"repliedtheman."Iknowjustwhatheislikefromthefriendhechoseforhimself.“我不用再试了，”这个人回答道。“从它自己挑选的朋友，我就知道它是头什么样的驴了。Takehimawayandgivememymoneyback.IcandowithoutDonkeyslikehim."把它牵走，把钱还给我。我没有这样的驴也能过日子。”龙虾和螃蟹Onastormyday,thecrabwentstrollingalongthebeach.一个暴风雨天里，一只螃蟹沿着海滩踱步而行。Hewassurprisedtoseethelobsterpreparingtosetsailinhisboat.Lobster,"saidthecrab,“itisfoolhardytoventureoutonadaylikethis."它着到龙虾准备扬帆出海，很是吃惊。“龙虾，”螃蟹说，”在这样的天气里出海冒险，你真是太鲁莽了！”Perhapsso,saidthelobster,butIloveasquallatsea!""Iwillcomewithyou,"saidthecrab.Iwillnotletyoufacesuchdangeralone."“或许吧，H龙虾说，可是，我喜欢海上的风暴。”“我和你一起去吧，一螃蟹说，一我不能让你独自面对这样的 Thelobsterandthecrabbegantheirvoyage.Soontheyfoundthemselvesfarfromshore.龙虾和螃蟹开始了航行。很快，它们发现离岸边已经很远了。Theirboatwastossedandbuffetedbytheturbulentwaters."Crab!"shoutedthelobsterabovetheroarofthewind.它们的小船被汹涌的海水颠簸着、击打着。“螃蟹！”龙虾的喊声压过了呼啸的狂风，”Forme,thesplashingofthesaltsprayisthrilling!Thecrashingofeverywavetakesmybreathaway"Lobster,Ithinkwearesinking"criedthecrab.hadtoadmitthatthedayhadbeenpleasantlyoutoftheordinary.对我来说，浪花的飞溅使我兴奋不已，每一个浪头涌来都让我惊心动魄。”"Yes,ofcourse,wearesinking,"saidthelobster.“Thisoldboatisfullofholes.Havecourage,myfriend.Remember,wearebothcreaturesofthesea."“龙虾，我觉得我们在下沉。”螃蟹大喊道。-是的，当然，我们在下沉。"龙虾说，“这只旧船到处都是洞。Thelittleboatcapsizedandsank."Horrors!"criedthecrab."Downwego!"shoutedthelobster.Thecrabwasshakenandupset.勇敢点儿，我的朋友。记住，咱们俩都是海里的动物。”小船翻了，沉了下去。“太可怕了！”螃蟹大叫。Thelobstertookhimforarelaxingwalkalongtheoceanfloor."Howbraveweare,"saidthelobster"WhatawonderfuladventurewehavehadThecrabbegantofeelsomewhatbetter.“我们下去喽！”龙虾大喊着。这样东摇西摆，螃蟹很不舒服。龙虾拉着它放松地在海底走着。_我们多勇敢啊，”龙虾说，这次冒险太棒了！”螃蟹觉得好些了。Althoughheuausllyenjoyedaquieterexistence,hehadtoadmitthatthedayhadbeenpleasantlyoutoftheordinary虽然它平时过着平静的生活，但是它不得不承认，这一天过得异乎寻常的愉快。我是盲人,所以我能找到路ItwasaveryfoggydayinLondon.Thefogwassothickthatitwasimpossibletoseemorethanafootorso.伦敦的一个大雾天。雾大得伸手不见五指Buses,carsandtaxiswerenotabletorunandwerestandingbythesideoftheroad.公共汽车、轿车和出租汽车无法行驶，均在路边“抛了锚”。Peopleweretryingtofindtheirwayaboutonfootbutwerelosingtheirwayinthefog.人们步行着，尽力摸索前进，但都在雾中迷了路。Mr.SmithhadaveryimportantmeetingattheHouseofCommonsandhadtogettherebutnoonecouldtakehim.史密斯先生要到下院参加一个非常重要的会议，必须赶到那儿，可是没人能送他去。Hetriedtowalktherebutfoundhewasquitelost.Suddenlyhebumpedintoastranger.Thestrangeraskedifhecouldhelphim.他试图步行前往，又发现自己完全迷失了方向。突然，他撞上了一位陌生人。陌生人问他是否需要帮忙。Mr.SmithsaidhewantedtogettotheHousesofParliament.Thestrangertoldhimhewouldtakehimthere.史密斯先生说，他想去下议院。陌生人对他说，他愿意领他去。Mr.Smiththankedhimandtheystartedtowalkthere.Thefogwasgettingthickereveryminute butthestrangerhadnodifficultyinfindingtheway.史密斯先生向他道了谢，他们就开始向下议院走去。雾越来越浓，但这位陌生人找起路来却毫无困难。Hewentalongonestreet,turneddownanother,crossedasquareandatlastafterabouthalfanhour"swalktheyarrivedattheHousesofParliament.他穿过一条街，拐进另一条街，通过一个广场，走了大约半个小时，最后来到了下议院。Mr.Smithcouldn"tunderstandhowthestrangerfoundhisway."Itiswonderful,”hesaid."Howdoyoufindthewayinthisfog?"史密斯先生不能理解这位陌生人是如何找着路的。“太神奇了，”他说，“这么大的雾，你怎么能找着路呢？”"Itisnotroubleatalltome,"saidthestranger,"Iamblind."“对我来说，这根本不算一回事，”陌生人说。“我是个盲人。”人靠衣装ABrahmin,amemberoftheHindupriest,hadagreatreputationforholiness,andreceivedmanypresentssothathebecamerich.一位婆罗门，印度僧侣之一，在圣洁方面享有极高的威望，所以他收到了很多礼物，也因此变得很富有。Oneday,hetookafancytodresshimselfasapoorpeasant.一天，他突-然把自己打扮成了一位贫穷的农民。Inthisattire,hewentintothemarketplacebutnoonesalutedhimandnoonegavehimanypresents.他穿着这身衣服去了集市，但是，没有人向他行礼，也没有人送他礼物。TheBrahminthenreturnedtohishouseand,dressinghimselfinrichgarments,oncemoresetoutforthemarketplace.婆罗门回到家里，穿上华丽的衣服，又去了集市。Thistime,everybodysalutedhimandmadewayforhimandmanyhandedhimpresents.这一次，每个人都向他行礼，给他让路，还有许多人送他礼物。ThiswastheusualcustomwhenaholyBrahminhappenedtomakehisappearanceinthemarketplace.Onceagain,theBrahminreturnedtohishomeandchangedhisclothes.按照习俗，神圣的婆罗门出现在集市上时人们通常都会这样做。婆罗门又回家换掉了这身华丽的衣服。Then,takingtherichgarments,hesetthemuponashrinenearthemarket.然后，他拿着这套华丽的衣服，把它架在了集市附近的一个圣坛上。Asheprostrateshimselfbeforethem,criedcontinually:"Omightygarments,youareesteemedaboveallelseinthisworld....他拜倒在衣服前面，口中念念有词：“噢，伟大的衣服啊，你比世界上其他所有东西都尊贵……”Thepeoplegatheredroundinwonder.AndintimecametoworshiptheclothesasthisBrahminwasdoing.人们好奇地聚拢了过来，最后也都开始朝衣服膜拜，因为婆罗门在这样做。Thiscustomhasspreadfartherandfarther.Nowinmanycountriesaroundtheworld,trendyand fashionablepeopledothesamething,thoughnot,perhapsinthewayastheBrahmindid.现在这一习俗已经传播得很远很远。世界上许多国家赶时髦的人都在这样做，尽管可能与婆罗门的方式不同。青蛙和他们的王国OnceuponatimetheFrogsdecidedtoaskJupiter,thekingofthegods,foraKingoftheirown.Jupiterwasamused.从前，青蛙们向众神之王丘比特请求，给他们分派一个国王。丘比特觉得很可笑。"Hereyouare,"hesaid,throwingalogofwoodwithasplashintothelakewheretheylived."Hereisakingforyou."“给你们，”他说着向青蛙们生活的湖里扑通一声抛下一根圆木。“这就是你们的国王。”TheFrogsdivedunderthewaterinfright,burrowingasdeepintothemudastheycould.AfteratimeoneofthebraveronesswamcautiouslytothesurfacetotakealookatthenewKing.青蛙们惊恐地潜到水里，尽量往泥土深处藏。过了一会儿，一只勇敢的青蛙小心翼翼地游到水面，来看看他们的新国王。"Helooksveryquite,:saidtheFrog.:Perhapsheisasleep.""看起来他很安静，“这只青蛙说，”可能是睡着了吧。ThelogstayedquitestillonthesmoothlakeandonebyonemoreFrogscameuptotakealook.圆木静静地浮在平静的湖面上。青蛙们纷纷来看一看他们的新国王。Theyswamcloserandcloseruntilatlasttheyleapedrightontopofit,quiteforgettingthattheyhadbeenfrightened.他们越游越近，最后竟跳到圆木上，完全忘记了他们最初的惊恐。YoungFrogsbegantouseitasadivingboard;oldFrogssatsunningthemselvesonit;motherFrogstaughttheirtadpolestheirfirst,wobblyjumpsonitsbark.小青蛙们用它来作跳板；老青蛙坐在上面晒太阳；青蛙妈妈在树皮上教小蝌蚪们最基本的摇摆式跳跃的动作。OnedayanoldFrogsaid:"ThisisadullkingofaKing,youknow.Ithoughtwewantedsomeonetokeepusinorder.Thisonejustliesaroundandletsusdowhatweplease."有一天，一只老青蛙说：”这个国王太迟钝了，我想，我们需要的是一个使我们守秩序的国王。这个国王只是躺在那儿，任由我们随意活动。“SotheFrogswentoncemoretoJupiter.于是，青蛙们又去找丘比特"Can"tyougiveusabetterKing?"theyasked."Someonewhowillbeabitmoreactivethantheoneyousentbefore?"“您不能给我们派一个更好的国王吗？”他们问，“派一个比先前您派去的那个更活跃的国王。”Jupiterwasnotinagoodmood.丘比特情绪不好。"Sillylittleanimals,"hethought."Ishallgivethemjustwhattheydeservethistime."“愚蠢的小动物，”他心想，“这回我要把他们应得的给他们。”Hesentalong-leggedstorktothelake.他派了一只长脚鹤到湖里去。 TheFrogswereveryimpressedandcrowdedadmiringlyround.青蛙对鹤的印象极为深刻，他们羡慕地围拢过来。Butbeforetheycouldevenbeginthespeechesofwelcometheyhadprepared,thestorkstuckhislongbeakintothewaterandbegantogobbleupasmanyFrogsashecouldsee.可是，还没等他们致准备好了的欢迎词，鹤就把他的长嘴伸进水了，看见青蛙就大口地吞食。"That"snotwhatwemeantatall,"gaspedtheFrogsastheydivedoncemoreintothemud.ButthistimeJupiterwouldnotlisten.“这根本不是我们的本意，”青蛙们喘着气，又钻进了泥土里。可是，这一次，丘比特不再理会他们了。"Ionlygaveyouwhatyouaskedfor,"hesaid,"Perhapsitwillteachyounottocomplainaboutthingssomuch."“我只是给了你们所要求的，”他说，“也许这会给你们一个教训，不要抱怨太多。”有裂痕的罐子AwaterbearerinIndiahadtwolargepots,eachhungoneachendofapolewhichhecarriedacrosshisneck.印度有一个挑水工，他有两个大罐子，分别挂在肩上的扁担两头。Oneofthepotshadacrackinit,andwhiletheotherpotwasperfectandalwaysdeliveredafullportionofwater.其中一个罐子做工精细，从不漏水，另一个上面则有一道裂缝。Attheendofthelongwalkfromthestreamtothemaster"shouse,thecrackedpotarrivedonlyhalffull.每当挑水工回到雇主家时，罐子里的水就只剩一半了。Forafulltwoyearsthiswentondaily,withthebearerdeliveringonlyoneandahalfpotsfullofwatertohismaster"shouse.这样过了整整两年，这个挑水工每天挑到雇主家的水仅有一罐半。Ofcourse,theperfectpotwasproudofitsaccomplishments,perfecttotheendforwhichitwasmade.当然，那个完好的罐子为自己的成就甚感自豪。Butthepoorcrackedpotwasashamedofitsownimperfection,andmiserablethatitwasabletoaccomplishonlyhalfofwhatithadbeenmadetodo.而那个可怜的有裂缝的罐子却因自身的瑕疵而羞愧不已，为自己只能装一半水而痛苦不堪。Aftertwoyearsofwhatitperceivedtobeabitterfailure,itspoketothewaterbeareronedaybythestream.痛苦了两年后，一天，那个有裂缝的罐子在小溪边对挑水工说："Iamashamedofmyself,andIwanttoapologizetoyou."“我很惭愧，想向你道歉。”"Why?"askedthebearer."Whatareyouashamedof?"“为什么？”挑水工问，“你羞愧什么呢？”"Ihavebeenable,forthesepasttwoyears,todeliveronlyhalfmyloadbecausethiscrackinmysidecauseswatertoleakoutallthewaybacktoyourmaster"shouse.“为这两年来只能让你挑回一半的水。因为我身上的这个裂缝，每次你回雇主家的路上，水都在漏，到家时就只剩下半罐了。 Becauseofmyflaws,youhavetodoallofthiswork,andyoudon"tgetfullvaluefromyourefforts,"thepotsaid.正是我的裂缝，你不得不多挑几次水，这样就浪费了你的部分劳动价值。”罐子说道。Thewaterbearerfeltsorryfortheoldcrackedpot,andinhiscompassionhesaid,挑水工对这个有裂痕的旧罐子感到很抱歉，他同情地说道："Aswereturntothemaster"shouse,Iwantyoutonoticethebeautifulflowersalongthepath."“当我们返回雇主家时，我希望你能留心路旁那些美丽的花朵。”Indeed,astheywentupthehill,theoldcrackedpottooknoticeofthesunwarmingthebeautifulwildflowersonthesideofthepath,andthischeereditsome.的确如此，当他们上山时，这个有裂缝的旧罐子注意到了路旁的野花，它们沐浴在阳光中非常漂亮。Butattheendofthetrail,itstillfeltbadbecauseithadleakedouthalfitsload,andsoagainitapologizedtothebearerforitsfailure.它感到了一丝快乐，但到雇主家时，它又为自己漏了一半水而难过起来，于是，它再次为自己的失败向挑水工道歉。Thebearersaidtothepot,"Didyounoticethattherewereflowersonlyonyoursideofyourpath,butnotontheotherpot"sside?挑水工对罐子说：“你注意到了吗？你这边沿路都有花，而另一边就没有？That"sbecauseIhavealwaysknownaboutyourflaw,andItookadvantageofit.我早就注意到了你的裂缝，我就是利用这一点，在你这侧的路边种上花籽。Iplantedflowerseedsonyoursideofthepath,andeverydaywhilewewalkbackfromthestream,you"vewateredthem.每天，我们从小溪回来时，你就给它们浇了水。FortwoyearsIhavebeenabletopickthesebeautifulflowerstodecoratemymaster"stable.这两年，我就采这些漂亮的花朵来装点雇主的桌子。Withoutyoubeingjustthewayyouare,hewouldnothavethisbeautytogracehishouse."倘若你不漏水，他就没有这么美丽的鲜花来装饰屋子了。”在沙漠中的小花Thishappenedmanymanysummersago.这个故事发生在很多很多个夏天以前。Therewasayoungflowerinthedesertwhereallwasdryandsadlooking...Itwasgrowingbyitself...enjoyingeveryday...在一个周围充满着干燥与衰落景象的沙漠中，有一朵小花正绽放着……她孤单地生长着……快乐地过着每一天……andsayingtothesun"WhenshallIbegrownup"?Andthesunwouldsay"Bepatient"---EachtimeItouchyou,yougrowalittle"...太阳回答说：“不要着急——我的光芒每接触你一次，你就会长大一点儿……”她对太阳说：“我什么时候才能长大呀？”Andshewassopleased.Becauseshewouldhaveachancetobringbeautytothiscornerofsand...小花听了非常高兴。因为她有机会为这片沙漠增添一处绚丽的景色了……Andthisisallshewantedtodo---bringalittlebitofbeautytothisworld. 这就是她梦寐以求的——为这个世界带来一点儿美丽。Onedaythehuntercameby---andsteppedonher.---一天，一个猎人经过这里——并从她身上踏了过去。——Shewasgoingtodie---andshefeltsosad.Notbecauseshewasdying---butbecauseshewouldnothaveachancetobringalittlebitofbeautytothiscornerofthedesert.她即将死了——她感到十分悲伤。她悲伤的原因，并不是因为她将要死去，而是因为她再也没有机会为这片沙漠增添一处绚丽的景色了。Thegreatspiritsawher,andwaslistening.---Indeed,hesaid...Sheshouldbeliving...Andhereacheddownandtouchedher---andgaveherlife.一个伟大的精灵看到了她，并听到了她的哭诉。——事实上，他说……她应该活下去……于是，他来到沙漠上抚摸着她，并赋予了她生命。Andshegrewuptobeabeautifulflower...andthiscornerofthedesertbecamesobeautifulbecauseofher.后来，她终于长大成了一朵美丽的花儿……这片沙漠也因她的存在而变得格外美丽我们是多么贫穷Onedayawealthyfamilymantookhissononatriptothecountrysohecouldhavehissonseehowpoorcountrypeoplewere.一天，一个富有的爸爸带着儿子做了一次乡村之旅，他想让儿子明白乡下人是多么的贫穷。Theystayedonedayandonenightinthefarmhouseofaveryhumblefarm.Onthewaybackhomeattheendofthetripthefatheraskedtheson,"Whatdidyouthinkofthetrip?"他们在一个农家的寒酸的农场上呆了一天一夜。在旅程结束回家的路上，爸爸问儿子：“你觉得这次旅行怎么样？”Thesonreplied,"Verynice,Dad."儿子回答：“非常好，爸爸。”Thefatherthenasked,"Didyounoticedhowpoortheywere?"爸爸接着问：“你有没有注意到他们是多么贫穷啊？”Thesonreplied,"Yes,Iguessso."儿子答道：“是的，或许是吧。”Thefatherthenadded,"Andwhatdidyoulearn?"爸爸追问道：“那你都是学到了些什么？”Tothisquestion,thesonthoughtforamomentandansweredslowly,"Ilearnedthatwehaveonedoginthehouseandtheyhavefour.Wehaveafountaininthegardenandtheyhaveastreamthathasnoend.关于这一问题，儿子想了一会儿，慢条斯理地回答道：“我学到我们家只有一只狗，而他们却有四只。我们花园里有一个喷水池，而他们却有一条没有尽头的小河。”"Wehavefancylanternsinourgarden,whiletheyhavethestars.Ourgardengoestotheedgeofouryard,butfortheirbackyardtheyhavetheentirehorizon!"“我们花园里有色彩夺目的灯笼，而他们却有无数闪亮的星星。我们院子的尽头就是花园，而他们的后院却有开阔的视野。”Attheendoftheson"sreply,therichfatherwasspeechless.Hissonthenadded:"Thanks,Dad,forshowingmehowpoorwereallyare." 儿子说完后，这个富有的爸爸无言以对。儿子还说道：“谢谢你，爸爸，让我明白了我们是多么贫穷。”Isn"tittruethatalldependsonthelensyouusetoseelife?一切在于看待问题的方式，难道不是吗？Ifyouhavelove,friends,family,health,goodhumorandapositiveattitudetowardlife,you"vegoteverything!如果你拥有了爱情、朋友、家庭、健康、幽默和积极的态度，你就拥有了一切。Youcan"tbuyanyofthesethings.Youcanhaveallthematerialpossessionsyoucanimagine,provisionsforthefuture,etc.,butifyouarepoorofspirit,youhavenothing!这些东西是金钱买不到的。你可以拥有你想象中的任何物质财富和为将来做的储备，但假若你精神贫乏，还是一无所有。四个妻子Therewasarichmerchantwhohad4wives.Helovedthe4thwifethemostandadornedherwithrichrobesandtreatedhertodelicacies.Hetookgreatcareofherandgavehernothingbutthebest.从前，有个商人，他有四个老婆。他最喜欢这小老婆，因此，他常常为她买来各种衣服，把她打扮得漂漂亮亮的，真可谓百般呵护。他对她如此疼爱，总是给她最好的。Healsolovedthe3rdwifeverymuch.He"sveryproudofherandalwayswantedtoshowoffhertohisfriends.However,themerchantisalwaysingreatfearthatshemightrunawaywithsomeothermen.他也非常喜欢这第三个老婆。他常常以她为荣，总是带她出入各种社交圈子。不过，商人有个心病，总是担心有一天她会和别的男人私奔。Hetoo,lovedhis2ndwife.Sheisaveryconsiderateperson,alwayspatientandinfactisthemerchant"sconfidante.他也喜欢这第二个老婆。这位夫人，善解人意，富有耐心，真可谓是商人的红颜知己。Wheneverthemerchantfacedsomeproblems,healwaysturnedtohis2ndwifeandshewouldalwayshelphimoutandtidehimthroughdifficulttimes.每当遇到困难，商人总是找她帮忙，她也总能献出锦囊妙计，帮助商人化险为夷。Now,themerchant"s1stwifeisaveryloyalpartnerandhasmadegreatcontributionsinmaintaininghiswealthandbusinessaswellastakingcareofthehousehold.话说商人的大老婆，她对商人忠心耿耿，不论在财务管理，商务经营，还是在家务料理方面，她的功劳很大。However,themerchantdidnotlovethefirstwifeandalthoughshelovedhimdeeply,hehardlytooknoticeofher.尽管如此，商人却不喜欢她。虽然她深深爱着商人，可商人几乎一点也不知情。Oneday,themerchantfellill.Beforelong,heknewthathewasgoingtodiesoon.Hethoughtofhisluxuriouslifeandtoldhimself,有一天，商人病倒了。不久，他知道他已来日不多。想到过去的奢华生活，商人不觉暗然神伤，独自感叹道："NowIhave4wiveswithme.ButwhenIdie,I"llbealone.HowlonelyI"llbe!" “如今，我有四个老婆相伴左右，可一旦我死去，她们都将离我而去，我将是多么的孤独啊！”Thus,heaskedthe4thwife,"Ilovedyoumost,endowedyouwiththefinestclothingandshowedgreatcareoveryou.于是，他首先问这小老婆道：“我最喜欢你，总是给你最好的衣服穿，也非常疼爱你NowthatI"mdying,willyoufollowmeandkeepmecompany""Noway!"repliedthe4thwifeandshewalkedawaywithoutanotherword.如今，我将不久于人世，你愿随我而去，永不分离吗？”“没门！”小老婆斩钉截铁地回答道，然后，二话没说，扭头便走。Theanswercutlikeasharpkniferightintothemerchant"sheart.小老婆的话象尖刀一般戳进商人的心。Thesadmerchantthenaskedthe3rdwife,"Ihavelovedyousomuchforallmylife.NowthatI"mdying,willyoufollowmeandkeepmecompany"商人很难过，于是又找到这第三个老婆，问她：“我一生都非常喜欢你，如今，我将要死去，你愿意随我而去，永不分离吗？”"No!"repliedthe3rdwife."Lifeissogoodoverhere!I"mgoingtoremarrywhenyoudie!"Themerchant"sheartsankandturnedcold.“办不到！”她也这般回答，一边又继续说：“人世的生活多美好！如果你死了，我会重新嫁人呢。”一听此话，商人的心一下凉了半截。Hethenaskedthe2ndwife,"Ialwaysturnedtoyouforhelpandyou"vealwayshelpedmeout.于是，他又问这第二个老婆：“每次遇到困难，我总是找你帮忙，而你也总能帮我走出困境。NowIneedyourhelpagain.WhenIdie,willyoufollowmeandkeepmecompany""I"msorry,Ican"thelpyououtthistime!"repliedthe2ndwife."如今，我想再一次请求你的帮助。如果我死了，你愿意随我而去，永不分离吗？”“真抱歉，这次，我帮不了你的忙了。”Attheverymost,Icanonlysendyoutoyourgrave."Theanswercamelikeaboltofthunderandthemerchantwasdevastated.她回答道，一边又继续说：“这次，顶多，我也只能送你到墓前。”夫人的话犹如晴天霹雳，商人一下子懵了。Thenavoicecalledout:"I"llleavewithyou.I"llfollowyounomatterwhereyougo."正在这时，只听得有人声嘶力竭地说：“我愿随你而去，不论你到哪里。”Themerchantlookedupandtherewashisfirstwife.Shewassoskinny,almostlikeshesufferedfrommalnutrition.Greatlygrieved,themerchantsaid,"IshouldhavetakenmuchbettercareofyouwhileIcouldhave!"商人抬头一看，是大老婆。只见她面容憔悴，瘦骨嶙峋，似乎好多天没怎么吃东西了。见此情景，商人悲从心头起，凄惨地说：“早知今日，何必当初。”Actually,weallhave4wivesinourlives一生中，其实，我们每个人都有四个老婆相伴左右。The4thwifeisourbody.Nomatterhowmuchtimeandeffortwelavishinmakingitlookgood,it"llleaveuswhenwedie.这小老婆就是我们的肉体。不管我们如何呵护它，一旦我们死去，它就会远离我们而去。Our3rdwifeisourpossessions,statusandwealth.Whenwedie,theyallgotoothers.这第三个老婆就是我们的财产，地位和金钱。一旦我们死去，他们就会全归别人。The2ndwifeisourfamilyandfriends.Nomatterhowclosetheyhadbeenthereforuswhen we"realive,thefurthesttheycanstaybyusisuptothegrave.这第二个老婆就是我们的家人和朋友。在世时，无论彼此关系如何亲密，一旦我们死去，他们顶多也只能止步于我们的墓前。The1stwifeisinfactoursoul,oftenneglectedinourpursuitofmaterial,wealthandsensualpleasure.这个大老婆呢，其实就是我们的灵魂。平常，在追求物质财富，满足感官享受的同时，我们常常忽视了它们。GuesswhatItisactuallytheonlythingthatfollowsuswhereverwego.Perhapsit"sagoodideatocultivateandstrengthenitnowratherthantowaituntilwe"reonourdeathbedtolament.纵观所述，想一想，至亲者，谁？其实，至亲者，灵魂也！如今，一个不错的主意也许就是要善待我们的灵魂，而不是等到我们弥留之际再作无谓的叹息。