There was a rich merchant who had 4 wives.
从前,一位富有的商人娶了四个老婆.
He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to delicacies.
他最爱他的小老婆,给她最华丽的衣裳和美味佳肴.
He took great care of her and gave her nothing but the best.
他对她体贴入微、呵护备至,把最好的东西都给了她.
He also loved the 3rd wife very much. He's very proud of her and always wanted to show off her to his friends.
商人也很爱第三位老婆.他为她感到骄傲,并常把她作为在朋友面前炫耀的资本.
However, the merchant is always in great fear that she might run away with some other men.
但他同时也十分害怕,怕她与其他男人跑了.
He too, loved his 2nd wife. She is a very considerate person, always patient and in fact is the merchant's confidante.
当然,商人也爱二老婆,她既善解人意又温柔耐心.事实上,她是商人的红颜知己.
Whenever the merchant faced some problems,
每每遇到困难,
he always turned to his 2nd wife and she would always help him out and tide him through difficult times.
他就会找她,而她也总能帮助他走出困境,度过难关.
Now, the merchant's 1st wife is a very loyal partner
至于大老婆,她是一位忠诚的伴侣,
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、打理家务,忙里忙外,可谓劳苦功高.
However, the merchant did not love the first wife and although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her.
然而,尽管她爱他爱得那么深,商人却偏不钟情于她,甚至没把她放在心上.
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,他自知将不久于人世.
He thought of his luxurious life and told himself, "Now I have 4 wives with me.
当他回顾自己奢华的一生时,不禁心中怅然:"现在我虽然有四个老婆相伴,
But when I die, I'll be alone. How lonely I'll be!"
但死后却要孤零零一人,多寂寞啊!"
Thus, he asked the 4th wife,