There was a rich merchant who had 4 wives.
從前,一位富有的商人娶了四個老婆.
He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to delicacies.
他最愛他的小老婆,給她最華麗的衣裳和美味佳肴.
He took great care of her and gave her nothing but the best.
他對她體貼入微、呵護備至,把最好的東西都給了她.
He also loved the 3rd wife very much. He's very proud of her and always wanted to show off her to his friends.
商人也很愛第三位老婆.他為她感到驕傲,并常把她作為在朋友面前炫耀的資本.
However, the merchant is always in great fear that she might run away with some other men.
但他同時也十分害怕,怕她與其他男人跑了.
He too, loved his 2nd wife. She is a very considerate person, always patient and in fact is the merchant's confidante.
當然,商人也愛二老婆,她既善解人意又溫柔耐心.事實上,她是商人的紅顏知己.
Whenever the merchant faced some problems,
每每遇到困難,
he always turned to his 2nd wife and she would always help him out and tide him through difficult times.
他就會找她,而她也總能幫助他走出困境,度過難關.
Now, the merchant's 1st wife is a very loyal partner
至于大老婆,她是一位忠誠的伴侶,
and has made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and business as well as taking care of the household.
替他照料生意、打理家務,忙里忙外,可謂勞苦功高.
However, the merchant did not love the first wife and although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her.
然而,盡管她愛他愛得那么深,商人卻偏不鐘情于她,甚至沒把她放在心上.
One day, the merchant fell ill. Before long, he knew that he was going to die soon.
一日,商人得了重病,他自知將不久于人世.
He thought of his luxurious life and told himself, "Now I have 4 wives with me.
當他回顧自己奢華的一生時,不禁心中悵然:"現(xiàn)在我雖然有四個老婆相伴,
But when I die, I'll be alone. How lonely I'll be!"
但死后卻要孤零零一人,多寂寞啊!"
Thus, he asked the 4th wife,