中國寓言故事雙語版 第41期:視石爲寶

In ancient times, a man of the State of Song picked up a stone in Linzi.

古代，宋國有個人在臨淄拾到了一塊石頭。

He examined it over and over and regarded it as a treasure.

他左看右看，認爲這是一件寶貝。

He quickly took it home, wrapped it up in dozens of silk layers, then put it in a leather box.

急忙拿回家去，用絲絹包了起來。包了一層又一層，一連包了幾十層，才把它放進皮匣子。

But he still felt uneasy, so he covered the box with dozens of boxes.

但是，他還不放心，在匣子外面又套上匣子，一連套了幾十只。

When a man who could identify treasures heard of this, he went at once to this man and asked to have a look at the treasure.

有個識寶的人，一聽到這個消息，就馬上到他那裏，請求看一看這件寶貝。

To be prudent, this man of Song took a bath, burned incense, cleansed his mind, calmed his mood, and went in for self- cultivation for seven days.

那個宋國人，爲了慎重起見，薰香沐浴，清心靜氣，修養了七天，

Then be put on ceremonial robes, respectfully took out the box, and carefully took the stone out of the box.

然後穿上大禮服，恭恭敬敬地請出匣子，小心翼翼地把那塊石頭從匣子裏取出來。

When the man who knew about treasures saw it, he nearly burst into laughter, but quickly covered his mouth with his hand.

那個識寶的人看了，差一點兒笑出聲來，連忙用手捂住了嘴巴，貼近他的耳朵。

He whispered close to the other's ear:"This is a piece of stone, as worthless as a tile."

輕輕地告訴他說:“這是一塊石頭，跟瓦片一樣一錢不值!”

The man of Song thought the man who knew about treasures was envious of him and trying to cheat him.

宋國人認爲這個識寶的人嫉妒他，在騙他。

Much displeased, he said:

心裏很不高興，他說:

"Merchants always say others' wares are worthless, and doctors always say patients' illnesses are very serious, so that they themselves can make more money. I will not be fooled!"

“做生意的人，總是把別人的貨色說得一錢不值;做醫生的人，總是把病人的毛病說得非常危險。這都是爲了自己可以多賺幾個錢。我可不上這個當!”

Thereafter, he treasured this stone even more, and kept it in a very safe place.

從此，他反而更加珍愛這塊石頭，把它保管得嚴嚴實實。